Community of Jesus

What Community of Jesus does

The Community of Jesus is an ecumenical Benedictine monastic community legally organized as The Community of Jesus Inc., a Massachusetts non-profit, founded in 1970 and headquartered at 5 Bay View Drive, Orleans, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod Bay. It comprises approximately 230 members, including 25 celibate brothers in Zion Friary, 60 celibate sisters in Bethany Convent, and family households in surrounding privately owned homes; members come from Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, and Anglican backgrounds united under a single Rule of Life.

The community's core product is contemplative spiritual formation delivered through daily worship in the Church of the Transfiguration — a Minnesota limestone building in 4th-century architectural style — featuring Gregorian chant sung at the Liturgy of the Hours and accompanied by the proprietary St. Cecilia Pipe Organ, a 185-rank, 11,964-pipe instrument built by Nelson Barden & Associates with restored E.M. Skinner components. Supporting product lines include a tiered retreat portfolio (Weekend Invitational at $400, Gregorian Chant at $550, Personal at $215–$265, Group, and Family House at $4,000/week), Gloriæ Dei Cantores choir (performing in 23 countries since 1988), Elements Theatre Company, Paraclete Press publishing, Mount Tabor Ecumenical Centre for Art and Spirituality (with offices in Orleans and Barga, Italy), and Priory Books & Gifts retail storefront.

The business model is donation- and program-fee-based. Primary revenue is contributed by members and friends through charitable giving solicited via the website, supplemented by retreat fees (structured as suggested donations with scholarships available), retail sales of religious books and gifts, ticketed concerts and special liturgical events (e.g., Monteverdi's Vespers, Advent Lessons & Carols), publishing revenue via Paraclete Press, and global livestream access. Go-to-market is direct-to-individual across in-person visits, livestream, email, social channels, and earned media in publications such as Christianity Today and the Boston Globe. The organization is internally governed, with no external shareholders or funding rounds.

Name

Community of Jesus

Legal name

The Community of Jesus Inc.

Website

https://communityofjesus.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Community of Jesus is a non-profit ecumenical Benedictine monastic community in Orleans, Massachusetts, serving 230 members and spiritual seekers through daily Gregorian chant worship, a tiered retreat program, retail, publishing, and a touring choir.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Community and Spiritual Retreat Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Religious Orders & Monastic Communities (Monasteries, Convents) (BPAGAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL), Denominational & Community Periodicals (Church Magazines, Diocesan/Temple Newsletters) (MPAJAHAI), Christian Broadcasting (TV & Radio) (MPABALAA), Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

Keywords

• Benedictine monastic community
• Christian worship services
• Spiritual retreat programs
• Sacred music ministry
• Ecumenical publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Orleans

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Giving: The community is supported by gifts from members and friends. Donations are solicited through the website for supporting the community, church, and various arts programs.
2. Retreat Programs: Weekend invitational retreats ($400 per person including lodging and meals), Gregorian Chant retreats ($550 per person), personal retreats ($215-265 per person/couple), and group retreat rates. Deposit required to secure spot.
3. Priory Books & Gifts Retail: The Priory Books & Gifts shop sells religious books, gifts, and merchandise. Open Monday-Saturday 10AM-5PM, Sunday 11AM-12PM.
4. Concert and Event Tickets: Ticketed events including Monteverdi's Vespers, organ concerts by artists like Monica Berney and Daniel Roth, and Christmas concerts with Gloriæ Dei Cantores and Creare Symphonia.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Community of Jesus is a Benedictine monastic community providing ecumenical Christian worship, contemplative retreat programs, sacred arts performances, and retail through a unified ministry centered on the Church of the Transfiguration on Cape Cod Bay. Its core offerings include the daily Liturgy of the Hours sung in Gregorian chant, invitational weekend retreats, Gregorian Chant retreats, personal and group retreats, concert and arts events through Gloriæ Dei Cantores choir and Elements Theatre Company, ecumenical publishing through Paraclete Press, and a physical retail bookstore/gift shop.

Product overview

The Community of Jesus is an ecumenical Benedictine monastic community offering a unified portfolio of spiritual and arts services. At its core is the Community of Jesus itself and the Church of the Transfiguration, supported by creative arts divisions including Gloriæ Dei Cantores (choir), Elements Theatre Company, Mount Tabor Ecumenical Centre for Art and Spirituality, and Paraclete Press (publishing). The St. Cecilia Pipe Organ provides musical accompaniment in the Church. Retreat programs include Weekend Invitational Retreats, Gregorian Chant Retreats, Personal Retreats, Group Retreats, and Family House Retreats. Worship services feature the Liturgy of the Hours with daily Gregorian chant, available in-person and via livestream. Priory Books & Gifts provides retail services. The organization operates as a single unified ministry rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community of Jesus (Benedictine Monastic Community) Ecumenical Benedictine monastic community on Cape Cod Bay providing daily worship, retreat ministry, sacred arts, publishing, and retail services through a unified ministry centered on the Church of the Transfiguration.
• Church of the Transfiguration Principal place of worship at the Community of Jesus on Cape Cod, built of Minnesota limestone in a contemporary expression of fourth-century architecture, serving as the venue for liturgical services, concerts, and church tours.
• Gloriæ Dei Cantores Choir Professional choir of the Community performing Gregorian chant through 21st-century choral repertoire, presenting concerts, worship services, and an international touring program with recordings through GDC Recordings.
• Weekend Invitational Retreats Monthly scriptural-themed retreats offered January through December, including accommodations, meals, teaching, discussion, meditation, and participation in liturgies at a suggested donation of $400 per person.
• Gregorian Chant Retreats Annual three-day chant retreats offered in spring and fall providing instruction for all experience levels along with lodging and meals at a suggested donation of $550 per person.
• Personal Retreats Two or three-day quiet retreats with optional spiritual direction, daily liturgies, and meals prepared by the Sisters, at a suggested donation of $215-$265 per person or couple.
• Group Retreats Customizable group retreats at Paraclete Retreat House with overnight accommodations, meals, teaching spaces, and spiritual direction available by contacting the Guest Mistress.
• Family House Retreats Weekly family retreats at Bethany Retreat House at a suggested donation of $4,000 per week, with meals available at additional cost.
• Priory Books & Gifts Retail Community-operated bookstore and gift shop at 5 Bay View Drive, Orleans, MA, selling religious books, gifts, and merchandise; open Monday-Saturday 10AM-5PM and Sunday 11AM-12PM.
• Concert and Arts Events (Arts Empowering Life) Ticketed concerts and performances including Monteverdi's Vespers, organ recitals by guest artists, and Christmas concerts featuring Gloriæ Dei Cantores, with tickets sold via artsempoweringlife.org.
• Liturgy of the Hours (Daily Worship Services) Daily communal prayer services sung in Gregorian chant — Lauds (morning), Midday prayer, Vespers (evening), and Compline (night) — open to the public at the Church of the Transfiguration.
• Livestream Worship Services Daily livestreamed Lauds and Vespers services sung in Gregorian chant, streamed globally from the Church of the Transfiguration via the church website.
• Paraclete Press Ecumenical Publishing Ecumenical publishing imprint associated with the Community, producing books, videos, and distribution of recorded and printed music.
• Elements Theatre Company Theatre company affiliated with the Community, performing sacred and classical plays as part of the creative arts ministry and faith expression through drama.
• Mount Tabor Ecumenical Centre for Art and Spirituality International organization facilitating ecumenical dialogue through educational symposia, visual and performing arts, spiritual retreats, and exhibitions of contemporary sacred art, with locations in Barga, Italy and Orleans, MA.

Quantifiable outcome

• 23 countries reached through Gloriæ Dei Cantores performances
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Paraclete PresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcumenical publishing company associated with the Community, producing books, videos, and distribution of recorded and printed music. Household members work at this company among other occupations.
• Mount Tabor Ecumenical Centre for Art and SpiritualitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization facilitating ecumenical dialogue through educational symposia, visual and performing arts, spiritual retreats and exhibitions of contemporary sacred art. Has offices in Barga, Italy and Orleans, MA.
• Church of the TransfigurationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe principal place of worship at the spiritual center of the Community, serving as a visible sign of God's presence. Constructed of Minnesota limestone in a contemporary expression of 4th century architecture.
• Gloriæ Dei CantorescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe choir of the Community, founded in 1988 under Richard K. Pugsley. Has performed in 23 countries, holding passionate dedication to illuminate truth and beauty through choral artistry from Gregorian chant through the 21st century.
• Elements Theatre CompanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheatre company affiliated with the Community, contributing to the arts ministry and creative expressions of faith through drama and performance.
• Association of Benedictine Retreat CentersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization of approximately 40 member centers working together to foster the Benedictine charism in retreat ministry. Members wish to 'welcome all as Christ'.
• Priory Books & GiftsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe retail storefront of the Community selling religious books, gifts, and merchandise. Located at 5 Bay View Drive, Orleans. Hours: Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 11AM-12PM.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani: Trappist (Benedictine) monastery in Kentucky and home of Thomas Merton; comparable as a leading U.S. contemplative Benedictine community with an active retreat ministry, hermitage program, and craft/food-product revenue lines.
• Monastery of the Holy Spirit: Trappist monastery in Conyers, Georgia operating a retreat house, gift shop, and bonsai/forest ministry; similar scale of retreat hospitality, on-site retail, and Trappist/Benedictine contemplative charism.
• Saint John's Abbey: Benedictine abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota known for its renowned liturgical music program, retreat ministry, and Hill Museum & Manuscript Library; mirrors Community of Jesus's combination of Benedictine monastic life, sacred music/chant, and academic publishing.
• Mount Angel Abbey: Benedictine monastery in St. Benedict, Oregon that runs a guesthouse retreat program, theological seminary, and Mount Angel Press; closely comparable operating model to Community of Jesus with retreat, liturgical, and publishing arms.
• Society of St. John the Evangelist: Episcopal religious order with roots in the Anglican monastic revival, operating retreat houses and a digital ministry; directly comparable as a contemporary, ecumenically-minded religious community with retreat ministry.
• Saint Meinrad Archabbey: Benedictine monastery in southern Indiana operating a guesthouse and retreat program with a liturgical choir and theological school - directly comparable Benedictine monastic ministry with retreat and hospitality operations like Community of Jesus.
• Weston Priory: Benedictine monastic community in Weston, Vermont known for its dedicated hospitality and music ministry; closely comparable small Benedictine community with guesthouse retreats and choral worship.

Emerging players

• Order of the Holy Cross: Episcopal monastic order focused on contemplative life and retreat ministry; overlapping audience of Christians seeking structured Benedictine-style retreats but with a smaller footprint than Community of Jesus.

Broad incumbents

• Loyola Retreat House (Loyola, Maryland): Jesuit retreat house outside Baltimore offering preached, directed, and silent retreats; comparable as an established Catholic retreat-ministry operator in roughly the same Northeastern/Atlantic corridor.

Others

• Paraclete Press: Ecumenical Christian publisher of books, music, and recorded sacred music closely affiliated with the Community of Jesus; included because while it is effectively part of the same ministry ecosystem, independent publishers like Paraclete exist as adjacent industry peers in the religious publishing space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/comofjesus
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/CommunityofJesusOrleans
• Facebookfacebook.com/communityofjesus.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-of-jesus-cape-cod
• Instagraminstagram.com/commofjesus
• Pinterestpinterest.com/communityofjesu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community of Jesus