Faith, Hope and Full Steam Ahead

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

(Hebrews 11.1)

I am a hopeful person. My favourite moment of the Church year is the transition from the end of the Easter Vigil to the beginning of the First Mass of Easter. The colour of the frontal and vestments changes from sombre purple to sparkling gold, we move from darkness to light, from a cappella singing to thundering organ accompaniment, the flowers are visible in all their splendour and the thurifer does round the worlds with his freshly polished pot. Every year, without fail, I weep for joy. Christ is risen, alleluia! Faith and hope triumph.

Our current situation certainly puts our faith to the test. We have a positive new motto to inspire us: grieve, then get going: a new location, fresh opportunities, sustainable traditions.

On the evidence, many highly motivated people have indeed got going. The Guild of St. Jude has restored the basement chapel of Our Lady of Walsingham, providing an intimate worship space. Their current project is repairing the front steps and keeping the grounds clean, no small challenge.

As well, we are founding the St. Lazarus Press, whose purpose is to print and reprint beautiful editions of Anglo-Catholic and related texts. The first offering will be Pictures of the English Liturgy, originally published in two volumes by the Society of SS. Peter & Paul in 1916 and 1922. The commentary is thorough and spiced with the very particular Anglo-Catholic wit. The delightful illustrations grace the Mass booklets in our pews. It will be followed by We Promise: A Book of Loyalty for the Boys and Girls of the Church’s Forward Movement (1937). The authors describe liturgy, theology and social justice to young readers in a respectful and age-appropriate tone. I am looking forward to sharing it with my three grandchildren.

And so we carry on, full steam ahead, worshipping, attracting new members, feasting, having animated conversations and finding creative ways to fund our vibrant and joyful community of faith and hope.