Processions Interrupting the order here to answer questions I'd received from earlier in the "How Anglicans Worship" series. Let me begin by observing that there are six general types of processions: Entrance, Gospel, Offertory, Exit, Holy Day, and Special Occasion. Order in processions ought be pretty straightforward. Older manuals used to prescribe slightly different orders... Continue Reading →

From the Offertory through the Sanctus The final prayer of the Offertory, Suscipe Sancta Trinitas (“Receive, O Holy Trinity”) is one I urge to be prayed out loud, not only as a signal to the faithful, but as a reminder of some essential doctrinal elements.  As a reminder, that prayer is: Receive O holy Trinity,... Continue Reading →

The Offertory Here we reach a part of the Mass about which many have written much, usually intensely polemical, about the prayers to be used by the celebrant.  Rather than tread through that minefield I will simply say that I don't see that it really matters whether one use the prayers based on the Jewish... Continue Reading →

Before diving into this post I should answer a question I was emailed about processions.  I didn't deal with processions when I wrote about the opening rites because I plan to treat processions separately later.  The emailed question really referred to entrance processions, but we'll look at all types of processions in one post, after... Continue Reading →

Parish Mass - Neither Low nor High After receiving some private comments by email, I think I should pause the walk through the Mass and share a couple notes about the project.  As I had said, this is not intended to be descriptive, as there is far too much variation and sloppiness, not to mention... Continue Reading →

The Opening Rite (continued) The rest of the opening rite, after the preparation, starts with the Introit.  This is one of the so-called minor propers, that change for the day and match the readings and prayers.  The Introit begins with the celebrant ascending to the altar, kissing it in reverent recognition of its holiness and... Continue Reading →

I thought it might be a good time to begin a new series of blog posts, walking through the liturgy as it were, and focusing on things as they come up.  We'll come back later to talk about private preparation prayers, and instead we'll begin with the public part of the service.  What I hope... Continue Reading →

One stumbling block a layman (or for that matter, a priest) may encounter when beginning to use the Anglican Missal is trying to find things and get organized.  To that end, I had prepared the attached little document.  You may find it handy to print it double sided on card stock and slip it into... Continue Reading →