The 1662 Book of Common Prayer Explained

Why We Use It. How It Forms Us. What It Teaches.

The 1662 Book of Common Prayer

A School of Prayer for Catholic Christians

For over three centuries, the 1662 Book of Common Prayer has formed the worship, doctrine, and spiritual life of Anglican Christians across the world.

At The Episcopal Catholic Church, we use the 1662 Book of Common Prayer (International Edition) not as a historical curiosity, but as a living rule of prayer—rooted in Scripture, shaped by the early Church, and ordered to the worship of Almighty God.

Why the 1662?

The 1662 Book of Common Prayer is not simply “old English worship.” It is the doctrinal standard of Anglicanism, the prayer book by which the Anglican faith was clarified, stabilized, and transmitted throughout the world.

We use the 1662 because it is:

• Catholic — in continuity with the ancient Church

• Reformed — purified of medieval abuses

• Biblical — saturated with Holy Scripture

• Disciplinary — forming Christians through ordered prayer

• Missionary — portable, teachable, and universal

Nearly every later Anglican prayer book—English, American, African, or Asian—flows directly from the 1662.

What Does “International Edition” Mean?

The 1662 International Edition preserves:

• The original 1662 texts and theology

• The historic structure and rubrics

• The doctrinal clarity of classical Anglicanism

While providing:

• Accessible spelling and formatting

• Supplemental materials for global use

• Clarifying notes without altering doctrine

In short: nothing essential is changed. Nothing modernized away. Nothing softened.

The 1662 as a Rule of Life

The 1662 Book of Common Prayer is not just for Sundays.

It teaches Christians how to live before God.

Daily Prayer

• Morning Prayer

• Evening Prayer

• The Litany

These offices catechize the soul—training repentance, praise, humility, and trust

Sacramental Life

• Holy Baptism

• Confirmation

• Holy Communion

• Matrimony

• Visitation of the Sick

• Burial of the Dead

Each rite is carefully worded to teach the faith while it is being prayed.

Is the 1662 “Anglo-Catholic”?

Yes—authentically and historically so.

The 1662 affirms:

• Apostolic ministry

• Sacramental grace

• The Real Presence (expressed reverently, not philosophically)

• The Church Year

• Fasting, repentance, and discipline

• The continuity of the Church catholic

Anglo-Catholicism does not add theology to the 1662—it draws out what is already there.

What to Expect When You Worship With Us

If you are new to the 1662, you may notice:

• Reverent language directed to God, not to ourselves

• Scripture read at length and in order

• Clear confession of sin and absolution

• Communion received with humility and preparation

• Worship that feels serious, beautiful, and intentional

You do not need prior experience.

You only need a willingness to pray the Church’s prayer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Isn’t the language outdated?

The language is precise, not outdated. It resists emotional manipulation and teaches us to pray with reverence and clarity.

Is this Roman Catholic?

No. It is Catholic Christianity reformed according to Scripture, standing within the Anglican tradition.

Why not a modern prayer book?

Modern books often reflect theological debates of their moment. The 1662 reflects the settled faith of the Church.

Our Parish Commitment

At The Episcopal Catholic Church, we commit to:

• Teaching the 1662 patiently and clearly

• Celebrating its liturgy faithfully

• Living its spirituality daily

• Passing it on intact to the next generation

We believe the Church does not need novelty. She needs formation.