There has, of course, been much controversy regarding the role of women in the Church, not only in our small group but also in the churches at large. Whatever one’s views on the ordination of women to the priesthood, there is no doubt at all that the inauguration of the Order of Our Lady was a milestone in its own right. It provides a firm structure within which the women of our Church can work in the Name of Our Lady and of the Feminine Aspect of the Divine. It cannot be overemphasized that this work is of great importance, especially in the world we live in today. In the literature of the LCC it is affirmed, for example, “that Our Lady, aided by her attendant angels, takes all children into her special care.” She is also depicted as “seeking to inspire women to recognize their latent divinity and to release those forces which will give a new spiritual impulse so that … they are enabled to help in the elevation of human race.” Our Lady, or one of Her angels, is believed to be present at every birth and, as ‘Consoler of the Afflicted,’ Our Lady enfolds in Her arms all who suffer through poverty, sickness, war, criminal violence, or any other adversity. Members of the LCC Order of Our Lady work with “our heavenly Mother” in these areas. Healing services invoking the aid of Our Lady are held in LCC churches around the world, and many have votive candles burning on an altar dedicated to Her. Other rituals, devotions and meditations are conducted by members of the Order in Her Name. For example, at St Albans we have a short public Service of Our Lady before the Holy Eucharist on the first Sunday of the month.
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24 MAR 2010 |
Bishop Ian went on: “It is noteworthy that all of the three bishops involved in the experimental admission of women to the first two stages have reported that these services have been marked by an atmosphere of power and blessedness. Neither the bishops concerned nor the candidates have any doubt … that on each occasion the profound blessing of Our Lady passed through the officiating bishop to the candidate. It appears that in this new direction we are doing work of very great significance for the future.”