The Anglican Use Society of the Roman Catholic Church

Magnificent Speakers!

Important Conference!

All are cordially invited to attend this very important conference!

Featured speakers include:

• Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston
  
  
• Fr. John Saward, former Anglican priest and noted English Catholic theologian
  
  
• Fr. James Moore, founding co-pastor of Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Church
  
  
• Mary C. Moorman, apologist, author, and consultant
  
  
• Dr. Hans-Jurgen Feulner, Professor of Liturgical Studies and Sacramental Theology at the University of Vienna.

[note from Vincent: Mary Moorman is an expert on the Caroline Divines who were such an important part of my catholic formation in the Anglican Church. Her books are outstanding, and she is one of the few I have read who understand how important the Caroline Divine Mark Frank is to the theological foundation of the catholic wing of the Anglican Church into which I was born.]

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things which were cast down are being raised up

DEUS, incommutabilis virtus et lumen aeternum, respice propitius ad totius Ecclesiae mirabile sacramentum, et opus salutis humanae perpetuae dispositionis effectu tranquillius operare; totusque mundus experiatur et videat dejecta erigi, inveterata renovari et per ipsum Christum redire omnia in integrum, a quo sumpsere principium; Dominum Nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia sæcula sæculorum. Amen.


O GOD of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably upon thy whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of thy providence, carry out in tranquillity the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who liveth and reigenth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Archbishop John Carroll's Prayer

With thanks to Fr. Z.

PRAYER FOR GOVERNMENT

We pray, Thee O Almighty and Eternal God! Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of Thy Name.

We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, Pope N., the Vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, N., all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.

We pray Thee O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.

We pray for his excellency, the governor of this state , for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

Finally, we pray to Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relatives, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

The Collect for the Anglican Use

O HOLY Ghost the Lord, who on Pentecost gavest the Church the gift of tongues that Christ might be known, loved and served by peoples of divers nations and customs: watch over the Anglican heritage within thy Church, we pray thee, that, led by thy guidance and strengthened by thy grace, that Use may find such favour in thy sight that its people may increase both in holiness and number, and so show forth thy glory; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Son, one God world without end. Amen.

Evidence of Holy Mother Church

I saw this beautiful photograph on the New Liturgical Movement blog.

I post it here for dear Chloë, a faithful reader, to assure her that Holy Mother Church still exists.

A Daily Prayer, written by St. Edmund

Into Thy hands, O Lord, and into the hands of Thy holy Angels, I commit and entrust this day my soul, my relations, my benefactors, my friends and enemies, and all Thy Catholic people. Keep us, O Lord, through the day, by the merits and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all Thy Saints, from all vicious and unruly desires, from all sins and temptations of the devil, and from sudden and unprovided death and the pains of hell. Illuminate my heart with the grace of Thy Holy Spirit; grant that I may ever be obedient to Thy commandments; suffer me not to be separated from Thee, O God, who livest and reignest with God the Father and the same Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.

St. Edmund
The Raccolta
1957

A Prayer from Vultus Christi

This beautiful prayer comes from Father Mark of the most inspiring blog Vultus Christi. The entire post that concludes with this prayer is magnificent.

Prayer

I pray thee, O Most Holy Virgin Mary,
that I might hear the Heartbeat of redeeming Love,
and that with Thee
I might adore the Heart of Jesus
formed in Thy womb by the Holy Spirit.

Through the Holy Spirit,
by whose power and overshadowing Thou didst become
the living tabernacle of the Heart of God,
may my soul rejoice in Thy every visitation
and leap in recognition of Him
who through Thee deigns to come to me.

Through the Holy Spirit
by whom Thou wert illumined by faith,
quickened by hope,
and inflamed with charity,
grant that I may believe all that the Sacred Heart of Jesus has revealed,
never despair of His boundless Mercy,
and burn with the fire He came to cast upon the earth.

In the Holy Spirit,
Thou adorest the Heart of Thy Son as the Heart of Thy God;
in that same Holy Spirit,
grant that I may adore the Heart of my God
as the Heart that, hidden in Thy womb, once beat beneath Thy own:
the same Sacred Heart that, pierced upon the Cross,
fills the heavens with glory
and the earth with mercy.
Amen.

Anglican Use Society at Shrine in D.C.

Please do read the post at Casa Santa Lidia about the Anglican Use Society Conference at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washignton, D.C.

Most Holy Trinity

What praises can we bring God
the very Source of Praise?
A godly life and sober
with love throughout our days!
To love the Lord completely
and self and neighbour too --
such anthems of life are pleasing
to God and justly due.

Great Lord of all creation,
we lift both heart and mind
with saints and angels singing
dear Father of our kind.
We beg forgiveness for our sins
Christ's blood we plead and claim.
Renew us in love to live for thee,
to praise thy holy Name.

O God the Son of Mary
free us from sin and strife
Nourish and purify us
who drink thy Cup of Life.
As mothers feed their children
growing safely in the womb,
Thy body and blood do feed us
to shatter death's dark tomb.

O Spirit of God most holy
thou art our life and light.
Into the stature of Our Lord
thou guidest us aright.
O lead us into holiness
and purity of heart
that with the saints of every age
we stand and do our part.

O blessed Trinity of love
thy ways are not our own.
Now turning from the night of sin
we shine before thy throne.
Our souls we here present to thee.
Our lives do thou employ.
To praise and magnify thy Name.
We lift our hearts in joy.


Words: Copyright © 1998, 2005 by Vincent Uher. All rights reserved.
Music: Ellacombe
Meter: 76 76 D

Behold, How Like A Monarch

Behold, how like a monarch
Peace enters in to reign
when all things rightly ordered
proclaim Christ's true domain.
God crowns each true peacemaker
with blessings from above
to share with friend and neighbour
the treasure of God's love.

The sacrifice of Jesus,
his rising from the dead,
his sending of the Spirit
turns this world on its head.
The promise of our Saviour
sings, 'Heaven is at hand.
Receive the Holy Spirit.
Peace to you and your land.'

Long nights we knew of warfare,
of desperate people's cries.
We see how nations falter
destroyed by greed and lies.
Christ's Cross, a contradiction
"Lay down your life for friends
so justice, hope, and mercy
fill the world's farthest ends."

To put an end to terror
we long to do what's right.
To save the world from horrors,
to vanquish evil's might.
Unless God leads and guides us
we turn Earth into hell.
Christ, shepherd all the nations
so all things shall be well!

Christ's peace, the Church's power,
His peace, our bravest song.
His sacrifice, his bleeding
make peace where once was wrong.
His Gospel mark our actions.
Our actions be as prayers
till Christ rules every nation,
swords beat into ploughshares.

Creator of all nature,
the Word through whom Life came,
the Spirit through us moving,
One God, we praise your Name.
We tell out your great goodness,
your tenderness and might
by which you end all terror.
Your peace crowns all with light.

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Words: Copyright © 2003 Vincent Uher. All rights reserved.
Suggested tunes: Es flog ein kleins Waldvöglein (Woodbird)
or Passion Chorale (Herzlich thut mich verlangen)
Meter: 76 76 D

Today is a very great day for the Church Universal!

Today in Scranton, Pennsylvania The Rev. Mr. Eric L. Bergman II will be ordained to the Sacred Priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church. One can learn more about his ordination today on this page on The St. Thomas More Society's website.

My parents and I are very honoured to know Deacon Bergman, and we are overjoyed to see him ordained to the priesthood in Holy Mother Church. He had been an Episcopalian priest. When he was reconciled to the Catholic Church, he brought a congregation of former Episcopalians with him which is something I pray more Episcopalian clergy will do as they convert and are reconciled to the Holy See.

I expect that very soon his congregation now known as the St. Thomas More Society of St. Clare's Catholic Church will be erected as the Catholic Church of St. Thomas More (Anglican Use, Roman Rite) or some variation on that depending upon the Bishop's good pleasure.

Of course, this is also a very great day for all Roman Catholics of Anglican Heritage but also for the whole Church as a new Priest is given by the Blessed Trinity to Holy Church to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and to fulfil all priestly responsibilties of the upward call of God in Christ.

An Act of Adoration

from the Tradition of the Roman Catholics of Anglican Heritage

orthy art thou, O God, to receive the honour and the power; for thou didst create all things, and because of thy will they are and were created.

Glory be to thee, O God.

Glory be to thee, O Christ, who with thy love and by thy Blood didst redeem men of every kindred and tongue and people and nation.

Glory be to thee, O Christ.

Glory to thee, O Holy Spirit, for thy work in the Church, which will not cease until thou hast made of all mankind one family in Christ, to the praise and glory of God the Father Almighty.

Glory be to thee, O Holy Spirit.

A Hymn of Praise

from the Tradition of the Roman Catholics of Anglican Heritage

oly, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art and wast and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power and hast reigned. Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy Name? For thou only art holy; for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy righteous acts have been made manifest.

Now unto him that hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.

Blessing and honour and glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen.