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, September 8, 2012

Msgr. Steenson's Visit to Minnesota

Brother John-Bede Pauley writes on Facebook:
The occasion of Monsignor Steenson’s visit was a huge success. Msgr. Steenson established strong ties with the Society of St. Bede the Venerable, and the SSBV demonstrated its commitment to respond to the Church’s invitation to encourage the Anglican patrimony’s development within Catholicism. My deepest gratitude to everyone who took part in choral Evensong last evening, whether as a musician and/or as a participant, and to those who kept us all in your prayers! The importance of the Pastoral Provision of 1980 and of Anglicanorum coetibus in the life of the Church have only begun to be appreciated in relation to evangelization, ecumenism, liturgy, and (speaking as a musicologist) liturgical music.

The potential the Society of St. Bede the Venerable and St. John’s have for contributing to this movement has likewise only begun to be appreciated. It is with a sense of humble gratitude, then, that I reflect on the potential for continued growth and development yesterday’s visit represents.

Because decisions in the Church and in individual hearts and minds rarely happen in a trice, I refrain from making premature comments about the opportunities that were discussed yesterday. But I will say this much. After Msgr. Steenson’s visit, the future of the SSBV looks even more promising. I believe it is a future that will bear much fruit if we are faithful in understanding and living the opportunities Anglicanorum coetibus sets before us and if we are, as we have been, supported by the immeasurable help of your prayers, time, and talents.
You can follow the events of the Society of St. Bede on their blogsite.

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