The Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament (CBS) was founded in 1862 as part of the Catholic Revival in the Church of England: it is the oldest devotional society in the Church of England for Priests and Laity. Its aim was to be, first of all, a confraternity (brotherhood) of men and women praying and working for a greater devotion to Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Today it is no longer confined to England alone but has spread to many places within the Anglican Communion of churches, especially in Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and parts of Africa. There is a separate, self-governing CBS in the USA.

Wherever possible members of CBS meet together in local Wards for prayer, worship and mutual support under the guidance of a priest as Ward Superior. The Ward at St. Giles is for the whole of Reading and meets each month. The dates for 2010 are below.

21st Jan            18th Feb            18^th Mar 15^th Apr             20th May 17^th Jun

15^th Jul 16^th Sept           21st Oct             18^th Nov

Saturday, June 5th - National Festival at S. Alban's, Holborn

The Objects of CBS

The Confraternity exists for the advancement of the catholic faith in the Anglican Tradition and in particular to promote:

· The honour due to Jesus Christ our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament of his Body and Blood,

· Prayer for one another at the Eucharist,

· Careful preparation for and reception of Holy Communion, including the Eucharistic fast,

· The reverent and dignified celebration of the Eucharist and the reservation and veneration of the Blessed Sacrament,

· The continuance of the catholic priesthood, and

· Catholic theological teaching, learning and development.

www.confraternity.org.uk