An Aid To Memory

This is a prayer of St. Ambrose of Milan asking God to grant us the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I haven’t posted much in awhile, so I thought this classic would tide everyone over.

May the life of Blessed Mary
be ever-present to our awareness.
In her, as in a mirror
the form of virtue,
and beauty of chastity shine forth.
She was a virgin,
not only in body,
but in mind and spirit.
She never sullied
the pure affection of her heart
by unworthy feelings.
She was humble of heart.
She was serious in her conversations.
She was prudent in her counsels.
She preferred to pray
rather than to speak.
She united in her heart
the prayers of the poor.
And avoided
the uncertainty of worldly riches.
She was ever-faithful to her daily duties,
Reserved in her conversations, and always
accustomed to recognize God
as the Witness of her thoughts.
Blessed be the name of Jesus!
Amen

Note: The image is Tiepolo’s “Madonna of the Goldfinch”

The Pontificator’s First Law:

When Orthodoxy and Catholicism agree on something over against Protestantism, Protestantism loses.

I can’t wait for more! Keep em’ coming Pontificator

Today, on the vigil of the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, I (along with my brother) was received and confirmed in the Catholic Church. I started out with first confession at 1:00pm. I must say I was a bit nervous as I waited for my brother to finish before me. After I started, I felt great relief. In fact, afterwards, I was ready to do it again! This may sound strange, but I know the benefits of the sacrament of reconciliation, and the grace given. Also, it is a relief to confess one’s sins to another and to have the assurance of forgiveness. Everybody told me that I would cherish the sacrament of reconciliation, and now I know why they said this over and over again!

After reconciliation, around 2:00pm, my brother and I went to the church from the rectory and were received into the Catholic Church. We said that we submitted to the teachings of the Church. After that we went through the Rite of Confirmation, having hands laid upon us and the oil of chrism placed on our foreheads. I was confirmed “Hilary,” taking the name of St. Hilary of Poitiers, bishop and doctor. Hilary was a stalwart of orthodoxy and a fine and convincing writer. He also knew when to compromise. He had many Eastern contacts, including St. Basil, whose ideas he most certainly brought Westward. After confirmation, Jonathan and I had some coffee and took a walk, waiting for first Communion at 5:00pm. Our first Communion was very meaningful and powerful. Every event today was powerful, and neither of us could stop from practically dancing. Grace was flowing into us today. Afterwards, we celebrated at the Chinese buffet. It was a fine day and a huge milestone! The image on the left is the assumption of Mary.

Tomorrow I will be confirmed a member of the Catholic Church, on the vigil of the Assumption of Mary. I had thought I would be received first, and then confirmed a little time later. It turns out it will all be done at the same time. I think that this is preferrable. I will probably (unless I get a revelation between now and tomorrow at 1:00PM) be taking the saint name of St. Hilary of Poitiers, bishop and doctor of the Church, who has been called "Athanasius of the West" for his steadfastness in defending against the Arian heresy. His writings also showed many Arians the error of their ways, and I find them very interesting even in the 21st century. The picture on the right is of St. Hilary. St. Hilary, pray for us!

I want to thank the many people who have been praying for my brother and me as we are to be confirmed. It is amazing how many people worldwide are aware of this event occuring in a rather rural area. Thank you for your support in this exciting time.

Christian unity is essential. Jesus laid it out clearly in his high priestly prayer when he said, “I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20-21, RSV).

In other words, to be orthodox and orthoprax (i.e. correct believing and correct acting) we must have unity. The Church (currently divided between East and West) lacks this reality at the moment. And in an increasingly post-Christian world, it is scandalous. Jesus even says that our unity directly reflects on our message that the Father has sent Jesus. Without this unity, the message is weakened. With over 35,000 denominations, Christians have been an extemely poor witness in this regard.

Catholics since Vatican II have been open to a better relationship with other Christians, especially the Eastern Churches, with which Catholics have the most in common. I offer a few quotes from Bishop of Rome John Paul II’s 1995 encyclical Ut Unum Sint. I think they speak of the importance of ecumenism, the role of the bishop of Rome, and our close relationship with Eastern Christians:

9. Jesus himself, at the hour of his Passion, prayed “that they may all be one” (Jn 17:21). This unity, which the Lord has bestowed on his Church and in which he wishes to embrace all people, is not something added on, but stands at the very heart of Christ’s mission. Nor is it some secondary attribute of the community of his disciples. Rather, it belongs to the very essence of this community. God wills the Church, because he wills unity, and unity is an expression of the whole depth of his agape.

50, 54. [Vatican II], for its part, considered the Churches of the East with objectivity and deep affection, stressing their ecclesial nature and the real bonds of communion linking them with the Catholic Church. The Decree on Ecumenism points out: “Through the celebration of the Eucharist of the Lord in each of these Churches, the Church of God is built up and grows in stature”. It adds, as a consequence, that “although these Churches are separated from us, they possess true sacraments, above all — by apostolic succession — the priesthood and the Eucharist, whereby they are still joined to us in a very close relationship”. The Council acknowledged their great liturgical and spiritual tradition…and their own particular way of expressing their teaching… the Church must breathe with her two lungs!

61. In view of all this, the Catholic Church desires nothing less than full communion between East and West.

88, 95, 96. In the beautiful expression of Pope Saint Gregory the Great, my ministry [as pope] is that of “servus servorum Dei.” This designation is the best possible safeguard against the risk of separating power (and in particular the primacy) from ministry….All this however must always be done in communion. When the Catholic Church affirms that the office of the Bishop of Rome corresponds to the will of Christ, she does not separate this office from the mission entrusted to the whole body of Bishops, who are also “vicars and ambassadors of Christ”. The Bishop of Rome is a member of the “College”, and the Bishops are his brothers in the ministry. [Clarifying the primacy of the papacy in light of ecumenism] is an immense task, which we cannot refuse and which I cannot carry out by myself. Could not the real but imperfect communion existing between us persuade Church leaders and their theologians to engage with me in a patient and fraternal dialogue on this subject, a dialogue in which, leaving useless controversies behind, we could listen to one another, keeping before us only the will of Christ for his Church and allowing ourselves to be deeply moved by his plea “that they may all be one … so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (Jn 17:21)?

These quotes are food for thought for us all! Please note that His Holiness John Paul II is not calling for World Council of Churches type ecumenism. He is calling for a unity in truth, not a unity based on watered-down half-truth. Unfortunately, Protestant ecumenism has often meant that any meaningful tradition or practice is thrown out because it may “offend” someone, so we are left with bland, meaningless Christianity. Fortunately, Catholic and Orthodox Christians wanting unity see this as no option at all. Only a Christianity “breathing with both lungs” works. As a note, the icons are SS. Basil and Ambrose, symbolic of East/West dialogue and cooperation.

Many of you are well aware of recent Anglican problems, including (but certainly not limited to) the consecration of Gene Robinson to the Episcopacy. There are multiple responses to the crisis. They tend to be:

1. Go to another catholic liturgical body, Orthodoxy or Catholicism (my choice)
2. Go to an evangelical body, such as Methodism
3. Stay and fight outside of ECUSA but within Anglicanism (such as AMIA or the Network)
4. Stay and fight within ECUSA

I have chosen selection one, and this betrays my Anglo-Catholic influence. However, I must say that as my reception into the Catholic Church approaches in a week, I have realized how I deeply value the many positive experiences I have had as an Anglican. I have made many Anglican friends, mostly fellow soldiers in the battle for the soul of Anglicanism, and some even of the more liberal persuasion. To all of them, I wish them well, especially those fighting for the gospel within Anglicanism. Many of these read this blog, and they know who they are. Attende Domine, et miserere! I also am going to make sure that I do not lose contact with them, and that I support them through prayer and (I hope) fellowship. Becoming Catholic does not mean neglecting my friends, nor does it mean that I somehow see the recent state of the Episcopal church as any less evil, or any less worthy of battle. It is a funny phenomenon that many Catholics and Orthodox, some former Anglican, some not, follow the Anglican controversy with great interest. This is not because they are waiting to pounce and convert them (although I am sure some are), but because many Catholics and Orthodox lament the fall of a grand liturgical church, the church that in another era looked like the perfect ecumenical bridge between East and West. It is the church of C.S. Lewis, probably admired more by Catholics than most Anglicans in the 21st century. Many Catholics perhaps see in ECUSA what might have happened to their Church had similar radicals gotten their way. In other words, even though neither Orthodox or Catholics officially recognize the Anglican church as in communion with them, there is certainly a very strong spiritual kinship, as evidenced by the letter of Cardinal Ratzinger from the Vatican to the American Anglican Council meeting in Plano.

In conclusion, I ask that we all continue to support our Anglican brothers and sisters in the ways that we can, especially through prayer. Let it never be said that even though we have been called to different paths that we failed to support our Anglican brothers, sisters, and of course, friends. Here is a good prayer:

Christ Our Lord
You suffered and were tempted.
You are powerful to come to the aid
of those who are assailed by the devil,
For you are the support of Christian people.
O Lord, protect with Your Right Hand
those who trust in Your Name.
Deliver them from the Evil One,
and grant them everlasting joy. Amen
St. Gregory of Khandzta (759-861)
More Prayers to Combat Evil

As I was running this morning I started thinking about the Virgin Mary, and the closeness I feel with her. I then began to think of the celebrity cult in America, and how it is not out of the ordinary for most Christians to be crazy over some musician or movie star. As my shoes began to be soaked with the morning dew, I began to compare my love of Mary and the saints to many Christians’ love of celebrities.

Sure my room is decorated with a Mary statue and some icons of her and Jesus, but how does this compare to many Christians’ rooms that are decorated with posters of musical groups, Christian or secular? Which leads one to a closer relationship with Jesus, a statue of Mary or a poster of the Rolling Stones (whom I like by the way; I see nothing wrong with Rolling Stones posters)? Yet some Christians would be far more offended by a Mary statue than a Rolling Stones poster. I wonder why this is?

I ask the blessed Mother to pray for me, and I join my prayers with hers. I wonder which American Christian would not be honored if his favorite celebrity prayed for him. Many of us are very happy learning our favorite actor or singer is a Christian, and that we can join our prayers with them. Many of us admire great preachers and Christian leaders, and we would be honored to be in their prayers, not because we cannot approach the Father or Jesus on our own, but because we are communal beings, created to be in community. Nothing is more meaningful than to be in someone’s prayers (and to place them in ours).

I guess I see my devotion to the saints, especially Mary, as very similar to the honor many pay celebrities. The only difference is that my love of the Virgin does not lead me away from Jesus, but toward Him. Perhaps a point of contention will be that Justin Timberlake (or fill in your favorite celebrity) is alive, and Mary is not. However, I take exception to this. God is the God of the living, not the dead. Mary is just as alive as you or I, and being in the heavenly presence of her Son, MORE alive. Perhaps some might argue that Mary never danced to an electronica beat, or starred in a Spiderman movie. Well, I agree, but she is the mother of our God and savior Jesus Christ, the one whom all generations call blessed, full of grace, and is in my opinion worthy of more honor than any celebrity.