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St. Philip's Priory, Chelmsford, England
  • May Processions 2013
    Bring flow’rs of the fairest, bring flow’rs of the rarest, From garden and woodland and hillside and vale; Our full hearts are swelling our glad voices telling The praise of the loveliest Rose of the vale. O Mary! we crown … Continue reading →
  • 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 →
Liturgy

The Liturgy of the Hours and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass are at the hearts of the lives of Canons Regular. As Norbertines, Eucharistic and Marian devotions are also an essential part of our life and spirituality. To this end we honour our Blessed Mother at the end of each canonical Office with an antiphon in her honour. Eucharistic Adoration is also a large part of our life. Our Holy Father Norbert also bequeathed to us, his sons, a special devotion to the Immaculate Conception.

As with many of the ancient Orders in the Church, the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré has its own rite. The Premonstratensian Rite is still used in our Canonry, alongside the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite. The Premonstratensian Rite has its own missal, breviary, calendar and a particularly beautiful form of chant. A detailed explanation of the Premonstratensian Rite 'The Mass of the Premonstratensian Order' by Dr. Lenztze O.Praem (translated by Fr. Resch O.Praem) can be viewed by clicking here. (Requires Adobe Reader, file size: 3.5 MB)

The habit of our Order consists of a white tunic, white scapular, white cappa with hood and the white biretta. In summer the choir dress has the addition of an almutium worn on the left arm together with a rochet at certain offices. The almutium is a piece of fur and a vestment proper to canons. In some congregations and communities this is worn on the head or around the neck. In winter a white cape in used in choir. The life of Our Holy Father Norbert relates that the Blessed Mother herself appeared to St. Norbert and gave him the habit which members of his Order wear to this day.

An example of Premonstratensian chant can be heard below; 'Hic est electum vas' a hymn to St. Norbert:

The chant of the Order has many differences with the Roman. Below are some examples, from the solemn and simple forms of the Marian antiphons.

Salve Regina: Solemn & Simple

 Alma Redemptoris: Solemn & Simple

 Ave Regina: Solemn & Simple

 Regina Coeli: Solemn & Simple
 

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