What's Different?

I get asked, every once in a while, what is different about the Ordinariate, or about St. George parish in particular. That is never an easy question to answer. I can point to certain things, but that is kind of like describing a specific food by saying it is "green"; not much help. How does one put a name to the differences of English Catholic Spirituality? I have read a number of attempts to do so, but none have really hit the nail on the head.

So, rather than try to give all kinds of details, I realized that comparative illustrations are actually quite helpful (even if it is in a way different than you expect). If I say this author writes like that one, it is helpful to understand his style. If I say this food tastes like that food, it is helpful to understand the flavor. In the same way I like to say, what is the difference between a British and an American accent? What is the difference between British and American humor? What is the difference between British and American food?

All these things are similar and yet different. Can you really describe them in a way that anyone can quickly say that they know exactly what you are referring to by that description? Not likely. Thus, just as those things are clearly different and yet hard to pin down, so also is the English Catholic tradition hard to pin down. You will, however, recognize that there is a difference; even if you cannot describe it. Therefore, you need to experience the English Catholic form of the Mass (called "Divine Worship") in order to know what it is. I could describe it all day long (actually, I really can talk that much!), but only when you experience it do you know what is truly different and unique. God has preserved it for us in the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. Let us give Him thanks.