boethius:
Dear Traditional Anglican,
Could you tell us a bit about how the sacraments are carried out in the TAC? I’m thinking in particular about confession, confirmation, last rites, etc. (With regard to the Eucharst, does the celebrant face the East, is the gospel read on the “gospel-side” or among the people, is communion received under both species, do you practice paedo-communion?)
Also, are there any special features of the liturgical year? Special “Anglican” saints, the observance of Septuagesima, Ember days, etc.? I assume that Corpus Christ is already celebrated (contra the 39 articles).
Also (finally), does the TAC have any confraternities devoted to the Blessed Virgin, etc.?
I’d be curious to hear from members of other continuing Anglican communions as well.
Will any of these special features be modified once full communion with Rome is reached?
Cheers,
Boethius
Boethius,
If Traditional Ang worships where I’m thinking he does, his answer here could be a doozy. But you also asked other continuing Anglicans to reply. That’s me.
Continuing Anglicans, split into way too many jurisdictions, are hard to categorize (like Anglicans generally). But,
in general, continuing Anglicans are probably a little skewed toward the Anglo-Catholic and High Church side of the Anglican spectrum. My parish might not be untypical.
Taking your points as you wrote them:
Confession: Anglicans (particularly Anglo-Catholics) practice individual auricular confession, just as do other Catholics (yes, I 'm very familiar with
Apostolicae Curae). But it is not an absolute recoquirement, before receivng the Sacrament (I participated in a thread on this somewhere here, about how are Anglicans forgiven, or something). Most often, the corporate confession and absolution in the Mass service is all that is done. But if an individual wishes to make an individual confession, for absolution, it is not unusual. With respect to such a confession, as opposed to the general confession, the Anglican rule is “All can, some should, none must”.
Confirmation is done, at the age of discretion, after Baptiism, and after (usually) a series of catechism classes. It is done by the imposition of hands by a consecrated bishop, in the apostolic succession (indeed, I know what *Apostolicae Curae * says). Normally, it is required that one be confirmed before one can receive the Sacrament, but there are a few exceptions.
Last Rites are as you would be familiar with them, annointing and so forth.
The celebrant faces east (Ad orientum) exclusively, in most traditional Anglican services.Altars remain against the wall, as before the recent innovations in the RCC.
The Gospel is read, or chanted, usually from the Gospel horn, sometimes from the Nave. In either case, it is not uncommon for the Book to be censed.
Communion is received under both species, unless there is a reason not to. Intinction appears to be becoming more common. In the hand is practiced by about 2/3s, I’d say, the rest receive by mouth, as I do. We use the altar rail, all receive kneeling, unless there is a physical problem.
The Blessed Body is reserved, in a Tabernacle found on the Altar, centered. It is reverenced in the usual manner, by kneeling or bowing as one approaches or crosses the altar. No one except ordained clergy (* (sure, I know a good deal about Apostolicae Curae)*) may touch or distribute the consecrated elements (i.e. no Extraordinary Ministers). Benediction/Adoration of the Sacrament is done fairly commonly. Padeo-communion is not our custom.
The Liturgical Year would be fairly familiar to you. Yesterday, Septuagesima Sunday, I read the Psalm and ( special case) also the Epistle. Next Sunday will be the commeration of Bl. Charles Stuart, King and Martyr. The list of Saints days are given for the week in each weekly Mass service bulletion. Yes to Ember days, Saints days, Corpus Chrsti, etc. The 39 Articles are a piece of historical paper.
The actual service is from the ECUSA 1928 Book of Commmon prayer, (I can provide a link to the service) supplemented with the Anglican Missal, which moves it toward the Anglo-Catholic side, liturgically. It would look familar to anyone who was familar with the Tridentine Mass, pre-VII. Sometimes we get some Latin, sometimes a sung Mass, sometimes not. The congregation participates a great deal more in the responses, and the chants, than I have seen done in an indult Tridentine Latin Low Mass, which is all I have attended. There is a great deal of genuflecting, bowing, etc.
Without trying to cover all of Anglicanism, that’s a fair idea of how many Anglo-Catholic oriented Continuing parishes do it. If there are any questions, I’d try.
And, to be sure, *Apostolicae Curae * is not unfamiliar territory for me.
GKC
