Latest News

St. Philip's Priory, Chelmsford, England
  • Norbertine Sisters of the Mountain
    We have written previously about the newly founded community of Norbertine canonesses of Bethlehem Priory of St Joseph in Tehachapi, California, but now the growing community of 26 canonesses are preparing to move into their new accommodation and facilities. An American news channel provides … Continue reading →
  • Habemus Papam!
    Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; habemus Papam: Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Georgium Marium Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Bergoglio qui sibi nomen imposuit Franciscum. With the entire world we give thanks to God for the election of Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio as our … Continue reading →
  • In Thanksgiving for the Pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI
    From our Prior, Rt Rev Hugh Allan o.praem: On Wednesday 27th February, the community celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving for the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI. It was an emotional and prayerful Mass, filled with gratitude for all that Pope … Continue reading →
  • A Final Angelus Address from the Sovereign Pontiff
    Around 150,000 people filled St Peter’s Square and the Via della Conciliazione today to hear the Holy Father’s final Angelus Address of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, dedicated to the “primacy of prayer”: Dear brothers and sisters! On the second … Continue reading →

Welcome to the homepage of St. Philip's Priory, Chelmsford. The community is a canonry of the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré (also known as Premonstratensians, Norbertines and the White Canons) which was founded in 2004.

As Canons Regular our life is centred on the worthy celebration of the Divine Office and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Rule of St. Augustine, together with the Constitutions of our Order, are the leaders and guides of our life.

The Order was founded by Our Holy Father Norbert on Christmas Day 1121 when he and his companions made their first profession at Prémontré in the diocese of Laon, France; the place that was to become the mother house of the Order until the French Revolution.

The Canons first came to Britain in 1143 and at the time of the Dissolution had already established some 48 houses. In 1872 the Order was re-established in this country and to this day we strive to live according to the Rule of Our Holy Father Augustine and the inspiration of Our Holy Father Norbert, ready to be, as the motto of the Order states, 'ad omnes opus bonum parati', (prepared for every good work). We hope you will enjoy this visit to our site and will learn more about our life and history.
 

You Are My Order...

“You are my Order. Just as bishops have their canons delegated to offer public prayer in their diocese, in the same way you are my canons, not just for one diocese, but for the universal Church.”

- Pope Pius XI

St. Norbert on the Priesthood

O Priest, who are you?
You are not yourself because you are God
You are not of yourself because you are the servant and minister of Christ.
You are not your own because you are the spouse of the Church.
You are not yourself because you are the mediator between God and man.
You are not from yourself because you are nothing.
What then are you? Nothing and everything.
O Priest!
Take care lest what was said to Christ on the cross be said to you:
"He saved others, himself he cannot save!"

178 New London Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 0AR, UK