Celebrating 25 Years of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius

August 15th marks the Feast of the Assumption, and the 25th anniversary of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius which was founded by Fr. C. Frank Phillips, C.R. with the blessing and support of Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. and with the approval of the Congregation of the Resurrection.

Then, only four members made up the Canons. Today, 30 priests and brothers have pledged their lives to the mission of "restoring the sacred."

These 25 years have seen much more than a broken church restored here in Chicago, and a renewal at our thriving parishes in Volo and Springfield, Illinois. Most importantly we have witnessed a spiritual restoration in the lives of countless individuals..

The Canons Regular realize that to “restore the sacred” is so much more than a mere motto aimed at fostering a material restoration, as important as the rich patrimony of art, music, and culture is. It is instead focused on the restoration of ourselves and others—recognizing and restoring the sacred where it truly abides: in each and every human person.

The Canons Regular understand that it is through the human senses that the faithful perceive the Divine, which is present in the varying aspects of life and thus find meaning imbued in life’s joys and travails. The Eucharist is the center of our lives and that’s why the liturgy forms the core of the Canons Regular apostolate. The reverence with which the liturgy is celebrated at our parishes is about reclaiming what is part of our common heritage.

This year, in thanksgiving for 25 years as a religious community, professed members traveled to Kraków to visit the tomb of St. John Cantius, the Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Częstochowa, and other holy sites to give thanks to St John Cantius and Our Lady of Czestochowa for their role in our community's founding.

Solemn Masses were celebrated in front of the Miraculous Icon at Jasna Gora and at the tomb of St John Cantius. The Priests also celebrated private Masses at the tomb of our patron remembering our community, friends and benefactors, and the people of our parishes at the altar.

We invite you to join us for a special Solemn Mass In Chicago to commemorate our founding 25 years ago on Tuesday, August 15th, The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 7:30 p.m.

We give thanks to Almighty God for His graces, and we ask in humility for continued graces to continue, with His help, to renew the hearts and souls of many more.

View our 25th Anniversary Trailer The full video will be released on September 24th, at our 25th Anniversary Gala

Solemn High Mass Feast of the Assumption & 25th Anniversary Mass

Watch the live stream of the Mass below