The Order of the Ascension

To seek the presence of Jesus Christ in the people, things and circumstances of life through stability, obedience and conversion of life.

The Order of the Ascension on retreat

Friendship

“Be friends yourselves. You began as friends, continue in friendship. Let that beginning be your end and purpose, to be friends still with one another, and with God.” Father Emmett Jarrett in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd at General Theological Seminary on January 30, 1988 when members first took the Benedictine Promise - To seek the presence of Jesus Christ in the people, things and circumstances of life through stability, obedience and conversion of life.

The Professed Members and novices of the Order of the Ascension (OA) have been meeting this past week at the Community of Saint John Baptist for a time of retreat, connection, learning and chapter. Their learning theme was “The Holiness of Friendship” with sessions on Personal Friendship, Friendship with Christ, Friendship in OA and Friendship in our Parishes and dioceses.. As I write this they are returning to their homes across the country (most going through Newark Airport - Lord have Mercy!).

Sister Michelle and I are working on a new book, “Friendship in the Church.” It will include chapters on biblical friendships (think Mary, Martha, Lazarus and Jesus), Christian thinkers on friendship (think Augustine, Aelred and C.S. Lewis), and interviews of parish friendships.

Friendships in any religious order are first a matter of stance. To use Lewis's understanding, we “see the same truth.” We are engaged in a common work and look forward to years in relationship. This is my 42rd year with OA. Emotional closeness emerges over time. A fondness develops even for those members we find most annoying. Our friendship with one another is bound up in our friendship with God.

So spiritual friendship is begotten among the righteous by likeness of life, habits, and interests, that is, by agreement in things human and divine, with good will and charity.[2] Saint Aelred

---

Members of OA

2025: Sister DJ Kiessling, OA & Sister Jennifer Lazzuri, OA are on either side of Sister Michelle Heyne, OA, Presiding Sister. This was their first taking of the Promise. The novitiate normally lasts for three years. Sister Jennifer is the rector of St. James, Louisa, Virginia. Sister DJ is the new rector of Church of the Holy Spirit, Harleysville, Pennsylvania.

We have 10 priests, 2 laity, and 2 bishops among the members. We are a dispersed community with members scattered across the country from Florida over to Seattle. Our charism is around the shaping and nurturing of faithful, healthy parish churches. More information on the members.

Is that a work you share with us? If so, would becoming a sister or brother enrich your life and ministry? Information. We are also reestablish an associates group allowing those wanting to maintain a relationship with us to do so.

Public Ministries

The Order’s primary concern is the support of each member in their life and work: parish priests, consultants and trainers, diocese bishops, and writers.

We also conduct several public ministries. Ascension Press has existed since 1983. In most years since 1985 the Order has offered training in parish development, first in collaboration with the General Theological Seminary in offering the Church Development Institute. Our current offering is Shaping the Parish, a program conducted on Zoom with participants from across the United States, Canada, Zambia, Haiti and Dubai.

A yearly gathering

We come together for a week each year for a time of prayer and silence, learning, social connection and chapter. We also meet monthly on Zoom.

I’ll close with several pictures from recent years.

For stability means that I must not run away from where my battles are being fought, that I have to stand still where the real issues have to be faced. Obedience compels me to re-enact in my own life that submission of Christ himself, even though it may lead to suffering and death, and conversatio, openness, means that I must be ready to pick myself up, and start .all over again in a pattern of growth which will not end until the day of my final dying. And all the time the journey is based on that Gospel paradox of losing life and finding it. ..my goal is Christ. Esther deWaal

This abides,

Brother Robert, OA

The Feast of Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishop and Theologian, 389

[1} I haven’t been able to be in the OA group picture for the past few years. Age and physical limitations. Thankfully, the Order meets monthly on zoom and I've been able to stay reasonably connected.

[2] Aelred of Rievaulx. Spiritual Friendship, Marsha Dutton, editor and Lawrence Braceland, SJ, translator, Liturgical Press, 2010. Cistercian Fathers Series Book 5.