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, May 26, 2012

Ordination at Westminster Cathedral

Saturday, May 26, 2012


Seventeen men were ordained Deacon today, 26th May 2012, at Westminster Cathedral for the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. They were ordained by Bishop Alan Hopes, on behalf of Monsignor Keith Newton. The large congregation included members of their respective Ordinariate Groups and also former parishioners from their time as Anglicans. In the homily, Mgr Andrew Burnham pointed to the candidates' many years of priestly service and the energy, experience and wisdom which they bring to the Catholic Church.
The music included the Mass for five voices by Byrd and motets by Tallis and Victoria. The hymns "Crown him with many crowns" and "Lord enthroned in heavenly splendour" were sung with great zeal, as befits the Anglican patrimony, and Dubois' "Toccata" for organ provided a joyous conclusion to the liturgy.

In the coming days and weeks, they will be ordained to the Priesthood, usually in their local Diocese. Full details are to be found in the Calendar on the website.

Mgr Newton thanked Canon Tuckwell, the Administrator, the staff, servers and choir of the cathedral for their help and support and Bishop Hopes for ordaining these new Deacons.

Hat tip to Deacon Greg Kandra at The Deacon's Bench

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