A perpetual pilgrimage

The Fifth Anniversary of the Foundation of The Benedictine Way was a joyful, momentous day for the community, and for the whole Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska. The community celebrated five years of existence, having grown and thrived in spite of a worldwide pandemic, and rejoiced in the solemn profession of Br Jerry Thompson, OSB. The first solemn profession of any Episcopal monastic in the diocese.

Br Jerry was joined by eight others who were also becoming Benedictines, being welcomed as new Interns, Service Corps Members, and Oblates. Joining The Benedictine Way—whether as a monastic or a lay person—means aspiring to a life of prayer, service to the poor and forgotten, and life in Christian community. Community members join in regular prayer at Incarnation Monastery, they work together to run three urban gardens and a twice weekly food pantry, and they support one another in joy and through hardship.

Br James Dowd, OSB, Prior of The Benedictine Way, says, “Being a Benedictine is like being on a perpetual pilgrimage, each day the path lies ahead of you, with Christ not at the end of the path, but as a walking companion on that journey.”

Together with over 150 people in the diocese, the community of The Benedictine Way celebrated that journey. New community members promised to walk with the community as they work towards making God’s kingdom a reality. As the only residential monastic community between the Mississippi River and Rocky Mountains, and between the border with Canada and the border with Mexico, The Benedictine Way aspires to be a monastery for the Heartland.

Bishop J. Scott Barker, eleventh Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska, says, “The Benedictine Way is a powerful, compelling, and deeply faithful incarnation of Church. They are a witness to this diocese and the whole Anglican Communion.”

“We work toward a future of Jubilee, when captives are set free, debts are forgiven, the sick are healed, the land rests, and all creation is made whole with God.” —Br.James Dowd.

The livestream of the service is available on The Benedictine Way’s YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/thebenedictineway. If you’d like to learn more or donate to The Benedictine Way, please visit their website at www.thebenedictineway.org.