THE SACRAMENTS AT CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL

The Book of Common Prayer, 1979, defines the sacraments as "outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace." (BCP, p. 857) The prayer book tradition identifies Holy Baptism and the Holy Eucharist as "the two great sacraments of the Gospel" (BCP, p. 858) and additionally five "other sacramental rites [that] evolved in the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit" (BCP, p. 858).

The Prayer Book also affirms that "God does not limit himself to these rites; they are patterns of countless way by which God uses material things to reach out to us." The "Sacraments sustain our present hope and anticipate its fulfillment." (BCP, p. 861).

HOLY BAPTISM
Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as his children and makes us members of Christ's Body, the Church, and inheritors of the kingdom of God. (BCP, p. 858)

THE HOLY EUCHARIST
The Holy Eucharist is the sacrament commanded by Christ for the continual remembrance of his life, death, and resurrection, until his coming again. It is also known as the Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, the Divine Liturgy, the Mass, and the Great Offering. (BCP, p. 859)

CONFIRMATION
Confirmation is the rite in which baptized persons make a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop. Those seeking confirmation must receive instruction in the Christian Faith, be penitent for their sins, and ready to affirm their confession of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (BCP, 860)

ORDINATION
Ordination is the rite in which God gives authority and the grace of the Holy Spirit to those being made bishops, priests, and deacons, through prayer and the laying on of hands by bishops. (BCP, p. 860)

HOLY MATRIMONY
Holy Matrimony is Christian marriage, in which the woman and man enter into a life-long union, make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows. (BCP, p. 861)

THE RECONCILIATION OF A PENITENT
Penance, as it is also known, 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. (BCP, p. 861)

MINISTRATION TO THE SICK
Unction, as it is also known, is the rite of anointing the sick with oil, or the layong on of hands, by which God's grace is given for the healing of spirit, mind, and body. (BCP, p. 861)

If you have any questions about these offerings of the Cathedral, please contact any member of the clergy at the Cathedral phone number or at the individual clergy member's email address that you will find in the "About us" link of this website.