A Natural Order

One of our greatest teachers, St. Thomas Aquinas, says that Sacred Liturgy uses physical things to communicate the divine so that we may cultivate friendship with God. God called the things He created “good,” and therefore, the good things of this world have a purpose in worship, which brings us closer to the divine. The Church’s Liturgy, the highest form of worship, appeals to the senses, and then, through these familiar experiences, to the soul. This is the natural order—experience of earthly things first, then worship, liturgy, and finally friendship with God.

The pedagogy of Gregory the Great Academy participates in this order by firmly rooting every aspect of life in the Church’s Liturgy. Our whole rhythm is set by the Church’s calendar. We celebrate the saints in daily worship and at banquets on Feast Days. We see and teach the world as the book God gave us to study in a school of divine wisdom. In this school we strive to know Him. Knowing Him, we love Him. Loving Him, we desire to serve Him, and to serve well.

Latin Mass or Byzantine Liturgy? We Choose Both!

This is why Gregory the Great Academy not only lives the liturgical calendar, but offers Mass and Divine Liturgy in their most beautiful forms. We are blessed to have a bi-ritual resident priest who has faculties for both the Latin Mass and the Melkite Byzantine Liturgy. Both present to God the best we can offer: ourselves as participants in Christ’s sacrifice, singing and praying words the Church handed down to us in her school of divine wisdom, beautiful words and moving, worshipful music.

Beautiful liturgy is the school that reaches the soul through the senses. This is the school of divine wisdom that Man participates in to his everlasting benefit. It is fitting to offer God the best Sacrifice in our power. And we in turn benefit by deepening our friendship with Him as our souls are moved to contemplate mysteries we cannot fully apprehend.