Canons Regular of the Holy Cross
Encyclopedia
The Canons Regular
of the Holy Cross
of Coimbra
were founded in Portugal
in the 12th century. The Order was founded under the Rule of Saint Augustine, thus its members are classified as "Augustinians," as are all other Orders of Canons Regular. It was founded through the labors of St. Theotonius
, Archdeacon Dom
Tello, and Dom Juan Peculiar in 1131.
Construction of its first monastery
began on June 28, 1131, and the common life of the members of the Order began on February 25, 1132. It received official papal approval on May 5, 1135, from Pope Innocent II. Eventually all the various regional communities of canons regular in Portugal came to be a part of this Order.
Saint Anthony of Padua was a member of this Order before he left them to join the newly-founded Franciscans. Saint Charles Borromeo
was entrusted with the protection of the Order when he was a cardinal. The Order was suppressed in 1834 by an anti-clerical Portuguese government.
In 1977, a movement called the Work of the Holy Angels
began to work to restore the Order, which was approved in 1979 by Pope John Paul II
. The letters "O.R.C."' represent membership in this Order.
Canons Regular
Canons Regular are members of certain bodies of Canons living in community under the Augustinian Rule , and sharing their property in common...
of the Holy Cross
Christian cross
The Christian cross, seen as a representation of the instrument of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, is the best-known religious symbol of Christianity...
of Coimbra
Coimbra
Coimbra is a city in the municipality of Coimbra in Portugal. Although it served as the nation's capital during the High Middle Ages, it is better-known for its university, the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the...
were founded in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
in the 12th century. The Order was founded under the Rule of Saint Augustine, thus its members are classified as "Augustinians," as are all other Orders of Canons Regular. It was founded through the labors of St. Theotonius
Theotonius
Theotonius was an Augustinian canon and royal advisor. He is noted and famed in Portugal, for being the first Prior of the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Coimbra, Portugal...
, Archdeacon Dom
Don (honorific)
Don, from Latin dominus, is an honorific in Spanish , Portuguese , and Italian . The female equivalent is Doña , Dona , and Donna , abbreviated "Dª" or simply "D."-Usage:...
Tello, and Dom Juan Peculiar in 1131.
Construction of its first monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
began on June 28, 1131, and the common life of the members of the Order began on February 25, 1132. It received official papal approval on May 5, 1135, from Pope Innocent II. Eventually all the various regional communities of canons regular in Portugal came to be a part of this Order.
Saint Anthony of Padua was a member of this Order before he left them to join the newly-founded Franciscans. Saint Charles Borromeo
Charles Borromeo
Charles Borromeo was the cardinal archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Milan from 1564 to 1584. He was a leading figure during the Counter-Reformation and was responsible for significant reforms in the Catholic Church, including the founding of seminaries for the education of priests...
was entrusted with the protection of the Order when he was a cardinal. The Order was suppressed in 1834 by an anti-clerical Portuguese government.
In 1977, a movement called the Work of the Holy Angels
Opus Sanctorum Angelorum
Opus Sanctorum Angelorum , more commonly known as Opus Angelorum , is a Roman Catholic association which promotes devotion to angels. " is a public association of the Church in conformity with traditional doctrine and with the directives of the Holy See...
began to work to restore the Order, which was approved in 1979 by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
. The letters "O.R.C."' represent membership in this Order.