Here’s another one of those cool projects in the back of my head that I’ll
probably never get around too… As I’ve mentioned before, my main problem
with the common theology of the Anglican Missal and Breviary is that it is
fundamentally Scholastic. I’ve said before and I’ll say again that I believe
one of the major directions that the English Reformers took was to
explicitly reject Scholastic theology but to retain a non-Scholastic, more
monastic flavored catholicism.
So here’s my idea: a book designed not as a replacement but as a supplement
to the Offices of the BCP that would offer suggestions on the ordines and
content of the Offices, primarily drawn from pre-Scholastic English monastic
sources. Thus, it would include recommendations for Office Hymns, a modified
kalendar, the various little offices (Dead, Holy Cross, BVM), and other
assorted stuff. Again, the intent would not be replacement but
supplementation, to help people see their offices in a new way and think
about what it means to be part of catholic tradition.
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Great idea. Some history should be included as well – or is that perhaps yet another book?
The hymns, especially, would be great. That’s what’s missing from most every available resource at present, and there are some really good ones out there. We could also talk about lyrics and form, and derivations, and things like that. Actually, it would be good to include some chant, too. (Notice this is now a “we” project! Well, other people can join in too, can’t we?)
You should really check out the St. Mary’s Diurnal, BTW. I think you’ll find some of the stuff you’re talking about in there.
Though I obviously am located mostly outside the Anglican parts of Catholicism, it certainly sounds like a worthwhile project to me. (I did finally buy a copy of the Anglican Breviary, but I haven’t had time to sit down with it.)
I will say that I have been serving as primary editor for a missal for the Independent Catholic movement, and it is pretty exhausting work so far. Take all the “we” offers (like the above) that you can get if you decide to take up this project! :-)
Yes, bls, there would definitely be history–and theology–in it since imo it doesn’t help to suggest that people do something if that don’t know why they’re doing it.
And yes, for the great overcommitted a “we” project is always a better idea!
Yes, bls, there would definitely be history–and theology–in it since imo it doesn’t help to suggest that people do something if that don’t know why they’re doing it.
And yes, for the great overcommitted a “we” project is always a better idea!