Adherents of theosophy, the esoteric philosophy popular at the turn of the 20th century, believed that science and religion could be reconciled, and here, in this 1920 book, the renowned spiritualist Charles W. Leadbeater, a leader of theosophical thought, examines the Catholic Mass from a theosophical perspective, demonstrating how the rites and rituals of the Eucharist, Baptism, Holy Orders, and the other sacraments harness a mystical magic that unites worshippers in one divine spirit.

The Science of the Sacraments can be defined as ‘a new idea of Church worship’ for it presents a clairvoyant description of the inner or invisible side of the traditional Catholic rites. The central theme of the book is that a sacrament is ‘an outer and visible sign of an inner, spiritual grace.’ The author examines the far-reaching effect of ceremonies like the Holy Eucharist which benefit not only those attending it but also the community at large with its strong radiation of peace. The book is of great value for those interested to know the hidden realities of life.

Drawing on both traditional spiritual belief about the power at work during the Mass and modern concepts of a paranormal connection between the corporeal and the otherworldly, this is a work that will intrigue those of great faith as well as students of comparative mythology.

British author Charles Webster Leadbeater (1854-1934), was ordained as an Anglican priest, but later joined the prominent Theosophical Society and traveled to India to study alternative spiritual and occult practices, eventually settling into his life as a clairvoyant and author.

Charles Webster Leadbeater (1847-1934),  was Church of England clergyman until he joined the Theosophical Society in 1883. He spent some years in Sri Lanka working for the revival of Buddhism, and later became the Presiding Bishop of the Liberal Catholic Church, which seeks to combine the preservation of the Catholic sacraments with the widest measure of freedom of thought and interpretation of the scriptures.

He was a highly developed clairvoyant and the author of over thirty books on the spiritual life and on the psychic nature of man. He unfolded and perfected his own psychic faculties under the guidance of his Adept teacher and in 1893 began his clairvoyant investigations, on occasion collaborating with Annie Besant, the second President of the Theosophical Society. His worldwide lectures presented a new viewpoint to thousands of people.