The Sacraments
A sacrament may be defined as “an outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual grace given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace.” (BCP, 857).
There are seven sacraments of which Baptism and Eucharist are considered major sacraments because they are specifically referenced in the New Testament. The remaining five, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick, are also biblical and demonstrated in the life of Christ. The liturgies for celebrating these sacraments may be found in the Book of Common Prayer 1979 (BCP).
Baptism
Holy baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s body, the church. It is a public statement of one’s intentional decision to follow the way of Jesus. In the case of infant baptism, it is the parents’ declaration of their intent to raise a child in the way of Jesus. The bond which God establishes in baptism is indissoluble, so this sacrament is only administered once.
When you choose to be baptized, or to have your child baptized, in the Episcopal Church, it means you are choosing to live out the Baptismal Covenant in the context of an Episcopal church community, taking part in the worship, mission and ministries of the congregation. Baptism is open to all people, regardless of age or background. The first step is to attend a local parish regularly and to talk to the clergy about baptism.
Holy Eucharist
The Eucharist or Holy Communion is normally administered during the celebration of Mass. Baptism in any Christian denomination admits one to the reception of Holy Communion. Anglo-Catholics believe that after the consecration of the bread and wine at Mass, the elements of bread and wine become the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ.
Confirmation
When one is baptized, one becomes a Christian. When one is confirmed, that person confirms or reaffirms their baptismal promises and also pledges membership in a particular Christian denomination. The ordinary minister of Confirmation is a bishop who represents not only a local parish but the entire diocese and wider Episcopal Church as well.
Reconciliation
Formerly referred to as Confession or Penance, the Sacrament of Reconciliation involves two people: a penitent and a confessor. The penitent is any baptized person who wishes to confess some serious sin; the confessor is a priest or bishop who hears the person’s confession and in the name of the Church confers sacramental absolution. In the Episcopal Church, members have the option to confess their sins any of three ways: (1) directly to God; (2) during the celebration of the Mass or one of the services of Morning or Evening Prayer; or (3) through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Private confession to a priest is not required. Deacons and lay members may hear someone’s confession, but they may not pronounce sacramental absolution. What is said during someone’s confession, whether heard by a priest, deacon or layperson, is absolutely inviolable, i.e., must remain under all circumstances confidential.
Holy Matrimony
To be married in the Episcopal Church requires preparation, usually consisting of a series of classes and other practices as determined by the local parish. Marriage in the Episcopal Church may be between a man and a woman or between two partners of the same sex and their vows may be witnessed by a priest or deacon.
At least one of the two parties must be baptized. If either has been divorced, the priest or deacon conducting the service must have first obtained the permission of the diocesan bishop.
Holy Orders
In the Episcopal Church, there are three orders of ordained ministry: deacon, priest and bishop. Only a bishop may ordain deacons and priests. Bishops must be ordained by a minimum or three other bishops, although many more usually participate in the service as well. The Sacrament of Holy Orders or Ordination is characterized by the laying-on-of hands by bishops with the appropriate accompanying prayer of consecration.
The Episcopal Church ordains both men and women, married or single, gay or straight. Other than for vowed members of religious orders, there is no obligation that single clergy observe clerical celibacy.
Anointing
Sacramental anointing was formerly referred to as Extreme Unction or the Last Rites, and normally associated with the gravely ill. The Episcopal Church dispenses sacramental anointing for anyone in need of any spiritual or physical healing. Healing Masses, including Recovery Masses are frequently celebrated in parish churches, usually on weekdays.
Scriptural foundations for both sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing are found in the Epistle of James:
Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.[1]
Repeatable and Non-Repeatable Sacraments
Some sacraments are meant to be received more than once, in fact frequently. Others are unrepeatable or permanent. As stated above, Baptism may not be repeated, once it has been validly conferred. Holy Orders is also non-repeatable. “Once a priest, always a priest” is an old saying. While there is a “triple unfolding” of Holy Orders as a person is first ordained a deacon, then a priest, and perhaps later a bishop, the Church considers this simply the gradual unfolding of one-and-the-same sacrament. Confirmation may also not be repeated, if it has already been validly conferred by a bishop in apostolic succession. Regarding Ordination and Confirmation, a former Roman Catholic or an Eastern Orthodox priest or layperson who wishes to become an Episcopalian is received rather than being re-ordained nor re-confirmed.
The faithful are encouraged to avail themselves of the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Anointing as often as they feel called to do so. Frequent reception of the Eucharist is especially recommended. It is, of course, the intention of the Church that Holy Matrimony be received only once, that a marriage should last a lifetime. But unfortunately, even blessed relationships experience spiritual deterioration and death resulting in a fractured bond. In such sad instances, the Episcopal Church shows compassion rather than censure.
[1] James 5:14-16 (NRSV).