The Advent of the Ordinariate

Of all the things that have been and are currently being said about Anglicanorum Coetibus, one has struck me particularly. Bishop Peter Elliott, an Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, used a vivid phrase, ‘the Vigil of the Ordinariate’. For many months now there has no doubt been much going on in the way of meetings and discussion and lots of behind the scenes activity. Quite clearly, however, there has of late been a change of late: nearer and nearer draws the time when the Ordinariate will be set up; and those who want respond positively to the Holy Father’s generosity will be able to do so.

In the meantime, however, we are still in the period of waiting: the Advent of the Ordinariate. The  words of the second  reading for Advent One seem to take on a special resonance:

‘You know “the time” has come: you must wake up now: our salvation is even nearer that it was when we were converted. The night is almost over, it will be daylight soon.’ (Romans 13: 11-12)'