The first principle of the Ordinariate is then about Christian unity. St. Basil the Great, the Church’s greatest ecumenist, literally expended his life on the work of building bridges between orthodox brethren who shared a common faith, but who had become separated from one another in a Church badly fragmented by heresy and controversy. He taught that the work of Christian unity requires deliberate and ceaseless effort...St. Basil often talked with yearning about the archaia agape, the ancient love of the apostolic community, so rarely seen in the Church of his day. This love, he taught, is a visible sign that the Holy Spirit is indeed present and active, and it is absolutely essential for the health of the Church.

- Msgr. Jeffrey Steenson, Homily on the Occasion of his Formal Institution as Ordinary

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas Eve service at St. Athanasius, Boston


The sanctuary at St. Lawrence Church adorned for the festival



Organist Jim Reedy in the loft



Beginning Mass before the procession.



Chanting the Proclamation of Christmas from the Roman Martyrology.



Thurifer Bruce Rand and crucifer Pat Cavanaugh lead the opening procession



The schola (front to back) Allen, Les, Steve, during opening procession



Worship in the Lord with an holy worship.



My daughters Molly and Althea singing Silent Night.



The congregation singing Silent Night at the end of Mass



The schola singing Silent Night

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