Sacraments

When God took on flesh in Jesus Christ, the uncreated and the created, the eternal and the temporal, the divine and the human became united. This unity meant that all that is mortal now points to the immortal, all that is finite now points to the infinite. In and through Jesus all creation has become like a splendid veil, through which the face of God is revealed to us.

This is called the sacramental quality of the created order. All that is is sacred because all that is speaks of God's redeeming love. Seas and winds, mountains and trees, sun, moon, and stars, and all the animals and people have become sacred windows offering us glimpses of God.

-Henri Nouwen

What are the Sacraments?

The sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace. (The Book of Common Prayer)

In his book, Holy Baptism: A Guide for Parents and Godparents, Episcopal priest, John Westerhoff, says this about sacraments:

"The purpose of a sacrament is to make us aware of a truth that is not self-evident so that we might benefit from it. Sacraments are symbolic, ritual acts of revelation. Sacraments, importantly, make something that is already true and available, real for us so that we might fully benefit from it… When an invisible reality is realized, or made real, that is a sacrament. Or to put it another way, a sacrament is a point of connection between the invisible and visible — an outward and visible material sign of an inward and invisible non-material reality."

Seven Sacraments

There are seven sacraments in the Anglican Communion: a brief description of each follows:

Baptism

Baptism is a ritual of inclusion and belonging that indicates our desire to enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church. We baptize adults and infants in the Anglican Church on the belief that God's love extends to everyone regardless of their age. Baptism always takes place within the Sunday Eucharist.

Contact your local anglican parish for more information about upcoming dates for baptism.

Adult Baptism

Before one is baptized, certain promises must be made to God, in the presence of God's people (which is why almost all baptisms are done in the context of public worship). These promises, which are explored in a series of classes before and after baptism, are:

  • To resist what is wrong — This promise is called a "renunciation" — to renounce something means to reject its power and influence over us. We renounce evil in all its forms.
  • To believe what is true — This promise is an acceptance of Jesus as Saviour, to put one's whole trust in his grace and love, and to follow and obey him as the Lord.
  • To do what is right — This is a promise to live according to Christ's teachings. We know these teachings through reading the Bible, by praying, and by committing ourselves to learn and grow spiritually in the Christian faith.

Infant Baptism

For infants or children who cannot understand these promises, we ask parents and sponsors (also known as godparents) to make these promises too, in addition to teaching the Christian faith to the child being baptized. This will prepare the child for the time when they can assume responsibility for the promises made on their behalf at Baptism. This happens through the sacrament of Confirmation.

Eucharist

Also known as the Lord's Supper, or Holy Communion, the Eucharist is "the sacrament commanded by Christ for the continual remembrance of his life, death, and resurrection, until his coming again."

- The Book of Common Prayer

In the Anglican Church, all baptised Christians are welcome to be part of this sacred meal.

For a deeper look at how we celebrate the Eucharist, click here.

Confirmation

In Confirmation, a baptised Christian makes "a mature commitment to Christ, and receives strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop."

- The Book of Common Prayer

It completes the initiation rite that began at baptism by transferring responsibility for the promises made at baptism from the sponsors to the one being confirmed. One can be confirmed whenever he/she is ready to accept that responsibility; usually this happens during adolescence if one is raised in a church.

Confirmation expresses not only a desire to live as an adult Christian, it also indicates a desire to do so in the Anglican Church and the world-wide Anglican Communion.

Marriage

"Holy Matrimony is Christian marriage, in which the woman and man enter into a lifelong union, make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows."

- The Book of Common Prayer

Simply stated, the purpose of marriage is to give life and love to the world. A married couple, by the way they fulfill their marriage vows, will love, honour and nurture each other. But in Christian marriage, the relationship is also meant to be for others — an example (or an icon) of what it means to be loving and faithful to another human being.

For marriage preparation visit: http://dio-mdtc.ca/marriage-preparation-2015/.

Anointing of the Sick

"Unction is the rite of anointing the sick with oil, or the laying on of hands, by which God's grace is given for the healing of spirit, mind, and body."

- The Book of Common Prayer

This sacrament exists for the purpose of healing — to restore a person to physical, emotional and spiritual wholeness. When we anoint and pray for people, we ask God to release them from anything that prevents a person from being whole. Christians recognize that there is a difference between being healed and being cured. In the sacrament of Unction, we pray for healing and wholeness, which may or may not include a cure.

Reconciliation

"Reconciliation of a Penitent is the rite in which those who repent of their sins may confess them to God in the presence of a priest, and receive the assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution."

- The Book of Common Prayer

Also known as Confession, this sacrament is perhaps the least understood. Why tell God something that God already knows… in the presence of another person? Because there are times in our lives when things we do (or don't do) block us from growing spiritually. They stand between us and God and we can't get around them. Reconciliation is a way of removing the barriers that our bad behaviours create. Someone once said, "Talking about things makes them real." To do so with a person who is obligated to confidentiality — and then hear that God loves and forgives us in spite of what we've done — can be a very healing experience. It is meant to be a regular part of a Christian's spiritual development.

In the Anglican Church, reconciliation is not mandatory before receiving Eucharist as it is in some denominations. There is a simple rule that applies here: "All can, some should, none must."

Ordination

God calls all people into a spiritual relationship and gives us particular gifts with which to live our lives as Christians. We use the word "ministry" to describe our response to God's call to live a certain way and do particular things. Everyone has a ministry because everyone is called.

In the Anglican Church, some are called to a special ministry within the church to train, equip and empower Christians to be effective. These are the clergy, and ordination is the sacrament by which men and women become members of the clergy. We describe all the ministries of the church in this way:

Who are the ministers of the Church?

The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons.

What is the ministry of the laity?

The ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ's work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.

What is the ministry of a bishop?

The ministry of a bishop is to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as apostle, chief priest, and pastor of a diocese; to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the whole Church; to proclaim the Word of God; to act in Christ's name for the reconciliation of the world and the building up of the Church; and to ordain others to continue Christ's ministry.

What is the ministry of a priest or presbyter?

The ministry of a priest is to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as pastor to the people; to share with the bishop in the overseeing of the Church; to proclaim the Gospel; to administer the sacraments; and to bless and declare pardon in the name of God.

What is the ministry of a deacon?

The ministry of a deacon is to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as a servant of those in need; and to assist bishops and priests in the proclamation of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments.

What is the duty of all Christians?

The duty of all Christians is to follow Christ; to come together week by week for corporate worship; and to work, pray, and give for the spread of the Kingdom of God.