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The Canons Regular of St. John Cantius


You're Invited - Annual Benefit Dinner 2026
We need you to help more men become Holy Priests and Brothers! The Canons Regular of St. John Cantius cordially invite you to celebrate with them at their Annual Benefit Dinner Sunday, September 27th | The Chicago Hilton The Details Experience an inspiring evening dedicated to Restoring the Sacred with the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius. Cocktail Reception | 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Begin the afternoon among friends, old and new, as we gather in celebration of the Canons Re
1 day ago


Discovering Our Vocation in Christ
How do we discover who God is calling us to be? Fr. David Yallaly offers a beautiful reflection on the encounter between Christ and St. Peter, and how coming to know Christ more deeply allows us to discover our own identity and vocation. Peter’s profession of faith—“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”—leads Christ to reveal something profound about Peter himself and the mission he has been given. For anyone discerning God’s call, this is an important reminder: our
6 days ago


A Grace-Filled Celebration of Final Vows - August 15th, 2026
On Saturday, August 15, the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius joyfully celebrated the Profession of Final Vows of Brother Marko Culjak, SJC, and Brother Joshua Smerker, SJC, at St. John Cantius Church in Chicago. In a beautiful and grace-filled liturgy, Brother Marko and Brother Joshua made their definitive gift of themselves to God through the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience, according to the Rule of St. Augustine and the Constitutions of the Canons
Aug 25


Canons Regular Annual Retreat 2026
“Members of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius observe an annual communal retreat.” ~ Constitutions of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius Fulfilling the obligations of Canon Law and their Constitutions, The Canons Regular of St. John Cantius will be away from their parishes, together on their annual retreat the first week of August, from August 2nd to 7th. Freed for a time from the demands of parish ministry and studies, the Canons gather for prayer, reflection
Jul 30


Profession of Final Vows – August 15, 2026
The Canons Regular of St. John Cantius joyfully announce that Brother Marko Culjak, SJC and Brother Joshua Smerker, SJC have been approved by the Superior General and his Council to make their Profession of Final Vows. This solemn milestone marks the definitive gift of their lives to God through the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience according to the Rule of St. Augustine and the Constitutions of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius. Their perpetual pr
Jul 2


St. Anne's Chapel Summer Masses 2026
The Canons Regular of St. John Cantius invite you to join us for First Saturday Masses at the historic St. Anne's Chapel in Lawton, Michigan. Nestled among the fields and woods of southwest Michigan, St. Anne's Chapel provides a peaceful setting for prayer, devotion, and the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass according to the 1962 Missal. We welcome pilgrims, families, and all the faithful to join us throughout the summer and fall as we honor Our Lord and His Bless
Jul 2


Seven Visits: A Living Tradition of Holy Thursday
As Holy Week approaches, the Church invites us not just to remember the Passion of Our Lord, but to enter into it more deeply through her devotions. One beautiful and often overlooked tradition is the Seven Visits to the Churches. This custom, long promoted by the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius, invites the faithful to accompany Jesus on the night of Holy Thursday. After the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, churches remain open for prayer. The faithful then visit seven churches
Mar 26


Third Annual Kanty Klassic
Join us for the third annual Kanty Klassic, a fundraiser in support of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius. Monday, June 1st, 2026 Ruth Lake Country Club 12:30 p.m. Shotgun Start This event is open to golfers of any age, with options to register as an individual or a foursome. A day on the greens will continue into the evening with a cocktail reception, seated dinner, and silent auction. Separate registration for non-golfers will be available for this portion of the evenin
Mar 17


Patrons of Sacred Music Annual Reception
Thursday, April 23rd | University Club of Chicago | Black Tie Optional We warmly invite you to join us for an extraordinary evening in honor of sacred music — a night of elegance, inspiration, and community, benefiting the Sacred Music Apostolate of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius. Last year, this gala sold out. To be a part of this noteworthy evening, be sure to reserve your tickets. An Evening to Remember From the first notes of the choir to the final course of dinn
Mar 6


What is Consecrated Life?
The following reflection is drawn from a homily given by Rev. Nathan Ford, SJC on the occasion of the World Day of Consecrated Life , celebrated on February 2nd . In dark corridors of stone and brick, the quiet footsteps of sandals are all that can be heard. Early in the morning, before even the birds begin to sing, a soft chant echoes across the chapel of the Carmel. A new day has begun. Shoulder bags and satchels slung over shoulders, men in black cloaks walk a different c
Feb 24


Lent 2026: Learning to Receive the Love of God
How the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius Live Lent and How You Can Join Them Lent is not only a season of sacrifice — it is a season of receptivity . Before we “ do ” anything for God, we allow Him to love us, heal us, and draw us more deeply into His Heart. Each year, the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius enter Lent together with a common rule of life that strengthens prayer, deepens fraternity, and clears away distractions. While the full observance of a religious commun
Jan 29


Chants of the Church Year
This weekly video series offers reflections on a variety of chants as they occur throughout the Church year. It is designed to help you deepen your appreciation for Gregorian Chant in general, while also providing material for meditation in preparation for the liturgy of the coming Sunday. Enjoy delving into the rich heritage of the Chant of Mother Church, by which she nourishes her children week after week. Ascension - Offertory: Ascéndit As we bring our gifts to the altar,
Jan 27


Welcoming Our New Novices
At Solemn Vespers on Tuesday, December 23 , the Feast of St. John Cantius , the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius joyfully welcomed three men into the Novitiate , marking the beginning of a new and focused stage of religious formation. Br. Bobby Olson (Richmond, VA), Br. Ryan Ruddy (New Hope, MN), and Br. Donovan Utz (Richmond, VA) receive their habit (a black cassock, roman collar, and sash without fringe) and are entrusted over to the care and direction of their new Novi
Dec 30, 2025


The Two Tables: Inviting Others to Join the Feast
“Are you called?” What seems like such a simple question, is actually one of the biggest in a Catholic man’s life. A quiet whisper in the stillness of his heart, inviting him to discern Religious Life and the Priesthood. A whisper that can only be heard if he leans into the silence. It’s a place many in today’s world are hesitant to go, and in some cases, a place they might not know how to get to. This December 20th , Father Nathan (the Vocations Director) and the Canons Regu
Dec 2, 2025


In the Footsteps of a Saint
The lives of saints, especially those who lived centuries ago, aren’t always easy to separate from legend. Such has been the case with St. John Cantius, patron of the Canons Regular and the Chicago church that bears his name. Although most parishioners know him best from the painting over the high altar, which shows the saint presiding over the famous “Miracle of the Jug” a new biography by Fr. Dennis Koliński, SJC, St. John Cantius: The Good Teacher, makes the first serio
Nov 5, 2025


Celebrating Generations of Canons at the annual Benefit Dinner 2025
On September 28, 2025, The Hilton Chicago came alive with faith, fellowship, and generosity as the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius hosted their Annual Benefit Dinner. Under the theme "Celebrating Generations of Faith: Honoring the Canons Regular," friends, family, and supporters gathered to support our mission of forming holy priests who Restore the Sacred. The evening was a beautiful blend of spiritual reflection, inspiring stories, and community, raising vital funds for
Oct 13, 2025


The Great Prayer of the Church
The Divine Office, or Liturgy of the Hours , often seems to exist in a universe of its own. For many it evokes monastic life, or at least...
Oct 2, 2025


Pope Leo XIV gives Blessing to Canons Regular
On Wednesday, September 17, 2025, our Superior General, Very Rev. Joshua S. Caswell, SJC, met with the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV after the...
Sep 22, 2025


The Miracle of the Jug and the Mission of Restoration
On Sunday, August 31st, 2025, Fr. Nathan Caswell, SJC, preached a homily on humility and the mission of restoration entrusted to the...
Sep 2, 2025


St. Augustine, The Canons Regular, and POPE LEO XIV
Præsul Augustínus, Canon vitæ canónicæ et lucérne pédibus eórum qui Christi sequúntur disciplínam assíduis laúdibus mérito prædicátur....
Aug 28, 2025
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