The praying heart of the Community of Jesus Crucified is its residential community, the Sisters and Priests and Brother Servants of Jesus Crucified.  They participate in the dying dispositions of Jesus as hung dying on the Cross by their religious consecration.  They are inserted into the lay community as the “praying heart” through their common and personal prayer and by prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.  The Priests and Brother and Sister Servants are primarily involved in spiritual formation and ministry to the sick and dying.  They also accept secondary apostolic activities when possible in the dioceses where they are located, preferably unmet needs.   

The Community of Jesus Crucified was founded in the Diocese of Lafayette in 1986.  Members of the CJC consecrate their lives to serve a wounded humanity and to assist those persons on earth who do not yet live a life of union with Jesus in grace. They offer their joys and sufferings in union with the sufferings and passion of the Crucified Christ to the Father for the sake of the wounds of His Body, the Church.  

This charism of the wounded Christ which members of the CJC strive to live is the “fleshing out” in their lives the words of St. Paul (Col. 1:24), “In my own body, I make up for what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of His Body, the Church.”  

By their vows, members of the CJC participate in the dying dispositions of Jesus Crucified.  The Community recognizes Mary, our Mother of Sorrows, as the model contemplative and chooses her as the first and perpetual superior of the Community of Jesus Crucified. 

In addition to their service to the lay members, the priests are much involved in preaching, and the religious are involved in teaching, ministry to the sick and dying, spiritual direction and directing retreats.  

They also assist local diocesan clergy with parish programs and the priests give assistance with Masses in local parishes.  

The priests of the Community of Jesus Crucified are presently incardinated in the Diocese of Lafayette.

Unlike the more active religious institutes in the Church, CJC PBS have a monastic framework which includes chanting he five hours of the Divine Office in common.  Unlike purly contemplative and monastic orders, CJC religious serve with apostolic and missionary zeal the needs of the lay community and the local Church.  They strive to live a life of tradere aliis contemplata, like Mary, a handing on to others the fruits of their contemplation.  They are missionary contemplatives who pursue contemplative union with Jesus Crucified through prayer and work.  As true servants they remain close to the Master in prayer, like the eyes of a servant on the hand of her mistress, so as to be able to go at a moment's notice in haste to help Jesus in His little ones.  In order to remain faithful in service, the CJC Priest, Brother & Sister Servants remain faithful in prayer.  In order to become a true CJC contemplative, the religious grows in cheerful service.

CJC Priest, Brother & Sister Servants are first and foremost dedicated to prayer and the pursuit of contemplative union.  They serve the spiritual needs of their lay members and work to disseminate knowledge on the spiritual life.  They work especially in the area of spiritual formation and ministry  to the sick and dying.  CJC religious serve unmet needs in the areas where they are located, giving preference to ministry to the suffering.