1. Rubrics Carry Force of Canonical Norms
Unless a rite provides alternatives, or the rubrics of a rite specify a permissive stance, the rubrics surrounding the celebration of the Sacraments carry the force of Canonical Norms.
2. The Number of the Sacraments
In keeping with most apostolic jurisdictions of the Church, we acknowledge seven Sacraments, as enumerated in this chapter.
A. It is acknowledged that this number has varied at times, and that some Sacraments are viewed as being Dominical in origin, while others are viewed as being Apostolic or Ecclesial in origin.
3. The Sacrament of Baptism
A. Form - The form of the Sacrament is the application of water together with the Sacramental Words of the ritual.
B. Matter - The matter of the Sacrament is the use of water on a previously unbaptized, living human being. If the individual is of sufficient maturity and intellectual capacity, the individual must renounce Satan and their sins, make a profession of faith, and pledge to live a life in keeping with the Gospel.
C. Intention - The intention of the Sacrament is to become covenant children of God, being adopted by grace, incorporated in Christ's Body, the Church, and inheriting the kingdom of God. Through this Sacrament the individual is brought into union with Christ in his death and resurrection, is forgiven of sin, and empowered to lead a new life in the power of the Holy Spirit.
D. Minister - The minister of the Sacrament may be any baptized Christian in an emergency, but in usual circumstances is a bishop, presbyter, or deacon.
4. The Sacrament of Chrismation
A. Form - The form of the Sacrament is the application of Sacred Chrism together with the Sacramental Words of the ritual.
B. Matter - The matter of the Sacrament is the use of Sacred Chrism on a baptized individual.
C. Intention - The intention of the Sacrament is to seal the baptismal covenant through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, strengthening the individual to live a Christian life.
D. Minister - The minister of the Sacrament is a bishop or a presbyter.
E. Timing - In the rites of this Ordinariate, Chrismation is incorporated into the Baptismal Rite, even of infants. Individuals who are being received into the Ordinariate who have not previously been Chrismated receive the Sacrament at the time of their Reception.
F. Concerning Confirmation - In the use of the Ordinariate, Confirmation is a Rite, not a Sacrament, in which a mature Christian assumes for themselves the promises and duties of the Baptismal Covenant. Any individual not chrismated prior to Confirmation must be chrismated at that time.
5. The Sacrament of Holy Communion
A. Form - The form of the Sacrament is the invocation of the Holy Spirit upon elements of bread and wine, together with the speaking of the Words of Institution over them.
B. Matter - The matter of the Sacrament is bread (leavened or unleavened) of wheat, together with pure grape wine mixed with a little water.
- In cases of genuine medical necessity, low gluten wheat bread may be used without restriction. Gluten-free bread derived from a grain may be used with the consent of the Ordinary.
- In cases of genuine medical necessity, mustum (a form of new wine) may be used without restriction.
C. Intention - The intention of the Sacrament is to enable the faithful to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, in accordance with his command to his apostles at the Last Supper.
D. Minister - The consecrating minister of the Sacrament is a bishop or a presbyter. Deacons and licensed laypersons may assist in the distribution of the Consecrated Elements, and may take Communion to those absent from the communal celebration.
E. Timing - Upon receiving the initiatory Sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation, an individual - regardless of age - is to be admitted to Holy Communion.
6. The Sacrament of Reconciliation
A. Form - The form of the Sacrament is the confession of sins to God with sincere repentance and the intention to amend one's life, followed by the reception of Absolution.
B. Matter - The matter of the Sacrament is a sincerely repentant individual.
C. Intention - The intention of the Sacrament is the forgiveness of sin and restoration of right relationship with God, neighbor, and self.
D. Minister - The minister of the Sacrament is a bishop or presbyter.
E. Equal Validity - The general absolution pronounced in the context of Divine Service is of equal validity and effect as an individual absolution pronounced in a private setting.
F. Guidelines for Private Confession - Private confessions should be conducted, whenever possible, in an anonymous fashion, either in a confessional, or by facing in such a way that the penitent cannot be identified. In the instance of an individual who is sick or dying this will, of course, be unlikely when conducted at home or in a facility.
G. Invalidations - The Absolution granted in the Sacrament is invalidated by any of the following defects:
- The penitent is insincere in their intention or contrition
- The penitent refuses to accept the consequences of their actions
- The penitent refuses to make amends, when necessary
- The confessor was a party to the penitent's sin
H. Seal of the Confessional - The Sacramental Seal, is a strict and unbreakable obligation for bishops and priests. They cannot reveal anything said in the conduct of the Sacrament to anyone, even the penitent themselves, without the explicit permission of the penitent. Breaking the Sacramental Seal carries with it an automatic inhibition of all faculties, and generally leads to the dismissal of the individual from the clerical state.
- It should be noted that, in the rare instances where an interpreter is necessary to hear a confession, the interpreter is bound by the Sacramental Seal as well. Care should be taken to ensure that the interpreter is aware of both the theology of the Sacrament and the requirement of the Seal, and that they consent to both. In such instances, it may be preferable to make use of technological interpretation - however impersonal - so as not to place an interpreter in a potentially difficult situation.
8. The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony
A. Form - The form of the Sacrament is the free exchange of consent and mutual vows of fidelity between two Christians who are free to enter into Matrimony and who are open to the gift of life, which is then sealed by the bestowal of the Nuptial Blessing.
B. Matter - The matter of the Sacrament consists of one male and one female, both baptized Christians, who freely exchange consent.
C. Intention - The intention of the Sacrament is to bind a man and woman as one flesh, fruitful as accords with God's will, in life-long union.
D. Minister - The ministers of the Sacrament are the man and woman, whose vows are witnessed by a bishop, presbyter, or deacon of the Church. Only a bishop or presbyter may bestow the Nuptial Blessing.
E. Secret Marriages Not Permitted - In addition to the bride, groom, and cleric, two witnesses are necessary.
F. Invalidations - The Sacrament is typically rendered invalid on the basis of defects including (but not limited to):
- bigamy
- fraud
- duress
- lack of capacity
- being under the legal age of marriage
- inability or unwillingness to engage in sexual relations
- behaviors which are often masked prior to the conferral of the Nuptial Blessing, including abuse, neglect, and abandonment
9. The Sacrament of Holy Orders
A. Form - The form of the Sacrament is the invocation of the Holy Spirit, the laying on of hands, prayer, and - in the case of the presbyterate and episcopate - the anointing with Sacred Chrism.
B. Matter - The matter of the Sacrament is a baptized, chrismated, communicant Christian with no impediments to ordination.
- Properly prepared individuals of any gender may be ordained to the diaconate.
- Properly prepared men may be ordained to the diaconate and presbyterate.
C. Intent - The intention of the Sacrament is to provide for the ministerial needs of the Church through the provision of faithful clergy in service to Jesus Christ.
D. Unique Identity of Each Order
- Diaconate - The diaconate is an order of service and evangelism.
- Presbyterate - The presbyterate is an order of sacrament and sacrifice, rooted in the celebration of the Eucharist and the other Sacraments of the Church.
- Episcopate - The episcopate is an order of leadership, chosen from among the presbyterate, and providing oversight to the people and clergy under his care. It is also the ordinary duty of the episcopate to confirm, and the exclusive duty of the episcopate to confer Holy Orders.
E. Indelible Nature - The conferral of Holy Orders marks the recipient with a permanent nature.
F. Invalidations - The Sacrament is typically rendered invalid on the basis of defects including (but not limited to):
- simony
- fraud
- duress
- lack of capacity