Dear Anonymous,
Thank you for asking about the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ! While Episcopalians do not use the same terminology as the Roman Catholic church about Holy Days and Feast Days in the church calendar, that is, we do not use the term "Holy days of obligation," we do honor The Blessed Virgin in the church calendar. In large Episcopal churches that schedule worship services every day of the week, Her holy days would be celebrated on those appropriate days on the calendar. And there are more than one! Mary's Holy Days are March 25, The Annunciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary; May 31, The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and August 15 is the Feast of Saint Mary the Virgin, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Interestingly enough, The Annunciation and The Visitation are Holy Days that are transferable to the next Sunday if their calendar dates do not fall on Sundays, but Mary's Feast Day is not transferable to a Sunday celebration. Episcopalian worship comes in slightly different flavors. There are larger churches able to keep every day on the calendar with its appropriate Holy or Feast or Fast day observed. There are Episcopal churches who celebrate in the "high" tradition and perhaps venerate the Mother of Our Lord more so than do the churches in the "low" tradition. But without exception, Episcopalians, because of our catholic roots and our orthodox tradition, hold the Mother of Our Lord Jesus in high esteem. In the Book of Common Prayer, there are Collect prayers for Mary's Holy Days and her Feast Day: The Annunciation March 25 Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever Amen. The Visitation May 31 Father in heaven, by your grace the virgin mother of your incarnate Son was blessed in bearing him, but still more blessed in keeping your word: Grant us who honor the exaltation of her lowliness to follow the example of her devotion to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Saint Mary the Virgin August 15 O God, you have taken to yourself the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of your incarnate Son: Grant that we, who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
1 Comment
Sean Flaherty
1/3/2018 05:45:29 am
Because out of the 4200 religions is the world. They chose yours, just to piss you off.
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