Crutched Friars and Croisiers

This book is the result of a life-time of interest in the Crosiers and presents the history in England and France of this religious Order, known officially as the Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross. The core of the book is two chapters presenting the history of the Crosier in England (there called the Crutched Friars) and and in France (there known as the Croisiers). A first chapter discuses the origin and early years of the Crosier Order, its place among other orders of the Holy Cross and its spirituality. Then after the core of the book, the Afterword begins with a very short history of the Crosiers from the French Revolution to Vatican II. This is followed by a partial history of the Crosiers from Vatican II to the present, concentrating on the history of the Crosier Order in the United States. The third part presents a series of reflections on chapters one through three. The final part of the Afterword contains reflections on the present state of the Crosiers in light of its past.