02 February 2012 

Aloha!       

One of the comments often made about Anglo-Catholics is that they are more Roman than Rome. This is said because of our use of incense and bells and our refinement of the liturgy. However, I would also add that Anglo-Catholics are more Anglican than most of the Anglican Communion.  

One of the ways this is evident at St. Mark's is by our observance of the calendar in the Book of Common Prayer. Beyond Sunday mornings, we try to celebrate the major feasts of our prayer book with a proper high mass, or at the very least a simple low mass. For instance, today at St. Mark's we will have low mass at 12:00 noon and high mass at 6:30 pm for the Feast of the Presentation. This feast will receive its proper place within the cycle of holy days of the year. Other feasts which we try to observe on the day include the Epiphany, the Annunciation, the Holy Name, the Ascension, among others. For more information about these feast days, as well as how they are to be observed, see the calendar in the Book of Common Prayer beginning on page 15.

Another way that Anglo-Catholics are often compared to Rome is due to our practices of fasting and abstinence, especially on Fridays throughout the year. Truth be told, this practice comes from our prayer book as well. Within the same calendar as listed above, there is a section entitled, "Days of Special Devotion," or days that are observed by special acts of discipline and self-denial. These days include Ash Wednesday, the weekdays of Lent and of Holy Week, Good Friday, as well as all other Fridays of the year, except for the Fridays within Christmastide and Eastertide. Further exceptions are made for the feast of the Annunciation when it falls within Lent, as well as feast days which fall on Fridays throughout the year. Many people assume that Anglo-Catholics fast because they are trying to imitate Rome. The truth is that Anglo-Catholics are simply following the guidelines set forth by our prayer book.  To observe Fridays with special acts of discipline and self-denial is one of the ways to be an observant Anglican Christian.

I could site more examples, especially from Holy Week such as the foot washing on Maundy Thursday, communion from the reserved Sacrament on Good Friday, and the rituals of the Easter Vigil. Suffice it to say, pretty much everything we do as Anglo-Catholics is rooted in the prayer book. 

Our current prayer book is a wonderful resource full of many treasures. I continually discover new things within it, and other things I rediscover on a regular basis. I encourage you to spend more time studying this great treasure of our tradition. By doing so people might perceive you as becoming more Roman; the reality is that you will be coming closer to Canterbury. 

Happy Candlemas Day,
Paul+ 

Father Paul Lillie, Rector

St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Honolulu