On Saturday 30th January 2010, we commemorate the 361st Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Saint Charles the First of England, King and Martyr, who died for the preservation of the Apostolic Ministry of Bishops, Priests and Deacons in the Ecclesia Anglicana and of the Liturgy of the Church of England, ensuring by the witness of his virtuous life and the shedding of his blood the perpetuation of the Anglican expression of the One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Because Saint Charles was willing to die for the sake of the Anglican Church, the Church retained her Catholic constitution and her Apostolic Succession and did not lapse into protestant sectarianism.
Next year, 26th April 2011 marks the 350th Anniversary of the official Canonisation of Saint Charles, King and Martyr, by the Church of England. On 26th April 1661, the Convocations of Canterbury and York, meeting in joint session, adopted the State Service in honour of the Royal Martyr, which Service was henceforth incorporated into the 1662 Book of Common Prayer: in the Liturgy of 30th January, Charles I is declared 'Saint' and 'Martyr.' Saint Charles Stuart is thus the only Saint canonised by the Church of England after the Reformation.
May Traditional Anglicans forever remain grateful for the earthly witness and fidelity unto death, as well as for the heavenly patronage and intercession, of that blessed sovereign who gave the ultimate witness for the catholicity of Anglicanism and now wears a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Saint Charles indeed died to save the English Church - REMEMBER!
7 comments:
The canonization of King Charles I by the Convocations of Canterbury and York in 1662, sets a precedent for the churches of the Anglican Communion to canonize their own local saints, as was the practice in the early Church during the first millenium, and is still the practice in the Eastern churches.
One wonders why this Holy Day was not added to The Book of Common Prayer?
This precedent was followed in the case of Bishop Edward King who was raised to the Altar also by the Archbishop of Canterbury. I don't remember the date, but King is honored as a saint and bishop confessor in the diocese of Lincoln
I went to justus.anglican.org and looked up various Books of Common Prayer. I must say I need to find a copy of the 1929 Scottish Book of Common Prayer. It contains all the Propers in order to do the Mass for all Holy Days on an Anglican Calendar.
Hello my old friend! Your Texas friend here!!! Liked the article on King Charlie One!!!! We Catholics Like him as well! (-:
Excellent article on St. Charles I.
Let us never forget what he did for the Church, and at a great price.
Any chance that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the 2nd will be canonized? Her personal piety and steadfastness are saintly. Not for many more years to come God willi.
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