RITES & RITUALS & THE ANGLICAN CATHOLIC TRADITION

In the Anglican Catholic tradition (also called the Anglo-Catholic), worship preserves many of the rites, ceremonies, and sacramental practices of the historic ancient Western Church.

The Seven Sacramental Rites

Anglican Catholics generally recognize:

1.	Baptism – initiation into the Church.
2.	Confirmation – strengthening by the Holy Spirit through the bishop.
3.	Holy Eucharist (Mass) – the central act of worship.
4.	Penance (Confession and Absolution) – private confession to a priest is available.
5.	Holy Matrimony – Christian marriage.
6.	Holy Orders – ordination of deacons, priests, and bishops.
7.	Anointing of the Sick – prayers and oil for healing and comfort.

While Article XXV of the Articles of Religion of the historic Church of England distinguishes Baptism and Eucharist as “Sacraments of the Gospel,” Anglican Catholics speak of all Seven Sacramental Rites in a manner similar to the Roman Catholic Church but not 100% similar.

The Holy Eucharist

The Eucharist is the heart of Anglican Catholic worship and commonly includes:

•	Processional cross and candles
•	Incense
•	Vestments (chasuble, stole, alb)
•	Readings from Scripture
•	Sermon
•	Creed
•	Prayers of the People
•	Confession and Absolution
•	Consecration of bread and wine
•	Elevation of the Host and Chalice
•	Holy Communion
•	Blessing and dismissal

Many Anglican Catholics affirm the Divine Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, and do not define it exactly as the Roman Catholic doctrine of Transubstantiation.

Daily Offices

The traditional daily prayers include:

•	Morning Prayer (Matins)
•	Midday Prayer (Sext)
•	Evening Prayer (Evensong)
•	Compline (night prayer)

These derive from the monastic hours and are found in the Book of Common Prayer.

Liturgical Year Observances

The Church year is carefully observed:

•	Advent
•	Christmas
•	Epiphany
•	Lent
•	Holy Week
•	Easter
•	Ascension
•	Pentecost
•	Trinity Season
•	Saints’ Days

Devotional Practices

Many Anglican Catholics practice:

•	Making the Sign of the Cross
•	Genuflection before the Blessed Sacrament
•	Eucharistic Adoration (in some parishes)
•	Use of Anglican Rosaries 
•	Marian devotion
•	Veneration of Saints
•	Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
•	Stations of the Cross during Lent

Major Liturgical Rites

Special ceremonies include:

•	Ash Wednesday imposition of ashes
•	Palm Sunday procession
•	Maundy Thursday foot washing
•	Good Friday veneration of the Cross
•	Easter Vigil
•	Corpus Christi procession
•	Ordinations
•	Dedication of churches and altars

Distinctive Anglican

The Anglo-Catholic tradition seeks to unite:

•	Catholic (Universal) sacramental worship,
•	Historic episcopal succession,
•	The authority of Scripture,
•	And the Anglican heritage expressed in the Book of Common Prayer.

A common Anglican Catholic summary is that Anglicanism is “Catholic and Reformed” — retaining the Ancient Faith and Sacramental Life while embracing the reforms of the English Reformation.

Cecil K. Dewars