Order of St. Alcuin (OSA)
Benedictine Order Founded in 1980 by +Peter W. Riola
Who Are we
The Benedictine Order of St. Alcuin formed as a religious missionary order in 1980, the order of St. Alcuin has developed well over 500 missionaries, chaplains, priests and religious serving God's people in the United States, Africa, Asia, Europe and throughout the world. In 2003, the Communion of Anglican Churches was created to serve as an extension of this missionary movement by planting churches and missionary outposts to spread the gospel message of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This structure enables us to fundamentally strengthen our original work and mission as a religious missionary order rooted in the ancient faith lived out through church planting and apostolic works.By definition, a religious missionary order is a religious organization dedicated to the support of Christian mission such as evangelism, church planting and other forms of Christian mission. This model has biblical origins that may be traced back to the 13th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles when Paul and Barnabas were identified by the Holy Spirit and sent out by the church in Antioch on what would become St. Paul's first missionary journey. This kind of evangelistic outreach was also notably embodied in the approach to mission modeled by St. Patrick in Ireland in the 5th century and was incorporated in the Celtic tradition in the British Isles and beyond, and throughout the life of the Church.Our Distinction
As a religious missionary order, we focus much of our energy and resources on preparing men, women, layity, ordained clergy and religious leaders and for Kingdom mission and ministry. This model is distinct from those structures found in denominations and the institutional church. Rather, a "religious missionary order" is organized to further the work and the mission of the Church; which is to spread the gospel message and the love of Jesus Christ throughout the world. 
Alcuin receiving the Abbey of Tours from the Emperor Charlemagne (British Library, Royal MS 16 G VI, f. 153v)
Who Was Alcuin of York?
Alcuin was a churchman and scholar from York who had a significant influence on the Emperor Charlemagne and his court.Childhood and Education
Judging from references in his later writings, Alcuin’s family were free, modest landowners in what is now South-East Yorkshire. As a child, Alcuin was sent to the cathedral school at York for his education. He was reportedly a quick learner, reading Virgil and memorising the Psalms by the age of 11. Despite his talents, Alcuin never became a priest: he remained a deacon all his life.
Royal advisor to Charlemagne
In the 760s and 770s, Alcuin was a teacher at the school at York. He was close to the archbishop of York and travelled with the archbishop to Rome in the early 760s. In the late 770s, he was sent on a mission to the court of Charlemagne, the powerful king of the Franks. This meeting was to be the first of many. In March 781, Alcuin went to Rome again and met Charlemagne at Parma, who invited the scholar to join his court.
Charlemagne’s court was at the centre of a renaissance of learning and art, and Alcuin was deeply embedded in these intellectual circles. Over the course of his career, Alcuin wrote tracts on everything from spelling to complicated questions about the nature of Christ’s relationship to God. Alcuin often discussed these topics in the many letters he wrote to Charlemagne and other members of the court.
Writings and correspondence
Through the exchange of letters, Alcuin also maintained connections across Anglo-Saxon England. He remained interested in Northumbrian politics and he visited York in the early 790s. A letter he wrote about the sack of Lindisfarne on 8 June 793 may be one of the earliest references to a Viking raid in England. Alcuin also advised the Mercian kings.
In the summer of 796, Alcuin became the abbot of the important monastery of St Martin’s at Tours. It was there that he wrote many of his most famous works, including many of his letters. Alcuin died at Tours on 19 May 804.
The Order of St. Alcuin (OSA)
The Great Commission
"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you" Matthew 28:19-20 Alcuin of York, Deacon, Abbot, Christian Scholar
The Order of Saint Alcuin presents an objective form of life, strong, unchanging from year to year, a life of work, study and liturgical prayer which can be seen and heard, lived in conditions which aim at representing all that is best in Christian family life, sisters and brothers living and serving God in the world, for all to see, with all the non-Christian elements removed.
The message of the Order of Saint Alcuin is simple and direct. Work, obey Holy Scripture, praise God in common, study, and pray to Him alone, “enter the Church and pray.”
It is for us ministering in the world to see to it that they are a living commentary on the Christian Bible, (Work-Christian ministry; Reading and study; The Work of God, intellectual, research and missionary activity), remembering that just as they hope to save their own souls by living the Christian life, so by their example they may, in some measure, have something of the same influence over those to whom they minister.
Student members of the Order of Saint Alcuin (OSAA): All student-scholars studying with Saint Alcuin House Seminary are able, though this association, are able to apply for membership to the Order of St. Alcuin - Academic (participating in Christian Life through Study, Service and Scripture). We welcome all who seek the truth revealed through Jesus Christ to join us in ministry.
Ordination leading to life as a Benedictine brother or sister: Ordination to become a member of the “Religious” Benedictine Order of Saint Alcuin (OSA) is possible through the “Benedictine Studies” program available at the Saint Alcuin House Seminary. After careful evaluation, candidates for ordination are required to complete one year as a Postulate, which includes service to others, daily prayer and formation before ordination into the Religious life.
Elected Leadership: Chapter/organization:
Emeritus: The Rt. Revd +Douglas Halverson, OSB, OSA Convocation Superior /Abbot/Prior (Retired)
Leadership: Abbot, Prior, regional “Chapter” abbots, abbesses, priors, prioresses, and Chaplain, in collaboration with our Visitor on pro,tocols.
CHAPTER ABBOTS
The Most Reverend Dr. ++John L. Simons, OSA (Abbot General)
The Right Reverend +Rick Benton, OSA
The Right Reverend +Randall Pike, OSA
The Right Reverend Dr. +Zerai Gebrehiwot, OSA
he Right Reverend +Michael Zulinke, OSA
The Right Reverend Dr. +Omomaro Okekaro, OSA