Apostolates of the Canonry

Corpus Christi Canonry was established as an independent Canonry of the Order of Prémontré in 2004, and our small community has not yet identified one particular apostolic activity to which we will commit our time and effort as a community.  Since the establishment of the Order in England during the 12th century, the English Premonstratensians have been involved in parochial ministry.  Father Hugh is, first and foremost, the Prior Administrator - the Spiritual Father of the Manchester Canonry - and he is also Parish Priest of Saint Chad's Parish, the oldest parish in the Diocese of Salford.  Father Hugh is Chaplain to Xaverian Sixth Form College and is a Governor to several Catholic schools in Manchester.    Father Stephen enjoys a well deserved retirement from the active apostolate after many years of service to the Community.  Father Stephen is the last surviving confrere sent from the Abbey of Tongerlo in Belgium which established the Canonry of Our Lady of England, in Storrington.  Father Michael is also retired after many years of parochial ministry but keeps busy celebrating the Sacraments in Saint Chad's and supplies for sick or absent priests in nearby parishes.  Father Cadoc spends most of the year abroad in Turkey where he teaches Medieval History at Bilkent University.  During school holidays Father Cadoc returns to Manchester and assists with celebrating Mass, hearing Confessions and is available for supply work.  Father Cadoc writes learned articles for his University and other publications and spends much of his free time in Manchester researching material in one or other of the excellent libraries in the city.  Father Richard is Chaplain to the Dominican Sisters of Saint Joseph in Lymington, Hampshire and assists local clergy when needed.  He writes homilies and contributes reflections and articles for Catholic websites in the United States and gives spiritual direction (via email) to a number of isolated Catholics in the USA and Canada.  He also looks after the Canonry Website, so if you come across any spelling mistakes or broken links, etc., please drop him a line.  Father John is full time Chaplain to Saint Peter's Catholic High School.

Our two Juniors have both successfully completed their first year of studies in Rome.  Brother Bernard is a student at the Pontificio Collegio Beda and Brother Ambrose-Barlow studies Philosophy at the Angelicum.  When in Rome our students reside at the Collegio San Norberto which is located in the Generalate House of the Order.  During school holidays our students return home to Manchester where they take a full and active role in the life of the house and also assist in pastoral assignments in Saint Chad's and other parishes.

We may be a small Community, with a limited and varied apostolate, but we do our best to be true to the Motto of the Order of Prémontré:

"Prepared for any kind of good work"

If you feel Almighty God may be calling you to our way of life and work please write to

The Vocations Director, Saint Chad's Priory, 7 Stocks Street, Manchester M8 8GG