The Congregation of the Servants of Christ at Saint Augustine's House is anEvangelical Lutheran monastery in theBenedictine tradition, located inOxford, Michigan.[1] Its firstabbot wasFr. Arthur Carl Kreinheder, an Evangelical Lutheranpriest from theChurch of Sweden who established the monastery in 1958.[2][3] Monks of the Congregation of the Servants of Christ use thepost-nominal lettersC.S.C.[4]
At present, there are threemonks who have taken solemn vows (ofchastity, poverty, and obedience) who reside at Saint Augustine's House, with a number of those who have gone before them.[1][5] The Congregation of the Servants of Christ at Saint Augustine's House hasoblates, which include Lutherans and those of otherChristian denominations, such asRoman Catholics.[1] Oblates may be single or married persons.[1] A number ofretreats occur at Saint Augustine's House, which is frequented by various Evangelical-Lutheran church congregations or individuals making apilgrimage.[1][5] The Congregation of the Servants of Christ at Saint Augustine's House is visited by Evangelical-Lutherans of a number of Evangelical-Lutheran denominations, such as theLutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS),Lutheran Church - International (LC-I),Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), andNorth American Lutheran Church (NALC), as well as by Christians of other denominations, given The Congregation of the Servants of Christ's commitment toecumenism.[4]
Saint Augustine's House sits amidst 42 acres of forest, which includes achapel, guest house, prayer trail.[1]Mass according to the Lutheran tradition is celebrated daily, along with theDaily Office, which is prayedseven times a day.[6]
The Congregation of the Servants of Christ at Saint Augustine's House maintains close relations withÖstanbäck Monastery andPriory of St. Wigbert, which are also Evangelical Lutheran monasteries in the Benedictine tradition.[7]
