The Community of the Mother of Jesus

Jordan Sandrock, cmj
Novice

(they/them/theirs)

​

I was born and grew up in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on unceded unsurrendered Algonquin territory. I was baptised and confirmed there in a Roman Catholic setting. I also attended Catholic elementary and high schools. (Catholic schools being publically funded in my province and also having better French education!) My family joined the Anglican Church when I was eight, though I wasn't formally received into the Anglican Church until I was fifteen. It was at that age I started discerning a call to the priesthood. Being formed in these places had a significant impact on my understanding of myself, my faith, and my relationship to God. Of course, praying the rosary with family as a child gave me a particular affinity to Mary, Theotokos.

Currently, I am a postulant in the Diocese of Huron, where I completed seminary. I am also pursuing my PhD in theology at Regis / St. Michael's, Toronto School of Theology. The current discernment is that I am called to be a "scholar priest" and would like to eventually teach part time in a seminary or similar context and work as a parish priest part time.

The core of my faith is the Trinity (St. Elizabeth of the Trinity being "my" saint). There have been moments in my life - normally in deep prayer - where I've been afforded a deep sense of intimacy with the Triune God. It has affirmed for me that the true home of all creation dwells in the heart of the Trinity. St. Mary the mother of Jesus has been a guide to me throughout, offering the words "Let it be according to your word", reminding me to trust and follow the Triune God.

My fiancé and I met in 2023 at a preaching conference. I had just completed seminary and he was about to begin his last year in seminary. He is now serving as a priest in the Diocese of Arkansas and as a military chaplain candidate. This means we have four bishops between the two of us! (Two diocesan, one military, and one bishop visitor). As you can imagine, between four bishops, two countries, two dioceses, two provinces of the Anglican communion, things are a little complicated! But we laugh at ourselves, hold fast in prayer, and remind each other that if God brought us together, God can sort it out.

My master's thesis explored the experiences of transgender Anglicans in the Eucharistic liturgy. As a trans person of faith, it was important to me to fill this gap where the research didn't exist at the time. While my doctoral research is in the area of liturgy, I also have a soft spot for children's and youth ministry. Assisting with catechesis and Christian formation - no matter one's age - has always been a joy of mine. I also spend some time at the community events of L'Arche London, a community that supports adults with intellectual disabilities through area group homes and day programs.

I'm an avid knitter and cyclist - though you won't find me biking in the habit!