The coronation is so long, so impressive, so full of things to see, that it is easy for the press and for the public to focus on its least important events, and to miss its two most important events: the anointing of the Queen with holy oil after prayer to the Holy Ghost; the receiving by the Queen of Christ's Body and Blood. So many things happen during a coronation that worshippers overlook one small ceremony.

The Archbishop of Canterbury places a ring on the fourth finger of the Queen's right hand. The ring bears a cross. The English nickname it their wedding ring. There is no reason for us Canadians not to do the same. Worshippers can be so awestruck by the crowns and coronets, by the processions, by the length of her Majesty's train, that they may not see one small ring on one small hand.

When the Archbishop delivers this ring, he says, "The seal of catholic faith. As thou art consecrated to be our head and prince, continue steadfast as the defender of Christ's religion, that being rich in faith and blessed in all good works, you may reign with Him who is King of kings." The seal of catholic faith. Now that is an interesting expression, the seal of catholic faith.

At any wedding, we are all conscious of the ring. A child may carry it on a cushion of satin or velvet for all the congregation to see. The priest prays over it, "Sanctify this ring that it may be to these thy servants a token of their solemn vows and a pledge of pure and endlesss love." (BCP [Canada] 1962, p 566) The man says to the woman, "With this ring I thee wed." A moment later the priest says, "Send thy blessing on this man and this woman that they may keep the covenant betwixt them made, whereof the ring given and received is a token and pledge." (p 567) At the reception after there are the customary jokes about the Best Man nearly losing the ring. We are all conscious of the connection between weddings and rings.

Sealing wax is no longer common among us Time was when people put wax on parcels for the post. Time was when registered letters were sealed with wax. In the ancient world, jars of wine were sealed for transportation. A mother might seal containers of food in her pantry. (No little hands into the cookie jars.) To this day, important legal and ecclesiastical documents bear not only signatures but also seals. An imprint is made in the wax while it is still warm and soft. The imprint is made with a signet ring or with a stamp, each of which can bear the initials or the coat-of-arms or the logo of its owner. National documents bear not only the Queen's signature but also her coat-of-arms marked into the wax. Even documents put out by our insignificant diocesan office say, "Given under our hand and seal."

The seal, then, is associated with security and protection, with authority and ownership. The thinking goes like this: "This is my jar of wine. Here is my seal to prove it. If you break my seal in order to drink some wine, I shall know. True, you can cover the theft with fresh wax, but that wax will not bear my mark, for I alone possess my seal."

Two ideas come together. The wedding ring of England. The seal of catholic faith. The Queen is bonded to us. We are bonded to her. Vows say so. The ring given and received is a token and pledge. The catholic faith is to protect and sanctify us all. When the Queen is handed a sword from off the altar, she is told to protect the holy church of God. Her orb is surmounted by the cross. Her several sceptres are surmounted either by crosses, which speak of Jesus, or by doves, which speak of the Holy Spirit. The Queen symbolises and defends the catholic faith in the life of the nation, because both church and state are under the judgement of God. Society in this world is to prepare us for society in the next.