Book of Ceremonies of the Liberal Catholic Rite

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

This book is intended to be a complete and detailed description of the ceremonies prescribed in the Liberal Catholic Rite. The ceremonial directions given are based largely upon those of the Roman Catholic Latin Rite, although in many cases we have preferred to follow Anglican usage. We have not hesitated, however, to depart from both when required by the needs of the Liberal Catholic Liturgy, or when instructions given in the older rites were thought to be unnecessary. In short, we have sought to retain the essential and valuable and to drop the non-essential and merely customary. This has led to a much-desired simplification of the ceremonies.

All the rulings and all the corrections and additions to the Liturgy which were authorized by the First, Second and Third General Episcopal Synods have been incorporated in the text, although the third revised edition of The Liturgy has not as yet been printed. Its contents have been checked carefully with "The Ceremonies of the Holy Eucharist" by the late Julian Adrian Mazel, published in Sydney in 1924 after the first draft of this book had been prepared. Bishop J.I. Wedgwood has carefully revised the manuscript, a labour for which the author cannot too strongly express his gratitude. Bishop Charles Hampton assisted by suggesting numerous minor changes and additions to the manuscript. Various comments by Bishop F. W. Pigott were also extremely helpful in the final revision of the book. The Rev. G. N. Drinkwater of England and the Rev. William H. Pitkin of the United States of America have been of the greatest help in checking the manuscript and in drawing attention to various matters in a series of voluminous notes. The latter has also undertaken, largely at his own expense, the arduous labour of duplicating the manuscript so that copies may be sent to all of the clergy. It is difficult to express adequately one's appreciation of such an invaluable gift to the Church.

Every effort has been made to insure accuracy and clearness, but the subject matter is so complicated and interlocked that complete success cannot be expected. Should inaccuracies, contradictions, omissions, or obscure statements be found, the author will greatly appreciate having them brought to his attention. This book has been in preparation over a period of many years, its publication being delayed by a breakdown in health and other causes. Its writing has been arduous and wearisome, but if the book proves of real assistance to the clergy of the Liberal Catholic Church, the author will feel well repaid for all that it has cost him.

1934

+ IRVING S. COOPER
St. Alban's Pro-Cathedral
2041 Argyle Avenue Los Angeles, California.

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION

This Second Edition of the Book of Ceremonies of the Liberal Catholic Rite contains those few revisions authorized by the General Episcopal Synod of the Church since the previous printing in 1934. Except for these changes, the material which follows is an exact photographic reprint of the 1934 Edition.

1981

+DEAN BEKKEN
St. Francis Cathedral Chapel 741 Cerro Gordo Avenue San Diego, California

PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION

The Second Edition of the Book of Ceremonies has served the Church well since 1981. However, since that time new rites have been added to the usage of the Church and minor revisions to ceremonial actions have occurred. Also, this new edition has been expanded to include the ceremonies associated with ordination to Holy Orders and other rites omitted from the original book in the form distributed to the general clergy. References to Bp. Leadbeater's Science of the Sacraments have been deleted from this edition, and the materials included herein, both in order to make this book as inclusive as possible and to avoid implied changes to this work that would occur as revisions have and may occur in later editions of Bp. Leadbeater's work.

1996

+ DEAN BEKKEN
Presiding Bishop
St. Francis Cathedral Chapel 741 Cerro Gordo Avenue San Diego, California

PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION

This Fourth Edition of the Book of Ceremonies of the Liberal Catholic Rite contains those revisions authorized by the General Episcopal Synod at the Synod meeting held in. Jacksonville, Florida in September, 2001. These few changes incorporate revisions made by that Synod regarding the ordination of women up to the Diaconate. Except for these changes, the material that follows is exactly the same as the Third Edition.

2001

+ CHARLES W. FINN
Presiding Bishop
St. Francis Cathedral Chapel 741 Cerro Gordo Avenue San Diego, California