The occasion was a gathering of considerable ecumenical import: the official launch of the Archbishop of Canterbury's 2009 Lent Book, which had been written by fr Timothy. Entitled Why Go to Church? the book's first print-run of 15,000 was sold out by the time of the launch, but we were assured that thousands more were being printed and should be available in the shops. The book is an excellent meditation on the Eucharistic Liturgy as a drama of faith, hope and love. It is very accessible and a fitting gift for friends and family.
During the reception in the Great Hall, speeches were made by Robin Baird-Smith of Continuum (the publishers), Dr Rowan Williams, and fr Timothy. Robin Baird-Smith re-iterated what he had said previously in The Times:
"The one religious order in Britain which is really flourishing today is the Dominican Order, with lots of young people signing up. That is because they have got it right. They are open to God and open to the world. And their motto is one word: Truth. I think we need a blast of Dominican fresh air."In a similar vein, Rowan Williams praised the freshness of fr Timothy's writing, joking that just as the Vatican Palace had a Dominican theologian, so Lambeth Palace had a Dominican as its favourite theologian.
After the reception, the invited guests filled the 13th-century chapel of Lambeth Palace, and it resounded to Dominican chant and the Salve Regina as the friars closed the night with the tranquil Office of Compline. It was a gracious end to a convivial evening, and a good start to the Lenten season of reconciliation.
Read about this in "The Tablet". The book is excellent!
ReplyDeleteAmazing!
ReplyDeleteDid this book get lost in the OP shuffle? First time we hear of it! Must get a copy and help put food on the friars' table!
Thank you, brothers for a beautiful website and it's good to see the Order growing! Maybe the nuns will be back one day!
The book is astoundingly good - it picks up where 'What is the point of being a Christian ?' leaves off, and finishes at the point where 'What is the point of being a Christian ?' starts, more or less !
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, the ecumenism which the launch represents is perhaps even more astounding; so let us give thanks to God both for fr Timothy's ability to challenge Christians of all types, and the Archbishop's willingness to face the criticism (and yes, there was some) which his choice of fr Timothy's book represented in the interests of getting such an inspirational book read by so many people this Lent.
Incidentally - though unsurprisingly - the photos are pretty astounding too !