U.S. National Guard Capt. Jeffrey Cox watched soldiers lose sight of God in the violence and daily grind of the war in Iraq.
He’s hoping they can find their faith again in an Episcopal monastery along the Charles River.
Prodded by Cox, the Society of Saint John the Evangelist is offering a “healing retreat” weekend in October to help soldiers returning from war adapt to life back home and reconnect with their faith.
The retreat aims to give soldiers space to reflect, worship and share their experiences.
“I’m not saying a weekend is going to solve any problems, but what it can do is it can give people a respite,” he said. “Not only are they able to talk about their heart and their mind, but they’re able to talk about their soul.”
Cox, who is studying to be an Episcopal priest, was a social worker for troops in Iraq and is now a contractor for the U.S. army’s Wounded Warrior program, which assists severely injured or disabled soldiers. War can wear out faith, he observed.
Will war-weary soldiers find comfort in SSJE theology?
Taking up this SSJE offer might put a soldier in danger of violating “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” A sadly corrupted religious community.
What is so corrupt with this religious community (genuine question)?
I second Charles. I don’t know anything about this community. I would dearly love to see a rebirth of religious communities and vowed religious in the Anglican Communion and indeed in Protestantism.
Br. Michael: Tom Shaw, the radical revisionist bishop of Massachusetts, came from the SSJE. From what I’ve heard, he was not an anomaly.
Charles,
I have found the brothers at SSJE to be very devout and godly men. They lead pilgrimages to Jerusalem and mission trips to Kenya. They pray the office and celebrate the Eucharist daily and are a beacon of hope in Cambridge especially to the many students in that area. Check out their website SSJE.ORG. Read some of the sermons there. Many many people have been brought closer to God on their retreats.
Dmitri, absolutely correct. SSJE is a beacon of light in a broken world. And Irenaeus, Bishop Shaw is an active brother — he didn’t “come from” the SSJE, he is part of the community.
And austin #2, that’s a cheap shot and worthy of no merit. The brothers take vows of chastity and they live them.
I have long loved SSJE. I can’t count how many friends I know (on both ends of the spectrum) have had deeply moving and personal experiences with God at SSJE. It is a blessed place. I think they should be commended for offering this retreat — actually doing something to help our soldiers. Too many people want to haul out the phrase “we support our troops” yet they do nothing besides support their political side. I think the brothers are truly “supporting” our troops in a most meaningful and spiritual way. I pray that God helps them in their healing.
I find it troubling that austin in #2 would make those types of accusations against these men in SSJE without any explanation. Cheap shot is putting it mildly.