Who are the White Robed Monks of St. Benedict? We are an independent Catholic religious order in the Dutch (Old) Catholic tradition. We provide the Sacrament of Marriage to anyone so desiring. We charge no fees; donations are gratefully accepted. We serve Contemporary Catholics and Roman Catholics who are not able to be married in the Roman jurisdiction — because of a prior (non-annulled) marriage, a mixed creed union, or the couple's choice to be married in a setting other than a church building, such as in a garden, home, hotel, or at sea. In general, we serve all those whose needs their institutional church of origin is unable to meet. We provide religous, spiritual (not necessarily religious), and generic ceremonies.
Who are the priests or deacons serving you?
Our priests and deacons are ordained in Roman or Independent Catholic jurisdictions. Our priests and deacons are officially affiliated with a Bishop. Hence, we can insure the sacramental integrity of their service to you.
What about the Ceremony?
For those wanting a Catholic wedding ceremony, the couple has the choice of a Nuptial Mass or Marriage Rite (without Mass). If a couple elects a Nuptial Mass, we have a practice of open Communion — everyone is welcome to partake in the Communion as each so chooses. Christ opened His arms to all.
Given a Catholic Spirituality, we have had the opportunity to solemnize vows within the context of, among others: Buddhist, Buddhist-Catholic, Catholic or Protestant-Jewish, Catholic-Muslim, Catholic-Hindu, Christian-Agnostic, Jewish, Jewish-Catholic, Hindu-Muslim, Muslim, Hindu and Taoist rites and recognizing Chinese customs as the case may be. We have used rites specific to the Filipino and Hispanic cultures (coins, rope, and veil). We also solemnize vows within the context of personally designed ceremonies. We are fluid, able to meet the specific needs and desires of a couple however each might want to solemnize their vows. We offer religous, spiritual (not necessarily religious) and generic cermonies. (Our monastic sense of God, as such may be named or considered, is catholic: God is Love, God is one, we are children of The One. Hence, God as the Spiritual Source of All, loves each of us.)
May we inquire about priest's attire?
Certainly. If you wish, when completing the Marriage Petition, you can indicate if you wish the priest to wear either a Black Suit with a Black Tie, a Black Suit with a Cerical Collar, a Black Suit with a Cerical Collar and Stole, or Liturgical Vestments: white Alb and Stole, etc.
What does the couple have to do?
We request that the couple and the officiating priest or deacon meet at least once. During this meeting, the couple and priest/deacon have the opportunity to get to know each other. They discuss the wedding ceremony and other pertinent details surrounding it. The priest/deacon presents the couple a packet of information about the White Robed Monks and a Marriage Packet with information about the marriage relationship. The Monks respect the integrity of the couple and their relationship. Hence, there are no required classes or other stipulations that the couple must satisfy to have a priest or deacon solemnize their vows. If both parties are from different religious backgrounds, each might want to further appreciate the other's religious perspectives. If Christian, then the couple might want to review Christianity: One Reality, Catholic and Protestant Perspectives. If this is a remarriage and there are children from a prior relationship, then the couple might want to review On Kids: Divorced Parents and Remarriage.
Where do the White Robed Monks serve?
We serve the San Francisco Metropolitan Area, Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties and other California locations upon request, We have representation in Phoenix-Flagstaff-Sedonia, Arizona as well as in the Houston, Texas and Chicago, Illinois Metropolitan areas and Florida. We may be able to assist you in New York City and surrounding areas, including the Pennsylvania-New Jersey corridor and various locations in Virginia. In the Pacific North West, we have representation in the Portland Metropolitan area and some locations in Washington. If we cannot serve you, we do offer you a referral of other like-minded organizations who might serve your needs.
How do we book with the White Robed Monks?
To request a priest or deacon to officiate at your wedding, please file via the Web a Marriage Petition as early as possible.
