The Norbertine Canonesses’
One Day’s Wage Initiative
Join a community of faithful who are building up a monastery and church for God
In the 12th century, the Chartres Cathedral in France suffered a devastating fire, nearly destroying the entire structure. The faithful people of Chartres embraced this as a call to action.
An immediate start, unprecedented community sacrifice of time, talent, and materials, phased building and gothic construction innovations made the 25 year reconstruction of the cathedral possible in a time when cathedral construction often spanned many decades or even centuries. It was the faithful of Chartres and their community effort of construction which, by and large, crafted the soul-lifting beauty pilgrims see today. Nearly one thousand years later, countless souls have been moved to gaze higher as they experience the elevated beauty of this cathedral.
Today, a fire still rages in the world, one that is largely spiritual and affects far more than building structures. Like the faithful of Chartres, we are called to action. We are called to rebuild a culture of hope, a culture that lifts its eyes and hearts to God. While few may be able to physically participate in the building of a church, through the offering of One Day's Wage, your contribution is a very real and necessary stone in the wall of the edifice of our church. Through your sacrifice, you join the community of faithful who are helping us build a place where God will be worshiped and souls will come to know and love Him — for generations to come.
Our request is simple, yet profoundly appreciated. We know that we are asking for a true sacrifice: a full day’s wage. But we invite you to discern if God is calling you to join our community and our many friends who are giving of themselves to build this monastery for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
Those Who Have Sacrificed
Those Who Have Sacrificed
The sacrifice of so many to build a place set apart for God has left an indelible mark on our monastery. In addition to the sisters, many devoted confreres, men, women (and even some children!) have spent themselves over the years to build a beautiful monastery in the Tehachapi mountains. Each one, whether through manual labor or through donations, has truly left a mark on these grounds which are dedicated to the worship of God. The names of these friends of our community could fill many pages, and they will always be remembered in our prayers.
Each sacrifice made to construct this monastery is joined to those made by the sisters of our Community.
Foregoing the great blessing and joy of a human spouse and a family of their own, the canonesses are joined to Christ through solemn vows in a mystical union of which natural marriage is a sacramental sign (cf. Ephesians 5:29-32).
Dedicating herself wholly to the church of her profession in a life of poverty, consecrated chastity and obedience, she lives out the gift and sacrifice of her entire self in the monastery that has been made through the gifts and sacrifices of the members of Christ’s Church.
