became familiar with the uniqueness of an Anglican Use liturgy which combines prayer elements from the 1928 and 1979 Episcopal Books of Common Prayer along with liturgical canons and rites from the 1973 Roman Missal which results in a hybrid liturgy.

Cardinal DiNardo was trying to keep one rubric ahead in his liturgical celebration of the still somewhat unfamiliar Anglican Use liturgy that is very similar in structure to the 1962 Tridentine Latin Mass. The priest faced the altar. He wore colorful ornate vestments. His Mass book had been moved from the Epistle side to the Gospel side for the Canon of the Mass. Acolytes moved in synchronized harmony. The choir gave background to the liturgy with chant. The lector intoned the readings. The Mass was enveloped in an air of reverential silence and mystery while the scent of incense filled the air. And all of it is said, sung, intoned or chanted in prayer book Elizabethan English rather than High Church Latin. Communion is received by intinction on the tongue while kneeling at an altar rail.

The Catholic Cardinal is multi-linguistic. He speaks American English, Latin and Italian fluently. However the Elizabethan Thee and Thou and the prayer book Thy and Thine did not flow from his lips with practiced ease. He kept his nose pretty well buried in the Altar book while reading the unfamiliar archaic language as Our Lady of Walsingham's deacon whispered helpful directions and hints in his ear.

After the Cardinal ascended the steps to the Anglican Use church's raised pulpit he was wearing the stole of a priest, the miter of a bishop, the pallium of an archbishop, and the scarlet zucchetto of a Catholic cardinal.

"I don't do the Anglican Use Mass often," he confessed. "I have the deacon whispering in my ear."

Cardinal DiNardo is profoundly deaf. He wears hearing aids in both ears, yet even with his hearing difficulties he enjoys intoning and chanting the parts of the Mass.

As a descendant from Italian stock, Cardinal DiNardo has very expressive dark eyes. Many times he eyes speak for him.

He praised his children of St. Augustine of Canterbury's full unity with the Catholic Church and himself as their local spiritual shepherd and then rejoiced in the Anglican Use Mass calling it a beautiful glimpse into the abiding nature of the Trinity with the Father and the Son.

"The Anglican Use Mass is an intense liturgy of beauty," he continued. "with the beauty of the Eternal Liturgy."

"Anglican Use is not just the icing on the cake," he said. "It is part of the batter. It is of substance."

Cardinal DiNardo is an unpretentious man. He clutches a plain wooden crozier with a simple crook. His miter would be indistinguishable from Bishop Vann's if it were not for the simple red band that denotes his high honor. He is at ease with the visiting priests, Our Lady of Walsingham parishioners and Anglican Use Society members as they are just as comfortable with him. He is a man of a quick smile, a soft word and an infectious laugh.

The Cardinal's Mass lasted about two hours. Occasionally he missed a cue, but for the most part he did an admiral job of being a bi-ritual Catholic priest celebrating a Eucharistic rite in an unfamiliar Anglican liturgical setting using unaccustomed chant in antiquated English.

"It's really wild doing an Anglican Use Mass," the Cardinal acknowledged following the Anglican-style worship experience. His familiarity with the Anglican Use liturgical style will increase as he interacts sacramentally as bishop with Our Lady of Walsingham.

Out-going Anglican Use Society President Joseph Blake was very impressed with the Houston Catholic Cardinal.

"He is a role model for everyone here," Blake said noting that the Cardinal surpassed his every expectation by 100 fold.

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Mary Ann Mueller is a journalist living in Texas. She is a regular contributor to VirtueOnline


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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

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