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Companions of St. Luke, OSB

The Companions of St. Luke is a dispersed Christian Community whose members live under the Rule of Benedict. It is established under the canons of The Episcopal Church of the United States and is in communion with the See of Canterbury. It is independent of any other religious order or community.

The Companions no longer have a mother house, but meet twice a year for in-person convocations, which are currently held at Conception Abbey, a Roman Catholic Benedictine community located near Kansas City. The Companions offer online religious offices several times a week via Zoom. They also remain in touch using email.

Membership
The Companions has about 50 members. They live from coast to coast in the United States, and there are also members living in Canada, Brazil, and England. Members are both men and women, and may be married, partnered, or single.

Professed members must belong to the Episcopal Church or other churches in the Anglican Communion. They are given a six-year program of study. Oblate members need only be baptized Christians, and are provided with a two-year program of study. Both candidates for profession or oblation are given their own formation guide to help them along the way.

History
The Companions was incorporated in Chicago, IL in 1992 under the leadership of Michael John Austind  In 1994, it leased priory space at the Edgewater Presbyterian Church in Chicago. In 1998 the priory moved to space in St. Augustine College in Chicago. The building was originally built for the Essanay Studios, pioneers in the film industry.

Priory of St. Benedict 1998-2000

In 2000 rural property was bought in Donnellson, Iowa and a priory was established, although only a few members actually lived there. The community grew from 5 members to in 2001 to over 30 by 2007. In 2003, the community had already grown too large to hold convocations at the priory and they were moved to Conception Abbey, a Roman Catholic Abbey near Kansas City, Missouri where they ARE held to this day. In 2010 it was decided to dispose of the Donnellson property as it was too expensive to maintain for the few permanent residents.

Donnellson Abbey, 2000-2009

Donnellson Chapel, 2000-2009

Chronology
References

Canons of the Episcopal Church, Canon III.14.2

Companions of St. Luke archives

Companions of St. Luke website, http://csl-osb.org

Miller, Kiley. “Answered Prayers,” The Hawkeye, Feb. 6, 2005, pp. 1, 5a

Waring, Steve. “Flexibility Is One of the Rules at the Priory of St. Benedict,” Living Church, Feb. 10, 2002, pp. 8-9