Rite (Christianity)
A sacred ceremony in Christianity, often distinct from a sacrament.
In Christianity, a rite is a sacred ceremony that may be considered a sacrament or a sacramental, depending on the denomination. This meaning is separate from the term’s use for broader liturgical families like the Byzantine or Latin rites. Within Catholicism, “rite” often refers to a sacrament and its associated liturgies, which are shaped by liturgical languages, local customs, and the ceremonies tied to the sacraments. For example, the Anointing of the Sick—part of the Last Rites—is a sacramental rite. The other Last Rites are Penance and the Eucharist (given as Viaticum). Since the Second Vatican Council, anointing is also offered to those seriously ill but not necessarily near death. Another example is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The term “rite” became common after the Second Vatican Council. Although people often speak of “receiving a rite,” this is technically incorrect: the sacrament is received, while the rite is performed. The rite consists of the prayers and actions the minister uses when administering a sacrament.
In many Protestant denominations, “rite” is used specifically for important ceremonies that are not considered sacraments or ordinances. The 39 Articles of the Anglican Communion and the Methodist Articles of Religion state that only Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are sacraments ordained by Christ. Thus, in Anglican and Methodist traditions, confirmation, reconciliation (confession of sins), matrimony, holy orders, and anointing of the sick are considered rites. Some Methodist denominations, like the Missionary Methodist Church and the New Congregational Methodist Church, practice footwashing during the Lord’s Supper. The Moravian Church’s rites are confirmation, marriage, and ordination. In Lutheranism, Holy Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confession & Absolution are sacraments, while confirmation, anointing of the sick, holy matrimony, and holy orders are rites. Liturgically, Western Lutheran churches use rites based on the Formula Missae, while Eastern Lutheran churches use the Byzantine Rite.
- field
- Christian liturgy and sacramental theology
- known_for
- Distinction between sacraments and rites across Catholic, Protestant, and other traditions
- related_denominations
- Catholicism, Anglicanism, Methodism, Lutheranism, Moravian Church
Lore & Background
In Christian Catholicism, the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick (part of the Last Rites) is one of the sacramental rites. The other Last rites are Penance and the administration of the Eucharist (administered as Viaticum). Since the Second Vatican Council, anointing of the sick is administered, too, to those who are seriously ill but not necessarily in immediate danger of death. Another example is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The term rite became widely used after the Second Vatican Council. While rite is often associated when receiving a sacrament, it is technically incorrect to say that one received a rite because the sacrament is what is received while a rite is performed. The rite consists of the prayers and actions that the minister of the sacrament performs when administering a sacrament.
Reader's Guide
Within many Protestant Christian denominations, the word rite is often used specifically for important ceremonies that are not considered sacraments or ordinances. The 39 Articles of the Anglican Communion and the Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church state 'there are two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel, that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord.' As such, in the Anglican and Methodist traditions, the following are considered rites: 'confirmation, reconciliation (confessions of sins), matrimony, holy orders and anointing of the sick.' A number of Methodist denominations, such as the Missionary Methodist Church and the New Congregational Methodist Church practice the rite of footwashing during the celebration of the Lord's Supper. Similarly the 'rites of the Moravian Church are Confirmation, Marriage, and Ordination.' In the Lutheran tradition, Holy Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confession & Absolution are considered Lutheran sacraments, while Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Matrimony, and Holy Orders are rites. As far as the liturgy is concerned, Western Lutheran churches use rites based on the Formula Missae while the Eastern Lutheran churches use the Byzantine Rite.
Did You Know?
- In Catholicism, the Last Rites include Anointing of the Sick, Penance, and Viaticum (Eucharist).
- Since the Second Vatican Council, anointing of the sick is administered to those seriously ill but not necessarily in immediate danger of death.
- In Anglicanism and Methodism, only Baptism and the Lord's Supper are considered sacraments; other ceremonies are called rites.
- Some Methodist denominations practice footwashing as a rite during the Lord's Supper.
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