Explore the Journey
Learn about the year-round rhythms of balance and reconciliation.
Cathedral Gatherings
Each year, the Community of Reconciliation extends an invitation for all to embark upon a threefold journey of intention, formation, and reconciliation. The Community shares a journey toward wholeness: becoming reconciling agents in the world by living in harmony with God and creation, with both friend and stranger, and with our deepest selves. It is a journey of life in which both praying and living are infused with the presence of God. Lives, schedules, and priorities vary. Each individual is encouraged to choose a rhythm of participation most suited to their unique life and circumstance.
Yearly cycles of the Community are designed for participation as time and interest allow.
Year Round
The Community hosts year round gatherings for support and encouragement, including: weekly Benedictine Life and Prayer gatherings, monthly Creating a Rule of Life sessions, and Listening, Hearing, and Living sessions. Participants are also encouraged to plan a personal retreat, Benedictine Experience, or other times for rest and renewal. Throughout the year, all are encouraged to create their own rule of life and move toward integration of that rule into their daily living.
Autumn
Each autumn, a yearlong cycle begins anew with welcoming orientations and reflection days as we take stock of our lives. Newcomers learn about the way of Benedict, while Companions and Companion Candidates— small cohorts of individuals choosing a more focused period of intention— use the time to deepen their experience. In mid-November, a weekend celebration of blessing and investiture allow us to gather with family, friends, and colleagues to consider and bless our intention for balance and reconciliation.
Winter/Spring
Throughout the winter, spring, and early summer, participants are supported through an integrated series of learning events. Monthly Listening, Hearing, and Living series and other events provide practical engagement with leaders in Benedictine spiritual life as we bring balance our own lives.
Summer
During the summer, regular weekly and monthly gatherings continue. The year concludes with an early summer pilgrimage of reflection throughout the sacred spaces of the Cathedral and grounds.
As part of their formation, Companions and Companion Candidates are encouraged to attend a regular community gathering and create their own rule of life. Resources and monthly gatherings are available to assist the process. Most cohorts work to attend, Benedictine Life and Prayer gatherings, pilgrimages, Listening, Hearing, and Living events, and retreats (or visit them online) when possible.
Following is a roadmap for a typical year in the life of The Community of Reconciliation. Come journey with us. Visit www.nationalcathedral.org
The Community of Reconciliation: Year 1
The first year cycle explores Benedictine foundations and practices for radical balance and reconciliation. You can experience these individually, or in a cohort of Companion Candidates with others who will journey with you throughout the year of intention. Always you are invited to attend those gatherings most helpful on your journey. Each year serves as a foundation for subsequent years and deepening in the foundations and practices of the Community.
Autumn
- Welcome to the Community Inquirer Sessions- evening and weekend afternoon sessions
- Pilgrimage of Reflection- Saturday morning
- Weekly Benedictine Life and Prayer gatherings- weeknight evening
- Monthly Creating a Rule of Life gatherings- one Monday evening each month
- Benedictine Quiet Day- Friday evening in your own home and Saturday day at the Cathedral
- Pilgrimage of Intention- Saturday morning
- Service of Blessing and Investiture- Weekend Evening
Winter/Spring
- Listening, Hearing, and Living events- Saturday morning and early afternoon
- Benedictine Quiet Day- Friday evening in your own home and Saturday day at the Cathedral
- Weekly Benedictine Life and Prayer gatherings- weeknight evening
- Monthly Creating a Rule of Life gatherings-weeknight evening
Summer
- Weekly Benedictine Life and Prayer gatherings- weeknight evening
- Monthly Creating a Rule of Life gatherings-weeknight evening
- Pilgrimage of Reflection- Saturday morning
- Personal Retreat- selected by participant
The Community of Reconciliation: Year 2
In the second year, those who have become part of a cohort or have chosen to become Companions will be supported in their development through focused events for each cohort along with their regular participation in community. We will work alongside you to develop resources that support your deepening journey. Your second year is one of engagement with the foundations and practices of the Benedictine way.
The Community of Reconciliation: Year 3 and Following
For those continuing the journey, in the third year and following, individuals are encouraged to maintain connections with their cohort as a support for their ongoing reconciliation in the world. The Community cycle helps support the work of articulating your unique vision for reconciliation in the world. The vision might be as an individual, as a cohort, or in partnership with others.
To this end, we anticipate leading special third year pilgrimages to meaningful sites in the Benedictine tradition. Regionally and internationally, these unique gatherings are designed as working discovery pilgrimages in which you discern and design your unfolding journey alongside a cohort of trusted spiritual friends, in settings of stunning beauty and spiritual significance.
Constellation Gatherings & Distance Learning
Explore Benedictine offerings available across the country through constellation events and distance learning. Click here for more information »