Five years already, how time flies by! This has been a time of grace and of blessings!
Since the foundation of the Anglocatholic Church, we have seen a blossoming of fraternal relationships throughout the world. Although she is materially poor, she is rich in heart. As the Spouse of Christ she never ceases to love and to praise Him. Despite the trials she has seen, the image of Christ that she bears has aided her in surviving all manner of human tempests. Indeed, the present worldwide health crisis, which prevents her from meeting personally, has not succeeded in breaking her load-bearing walls. By God’s grace this Church continues to sustain herself. The words of Christ recorded in Matthew 16 .8 are upon her lips : ‘ And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this Rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. ‘
May the thrice holy God continue to bless her and to beautify this Church. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit that his gift of true vocations may abound within her. May those vultures who would seek acceptance within her priesthood and then abandon her ranks and cast her aside with ease be not found within her walls. May God protect her most sacred treasure, the fulness of the priesthood. Grant unto her to be discerning and ever mindful of the will of the Lord for his sacred ministry, for He said as recorded in Matthew 7 .6 ‘ Do not give holy things to the dogs, nor throw your pearls before swine lest they trample them underfoot, they turn around and tear you to pieces. ‘ . May the Anglocatholic Church be ever united as one with her beloved Patriarch. May she share with him a common will to build this communion of souls that, in God’s good time, she may be brought to the heavenly Jerusalem.
May blessing be to men of good will.
+ + + Primate Raphael Marie Villiere
