Ordination
The Cistercian Order of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary is happy to receive male applicants for Holy Orders, of Deacon and Priest. In order for The Cistercian Order of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary to ordain someone, they will have to be members of the Order and will not be able to be a part of another jurisdiction. We would also consider incardination for other rightfully ordained clerics. Ordination is not to be taken lightly and our order should not be seen as an ordination mill. We will only ordain an applicant who is a monk within the order and when can be proven that there is an authentic need for ordination on one hand and on the other hand, when we have gone through a thorough discernment of their vocation.
While there are traditional qualifications for ordination/incardination, the principal interest is discerning a true vocation and developing Priests or Deacons who are fruitful and faithful ministers. Therefore, educational requirements may be individually tailored, always bearing in mind that we need to take ordination requirements in relation to study and preparations completely into account.
We celebrate valid apostolic lines of succession, the seven sacraments and liturgical worship consistent with the historic catholic church of Christ. While some practices may differ, e.g., married clergy, we adhere to the dogmas constituted by true apostolic teaching.
Third Order Cleric members of the Cistercian Order of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary may either retain their membership in their own historical churches but cannot work as cleric within the order. Otherwise they will have to transfer membership to the Order.
In extreme cases we may also grant apostolic oversight to clerics.
Of course, those who hold orders and/or live in residence are members exclusively with the Order.
Those members who are living in community will adhere to the liturgical practices consistent with Cistercian monasticism, ancient church liturgies and their common faith traditions. For those living outside of the community, they will have to develop a liturgical life in which they can practice their faith in accordance to the existing Cistercian communities.
If you are interested in ordination or incardination, request an application form and we will forward it to you. Hereafter you will have to forward the completed application form to the office of the Abbot General. His office will then contact you.