Community of Jesus

The Community of Jesus is an ecumenical Christian double monastery situated near Rock Harbor in Orleans, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod. Established as a monastic community in the Benedictine tradition, it was formally incorporated under Massachusetts state law in 1970. The community comprises professed members, children, and young people, with distinct living spaces for celibate brothers in the Zion Friary and celibate sisters in the Bethany Convent. Members originate from a wide array of Christian backgrounds, including Catholic, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Congregational, Baptist, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, and Pentecostal traditions, reflecting its ecumenical nature.

History and Rule of Life

The origins of the Community of Jesus trace back to 1958, with the meeting of two Episcopal laywomen, Cay Andersen and Judy Sorensen. They began a ministry of prayer and Bible study, which eventually led to the incorporation of the community. The community's Rule of Life, finalized in 2008, is deeply rooted in Scripture, church tradition, and the Rule of St. Benedict, outlining principles for spiritual wisdom and monastic commitment. Worship and liturgy are central to their daily existence, as stated by resident priest Martin Shannon CJ.

Artistic and Cultural Contributions

The Community of Jesus is recognized for its engagement with the arts. The Church of the Transfiguration, within the community, is a contemporary interpretation of a 4th-century basilica, adorned with hand-crafted mosaics and frescoes by Silvestro Pistolesi, alongside glass and stone artwork. Romolo Del Deo contributed the bronze doors. The church also houses a significant E. M. Skinner organ, a restoration and expansion project that places it among the largest organs in the world. Furthermore, the Elements Theatre Company, founded by community members in 1992, performs year-round on Cape Cod and tours nationally and internationally, staging a diverse repertoire of plays.

Criticisms and Allegations

Despite its artistic endeavors, the Community of Jesus has been the subject of significant criticism and allegations. These include concerns raised about a weight loss program promoted in the 1970s. More recently, investigative reports by WCVB-TV and WBZ-TV, as well as documentaries by CBC Television's The Fifth Estate, have detailed allegations of emotional abuse and connections to alleged abuse at Grenville Christian College, an institution whose co-founders were members of the Community of Jesus. A federal lawsuit filed in 2025 alleged the community was involved in trafficking minors for labor. In response to these allegations, legal representatives for the Community have disputed the claims.