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 | 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, p. 857
Saint Matthew's is a liturgical church, which means that sacraments play a central role in our worship. There are seven sacraments which shape the life of our church. The two we celebrate most often are Baptism and Eucharist, sometimes known as the "biblical sacraments." We also celebrate Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing the Sick, Reconciliation, and Ordination from time to time.
In his book, Holy Baptism: A Guide For Parents And Godparents , Episcopal priest John Westerhoff says:
"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 nonmaterial reality."
More information about the sacraments may be found at The Episcopal Church website. |
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