QUESTIONS ABOUT HOLY NAME OF MARY
WHAT IS YOUR PARISH MISSION?
Our mission is to embrace the diverse community of God, guided by the love embodied in the fruit of the Virgin Mary’s womb, Jesus Christ.
what is your STATEMENT of inclusion?
All baptized individuals are warmly invited to participate fully in our parish, regardless of race, nationality, age, gender identity, sexuality, marital status, socioeconomic status, or political affiliation. If you're interested in baptism, please speak with our inclusive priests. No one who seeks God, in humility, will be turned away from the Blessed Sacrament. We welcome and affirm LGBTQIA+ people!
ARE YOU A ROMAN CATHOLIC PARISH?
No, we are an independent parish within the Old Roman Catholic tradition served by priests of the Society of Mercy. We share many similarities with the Roman Catholic Church and hope for eventual unity, but we recognize and respect our differences, particularly regarding sexuality, gender, divorce, and doctrinal development.
WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF OLD ROMAN CATHOLICISM?
In 1908, Arnold Harris Mathew, a Roman Catholic priest, was consecrated as Bishop for Great Britain by Archbishop Gul of the Old Catholic Church of Utrecht. He established an Old Catholic community in Great Britain and declared autonomy in 1910, splitting from Utrecht due to its discontinuation of traditional Catholic practices. This new body, the "Old Roman Catholic Church," emphasized its Roman Catholic heritage while maintaining Apostolic Succession from the Old Catholics of Utrecht. In 1911, it unified with the Orthodox Patriarchates of Antioch and Alexandria, becoming an autocephalous (independently governed) church.
Old Roman Catholicism follows the ancient Ultrajectine tradition, ensuring local jurisdictional control, unlike Roman Catholicism's Ultramontanism tradition which centralizes power in the papacy.
Old Roman Catholicism follows the ancient Ultrajectine tradition, ensuring local jurisdictional control, unlike Roman Catholicism's Ultramontanism tradition which centralizes power in the papacy.
WHAT IS THE SOCIETY OF MERCY?
The Society of Mercy is a group of validly ordained Old Roman Catholic clergy committed to upholding essential dogmatic beliefs, maintaining local ecclesiastical autonomy, reverently administering sacraments, and providing compassionate care to those in need. Clergy members serve in roles such as parish priests, educators, chaplains, and social service workers.
Our bishop and superior general is The Most Reverend William Myers.
Click here for frequently asked questions about the Society of Mercy.
Our bishop and superior general is The Most Reverend William Myers.
Click here for frequently asked questions about the Society of Mercy.
DO YOU HONOR THE POPE?
Yes! We respect the Pope as the Bishop of Rome and First Among Equals. However, we do not accept universal papal jurisdiction as understood by Roman Catholics, which departs from early church practices and the ecclesiology of Eastern Orthodoxy, Coptic Orthodoxy, Old Catholicism, and Old Roman Catholicism. We include prayers for the Pope in every Mass, recognizing his role as Patriarch of the West, and acknowledge his right to promulgate liturgy and establish feasts for the Universal Church.
DO YOU HAVE A CATECHISM?
Throughout two millennia, the Church has often compiled its apostolic teachings, reflecting current theological understanding and interpretation, into catechism books. Old Roman Catholics are grateful to Archbishop Matthew for his pastoral work: “A Catechism of Christian Doctrine” (1914). Holy Name of Mary also makes use of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” (1992). As Old Roman Catholics, we believe Christian dogma, necessary for salvation, is best found in the Holy Scripture, Creeds, and Ecumenical Councils of the undivided Church.
HOW DO YOU WORSHIP?
Our primary liturgy follows the Third Edition Roman Rite (2011), fostering unity among American Catholics. We also offer the Tridentine Liturgy (Latin Mass) in English. Devotions like novenas, the Holy Rosary, relic veneration, and Eucharistic Adoration are common. You may notice non-gendered or inclusive language. Sunday Masses may be replaced by feasts, and priests may serve the Mass toward the people (versus populum) or toward a high altar (ad orientem).
DO YOU EXIST TO PROTEST OTHER CHURCHES?
No. Old Roman Catholicism began because it had the privilege to elect its own bishops according to the heritage of Utrecht, given by Rome in 1145, and in accordance with early Church practice. Our tradition continues for those individuals who, in sincerity of heart, seek the sacraments but are sometimes denied by their local clergy. Holy Name of Mary Catholic Chapel, Old Roman Catholicism, and the Society of Mercy exist to fulfill that need through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. Our community is focused on offering the Holy Mass, both online and on the ground, and the sacraments to those who need them for the salvation of soul and health of body. We believe in performing liturgical acts with all due tradition, but we did not form out of protest and do not question the validity and sincerity of our Christian brothers and sisters in other traditions.
DO YOU ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS TO LEAVE THE ROMAN CHURCH?
We focus on building the Kingdom of God, not relocating it. We pray that everyone finds refuge in their parish and religious experience. We encourage individuals to find a local Eucharistic community where they are valued, loved, and can receive the Blessed Sacrament without fear or burden. Following Pope Francis' guidance to diverse Catholics to "support and encourage one another, especially at the level of parishes and local communities," we give thanks for our Roman Catholic siblings and their ministries. However, if someone cannot find acceptance and affirmation in their religious community, we welcome them with open arms into our Christian tradition.
DO YOU RESPECT FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE?
Absolutely! We affirm the right of individuals to act according to their conscience and support them in making personal moral and faith decisions. We believe health and reproductive choices should be made by individuals and medical professionals. We affirm the right of all couples practicing sacrificial love to seek the Church’s blessing on their marriage and recognize that some marriages may need to end for the safety and wellbeing of those involved. We never withhold the Eucharist nor require burdensome and expensive annulments.
ARE YOUR SACRAMENTS VALID?
Yes, both Old Roman Catholicism and the Society of Mercy maintain Apostolic Succession and the genuine and integral substance of the Eucharistic mystery, ensuring the validity of our sacraments, though some may be deemed illicit (without permission) by Roman Catholic Canon Law. We encourage all Christians to follow their well-formed conscience and respect their denomination’s communion norms.
WHAT DO OFFICIAL ROMAN CATHOLIC DOCUMENTS SAY ABOUT YOUR CATHOLIC TRADITION?
“Therefore, there exists a single Church of Christ, which subsists in the Catholic Church, governed by the Successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him. The Churches which, while not existing in perfect communion with the Catholic Church, remain united to her by means of the closest bonds, that is, by apostolic succession and a valid Eucharist, are true particular Churches. Therefore, the Church of Christ is present and operative also in these Churches, even though they lack full communion with the Catholic Church, since they do not accept the Catholic doctrine of the Primacy, which, according to the will of God, the Bishop of Rome objectively has and exercises over the entire Church.”*
*Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Dominus Iesus, 17.
Put simply, while we lack full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, our sacraments are valid and we are a true Church.
*Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Dominus Iesus, 17.
Put simply, while we lack full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, our sacraments are valid and we are a true Church.
WHAT SACRAMENTS DO YOU OFFER?
We honor the traditional seven sacraments, instituted by Jesus Christ, as visible signs of inward grace that nourish our souls.
Baptism initiates us into the Body of Christ through immersion or the pouring of water, with the words "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." It is offered to all ages, following Christ's command to welcome the little ones.
Confirmation grants the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands, using the Oil of Chrism, with the words "be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." It may be administered immediately after baptism, following ancient tradition, or a later time by the bishop or priest.
Eucharist invites us to partake of the true Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus under the appearances of bread and wine. Celebrated at Mass, it's our supreme act of thanksgiving and sacrifice.
Confession renews our baptismal grace and seeks God's forgiveness in the presence of a priest, who says "I absolve you of your sins, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." While not mandatory, it's recommended yearly before Easter or when burdened.
Anointing of the Sick offers healing and peace through laying on of hands, prayers, and the Oil of the Infirm. It's available to anyone in need of healing, regardless of imminent danger.
Marriage blesses loving couples who commit to vows and spousal life. Proper preparation and intention are crucial, with both parties of legal age. Marriage is to demonstrate the love Jesus has for the Church.
Holy Orders appoint elected members of the Church as deacons, priests, or bishops, to serve the people of God.
We would be happy to chat with you about God’s love, how we understand our inclusive Catholic faith, or schedule the sacraments you need, just talk to our priests. We aren’t here to judge, just to love.
Baptism initiates us into the Body of Christ through immersion or the pouring of water, with the words "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." It is offered to all ages, following Christ's command to welcome the little ones.
Confirmation grants the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands, using the Oil of Chrism, with the words "be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." It may be administered immediately after baptism, following ancient tradition, or a later time by the bishop or priest.
Eucharist invites us to partake of the true Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus under the appearances of bread and wine. Celebrated at Mass, it's our supreme act of thanksgiving and sacrifice.
Confession renews our baptismal grace and seeks God's forgiveness in the presence of a priest, who says "I absolve you of your sins, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." While not mandatory, it's recommended yearly before Easter or when burdened.
Anointing of the Sick offers healing and peace through laying on of hands, prayers, and the Oil of the Infirm. It's available to anyone in need of healing, regardless of imminent danger.
Marriage blesses loving couples who commit to vows and spousal life. Proper preparation and intention are crucial, with both parties of legal age. Marriage is to demonstrate the love Jesus has for the Church.
Holy Orders appoint elected members of the Church as deacons, priests, or bishops, to serve the people of God.
We would be happy to chat with you about God’s love, how we understand our inclusive Catholic faith, or schedule the sacraments you need, just talk to our priests. We aren’t here to judge, just to love.
