The Catholic Church & England 2.

We are just beginning to come to terms with "Anglicanorum Coetibus", the proposals for a way into Unity with the Catholic Church for Anglicans. Thanks to commendations from other bloggers, yesterday's post "How Long, O Lord" is receiving record numbers of viewers. So perhaps the time is right to remind you that there is now a Church Union Tract on the subject. I do not pretend that it is comprehensive - how could it be before even the first Ordinariate is set up? - but I hope it will help many Anglicans (and perhaps some others) understand the issues, and what has brought us to our present situation.

The Additional Curates' Society has published the Tract, though it may be a day or two before it appears on the Church Union list at the ACS website. Meanwhile, though, you can secure copies by emailing ACS (info@additionalcurates.co.uk ) or ringing them on 0121 382 5533. £5 for single copies to include P & P, lower rates for quantities - and just in time for Lent, so you can get some real penitential reading.

And, yes, despite the Kalendar the picture is Fatima, not Lourdes - just to remind us that the Catholic thing can be rather larger than we are used to in the Church of England.

God's Gifts revisited

Reservation of the Sacrament is not as well understood as many priests suppose.

In this newly published booklet, "God's Gifts for God's People", Fr Robert Beaken makes a very persuasive case for the practice of Reservation. He also will lead many from the practicality of reserving for the sick, to understanding how the Blessed Sacrament can be a focus for devotion and a way to deepen the prayer life of the faithful.








Where words alone are not enough, the well-reproduced illustrations show the diversity of practice - Tabernacle, Hanging Pyx and Aumbry - in cathedrals and parish churches. This will prove a great teaching aid to many parish priests, and should be in every tract case.






Details of the price and publisher are on a previous blog "Reserving the Sacrament"; just scroll down to find it.

Reserving the Sacrament

God’s Gifts for God’s People is a small book with a great punch. In it the author, Fr Robert Beaken, gives a history of Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament, and in a gentle and compelling manner commends it to all Anglicans. He uses no technical words without explaining them simply, and his perspective is thoroughly that of middle England. Having spent some of his time as a theological student at the English College in Rome, he manages to translate catholic belief and practice into words which will not frighten any Englishman (or woman). In so many churches Reservation continues as a hangover from a forgotten past. This book will bring new understanding and devotion to many who have occasionally wondered what was behind the little curtains near the altar. It would be a great gift for the newly confirmed, and a happy discovery on any church bookstall. It is beautifully illustrated, and at £5 (plus £1 postage) it is not overpriced; and there are generous discounts for parishes wise enough to stock a good number of copies.
The publishers, Fitzwalter Press (The Old Barn, Gt Hockham near Thetford IP24 1PF), can be reached by email: Jeremy@theoldbarn.org.uk.