Norbertine Canonesses of Bethlehem Priory of St. Joseph
Shortly after founding his community of canons at Prémontré in 1121, St. Norbert also received women into his Order, beginning with the noble widow, Ricvera of Clastres. This incorporation of women perfectly corresponded with the ideal and the spirit of St. Norbert and his first followers, who wished to revive that way of life in which the Apostles “devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers” (Acts 1:14). Like the Norbertine canons, Norbertine canonesses are consecrated for the service of divine worship and vow to live “according to the Gospel of Christ and the Apostolic way of life” (from the formula of solemn profession). However, the canonesses fulfill the wholly contemplative dimension of this Norbertine propositum and thus live a cloistered contemplative life with a truly apostolic spirit.
The first community of Norbertine canonesses in the United States, we are especially dedicated to the solemn and reverential celebration of the Church’s Sacred Liturgy, which we celebrate in keeping with the traditions of the Premonstratensian rite of our Order, with pride of place given to the Latin language and Gregorian chant. Following the Rule of St. Augustine, we joyfully live out our canonical vocation within the monastic rhythms of liturgical prayer and contemplation, of community life and manual labor, of silence, study and penance. Our monastery is situated apart from the world in a quiet valley in the Tehachapi Mountains outside of the city of Tehachapi, in the Diocese of Fresno, California. It is here, amidst the natural beauty of God’s creation, that we seek to continue the 900-year-old canonical tradition began by our Holy Father St. Norbert, one of the great reformers of the 12th century.
Contact:
Sr. Mary Joannes Baptista O.Praem.
Vocation directress
17831 Water Canyon Road
Tehachapi, CA 93561
661-823-1066
norbertinecanonesses@gmail.com
norbertinesisters.org/
Professed Members: 20 Solemn Professed, 18 in Formation, 6 Donatae
Year Founded: 1997
Diocese: Fresno, CA
Qualifications: Single Catholic woman with a desire to give herself to God in a life of prayer and sacrifice; willingness to embrace a life of daily conversion; ability to live joyfully in community while cultivating the silence of the contemplative life
Formation: 12-24 months of aspirancy, which may include one or more periods spent experiencing our life within the enclosure; 1 year of postulancy; 2 years of novitiate; 6-9 years of temporary vows prior to solemn profession.
Age range/limit: 18-40
Belated vocations? Over 40, contact community as to possible discernment as a donata