Benedict

The Anglican Spiritual Tradition, parts 1 and 2

by

By Martin Thornton

PART ONE
There is good reason for dividing this lecture into two unequal parts. I must first offer a brief resumé of what I take the Anglican spiritual tradition to be; then I should like to look rather more fully at the contemporary impact of our tradition, concluding with a somewhat dangerous game of attempting to read the signs of its future unfolding.

Pedantic haggling over the meaning of words is not the most exciting exercise, but it is apparent already that some attention must be given to that most ambiguous and abused term “Tradition”; paradosis, traditio, literally a giving-over, or handing-over. Handing-over be it noted and not handing-down.

Read more

Offices of Praise, Silence and Readings

by

This is my own pattern of offices, which is a threefold form. This form is built of a Prologue Office of Praise, a Holy Office of Silence, and a Daily Office of Readings. This can be summarized as, respectively, set-prayer, silence, and scripture. Most everything is chanted. What this reflects is “devout experimentation” within Anglican … Read more

“The Principles behind Martin Thornton’s Theology”

by

[Note: The following essay was written for Formatio Online Journal, once published by the Ambrose Institute (of Nashotah House). It can be usefully seen as an introduction to my master’s thesis on Martin Thornton, available here to download .] The Principles behind Martin Thornton’s Theology by Matthew Dallman, May 2015 Martin Thornton’s theology has been “largely overlooked,” … Read more

The Divine Office, “Devotionalized”

by

It is my sense, based on wide observation, that the Divine Office, through well-intentioned use, has in fact become “devotionalized.” It has become optional, and it has become overly burdened by the dozens of variations through the Church. This, owing more to social and technological upheaval than to anything else, I suspect is true in … Read more

On Anglican Ethos, part 2 : an audio lecture

by

What it is about Anglican patrimony that gives it distinctiveness? What about it has made the Anglican Church unique, while still a strong, if troubled, member of the Catholic family of churches? The answer for many is, what makes Anglicanism unique is called the “Anglican ethos.” Anglican ethos is a term that refers to how … Read more

On Anglican Ethos, part 1 : an audio lecture

by

What it is about Anglican patrimony that gives it distinctiveness? What is it about it has made the Anglican Church unique, while still a strong, if troubled, member of the Catholic family of churches? Father Thomas Fraser, the now retired rector of Saint Paul’s, Riverside (near Chicago) after 42 years, provides a lecture that addresses … Read more

Martin Thornton’s Ressourcement Syllabus

by

[from the appendix to English Spirituality: An Outline of Ascetical Theology According to the English Pastoral Tradition, rev. ed. 1986.] A Course of Study in Ascetical Theology for Parish Priests and Theological Students of the Anglican Communion After delivering lectures on this and kindred subjects, I am invariably asked for a “reading list” by those of … Read more

Homily: O ye Saints of the Holy Catholic Church

by

Homily delivered on the External Solemnity of All Saints, 2014 at Saint Paul’s Parish, Riverside, Illinois. [display_podcast] “Almighty God,” our Collect begins, “you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous … Read more

“The Diverse Riches of Prayer”

by

By the Rev. Dr Martin Thornton The Times (UK) 14 December 1968 The Creeds grew out of the first disciples’ confrontation with Christ, that is out of “prayer,” and they remain the only source of responsible experiment in prayer. But these formulae need reinterpretation in every age; spirituality constantly changes with new situations and “traditional” … Read more