111 Author Name Here SL 48 (2018) 111-126 Sacraments and global realities: A dialogue JANET WALTON AND CLÁUDIO CARVALHAES* INTRODUCTION C láudio Carvalhaes: When I went to Union Teological Seminary to do my PhD, I didn’t know what would happen to me. During my six years there, I had the guidance and wisdom of Professor Janet Walton, whose sacramental heart was always near the poor. So I felt at home. Her advisory presence and challenging thoughts made me understand the sacraments in new ways. My time there brought me back to my people, to the poor. Now, with a new light. Janet Walton: At commencement when Claudio received his PhD hood, immediately, he took it of, walked to the back of the room, and put his hood on his mother. It was a stunning moment. Not only was Claudio thanking his mother for all she had done but also he was enlarging the moment for everyone else. He was commissioning us to see all those who are invisible. Sacraments compel other actions. 1. PERSONAL STORY – JANET R. WALTON When I was born, I was baptized before I lef the hospital. It was a common practice. Te nurses did so out of fear that if I died before baptism I would go to limbo where my soul would linger forever. My parents did not have anything to do with what the nurses did. Tey were not asked. Troughout my life at home, we went to Mass every Sunday without fail. Everything revolved around this tradition of ours. Why? We were taught that if we * Janet Walton (jwalton@uts.columbia.edu) is Professor Emerita of Worship at Union Teological Seminary in New York City, New York. Cláudio Carvalhaes (ccarvalhaes@uts.columbia.edu) serves as Associate Professor of Worship at Union Teological Seminary in New York City, New York.