The Lex Orandi series takes this approach out of an ancient conviction, rediscovered in the twentieth century, that God acts in the sacraments precisely through their symbolic function. Instead of mysteries that substantially hide what they contain, sacraments (as the most intense expressions of the Church's faith) are actually highpoints of God's self-manifestation in Christ, and thus sources of power for the Church to witness that faith and serve the world.

The primary goal of the Lex Orandi series is to investigate the sacraments as liturgical events in order to discover in them the faith understanding of Christian life of which they are both the source and the summit. As books that take their starting point from the adage lex orandi, lex credendi (the way the Church prays reflects the way the Church believes), individual volumes will focus on the theology of each sacrament that is found in the rites of that particular sacrament.

"Sacramental Orders would make an excellent text for seminary and college courses. Because of its clarity of presentation and methodology, it would also bring together doctrinal themes in ecclesiology and ministry for those in formation towards the permanent diaconate. I look forward to hearing more from Susan Wood and to the other volumes in the Lex Orandi Series."
Antiphon