Science of the Sacraments

Rating:
Summary: Ancient Wisdom Revealed in Christian / Catholic Ritual
Review: Science of the Sacraments is not a book that should be read from cover to cover. Rather, it is a marvelous reference book for understanding the traditional Seven Sacraments of the Catholic church. Rt. Rev. Leadbeater elaborately unveils how the Sacraments were originally intended to provide stately ritual, deep mysticism, and spiritual outpouring for any sincere participants, whether members of a Catholic church or not.

Not surprisingly, a majority of the book is devoted to the Holy Eucharist, its origins, original intent, historical changes, and mystical components, i.e., ceremonial beauty of cooperating with the angelic kingdom. The Tridentine Rite is explained, historical alterations and deviations discussed, and justification is provided for the revised liturgy that is used by adherents of The Liberal Catholic Church worldwide. The revised liturgy strips away common Christian intolerance and threats, i.e., references to "hell" as a place of eternal damnation. Negative threats are replaced with references to reincarnation for all of us as evolving spiritual beings whom inevitably "wander from the path which leads to righteousness."

The Science of the Sacraments is a compendium of study and explanation for the functions that are essential to Catholic ritual. Prospective readers will find answers to questions they never even considered, supported by scientific thought and clairvoyant investigations. For example, the use of Holy Oils to open the chakras at Baptism and close them with Extreme Unction is detailed. Also, the expansion and unification of the auras during Holy Matrimony, a Sacrament that is performed by the participants and not the celebrant (who is but a witness) suggests a spiritual bond that can never be broken.

Hundreds of additional activities and components are explained including the importance of ray candles, appurtenances, vestments, and music. It's difficult to imagine a better book on the topic of the Sacraments.

Rating:
Summary: This is a great book for any esoteric student
Review: This book is an incredible work outlining all the different Catholic (and reformed Catholic) sacraments and their esoteric meanings and symbolism. I found many parts to be especially interesting - namely the censing and the church vestiments. All in all, it's an incredibly interesting read for the esoteric students and, I would think, the serious Catholic student as well.