Lent 2023: The Lord's Prayer

"the best, most straightforward antidote to all our articulate spiritual nonsense."

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Welcome to SSJE

We are a community of men giving our whole selves over to living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Rooted in the ancient monastic traditions of prayer and community life, and critically engaged with contemporary culture, we seek to know and share an authentic experience of God’s love and mercy. We live a common life shaped by worship, prayer, and our Rule of Life.

We invite you to explore these pages to learn more about how we live and pray, the tradition that grounds us, and the call that draws us onward day by day.

Worship Schedule | Rule of Life | Catch the Life

News from the Monastery & Emery House

Available Now for Lent 2023: Lord’s Prayer Offering

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Schedule Changes: February 1-12, 2023

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Br. Curtis in Kolbe Times

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The Ordo Advent 2022 through Advent 2023

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Read now: Advent Cowley

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Advent Sermons for your small congregation

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Creation Season at SSJE

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Ministry at Emery House

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Chapel Reopening: Join us for Worship!

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Ascension Cowley: Challenge

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SSJE Reelects Brother James Koester as Superior

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The Chapel is Open!!

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Brother, Give Us A Word

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Failure

Remember that your weakness doesn’t disqualify you from God’s love, but instead opens the way for God to act in and through you. Let your failures or your fears remind you of your need to rely on God for all things. God’s strength is made perfect in your weakness.

Br. David Vryhof, SSJE
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Recent Sermons from the Chapel

Formed, Known, and Consecrated – Br. James Koester

By Br. James Koester | January 27, 2023 |

“God doesn’t look at us and love us for what we have done, or achieved, but that we simply are. It is enough for God that I am. Shed of all titles, initials, and achievements; shed even of all talents, skills, and accomplishments, I have still been formed, known, and consecrated by God to be something no one else can be.”

Br. James Koester finds in a line from Jeremiah the promise that we are more than our achievements.

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The Emergence of Courage – Br. Curtis Almquist

By Br. Curtis Almquist | January 21, 2023 |

“The word “courage” comes to mind in remembering martyrs such as Cecilia and Agnes. Our word courage comes from the Latin word for heart, cor, then the Old French, corage. Courage emanates from the heart, the heart symbolizing the essence of a person.”

Br. Curtis Almquist invites us to live our lives as a self-offering.

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The Accident of Faith – Br. James Koester

By Br. James Koester | January 20, 2023 |

“God often works in unexpected ways: a king born in a stable; a criminal raised from the dead; a sip of wine and a small piece of bread that nourishes the soul; women and men given the courage to face persecution and even death; the discovery of my own worth and value, no matter what has gone before. Over and again God works in surprising and unexpected, almost accidental ways. Yet the accident of faith is no accident.”

In all the accidents of our faith (and our own lives), Br. James Koester invites to see grace.

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What Are You Looking For? – Br. Curtis Almquist

By Br. Curtis Almquist | January 15, 2023 |

““What are you looking for?” It’s a profoundly simple question which has successive levels of depth. Plumb the depths. Let that question form your prayer to Jesus. He asks you, “What are you looking for?” And you respond.”

Br. Curtis Almquist probes two significant Gospel encounters and urges us to follow their model for how we might engage with Jesus: by being really present.

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Sharing in the Divine Nature – Br. James Koester

By Br. James Koester | January 13, 2023 |

“But so what? What’s the big deal? Why is it important that the Son is both fully God and fully human, co-equal and co-eternal?”

Br. James Koester reveals the very real, important meaning for us behind an ancient theological distinction.

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