The Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem:
What are Canons? A Canon is a priest who lived under the laws of the Church. In the first millenium of Christianity, the fifth through the eight century, there were movements to reform the clergy, and in that time, the name “canon” came to refer to those clergy who were living according to the laws or “canons” as prescribed for clergy by the Church. Since the 12th century, all canons who are “observant”, that is, “canons regular”, meaning those who live under vows and the canons of the Church, also live under the rule of St. Augustine, and they follow this way of life
About the Priory of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Charles Town, West Virginia:
The Priory here is dedicated to Our Lady of Walsingham, in recognition of the Augustinian canons’ foundation at Walsingham, the ancient Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in England and to make reparation for the destruction of that Shrine and for the abandonment of the Catholic Faith by the canons regular during the Protestant Reformation.
Located just a block from the heart of historic Charles Town, the canons have the care of a small church which belongs to the Diocese but which is given to them as their permanent oratory. It is reminiscent of the medieval Shrine of Walsingham. Votive candles burn constantly before the image of Our Lady of Walsingham at the Lady Altar.
The Liturgy here is celebrated in its entirety according to the Extraordinary Form (Latin Rite), both the Mass and the Divine Office, and the other sacraments.
The Cannons Regular of the New Jerusalem here at the Priory welcome visitors: Join them for the day or schedule a longer stay. With so many families in the priory, they welcome family visitors as well as individual visitors. Join them for Sunday Mass or schedule a longer stay with the priory.
Photos courtesy the Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem.
Traveling to the Priory of the Annunciation in Charles Town, West Virginia:
Don’t confuse Charles Town with Charleston…both are in West Virginia, but they are two different cities! Charles Town was founded in 1786 by Charles Washington (brother of the first U.S. President, George Washington).
The Priory of the Annunciation in Charles Town is northwest of Washington, DC, just over an hour’s drive.
Address: 219 South George Street Charles Town, WV
Tel: +1 (304) 724-6995
email: information@canonsregular.com
Click here for the official website of the Cannons Regular of the New Jerusalem
