Lecture Notes: The Life and Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI

Lecture Introduction

• Speaker: Michael Sandifer, Pastoral Associate for Adult Faith Formation
• Series: 3rd of 12 talks on Pope Benedict XVI
• Mention of previous presentations by Father Smith and Aaron Lewis
• Next talk by Deacon Michael Thompson on May 27th

Personal Introduction

• Michael Sandifer's background:
  • Convert from Anglicanism
  • Former Southern Baptist with Wesleyan or Nazarene Holiness influence
  • Discovered liturgical Christianity in college
  • Joined the Catholic Church after leaving Episcopalian seminary

Prayer

• Began the lecture with a prayer, the "Collect for Purity," attributed to Saint Alcuin of York
• Emphasis on cleansing thoughts by the Holy Spirit

Anglican Tradition and Ecumenism

• Focus on the apostolic constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus by Pope Benedict XVI
• Created a pathway for Anglicans to enter full communion with the Catholic Church while retaining their traditions
• Importance of the document:
  • Highlighting the Pastoral heart of Pope Benedict XVI
  • Promoting Christian unity

Historical Context

• Anglicanism's break from Catholicism under Henry VIII
• The Oxford Movement in the 19th century led by John Henry Newman and others
• Anglo-Catholic tradition seeking reunion with the Catholic Church
• Differences between High Church (Anglo-Catholic) and Low Church (Evangelical) practices

Anglican Ordinariate

• Established as a non-geographic jurisdiction within Catholic Bishops Conferences
• Allows for the retention of Anglican liturgical and spiritual traditions
• Similar to Eastern Catholic Churches, but not an independent church
• Personal Ordinariates for anglicans entering full communion are compared to dioceses

Liturgy and Doctrine

• The Anglican Use Mass vs. Divine Worship: The Missal
• Retention of elements from the Book of Common Prayer
• Importance of liturgy reflecting Christ's real presence
• Catholic and Anglican liturgical similarities and differences

Books and Resources

• Recommended readings:
  • The Panther & The Hind and Catholics of Anglican Patrimony by Fr. Aidan Nichols
  • Anglicans and the Roman Catholic Church by Ignatius Press
  • The Stripping of the Altars by Eamon Duffy
• Saint Gregory's Prayer Book and Divine Worship Daily Office for liturgical prayer

Questions and Discussion

• Addressed questions about potential Lutheran equivalent to the Ordinariate
• Discussed differences between Anglican Use and the Ordinariate
• Talked about the potential for Methodist communities to join the Ordinariate
• Importance of scripture and tradition in Catholic faith

Conclusion

• Emphasis on unity and humility in coming into full communion with the Catholic Church
• Encouraged further reading and exploration of Anglican traditions within Catholicism
• Ended with a prayer for humility and communion