A (very) Brief History

Br Daniel-Joseph Schroeder was born and raised in the Milwaukee area, one of four sons.  Brother completed his undergraduate studies in Classical Hebrew at the University of Wisconsin, then went on to complete a Masters at Northern Illinois specializing in Adult Educational Psychology. He also received an MBA in Finance from Concordia University.

After spending much of his career in financial services, Brother acted on a life-long desire for monastic life when he joined a Benedictine Monastery in May of 2003 at the age of 53.  There, he learned the Benedictine ways, served as Director of Oblates, and received his Religious name, Daniel-Joseph.

In late 2006, the Abbot there announced a change in mission and vision.  At that time, Brother was also considering a more ecumenical approach to his monasticism that explored a broader range of ideas while still focusing on basic Christian principles. A “push” and a “pull” were in play.

In early 2007, Brother withdrew from the Benedictines and spent time as a solitary, formulating what would eventually become the Community of the Gospel. After several months of prayer and discernment, the Community concept gradually took shape.  The vows of the Community would be based on the ancient foundations of building a relationship with the Triune God: the Way of Devotion (Daily Prayer), the Way of Knowledge (Reflective Study), and the Way of Action (Personal Service).  These would be tied together using several key vision statements (See “Vision” option in the Library).

Brother assembled a small team of advisors to draft a Constitution and Customary for the new Community. The name became obvious: we need Community to grow spiritually, and it must be centered on the Gospel. The monastic framework was eventually ready to share, so a web site was built. An LLC was formed in the state of Wisconsin on March 28, 2007. 

In April of that year Brother met with Bishop Russell Jacobus, Bishop of the Diocese of Fond du Lac, and head of the House of Bishops Committee on Religious Orders and Communities for the Episcopal Church.  A request was made to him for permission to officially establish the Community in the local Diocese, which was granted on May 3, 2007.  National Recognition was ultimately granted on February 14, 2013.

The Community’s first Convocation was held in April of 2008 at Monte Alverno Retreat Center in Appleton. All four CG Members attended for three days of prayer and learning. Several more annual Convocations were held in Appleton until the growth in memberships led to a Convocation in Indianapolis, and then Cincinnati.

By 2017 it was clear that our structure (our “form”) was working well. But it was also clear that we needed to highlight our purpose and vision better (our “function”). Thus, in 2018 we expanded our original vision statement and compiled what is now known as our “Common Rule for Monastics.” With a better balance between structure and “heart,” we were ready to move on into the future with the Grace of God. By 2020, membership had grown to almost 30 regular members, and another 20 or so “Friends of the Community.”