Sacraments and Pastoral Services of the Episcopal Church

"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."
Book of Common Prayer p. 857

The principal sacrament and service of the Christian church is the Eucharist (from the Greek word for "thanksgiving") and is also called Holy Communion, the Lord's Supper, and the Mass. It is at the heart of our common life and its purpose is to thank and praise God for all the good things God has done for us. Other sacraments are described below.

Baptism

Baptism is the rite of initiation into a life in Christ. Baptism of may be arranged at any time by contacting the Episcopal Chaplain. It is the custom of The Episcopal Church at Princeton University to have baptisms at the Great Easter Vigil which begins on the University Chapel steps before sunrise. Baptism may also be done at other times during the year by arrangement with the Chaplain. However, since Baptism is a rite of initiation into the whole Christian community, private baptisms (i.e. those not part of a regular Eucharistic worship service) are discouraged. Normally, a period of preparation is required before a person is baptized. Infants and others who are not part of the regular worshiping community at The Episcopal Church at Princeton University are more properly baptized in their own parish churches.

Services of thanksgiving for the birth or adoption of a child can also be arranged.

Confirmation & Reception

Confirmation is a rite of re-commitment to baptismal vows and is usually held once a year when the Bishop visits. It requires a period of preparation with the Chaplain. If you have already been confirmed in a church not in the Anglican Communion, but wish to be received formally into the Episcopal Church, this is done at the time of the Bishop's visit when others are confirmed. For more information, please contact the Episcopal Chaplain.

Reconciliation of a Penitent

Reconciliation, also called "confession", is a service found on page 446 of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. If you are carrying heavy spiritual burdens, consider this sacrament as a means of making peace with God and within yourself. Regarding who should confess we often say "All may, none must, some should." Please contact the Chaplain to receive this sacrament. The following is from the Book of Common Prayer concerning this rite:

Ministration to the Sick and to the Dying

This sacrament of healing is available to all, especially those who wish for special prayers for healing. The sacrament may be especially appropriate while confined to McCosh Infirmary or the hospital or before a medical procedure or during a lengthy illness. Special prayers for the dying are also offered. Contact the Chaplain to arrange to receive this sacrament or to have a priest make a visit to McCosh Infirmary or a local hospital.

Weddings

Weddings in the Princeton University Chapel can be scheduled by contacting the Director of the Chapel. If you wish to have an Episcopal service, you may have any priest perform the service or arrange for the Episcopal Chaplain to perform the service. If you wish to have an Episcopal service done at the Princeton University Chapel, you must contact the Episcopal Chaplain about consulting with him or another Episcopal priest concerning preparation for marriage, which normally requires three to four counseling appointments. This means that contact must be made at least six months before the date of the ceremony.

The current Episcopal chaplain at Princeton will not officiate at a wedding in a place that is not a sacred space (i.e. not a church).

If either of the persons seeking to be married in the Episcopal Church has been married previously and the divorced spouse is living, he or she, through a priest of the Church, must obtain written permission from the Bishop to be married by a priest. The priest who does the counseling will write a letter to the Bishop of New Jersey requesting permission to perform the wedding in the Diocese of New Jersey.

Couples planning a lifelong commitment through marriage are urged to read Sacred Unions: A New Guide to Lifelong Commitment by Thomas E. Breidenthal, Princeton's former Dean of Relgious Life and currently Bishop of Southern Ohio.

Services of Renewal of Marriage Vows may be arranged by contacting Fr. Steve White, the Episcopal Chaplain.

Funerals and Memorial Services

Funerals and Memorial Services for members of the University community - including alumni and alumni spouses - can be arranged by contacting the Episcopal Chaplain. The families of alumni who have lived far from Princeton often desire to have the principal or an additional memorial service at the Princeton University Chapel. We also encourage students and others associated with the University who have recently lost loved ones to consider having a memorial service in the Princeton University Chapel to which friends, family, professors, and coaches may be invited.

Ordination

Men and women who feel called to ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church are urged to contact Fr. Steve White, the Episcopal Chaplain. The Episcopal campus ministry at Princeton is authorized to act as a sponsoring parish for Princeton, WCC, and PTS students seeking ordination in the Diocese of New Jersey. Those who are discerning a call to the priesthood or the diaconate should browse the "Callings" web site and also to study the guidelines for ordination in the Diocese of New Jersey.

You must be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church before pursuing formal steps toward ordination (see above).