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Brotherhood of Saint Gregory

The Brotherhood of Saint Gregory is a community of friars within the Anglican Communion.[1][2] The community's members, known as Gregorians, include clergy and laymen. Since 1987 there has also been a parallel order of sisters, the Sisters of Saint Gregory.

As a Christian community of the US Episcopal Church,[3] the community is open to both married and unmarried men in the Episcopal Church, its communion partners, and the wider Anglican Communion. As in other orders and communities, members follow a common rule and regular discipline of prayer, study, and service to the church. This modern way of religious life is rooted in ancient sources such as Gregory the Great's Pastoral Care, Francis of Assisi's Rule for All the Faithful, and Francis de Sales' Introduction to the Devout Life. The community's motto is "Soli Deo gloria" ("To God alone be the glory"), and its aim is to follow Gregory the Great as "servants of the servants of God" in both church and society. The brothers work in diverse fields throughout the world, living with their families, singly, or in small groups. A member of the National Association of Episcopal Christian Communities,[4] the community comes together twice a year for prayer and discussion.[5]

The community was founded on 14 September 1969 (Holy Cross Day) in New York by Richard Thomas Biernacki, with the encouragement of a Roman Catholic order, the Sisters of the Visitation, and following consultation with other Episcopal communities. The community was formally recognized that same year by Bishop Horace Donegan of New York.

John Nidecker, a former White House speech writer, was a member later in his life.[6] The community was a centerpiece of the award-winning documentary Changing Habits by Sara Needham.[7][8] Ministries of the community have been the subject of local press reports in Chattanooga,[9][10][11] Yonkers,[12] and Maitland, New South Wales.[13]

As of August, 2024, the community had 40 professed members and one postulant in discernment. The community elected its first Minister General, Ciarán Anthony DellaFera, when Richard Thomas, Founder, retired from the community’s leadership position after 55 years. [14]

References

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  1. ^ "Anglican Communion Religious Communities : Brotherhood of Saint Gregory". Communities.anglicancommunion.org. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  2. ^ "Religious Orders". Anglicans Online. 20 August 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  3. ^ "Religious Orders and Faith Communities of The Episcopal Church". episcopalchurch.org. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  4. ^ "National Association of Episcopal Christian Communities". naecc.us. Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  5. ^ "The Grapevine – Fall 98 – page 2". Province2.org. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  6. ^ "John E. Nidecker, 75, Ex-Presidential Aide". The New York Times. 22 June 1988. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  7. ^ Marech, Rona (24 June 2011). "Film Arts Festival Spotlights City's Independent Spirit". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  8. ^ "San Antonio Current – Screens & Tech: Docside Film Festival". Sacurrent.com. 4 November 2002. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  9. ^ "3/17/2009 – St. Francis Of Assisi Offers Maundy Thursday Service – Church". Chattanoogan.com. 17 March 2009. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  10. ^ "Chattanooga: Doctor, UTC nursing students widen foot-care ministry to homeless clients". timesfreepress.com. Archived from the original on 30 April 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  11. ^ "Cook: Death Be Not Proud". timesfreepress.com. 11 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  12. ^ Fuchs, Marek (25 March 2001). "COUNTY LINES; Reaching Out to Addicts". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  13. ^ Swain, Emma (11 May 2013). "He starts the day with a prayer for all". The Maitland Mercury. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  14. ^ "The Brotherhood of Saint Gregory elects Ciarán Anthony DellaFera as new Minister General". Episcopal News Service. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
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