The Order of the Holy Cross is an international Anglican monastic order that follows the Rule of St. Benedict. History The order was founded in 1884 by the Rev. James Huntington, an Episcopal priest, in New York City. The order moved to Maryland briefly before settling in West Park, New York, in 1902. Houses As of 2018 the order maintained five houses: Holy Cross Monastery, West Park, New York Holy Cross Priory, Toronto, Ontario St. Benedict's Priory, Volmoed, South Africa Mariya uMama weThemba Monastery, in Grahamstown, South Africa Mount Calvary Retreat House and Monastery, Santa Barbara, California with the last two listed both closed . The Mariya uMama weThemba Monastery, in Grahamstown was closed in August 2019, although Holy Cross School, a work of the Order of the Holy Cross, is still active on the site outside Grahamstown. Mount Calvary House, located in the hills high above Santa Barbara since 1947, burned to the ground in a wildfire on 14 November 2008. The community relocated to a site near the city center. In July 2019 the Order announced that Mount Calvary House, the smallest of the four houses, would close and the three brothers still resident relocated to other houses. Ministries The monks of the order engage in various ministries, the chief being that of prayer (including the Divine Office and daily Mass), as well as hosting guests for individual and group retreats. The order estimates that more than 5,000 guests stay at Holy Cross Monastery, one of the largest monastic retreat centers in the Episcopal Church, each year. Holy Cross Monastery also makes and sells incense and religious literature. Holy Cross Priory in Toronto is an urban expression of the Benedictine life where, besides the offices and Eucharist, monks are actively involved in the work of the local church. Some members of the order engage in occupations such as being therapists or parish priests. All monasteries of the order offer spiritual direction and counsel. Vows Monks of the order follow a threefold vow of obedience, stability, and conversion to the monastic way of life. In general, monks of the order are encouraged to develop their own ministries within their monastic vocation. They undergo periods of discernment and formation when entering the Order. The daily life of the monastery revolves around a balance of prayer, work, study, and rest. Associates Lay people and diocesan clergy (male and female) may join