Episcopal vs. Roman Catholic?

Question

Hi! I apologize in advance for my ignorance of how to even phrase these questions. Please bear with me! Something that might help you to understand my background: I am Catholic and exploring the Espiscopal Church.

1) How does the Episcopal Church view the Saints? Do they pray to them?
2) Do Episcopalians use sacramentals, statues, etc? Is it offensive to wear my crucifix pendant to Church?
3) This was a problem last week. When I went up to the communion rail, I received the bread (body of Christ) and waited for the wine so I could dip the bread. However, I was alarmed to see someone drinking directly out of the cup. I have a huge phobia of drinking after someone (I am not kidding). So, I excused myself - before everyone else. I was, of course, embarassed. However, I wasn't about to drink after someone either! In Catholic Church, I simply took the bread and then avoided the optional wine line. So, I'm wondering: How do I handle this on Sunday?
Any help or tips are appreciated!

Additional Details

Regarding question #3: The "dipping" to which I have referred occurred in the Episcopal Churches. I was raised Catholic and am aware how to take Communion and Wine (if desired) while in the Catholic Church. Sorry if I did not clarify that. I am just asking the correct way to do things in an Episcopal church (and, yes, I am going for Communion. So, anyone's opinions on that needn't waste his/her breath). Thanks!

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Saints and saints days are recognized in the Episcopal Church, as you might tell from the number of churches named after them. However, they are viewed as holy people to be recognized and honored, but not as intercessors. So Episcopalians do not pray TO saints. A prayer ABOUT a saint will be to God in thanks for the example and witness of that saint.

Most Episcopal churches do have religious decorations of some kind or another, some may even have Mary chapels, though they are not venerated in the same way as in the Roman or Orthodox traditions. Statues of St. Francis in gardens are very common. It is not unusual for people to wear crosses or crucifixes to Episcopal services, and very common for them to be worn by the vested participants in the service.

The Episcopal Church invites all baptised Christians to share in communion. You should be aware, however, that the Roman church does not recognize the validity of Episcopal sacraments--but that lack of recognition does not go both ways, Episcopalians do not dispute the validity of Roman sacraments (but Episcopalians are not welcome to participate in Roman sacraments). Despite the position of the Roman church, Roman Catholics have often participated in communion in my Episcopal parish, and I believe this to be common elsewhere.

Although sharing in a common cup is usual in the Episcopal Church, the sacrament is equally embodied in the bread as in the wine. You may leave after receiving the bread, or remain at the rail with your arms crossed over your chest to indicate you do not wish to partake ofthe wine.

You may also take communion by "intincture," which is dipping the bread into the wine. This is handled differently in different congregations. In some, you hold the bread in your hand, and the chalice bearer will dip it for you and place it on your tongue. In others, the chalice bearer will hold the cup while you dip the bread (or wafer if that is used). There is absolutely nothing incorrect about taking communion in this way. It might be a good idea to ask the rector as to how this is usually done in that parish.

Source(s):

30+ years as an Episcopal choirmaster.

Answer 2

hmmm first off Catholics don't "dip" the body into the blood. No Eucharist minister should allow you to walk over to the cup still holding the Eucharist.

Second there are many different Episcopal Churches, but in the end they are all Protestant and Catholics are called by both religions to honor the customs of their faith and not receive communion outside of their tradition unless bonds of intercommunion have been made. No bonds of intercommunion exist between the Episocpal and Roman Catholic Church. So unless you become Episcopal you should not be taking communion since the official policy of the Episcopal Church is not an open communion.

Answer 3

Taking communion under both species is relatively new. It is entirely optional.
Episcopalians are what used to be called protestants and there are so may different sects that it is hard to answer that part of your question.

Source(s):

Extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.

Answer 4

At what point did the ordained priest consecrate the bread and the wine to turn them into the Body and Blood of our Lord? Only a validly ordained priest can do this. In the Catholic Church the fullness of Christ is in each and every wafer as in the wine so it is ok that you do not partake in the wine

Answer 5

I am an atheist that goes to an Episcopal church. I am not aware of the first two. We don't pray to saints during the service but I am not sure if anyone does outside of the service. Your last question though. At my church some people dip and some people drink out of the cup and then some people don't take the wine at all so I think you are fine. I don't take communion at all since I'm not Christian and the only person that has ever said anything to me is the priest. He asked me one day if I was baptized and when I told him no he said that he could remedy that.

Cathy - Just for your information the priest at my church says that anyone baptized in the name of Jesus Christ is welcome to take communion. My wife is Catholic and she asked specifically because she did not want to take communion if she was not welcome to take it.