Concerning Healing and the Laying on of Hands

The Church's ministry to those who are ill in body, mind, or spirit is commanded by Holy Scripture (James 5:14-16). It is also understood as the continuation of the ministry of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ, into whose Body we are grafted by our Baptism. The Church's sacramental ministry to the sick includes Confession and Absolution, Unction (anointing with blessed oil), and Holy Communion together with prayer and the Laying on of Hands. Our Lord often touched those whom he healed, and even modern social science acknowledges the healing power of touch.
    When the healing sacraments are administered to a sick person, with prayer, both the Church's Minister and the sick person will approach the ministry with faith in the reality of God's action through Christ. The sick person, by faith, places himself in God's hands to receive whatever He may give. To not believe in the power of God to heal is to become an obstacle to His desire to heal. However, such faith, and even sacramental ministries, are not spiritual magic, nor some attempt to manipulate the supernatural power of the Holy Trinity. God does act, but in His own way and in His own time. We are certain, however, through the witness of Jesus Christ, of God's love and compassion, and His desire for the salvation of every soul: a desire to make whole or perfect that which is ill or broken.
    While the medical profession concentrates on the physical side of a human being, the Church concentrates on the spiritual side. These are not mutually exclusive ministries, however, but equally important parts of God's care of His people. It is incumbent upon all Christians in need to seek healing of mind and soul, as well as body, and equally to seek God's will in the midst of suffering and illness. Ministry to the sick, of course, also involves ministry to the dying; and for the Christian, this involves preparation for death with the promise of eternal life.
 

Ministration to the Sick

In case of illness, the Priest is to be notified.

The service of Communion of the Sick may be found on page 304.

If desired. the Laying on of Hands and Anointing may take place either after the Prayers of the People or after the Post-Communion prayer before the Blessing at services of Holy Communion. They may also occur os a separate ministration.

Laying on of Hands and Anointing

If oil for the Anointing of the Sick is to be blessed. the Priest says

O Lord, holy Father, giver of health and salvation: Send thy Holy Spirit to sanctify this oil; that, as thy holy apostles anointed many that were sick and healed them, so may those who in faith and repentance receive this holy unction be made whole; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The following anthem may be said

Savior of the world, who by thy cross and precious blood hast redeemed us;
Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.

The Priest then lays hands upon those who desire it and says one of the following

N., I lay my hands upon thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, beseeching our Lord Jesus Christ to sustain thee with his presence, to drive away all sickness of body and spirit, and to give thee that victory of life and peace which will enable thee to serve him both now and evermore. Amen.

or this

N., I lay my hands upon thee in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, beseeching him to uphold thee and fill thee with his grace, that thou mayest know the healing power of his love. Amen.

or this

N., I lay my hands upon thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; beseeching the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all thy pain and sickness of body, mind, and spirit being put to flight, the blessing of health may be restored unto thee. Amen.

If the person is to be anointed, the Priest dips a thumb in the holy oil, and makes the sign of the cross on the sick person's forherad, saying

N., I anoint thee with oil in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

As thou art outwardly anointed with this holy oil, so may our heavenly Father grant thee the inward anointing of the Holy Spirit. Of his great mercy, may he forgive thee thy sins, release thee from suffering, and restore thee to wholeness and strength. May he deliver thee from all evil, preserve thee in all goodness, and bring thee to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Priest concludes

The Almighty Lord, who is a strong tower to all who put their trust in him, to whom all things in heaven, on earth, and under the earth bow and obey: Be now and evermore thy defense, and make thee know and feel that the only Name under heaven given for health and salvation is the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Here a blessing and dismissal may be given.

Prayers for the Sick

For a Sick Person

O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: We humbly beseech thee to behold, visit, and relieve thy sick servant N. for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon him with the eyes of thy mercy; comfort him with a sense of thy goodness; preserve him from the temptations of the enemy; and give him patience under his affliction. In thy good time, restore him to health, and enable him to lead the residue of his life in thy fear, and to thy glory; and grant that finally he may dwell with thee in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Recovery from Sickness

O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to thy servant N. the help of thy power, that his sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

or this

O God of heavenly powers, who, by the might of thy command, drivest away from our bodies all sickness and all infirmity: Be present in thy goodness with thy servant N., that his weakness may be banished and his strength restored; and that, his health being renewed, he may bless thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For a Sick Child

Heavenly Father, watch with us over thy child N., and grant that he may be restored to that perfect health which it is thine alone to give; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

or this

Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd of the sheep, who gatherest the lambs in thy arms and carriest them in thy bosom: We commend to thy loving care this child N. Relieve his pain, guard him from all danger, restore to him thy gifts of gladness and strength, and raise him up to a life of service to thee. Hear us, we pray, for thy dear Name's sake. Amen.

Before an Operation

Almighty God our heavenly Father, graciously comfort thy servant N. in his suffering, and bless the means provided for his cure. Fill his heart with confidence that, though at times he may be afraid, he yet may put his trust in thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

or this

Strengthen thy servant N., O God, to do what he has to do and bear what he has to bear; that, accepting thy healing gifts through the skill of surgeons and nurses, he may be restored to service in thy world with a thankful heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Strength and Confidence

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve thy sick servant N., and give thy power of healing to those who minister to his needs, that he may be strengthened in his weakness and have confidence in thy loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Sanctification of Illness

Sanctify, we beseech thee, O Lord, the sickness of this thy servant; that the sense of his weakness may add strength to his faith, and seriousness to his repentance; and grant that he may dwell with thee in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Despondent

Comfort, we beseech thee, most gracious God, this thy servant, cast down and faint of heart amidst the sorrows and difficulties of the world; and grant that, by the power of thy Holy Spirit, he may be enabled to go upon his way rejoicing, and give thee continual thanks for thy sustaining providence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Doctors and Nurses

Sanctify, O Lord, those whom thou hast called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention of disease and pain. Strengthen them by thy life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the community may be promoted and thy creation glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thanksgiving for a Beginning of Recovery

O Lord, thy compassions never fail and thy mercies are new every morning: We give thee thanks for giving our brother, N. both relief from pain and hope of health renewed. Continue in him, we pray, the good work thou hast begun; that he, daily increasing in bodily strength, and rejoicing in thy goodness, may so order his life and conduct that he may always think and do those things that please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 
Prayers for use by a Sick Person

For Trust in God

O God, the source of all health: So fill my heart with calm faith in thee, that with patient hope I may allow thy love to heal me; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In Pain

Lord Jesus Christ, who by thy patience in suffering, didst both sanctify earthly pain and give us the example of obedience to thy Father's will: When I am weak and in pain, be near me; when I doubt, invite me to touch thy wounds; when I am ill, heal me according to thy will; and whatever the circumstances, grant that I may acknowledge thee my Lord and my God, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

For Sleep

O heavenly Father, who givest thy beloved sleep: Keep me, I beseech thee, in that perfect peace which thou hast promised to those whose minds are stayed on thee; that in the hours of silence I may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

In the Morning

O Lord, who dost see the end from the beginning: Grant that I may be ready for whatever this day may bring forth; if I am to stand up, that I may stand bravely; if I am to sit still, that I may sit quietly; if I am to lie down, that I may do it patiently; if I am to do nothing, that I do it as an offering to thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Appropriate Psalms for use by side persons in their devotions include
Psalm 20, 27, 42, 43, 91, 103, 121, 138, and 146.
 

Ministration at the Time of Death

When a person is near death, the Priest should be notified, in order that the ministrations of the Church may be provided.

Prayers at the Time of Death

O Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits of just men made perfect, after they are delivered from their earthly prisons; we humbly commend the soul of this thy servant, our dear brother, into thy hands, as into the hands of a faithful Creator, and most merciful Savior; beseeching thee, that it may be precious in thy sight. Wash it, we pray thee, in the blood of that immaculate Lamb, that was slain to take away the sins of the world; that whatsoever defilements it may have contracted, through the lusts of the flesh or the wiles of Satan, being purged and done away, it may be presented pure and without spot before thee; through the merits of Jesus Christ thine only
Son our Lord. Amen.

Almighty and merciful God, who bestowest upon mankind both the remedies of health and the gifts of life everlasting: Look mercifully upon thy servant N., now laboring under great weakness of body, and comfort the soul which thou hast created; so that at the hour of his departure, he may be presented without spot by the hands of thy holy Angels unto thee, his Creator. Through thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth God, world without end. Amen.

For a dying child

O Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, who for our sakes didst become a babe in Bethlehem: We commit unto thy loving care this child whom thou art calling to thyself. Send thy holy angel to lead him gently to those heavenly habitations where the souls of those who sleep in thee have perpetual peace and joy, and fold him in the everlasting arms of thine unfailing love; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God world without end. Amen.
 

 
Entering the sick person's room, the Priest shall say

Peace be to this house and to all who dwell in it.

Then he may sprinkle the sick person and others present with holy water, saying

Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, O Lord, and I shall be clean: Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

 
Litany at the Time of Death

O God the Father,
Have mercy upon the soul of thy servant.

O God the Son,
Have mercy upon the soul of thy servant.

O God the Holy Ghost;
Have mercy upon the soul of thy servant.

From all evil, from all sin, from all tribulation;
Good Lord, deliver him.

By thy holy Incarnation, by thy Cross and Passion, by thy precious Death and Burial;
Good Lord, deliver him.

By thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension, and by the coming of the Holy Ghost;
Good Lord, deliver him.

We sinners do beseech thee to bear us, O Lord God; that it may please thee to deliver the soul of thy servant from the power of the evil one, and from eternal death;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee mercifully to pardon all his sins.
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to grant him a place of refreshment and everlasting blessedness;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to give him joy and gladness in thy kingdom, with thy saints in light;
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world;
Have mercy upon him.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world;
Have mercy upon him.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world;
Have mercy upon him.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
    Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father ...

Let us pray:   O Sovereign Lord, who desirest not the death of a sinner; we beseech thee to loose the spirit of this thy servant from every bond, and set him free from all evil; that he may rest with all thy saints in the eternal habitations; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
 

Here the Priest may say

The almighty and merciful Lord grant thee pardon and
remission of all thy sins, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

If Holy Unction is desired, it may follow here, the form for anointing on page 349, or the following, any of which may be omitted for reasonable cause.

At the eyes (which should be closed)

By this holy Unction, and by his most gracious mercy, the Lord pardon thee whatsoever thou hast done amiss by seeing. Amen.

At the ears

By this holy Unction, and by his most gracious mercy, the Lord pardon thee whatsoever thou hast done amiss by hearing. Amen.

At the nostrils

By this holy Unction, and by his most gracious mercy, the Lord pardon thee whatsoever thou hast done amiss by smelling. Amen.

At the lips (which should be closed)

By this holy Unction, and by his most gracious mercy, the Lord pardon thee whatsoever thou hast done amiss by tasting and speaking. Amen.

At the hands

By this holy Unction, and by his most gracious mercy, the Lord pardon thee whatsoever thou hast done amiss by touching. Amen.

At the feet

By this holy Unction, and by his most gracious mercy, the Lord pardon thee whatsoever thou hast done amiss by walking. Amen.

 
A Commendation at the Time of Death

Depart, O Christian soul, out of this world;
In the Name of God the Father Almighty who created thee;
In the Name of Jesus Christ who redeemed thee;
In the Name of the Holy Ghost who sanctifieth thee.
[In communion with the blessed saints, and aided by angels and archangels, thrones and dominations, principalities and powers, and all the armies of the heavenly host:]
May thy rest be this day in peace,
    and thy dwelling place in the Paradise of God.

A Commendatory Prayer

Into thy hands, O merciful Savior, we commend the soul of thy servant, N., now departed from the body. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech thee, a sheep of thine own fold, a lamb of thine own flock, a sinner of thine own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of thy mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Here may be added

Almighty God, look with pity upon the sorrows of thy servants who mourn. Remember them, Lord, in thy mercy; nourish them with patience; comfort them with a sense of thy goodness; lift up thy countenance upon them; and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

Concerning Christian Death and Burial

From the beginning of the Church, Christian burial has been an important and integral part of catholic life. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ put an end to the power of death; thus followers of the Good Shepherd believe that death is but the entrance to new and eternal life with Him. We hope for the final resurrection; and for the body which awaits that resurrection we show a proper reverence.

For one who has lived in Christ and with Christ, death is the beginning of eternal joy with our God and Father. Since the Holy Eucharist is the Church's principal offering of sacrifice, prayer, and praise, it is most appropriate that a Mass of Requiem be celebrated in connection with every Christian's death. This liturgy is a service of thanksgiving (eucharistia) to God for His redemption of an earthly life that has come to an end. It is equally a commitment of one we love to the mercies of God in the faith that He will preserve our loved one in peace. It is an offering in which joy and sorrow are mixed, for while we say an earthly farewell, we know that the dead live in Christ. The Mass points us to the One in whom there is life, for in it we "do show the Lord's death till he come." (I Cor. 11:26)

A Requiem is a testament of triumph and hope, for those of us who remain know that we also journey toward the same eternal home. In the communion of saints we, the Church on earth, are joined with the Church Triumphant and Expectant in worshiping before the same Throne of Grace. In the Holy Eucharist, which transcends all time and space, we are closest to our faithful departed loved ones, joining our prayers and praises to theirs. We pray for them, as we believe that they pray for us, so that all may be strengthened in their lives of service.
 

The Requiem Mass

At the entrance of the ministers, one or more of the following anthems are sung or said

I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord;
he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live;
and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

I know that my Redeemer liveth,
and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth;
and though this body be destroyed, yet shall I see God;
whom I shall see for myself and mine eyes shall behold,
and not as a stranger.

For none of us liveth to himself,
and no man dieth to himself.
For if we live, we live unto the Lord;
and if we die, we die unto the Lord.
Whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord;
even so saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labors.

or the following Introit
 

Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. (psalm 65) Thou, O God, art praised in Zion, and unto thee shall the vow be performed in Jerusalem: thou that hearest the prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Rest eternal ...

Then may br sung or said

The Celebrant says one of the following Collects, first saying

    The Lord be with you.
People     And with thy spirit.
Celebrant Let us pray.

At the Burial of an Adult or at a votive Requiem

or one of the prayers beginning on page 141 may be used.

O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of thy servant(s) N., and grant him an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of thy saints; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

At the Burial of a Child

O God, whose beloved Son did take little children into his arms and bless them: Give us grace, we beseech thee, to entrust this child N. to thy never-failing care and love, and bring us all to thy heavenly kingdom; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The people sit. One or two Lessons, as appointed. are read, the Reader first saying

A Reading (Lesson) from____________

A citation giving chapter and verse may be added.
After each Reading. the Reader may say

    The Word of the Lord.
People   Thanks be to God.

or the Reader may say   Here endeth the Reading (Epistle).

The following Gradual, Tract, and the Sequence Dies Irae are sung, or some other suitable Psalm, hymn, or anthem may follow each Reading. The King James version of Psalm 23 may be found on page 381.
 

Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance: he will not be afraid of any evil tidings.

Absolve, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed: from every chain of sin. And by the help of thy grace, may they be worthy to escape the judgment of condemnation: and attain the fruition of everlasting light.

 
Then, all standing. the Deacon or a Priest reads the Gospel, first saying
 

    The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to__________
People   Glory be to thee, O Lord.

After the Gospel, the Reader says

    The Gospel of the Lord.
People   Praise be to thee, O Christ.

A homily may be preached, the people being seated.

Then is said the following form of the Prayers of the people, the Deacon, or other Leader saying

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

Almighty God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son Christ our Lord: Grant, we beseech thee, to thy whole Church in paradise and on earth, thy light and thy peace. Amen.

Grant that all who have been baptized into Christ's death and resurrection may die to sin and rise to newness of life, and that through the grave and gate of death we may pass with him to our joyful resurrection. Amen.

Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet by faith, that thy Holy Spirit may lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days. Amen.

Grant to thy faithful people pardon and peace, that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind. Amen.

Grant to all who mourn a sure confidence in thy fatherly care, that, casting all their grief on thee, they may know the consolation of thy love. Amen.
 

Give courage and faith to those who are bereaved, that they may have strength to meet the days ahead in the comfort of a reasonable and holy hope, in the joyful expectation of eternal life with those they love. Amen.

Help us, we pray, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe and trust in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to life everlasting. Amen.

Grant us grace to entrust N. to thy never-failing love; receive him into the arms of thy mercy, and remember him according to the favor which thou bearest unto thy people. Amen.

Grant that, increasing in knowledge and love of thee, he may go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in thy heavenly kingdom. Amen.

 
Grant us, with all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, to have our consummation and bliss in thy eternal and everlasting glory, and, with [the Blessed Virgin Mary, Blessed N. and] all thy saints, to receive the crown of life which thou dost promise to all who share in the victory of thy Son Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Confession of Sin may be said here, the Deacon or Celebrant saying

Ye who do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways: Draw near with faith, [and this holy Sacrament to your comfort,) and make your humble confession to Almighty God, devoutly kneeling.

or this

Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.

Silence may be kept.

Minister and People

Almighty God,
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
maker of all things, judge of all men:
We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness,
which we from time to time most grievously have committed,
by thought, word, and deed, against thy divine Majesty,
provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us.
We do earnestly repent,
and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings;
the remembrance of them is grievous unto us,
the burden or them is intolerable.
Have mercy upon us,
have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may ever hereafter
serve and please thee in newness of life,
to the honor and glory or thy Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

or this

Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against thee
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved thee with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors .. ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in thy will,
and walk in thy ways,
to the Glory of thy Name. Amen.

The Bishop when present, or the Priest, stands and says

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him, have mercy upon you, + pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Peace traditionally occurs following the Fraction, or, if desired, it may be said here. All stand, the Celebrant saying to the people

    The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People   And with thy spirit.
 

At the Offertory, the following, or some other suitable hymn, psalm, or anthem may be said or sung

O Lord Jesus Christ, King of Majesty, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from the hand of hell, and from the pit of destruction: deliver them from the lion's mouth, that the grave devour them not; that they go not down to the realms of darkness: but let Michael, the holy standard-bearer, make speed to restore them to the brightness of glory: which thou hast promised in ages past to Abraham and his seed. Sacrifice and prayer do we offer to thee, O Lord: do thou accept them for the souls departed, in whose memory we make this oblation: and grant them, Lord, to pass from death unto life: which thou hast promised in ages past to Abraham and his seed.

The Celebrant may then face the people and say

Pray, brethren, that this my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father Almighty.

People
May the Lord receive this sacrifice at thy hands, to the praise and Glory of his Name, both to our benefit and that of all his holy Church.

 
The Great Thanksgiving

Alternate forms will be found beginning on page 269

The people remain standing. The Celebrant, whether bishop or priest, faces them and sings or says

    The Lord be with you.
People   And with thy spirit.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People   We un them up unto the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
People   It is meet and right so to do.

Then, facing the Altar, the Celebrant proceeds

It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who rose victorious from the dead, and doth comfort us with the blessed hope of everlasting life; for to thy faithful people, O Lord, life is changed, not ended; and when our mortal body doth lie in death, there is prepared for us a dwelling place in the heavens.

Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name, evermore praising thee, and saying,

Celebrant and People

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts:
Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Glory be to thee, 0 Lord Most High.

Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

The people kneel. Then the Celebrant continues

All glory be to thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that thou of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption; who made there, by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again.

At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it, or lay a hand upon it, and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to be consecrated.

For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. "

Likewise, after supper, he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink ye all of this; for this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins. Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me. "

Wherefore, O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the institution of thy dearly beloved Son our Savior Jesus Christ, we, thy humble servants, do celebrate and make here before thy divine Majesty, with these thy holy gifts, which we now offer unto thee, the memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; rendering unto thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same.

And we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us; and of thy almighty goodness, vouchsafe to bless and sanctify, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, these thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine; that we, receiving them according to thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ's holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.

And we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we, and all thy whole Church, may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion.

And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee that we, and all others who shall be partakers of this Holy Communion, may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction, and made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him.
 

Here may be added

Remember, Lord, also the souls of thy servants and handmaidens, which are gone before us with the mark of faith, and rest in the sleep of peace, [N. (and N.)]. We beseech thee, O Lord, that unto them, and unto all such as rest in Christ, thou wilt grant a place of refreshing, of light, and of peace. And vouchsafe to give unto us some portion and fellowship with thy holy Apostles and Martyrs ... , and with all thy Saints; within whose fellowship we beseech thee to admit us.

 
And although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offenses, through Jesus Christ our Lord; By whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.

And now, as our Savior Christ bath taught us, we are bold to say,

People and Celebrant

Our Father, who art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy Name,
    thy kingdom come,
    thy will be done,
        on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
    as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
    for ever and ever. Amen.

The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread.

A period of silence is kept.

Then may be sung or said

[Alleluia.] Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. [Alleluia.]

In Lent, Alleluia is omitted, and may be omitted at other times except during Easter season.
 

or the following

    The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People   And with thy spirit.

 
The following is then sung or said

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
    grant them rest.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
    grant them rest.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
    grant them rest eternal.

The following prayer may be said. The people may join in saying this prayer

We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, [that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and] that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

Facing the people, the Celebrant may say the following Invitation

The Gifts of God for the People of God
and may add
take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
 

or the following

Behold the Lamb of God; behold him that taketh away the sins of the world.

Celebrant and people

Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my soul shall be healed.

 
The ministers receive the Sacrament in both kinds, and them immediately deliver it to the people. During the ministration of Communion. The following, or other suitable hymns, Psalms, or anthems may be sung.
 

May light eternal shine, O Lord, upon them, for endless ages with thy blessed ones, for thou art gracious. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them, for endless ages with thy blessed ones, for thou art gracious.

 
After Communion the Celebrant says
 

    The Lord be with you.
People   And with thy spirit.

 
Let us pray.

The People may join in saying this prayer

Almighty God, we thank thee that in thy great love thou hast fed us with the spiritual food and drink of the Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, and hast given unto us a foretaste of thy heavenly banquet. Grant that this Sacrament may be unto us a comfort in affliction, and a pledge of our inheritance in that kingdom where there is no death, neither sorrow nor crying, but the fullness of Joy with all thy saints; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

If the body is not present, the service continues with the following dismissal. If the body is present, unless the Committal follows immediately in the church, the following Commendation is used, or the Absolution of the Dead, page 378.

Priest     The Lord be with you.
People   And with thy spirit.
Priest     May they rest in peace.
People   Amen.
 

The Commendation

The Celebrant and other ministers take their places at the body.

This anthem, or some other suitable anthem, or a hymn, may be sung or said.

Give rest, O Christ, to thy servant(s) with thy saints,
where sorrow and pain are no more,
neither sighing, but life everlasting.

Thou only art immortal, the creator and maker of mankind; and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and unto earth shall we return. For so thou didst ordain when thou createdst me, saying, "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return". All we go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Give rest, O Christ, to thy servant(s) with thy saints,
where sorrow and pain are no more,
neither sighing, but life everlasting.

The Celebrant, facing the body, says

Into thy hands, O merciful Savior, we commend the soul of thy servant N. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech thee, a sheep of thine own fold, a lamb of thine own flock, a sinner of thine own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of thy mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

The people are dismissed in the following manner

Priest     The Lord be with you.
People   And with thy spirit.
Priest     May they rest in peace.
People   Amen.

As the body is born from the church, a hymn, or one or more of these anthems may be sung or said

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and giving life to those in the tomb.

The Sun of Righteousness is gloriously risen, giving light to those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death.

The Lord will guide our feet into the way of peace, having taken away the sin of the world.

Christ will open the kingdom of heaven to all who believe in his Name, saying, Come, 0 blessed of my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you.

Into paradise may the angels lead thee; and at thy coming may the martyrs receive thee, and bring thee into the holy city Jerusalem. [May the choirs of angels receive thee, and mayest thou, with Lazarus once poor, have everlasting rest.]
 

Absolution of the Dead

The Celebrant and other ministers take their places at the body. The Celebrant then says

Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified, unless thou grant him remission of all his sins. We therefore beseech thee, let not the sentence of thy judgment press hard upon him, whom the reasonable prayer of thy faithful Christian people commendeth unto thee: but grant that by the succor of thy grace, he who while living was sealed with the sign of the Holy Trinity, may be counted worthy to escape thine avenging judgment. Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.

This Responsory is then sung or said.

Deliver me, O Lord, from death eternal in that day of trembling: when heaven and earth shall be shaken: when thou shalt come to judge the world by fire.

V. Trembling taketh hold upon me, and fearfulness, as the sifting draweth on and the wrath to come: when heaven and earth shall be shaken.

R. Ah, that day, that day of anger, of calamity and misery; ah that great day, and exceeding bitter! When thou shalt come to judge the world by fire.

V. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them.

Deliver me, O Lord ...

The Priest having put incense into the censer and blessed it, the following is said

Priest     Lord, have mercy upon us.
People   Christ, have mercy upon us.
Priest     Lord, have mercy upon us.

And the Priest says aloud:

Our Father:

While the Lord's Prayer is being silently repeated, the Priest goes around the bier, sprinkling it with holy water thrice on each side; in 1ike manner, he censes it thrice on each side, and then says aloud

V. And lead us not into temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.
V. From the gate of hell.
R. Deliver his soul, O Lord.
V. May he rest in peace.
R. Amen.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto thee.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.

O God, whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive: receive our humble petitions, for the soul of thy servant N. (thine handmaid N.), whom thou hast bidden to depart out of this world: deliver him not into the hand of the enemy, neither forget him forever; but command thy holy Angels to receive him and bring him into the country of paradise; that forasmuch as he hoped and believed in thee, he may not suffer the pains of hell, but possess the joys of eternal life. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then the Priest, making the sign of the cross over the bier, says

V. Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord.
R. And let light perpetual shine upon him.
V. May he rest in peace.
R. Amen.

Again making the sign of the cross over the bier, the Priest says

May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

While the body is being borne from the church to the grave, the following anthem may be said or sung

May the Angels lead thee into Paradise; and the Martyrs receive thee and bring thee into the holy city Jerusalem. May the choirs of Angels receive thee, and mayest thou, with Lazarus once poor, have everlasting rest.
 

Psalm 23 King James Version

The Lord is my Shepherd; *
I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; *
he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul; *
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for his Name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; *
    for thou art with me;
    thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; *
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The Committal

At the grave or other place of interment, the following anthem is sung or said.
 

    In the midst of life we are in death; of whom may we seek for succor, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased?
    Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, O holy and most merciful Savior. deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death.
    Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts; shut not thy merciful ears to our prayer; but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty. O holy and merciful Savior. thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us not, at our last hour, for any pains of death, to fall from thee.

or this

   All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
    He that raised up Jesus from the dead will also quicken our mortal bodies. by his Spirit that dwelleth in us.
    Wherefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
   Thou shalt show me the path of life; in thy presence is the fullness of joy, and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore.

Then while earth is cast upon the coffin, the Celebrant says these words

Unto almighty God, we commend the soul of N., our brother departed, we commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection unto eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord; at whose coming in glorious majesty to judge the world, the earth and the sea shall give up their dead; and the corruptible bodies of those who sleep in him shall be changed, and made like unto his own glorious body; according to the mighty working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself.

Then may be said or sung

I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, (Write:) From henceforth blessed are the dead who die in the Lord: even so saith the Spirit; for they rest from their labors.

Hen may follow the Benedictus Dominus Deus

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, *
    for be hath visited and redeemed his people;
And hath raised up a mighty salvation for us *
    in the bouse of his servant David,
As be spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, *
    which have been since the world began:
That we should be saved from our enemies, *
    and from the hand of all that hate us;
To perform the mercy promised to our forefathers, *
    and to remember his holy covenant;
To perform the oath which he sware to our forefather Abraham, *
    that he would give us,
That we being delivered out of the band of our enemies •
    might sene him without fear,
In boldness and righteousness before him, •
    all the days of our life.
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the highest, *
    for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord
    to prepare his ways;
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people *
    for the remission of their sins,
Through the tender mercy of our God, *
    whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us;
To give light to them that sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death, *
    and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord:
    And let light perpetual shine upon him.

I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, (Write:) From henceforth blessed are the dead who die in the Lord: even so saith the Spirit; for they rest from their labors.

Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People       And with thy spirit.
Celebrant Let us pray.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
    Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy Name,
    thy kingdom come,
    thy will be done,
        on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
    as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
    for ever and ever. Amen.

The Priest may sprinkle the body or ashes with holy water. Then he may say

O Almighty God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, who by a voice from heaven didst proclaim, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord: Multiply, we beseech thee, to those who rest in Jesus the manifold blessings of thy love, that the good work which thou didst begin in them may be made perfect unto the day of Jesus Christ. And of thy mercy, O heavenly Father, grant that we, who now serve thee on earth, may at last, together with them, be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; for the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In place of this prayer, or in addition to it, the Celebrant may use any of the Additional Prayers.

Then may be said

Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord:
And let light perpetual shine upon him.

May he rest in peace. Amen.

May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
 

Additional Prayers

Almighty and everlasting God, we yield unto thee most high praise and hearty thanks for the wonderful grace and virtue declared in all thy saints, who have been the choice vessels of thy grace, and the lights of the world in their several generations; most humbly beseeching thee to give us grace so to follow the example of their steadfastness in thy faith, and obedience to thy holy commandments, that at the day of the general resurrection, we, with all those who are of the mystical body of thy Son, may be set on his right hand, and hear that his most joyful voice: "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Grant this, O Father, for the sake of the same thy Son Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits of those who depart hence in the Lord, and with whom the souls of the faithful, after they are delivered from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and felicity: We give thee hearty thanks for the good examples of all those thy servants, who, having finished their course in faith, do now rest from their labors. And we beseech thee that we, with all those who are departed in the true faith of thy holy name, may have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, in thy eternal and everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Into thy hands, O Lord, we commend thy servant N., our dear brother, as into the hands of a faithful Creator and most merciful Savior, beseeching thee that he may be precious in thy sight. Wash him, we pray thee, in the blood of that immaculate Lamb that was slain to take away the sins of the world; that, whatsoever defilements he may have contracted in the midst of this earthly life being purged and done away, he may be presented pure and without spot before thee; through the merits of Jesus Christ thine only Son our Lord. Amen.

Remember thy servant, O Lord, according to the favor which thou bearest unto thy people; and grant that, increasing in knowledge and love of thee, he may go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in thy heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead: We give thee thanks for all thy servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to them thy mercy and the light of thy presence; and give us such a lively sense of thy righteous will, that the work which thou hast begun in them may be perfected; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen.

O God, whose days are without end, and whose mercies cannot be numbered: Make us, we beseech thee, deeply sensible of the shortness and uncertainty of life; and let thy Holy Spirit lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days; that, when we shall have served thee in our generation, we may be gathered unto our fathers, having the testimony of a good conscience; in the communion of the Catholic Church; in the confidence of a certain faith; in the comfort of a reasonable, religious, and holy hope; in favor with thee our God; and in perfect charity with the world. All which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, father of mercies and giver of all comfort: Deal graciously, we pray thee, with all those who mourn, that casting every care on thee, they may know the consolation of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray thee to set thy passion, cross, and death, between thy judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living, pardon and rest to the dead, to thy holy Church peace and concord, and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who by thy death didst take away the sting of death; grant unto us thy servants so to follow in faith where thou hast led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in thee, and awake up after thy likeness; through thy mercy, who livest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

 
A Commemoration of the Saints and Faithful Departed

Let us commemorate before God the saints and faithful departed.

V. The righteous live for evermore;
R. Their reward also is with the Lord.

O God, the King of saints, we praise and magnify thy holy Name for all thy servants who have finished their course in thy faith and fear; for the blessed Virgin Mary; for the holy patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs; and for all other thy righteous servants, known to us and unknown; and we beseech thee that, encouraged by their examples, aided by their prayers, and strengthened by their fellowship, we also may be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; through the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.