I had the pleasure of being able to attend an Anglo-Catholic Episcopal parish this past Sunday, while visiting family. This was significant because the service was a celebration of the feast day of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I should note that my parish certainly leans in a "high-church" direction and some certainly lean in a Catholic direction (including myself), however, it was the first opportunity I've had to attend a self-identifying Anglo-Catholic parish that was celebrating the feast day of the BVM.
This opportunity was also significant because my mother, who was raised and who raised us Jehovah's Witness, was able to attend this service with my family. My mother, who is disfellowshipped and shunned by some of her family, has converted to Christianity and is currently looking for a place to attend and a Church to call home. I was really praying that she enjoyed the service and would contemplate the Anglican tradition and trinitarian baptism.
The service was incredible. This down-town parish was built in 1858 and has been an Anglo-Catholic beacon in this region and has been serving the poor in the down-town area since its inception. The solemn procession was filled with the smells of incense. The statue of the Blessed Virgin was blessed and collects to the BV filled the church. Hymns, sung by an amazing choir, proclaimed the honor and dignity that is due to St. Mary. All-in-all, it was an experience that made use of all the human senses in proclaiming Christ as Lord and Mary the Mother of our Lord. The priest asked us in his sermon to focus on the faith that the BV had in God and to focus on the importance of Mary and her place as Mother to the Lord. This was followed by a powerful Eucharist, that was chanted and sung.
After the service and during the car ride, I asked my mother what she thought. She said she had never seen anything more meaningful and more beautiful in her life. She already plans on taking classes on the Anglican tradition and plans on speaking with the Rector about being baptized! Thanks be to God!!
