The Abbey of St. Anthony is a located in Detroit, Michigan. We are an urban monastery located in in an economically challenged neighborhood community. There are many opportunities for social ministry.
The Abbey welcomes both men and women, single and married to apply to join our Franciscan community.
We strive to
balance contemplative and charismatic; solitary and communal; and
eremitical and active ministry. Another major monastic integration is
that of celibate men and women and couples existing side by side
without losing their uniqueness.We wish to live the radical
gospel lifestyle for every state of life in one community raised
up by the Spirit within the Church.
Most of the work we do at
the Abbey consists of gardening, office work, cooking, cleaning and
maintenance of the grounds
and buildings. Some may also choose to
spend a few hours a week doing some ministry in the nearby towns. Our
local outreaches include manning soup kitchens, food pantries and
homeless shelters, as well as meeting various other needs of the local
populations that
come to our attention from time to time. Those who wish to join the
community that do not have a financial means of support (i.e. Social
Security, Pensions etc.) are expected to find work in the nearby
community to help cover the cost of food, clothing, and a proportionate
share of the utility expense. We hope to develop a means in the future
to become totally self-sufficient as a community to eliminate the need
for some to work secular jobs outside the monastery.
A
life of prayer is integral to our monastic life. We celebrate morning
and evening prayer and night prayer before the end of the day. We
celebrate the Holy Mass each day at 12 noon prior to our afternoon meal.
In addition, our brothers and sisters are encouraged to pray the
"Office of Readings" and to spend one to two hours per day in quite
contemplation.
Members who are couples profess the evangelical counsels of a
consecrated life in a way proper to their state in
the community. Specifically, and most obviously, chastity means fidelity to one’s matrimonial vows, poverty allows for
the physical things needed for a married couple, and obedience to the religious superiors
does not violate the more primary domestic church of the family in
community and in the Church.
