An Unofficial Ordinariate Primer: a beginning.

-

Overture
What is the Patrimony?
  • A chapter in the autobiography of the Holy Ghost?
  • The Holy Ghost working in and through the English Christian people, before and after the Tudor split, drawing people (back) to unity in the Church that Christ established, that is, the Catholic Church?
  • The Holy Ghost revitalizing the Church by bringing back into the Catholic fold "many elements of sanctification and of truth (...) found outside her visible confines"?
  • The grammar of the Holy Ghost organizing those "elements of sanctification and truth" belonging in and to the Catholic Church?
In this unofficial attempt to add something useful to the conversation about Ordinariate Catholic identity, the temptation will be to say too much or too little. At the very least, let us hope that this attempt to witness to a way of being Catholic doesn't deter readers from considering who and what Ordinariate Catholics are, and what they have to say to the rest of the Church and to those considering the Catholic Faith.

Disclaimer

Admittedly, there are a lot of loose ends in this post left unthreaded, and perhaps some threads that require further untangling in order for the reader to access a culture and way of being Catholic that complements other experiences of being Catholic.

There is no attempt in this post to be comprehensive, nor any attempt to render a verdict as judge and jury, save to expose facts that may prove useful to an exploration and appreciation of the Ordinariate charism. Point of fact: this blogger is no expert on the subject of the Ordinariate. Fortunately, for me, I'm in good company, for those of us so blessed to be members of the Ordinariate are, every day it seems, discovering anew the Anglican Patrimony in communion with the Catholic Church. Certainly, some - many, that is - have a much deeper grasp of the various subjects grouped under the patrimonial umbrella. Deference is due to those learned authors listed and cited.


Knowing something about where Ordinariate Catholics are coming from can tell an interested visitor a great deal about where we, like all Catholics, hope on going and how we hope to get there.

In case you're wondering where that 'there' is, the shorter answer would be the Apostles' Creed, à la the Ordinariate, especially that bit about the Life everlasting.
I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary: Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence he shall come to Judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost: The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints: The Forgiveness of sins: The Resurrection of the body: ✠ And the Life everlasting. Amen.
The Amen that concludes the Creed speaks to our confident hope that we offer to anyone seeking the True, the Good and the Beautiful. That is, anyone and everyone seeking God.

Hearken also to the words of Jesus recorded in the Holy Gospel according to Saint John:
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
The Baltimore Catechism sums up beautifully our reason for being:
Question: Why did God make you? Answer: God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in the next.
Let us proceed with the happy task of uncovering buried treasure and sharing (Ordinariate) gifts with the wider Church. The name of this blog site is, after all, A Treasure To Be Shared.

Comments

Post a Comment

Your comments will be appreciated and posted if 1) they are on topic and 2) preserve decorum.

Stand by your word. Do not be anonymous. Use a pseudonym.

Popular posts from this blog

20 Additional Signs You Might Just Be In A(n) Heterodox Parish

-
Image
AI generated image. Prompt: Female minister dancing on altar with incense. The Sign of Peace becomes the Dance of Peace. The tabernacle is not anywhere to be seen. There's no business like show business like no business I know. Everything about it is appealing, everything the pastor will allow. Nowhere could you get that happy feeling when you are stealing that extra bow. Blessings of couples in irregular unions doesn't even come close to describing the oddities going on. The altar doubles as a billiard table that is used during meetings of the Knights of Columbus . Unsanctioned modifications to the Mass include they/them pronouns for God and the saints. The statues of Mary and Joseph have been replaced with Murray and Joseph. Traditional liturgical colors have been replaced with an alphabet soup of washed-out tints carefully selected by the Parish Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Council. The favoured incense is Social Justice Blend... for "High" Mass. Votive and al
Read more

You Know You're In A Progressive Catholic Parish When... .

-
Image
... you rarely (if ever) hear the following phrases. "Party like it's A.D. 1570!" "We should sing more plainchant at this parish." "I'd like to thank the choir for their sublime rendition of the Mass For Five Voices by William Byrd." "I just love the way the four torchbearers process in with such dignity." "People treat the Host like a snack. I think it's time we went back to communion on the tongue." "My entire family goes to Confession every week." "We need a central Tabernacle on the altar." "The altar servers' lace cottas are so beautiful." "I just love Father Steve's sermons about the Real Presence and living a Eucharistic life." "People are leaving in droves for Saint Pius X Parish and the reverent Mass there. Do you think we're doing something wrong here at Harvey Milk Parish?" "I'm thrilled that the design for the new church includes a choir loft.
Read more

A Meditation: Virtue Versus Hollywood Values

-
Image
Napa Institute Procession, Oct. 10, 2023 | Zach Fiedler According to Catholic Church teachings, virtue is defined as: A stable disposition of the intellect and will that governs our actions, orders our passions, and guides our conduct in accordance with reason and faith. [1,2] Virtues are habitual and firm dispositions to do good. [3] They are not just random good deeds, but a deep-rooted goodness that becomes an integral part of a person's character. [3] Virtues enable us to freely choose the right course of action and have a tendency towards what is good. [3] There are human virtues, such as the four cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. [1] These virtues order our lives in society. [6] There are also theological virtues, which raise us to a divine life, such as faith, hope, and charity. [5] The goal of virtuous living is to become like God - to grow in holiness and moral perfection. [5] Virtues are not just acquired through human effort, but also by t
Read more

That 70s Vatican Show

-
Image
Satire may be mad and anarchic, but it presupposes an admitted superiority in certain things over others; it presupposes a standard. -  G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy A poke at folk whose actions past and present could invite considerably more. (T)he real disloyalty is not speaking the truth with love. And that word “love” is not some free-floating balloon of goodwill. It’s an empty shell without the truth to fill it. In Brazil in 2013, the Holy Father encouraged young people to “make a mess.” That’s come to pass in ways surely unintended by the pope. But in the end, pastoral leaders are accountable for their words and their actions. Because, as St. Paul said so long ago, “God is not the author of confusion but of peace.” - Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., is the Archbishop emeritus of Philadelphia Afflict the comfortable; comfort the afflicted. That 70s Vatican Show , a fashion extravaganza, featured designs promoting a rabid retro vibe. Organizer Fr. James Martin SJ, taking his cue from t
Read more
Every effort is made herein this blog to conform to the teaching of the Church - Quod ubique, quod semper, quod ab omnibus creditum est. Comments are welcome.