HOLY BAPTISM

Holy Baptism is the Sacrament of regeneration, making the one receiving baptism "a member of Christ, the child of God, and an inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven."

At the Fall man lost his original righteousness and came under the dominion of sin, inclining to evil and meriting God's wrath and punishment. Baptism remits original sin (or the penalty of the Fall), and in the case of an adult also absolves from all sins committed before Baptism, providing there is penitence. Baptism is the "new birth unto righteousness," and by it one receives Divine Grace and the "Character" of a Christian. Its super-natural gifts enable one to follow God's commandments.

Baptism is administered by prayer and the pouring on of water in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and the sign of the Cross, sometimes being accompanied by other ceremonies. It is sometimes known as "Christening," from the giving of the name, which should always be a reminder of our Christian profession, which is to follow Christ and to be made like unto Him.

It is also the "Christian Covenant," because the Sponsors or Godparents promise and vow in the name of the child:

(1) To renounce the Devil and all his works, the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh;

(2) To believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith;

(3) To keep God's holy will and Commandments, and walk in the same all the days of this life.

A child should be brought to be baptized as soon as possible after birth. Care should be taken to have proper Sponsors or Godparents. In the case of an adult, the instructions in the Book of Common Prayer orders a preparation of prayer and fasting. It is expected that persons baptized shall be Confirmed as soon as possible.

HOLY CONFIRMATION

Holy Confirmation, is the Sacrament conferring the Sevenfold Gift of the Holy Ghost, "the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Ghostly Strength, the Spirit of Knowledge and True Godliness, and the Spirit of Holy Fear." Four of these are Intellectual Gifts enabling us to know what is right, and three are Moral Gifts enabling us to do what is right.

Confirmation renews the Baptismal Vows of Faith, Love, and Repentance. One promises to believe in God and all that He teaches through the Church as to Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship, to love God and follow His Will and Commandments and to resist the deceits of the world, the flesh and the Devil, trying to keep the mind, body and soul as the temple of the Holy Ghost and sincerely sorrowing over sin. This Sacrament is sometimes called "the Seal," or "Anointing" from the ancient practice of touching the foreheads of the Candidates with holy oil.

Confirmation brings forth the twelve fruits of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Truth, Meekness, Patience, Modesty, Temperance, and Chastity. The requirement for Confirmation (which is intended to be administered to the young) is that the Candidate can say the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, and is sufficiently "instructed in all other things which a Christian ought to know and believe to his soul's health." There should be the threefold Preparation of mind, body, and soul, or respectively: instruction, discipline, and prayer. Confirmation should invariably be preceded by the Sacrament of Penance, (Confession and Absolution) for the proper reception of the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

Confirmation is not a matter of choice, but is a matter of duty. Christ and His Church call all to be confirmed when ready for this sacrament. A person is not to study or survey all religions and then choose the one he likes, for religion is not a matter of personal preference, but of Divine Revelation. God calls him to Confirmation in the Holy Catholic Church.

God has promised His Divine assistance, and we may be sure that He never fails to give His grace to those who love Our Lord Jesus Christ, and who desire, through the Sacrament of "the laying on of hands," to have the privilege of receiving their Saviour's Blessed Body and Blood in the Holy Sacrifice of the Altar.

 HOLY COMMUNION

Holy Communion, well called the Blessed Sacrament, is the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, and the Memorial of the Sacrifice of the Cross. Under the forms of Bread and Wine we receive Our Lord Really and Objectively Present, but after a Spiritual, Mystical and Supernatural manner. By this Offering we commemorate and show forth the "One, Full, Perfect, and Sufficient Sacrifice, Oblation and Satisfaction for the sins of the whole world," made by Our Lord on the Cross. The Sacrifice of the Altar is one with the Sacrifice on the Cross, Christ being the Priest and Victim on Calvary and in the Eucharist.

It is the only true Sacrifice, one that honours God as God, one that satisfies the holiest aspirations of the soul. In it we plead Our Lord's Death and Passion, worship and adore Him Supernaturally Present, and receive Christ unto Everlasting Life.

In the Holy Communion, or Eucharistic Sacrifice, it is Christ Who offers, consecrates, and gives His Body and Blood unto Everlasting Life, through His Priest on earth presenting the same Sacrifice which in Heaven He offers or pleads in Glory before the Throne of God.

The very names of the Mass bring out its wonderful privilege for us: Holy Eucharist, that it is the Church's Service of praise and thanksgiving; Holy Mysteries, that it is above our understanding; Sacrifice of the Altar, that it shows Our Lord's Death till He come Himself; Holy Communion, that we receive Our Lord in His Body and Blood; Blessed Sacrament, that it is the holiest of all Spiritual joys.

The Holy Eucharist being a Sacrifice as well as a Sacrament is offered both for the Living and the Dead. To pray that the departed may "rest in peace," that "light perpetual may shine upon them" and that they may soon have their perfect consummation and bliss, is a custom ancient and Scriptural. To remember them in the Sacrifice of the Altar seems the most fitting way to fulfil this duty.

HOLY MATRIMONY

Holy Matrimony is the indissoluble union of a man and a woman, making them husband and wife. It is "an honourable estate instituted of God, in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and His Church."1 The ministers of Holy Matrimony are the man and woman, who plight their troth before proper witnesses, the Church blessing and solemnizing the union. Unbaptized persons, near relations and those divorced, and also those prevented by certain impediments set forth by the Scriptures and the Church, cannot contract sacramental marriage.

Holy Matrimony is "not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God ."1 The union cannot be severed, for marriage when consummated, makes the man and woman one flesh2. Even if they live apart, by the Law of God neither can remarry during the life of the other, for "those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder."1

The Divine purpose of Matrimony is: (1) for bringing children into the world to be raised in the nurture and fear of the Lord; (2) for preventing sin; (3) for mutual love and companionship. Marriage should take place in Church and if possible before noon. The Parish Priest should always he seen before any arrangements for a Marriage are made. And contracting parties should know and remember the times when Marriage is not supposed to be solemnized. If either party has been of a different belief, such party should he confirmed or received into the Church before marriage. Their children should invariably be baptized, confirmed and brought up in the Church.

1 Marriage Service Book of Common Prayer. 2 Genesis 2:23, 24.