THE BLESSlNG OF A CIVIL MARRIAGE

If persons, having been married by civil authorities, desire to receive the blessing of the Church upon their union, the Priest shall demand the certificate of the Civil Marriage; and if he is satisfied that they are truly married, and that their marriage is not contrary to the Canons and Rules of the Church of India, Pakistan, Burma, and Ceylon, having received permission from the Bishop, he shall proceed ill the following form.

The mall and the woman standing before the altar, the Priest shall say to them,

FORASMUCH as you have been already joined together in marriage, and have now come to ask the Church's blessing thereon: I shall now ask you both to promise by the help of God to fulfil the obligations which Christian marriage demands.

Then shall he say to the man,

N. DOST thou acknowledge this woman as thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony?
Answer. I do.

WILT thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health? and, for­saking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?
Answer. I will.

Then shall the Priest say unto the woman,

N. DOST thou acknowledge this man as thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony?
Answer. I do.

WILT thou love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health? and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?
Answer. I will.

Theil shall the man and the woman kneel down, and the Priest shall say this Blessing:

GOD the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you; and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.

        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; In earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Priest. O Lord, save thy servant, and thy hand­maid;
Answer. Who put their trust in thee.
Priest. O Lord, send them help from thy holy place;
Answer. And evermore defend them.
Priest. Be unto them a tower of strength;
Answer. From the face of their enemy.
Priest. O Lord, hear our prayer;
Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.
 

Priest

O GOD of our fathers, bless these thy servants, and sow the seed of eternal life in their hearts; that whatsoever in thy holy Word they shall profitably learn, they may in deed fulfil the same; that so, obeying thy will, and alway being in safety under thy protection, they may abide in thy love unto their lives' end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The following Prayer shall be added, if it be deemed fitting:

O MERCIFUL Lord and heavenly Father, by whose gracious gift mankind is increased: Bestow, we beseech thee, upon these two persons the heritage and gift of children; and grant that they may live together so long in godly love and honesty, that they may see their children christianly and virtuously brought up, to thy praise and honour; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This Prayer shall follow.

O GOD, who hast taught us that it should never be lawful to put asunder those whom thou by Matrimony hadst made one, and hast consecrated the state of Matrimony to such an excellent mystery, that in it is signified and represented the spiritual marriage and unity betwixt Christ and his Church: Look mercifully upon these thy servants, that both this man may love his wife, according to thy Word, (as Christ did love his spouse the Church; who gave himself for it, loving and cherishing it even as his own flesh,) and also that this woman may be loving and amiable, and faithful to her husband, and in all quietness, sobriety, and peace, be a follower of holy and godly matrons. O Lord, bless them both, and grant them to inherit thy everlasting kingdom; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Priest say this Blessing:

ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Pour upon you the riches of his grace, sanctify and bless you, that ye may please him both in body and soul, and live together in holy love unto your lives' end. Amen.

lt is very desirable that the persons whose marriage is thus blessed should receive the Holy Communion immediately after the ceremony.

If there is a special celebration of the Lord's Supper at the time of the Blessing, the Priest shall use the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel appointed at the end of the Marriage Service; and the foregoing Prayer and Blessing shall be said over the man and woman immediately before the final blessing of the congregation at the Communion.

If there be no Communion, the Priest shall dismiss those that are gathered together, saying,

Let us pray.

O ALMIGHTY Lord, and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies, in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy commandments; that through thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen.

Note.—No entry of such a Blessing of a Civil Marriage shall be made in a Marriage Register. A record of every such Blessing shall be sent forthwith to the Bishop in the form prescribed.
 

A SERVICE OF
PRAYER FOR THE SICK
WITH LAYING ON OF HANDS

The Service may begin with the singing of a Hymn.

Then shall the Minister say,

IN the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

All kneeling, the Minister shall say:

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; In earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Minister. O Lord, save thy servants;
Answer. Who put their trust in thee.
Minister. Send them help from thy holy place;
Answer. And evermore mightily defend them.
Minister. Be unto them, O Lord, a strong tower;
Answer. From the face of their enemy.
Minister. O Lord, hear our prayers;
Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.

Minister

O LORD of all grace and blessing, behold, visit, and relieve these thy servants. Look upon them with the eyes of thy mercy, give them comfort and sure confidence in thee, defend them from the danger of the enemy, and keep them in perpetual peace and safety; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
    Hear us, Almighty and most merciful God and Saviour; extend thy accustomed .goodness to these thy servants who are grieved with sickness. Amen.
    Sanctify this trial unto them, that the sense of their weakness may add strength to their faith, and seriousness to their repentance. Amen.
    May it be thy good pleasure to restore them to their former health, that so they may Ii ve the rest of their lives in thy fear, and to thy glory. Amen.
    And whatsoever the issue that thou shalt ordain for them, give them grace to be so conformed to thy will, that they may be made meet to dwell with thee in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O LORD Jesu Christ, thou great Physician: Look with thy gracious favour upon these thy servants; give wisdom and skill to those who minister to them in their sickness; bless all the means used for their recovery; stretch forth thy hand and, according to thy will, restore them to health and strength, that they may live to praise thee for thy goodness and thy grace; to the glory of thy holy name. Amen.
 

Here the Address may be given the need for repentance and faith as a preparation for receiving the divine healing.

After the Address the Minister shall say:

Let us confess our sins to our heavenly Father.

ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus fi 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 of 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 honour and glory of thy name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Priest stand and pronounce this Absolution:

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of fi his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all them that 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 congregation standing, there shall be said or sung the following Antiphon and Psalm:

Antiphon: O Saviour of the world, who by thy Cross and precious blood hast redeemed us: save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.

Psalm 121

I WILL lift up mine eyes unto the hills; * from whence cometh my help?
    2 My help cometh even from the Lord, * who hath made heaven and earth.
    3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; * and he that keepeth thee will not sleep.
    4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel * shall neither slumber nor sleep.
    5 The Lord himself is thy keeper; * the Lord is thy defence upon thy right hand;
    6 So that the sun shall not burn thee by day, * neither the moon by night.
    7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; *" yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul.
    8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in, * from this time forth for evermore.
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, *" and to the Holy Spirit;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, *" world without end. Amen.

Antiphon. O Saviour of the world, who by thy cross and precious blood hast redeemed us: save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.

Then shall be read the following Short Lesson:

NOW when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him: and he laid his hands on everyone of them, and healed them.   St Luke 4.40.
Answer. Thanks be to God.
 

Then shalt the congregation be moved to pray in silence for the sick, especially for those upon whom hands are to be laid.

After the silence the Minister shall say:

O ALMIGHTY God, who art the giver of all health, and the aid of them that seek to thee for succour: We call upon thee for thy help and goodness mercifully to be showed upon these thy servants, that being healed of their infirmities, they may live to the glory of thy holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE Almighty Lord who is a most strong tower to all them that put their trust in him, to whom all things in heaven, in earth, and under the earth, do bow and obey, be now and evermore your de­fence; and make you know and feel, that there is none other name under heaven given to man, in whom and through whom you may receive health and salvation, but only the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Then shall he lay hands upon each of those who desire it, using the following words:

IN the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Prince of life, I lay my hands upon thee for the healing of soul and mind and body. May the grace of God be with thee. Amen.

After the laying on of hands the Minister shall say:

    Let us give thanks to God for all his blessings, saying together:
    All. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Spirit;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
    Minister. Let us bless the Lord;
    Answer. Thanks be to God.

The Minister

UNTO God's gracious. mercy and protection we commit you. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace, both now and evermore. Amen.

If the Minister so desire, he may pray in his own words instead of using the prayers before the Address. A Hymn may be sling before or after the Address, and before the final thanksgiving.

Note.—This Service should not be regarded as an alternative to ordinary medical treatment and nursing. The special skill and knowledge of the doctor take effect more readily when the patient is at peace with God and submits to his holy will in love and confidence. The ministrations of the priest are complementary to those of the doctor. Both should work in subordination to God, to whom alone belong health, strength, and every other blessing.
 

THE
ORDER OF COMMUNION

WITH THE RESERVED SACRAMENT

1. According to long-established custom in the Church the Priest may, with the permission of the Bishop and according to the conditions he prescribes, reserve so much of the Consecrated Gifts as may be required for the Com­munion of the sick, and others who could not be present at the celebration in church.

2.  In the absence of a Priest, a Deacon may administer from the Reserved Sacrament, but he shall use the Collect for the Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity instead of the Absolution, and The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ &c. instead of the Blessing.

3. When this Order is used for those unable to be present at a celebration of the Lord's Supper but who are not sick, it shall be used with the Collect, Epistle and Gospel of the Day. At the discretion of the Minister other parts of the Order for the Lord's Supper (except the setting apart of the Bread and Wine and the Prayer of Consecration) may be added.

4. When this Order is used for the sick, it is fitting that a table be prepared at a convenient place in the sick person's house. The table shall be covered with a clean white cloth, whereon is to be placed a vessel containing a little water. The Priest shall come at the appointed time, bearing the Reserved Sacrament, and shall place it upon the table.

If the sick person is not too weak, the Priest may begin with the Collect, Epistle and Gospel of the Day, or else with the following:

The Collett

ALMIGHTY Father, giver of life and health: Look mercifully, we beseech thee, on this thy servant, that by thy blessing upon him and upon those who minister to him, he may speedily be restored to health, if it be thy gracious will, and live to the glory of thy holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Or this,

ASSIST us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayers, and dispose the way of thy servant towards the attainment of everlasting salvation; that among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, he may ever be defended by thy most gracious and ready help; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. 2 Corinthians 1. 3

BLESSED be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

The Gospel. St John 10. 15, 27-30

I AM the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me, even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which hath given them unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to pluck them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.
 

Then the Priest and those present shall say the General Confession from the Order for the Lord's Supper, the Priest adding the Absolution and the Comfortable Words, or else the following shortened Confession and Absolution may be used:

DRAW near with faith, and take this Holy Sacra­ment to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God.

WE confess to God Almighty, The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, That we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, Through our own grievous fault. Wherefore we pray God to have mercy upon us.

After which the Priest shall pronounce this Absolution,

ALMIGHTY God have mercy upon you, forgive you all your sins, deliver you from all evil, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lerd. Amen.

Then shall the Priest and those who are to receive the Sacrament say together:

WE do not presume to come to this thy Table, a 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. Butthouart 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.

Then may be said,

O LAMB of God, that takest away the sin of the world, Have mercy upon us.
    O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, Have mercy upon us.
    O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, Grant us thy peace.

After a short space of silence the Priest shall deliver the Sacrament to the sick person with the customary words of administration.

If the Sacrament is administered in both kinds together, it shall be administered into the mouth of the sick person with the following words: The Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life.

After a short silence the Priest and all present shall repeat together the Lord's Prayer:

OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done; In earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. Andlead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

Then the Priest shall say,

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee, for that thou dost vouchsafe to feed us, who have duly received these holy mysteries. with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs through hope of thy everlasting king­dom, by the merits of the most precious death and passion of thy dear Son. And we most humbly beseech thee, a heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, world without end . Amen.

And the Blessing,

THE peace of God, which passeth all understand­ing, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen.

Note, that when extreme sickness or other circumstances shall so require, it shall suffice to use only the following parts of the above form: Confession, Absolution, Administration, Lord's Prayer and the Blessing.
 

A FORM OF SERVICE FOR
THE BURIAL OF
AN UNBAPTIZED INFANT

When a child of Christian parents dies unbaptized, the following sentences may be said on the way to the grave:

WE brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.   1 Timothy 6,7; Job 1. 21

HE shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom.   Isaiah 40.11

When they come to the grave, this Psalm shall be said:

Psalm 23

THE Lord is my shepherd; If therefore can I lack nothing.
  2 He shall feed me in a green pasture, If and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
    3 He shall convert my soul, * and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness, for his name's sake.
    4 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 comfort me.
    5 Thou shalt prepare a table before me in the presence of them that trouble me; * thou hast anoin­ted my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
    6 But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; * and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Note that Glory be to the Father, &c., is not said after the Psalm.

Then may be read one of the following lessons:

Jeremiah 31. 15

THUS saith the Lord: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children; she refuseth to be comforted. for her children, because they are not. Thus saith the Lord: Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded,saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope for thy latter end, saith the Lord; and thy children shall come again to their own border.

Or, Baruch 4. 19

GO your way, O my children, go your way: for I am left desolate. I have put off the garment of peace, and put upon me the sackcloth of my petition: I will cry unto the Everlasting as long as I live. Be of good cheer, O my children, cry unto God, and he shall deliver you from the power and hand of the enemies. For I have trusted in the Everlasting, that he will save you; and joy is come unto me from the Holy One, because of the mercy which shall soon come unto you from the Ever­lasting your Saviour. For J sent you out with mourning and weeping: but God will give you to me again with joy and gladness for ever.

As the body is being laid in the grave, the Minister shall say:

UNTO God's loving mercy we commit this child, that he may grant him a share in the unsearch able riches of the redemption wrought by his Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
 

Then, while the earth shall be cast upon the body by some standing by, the Minister shall say:

HEAR the words of our Saviour Christ: Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.   St. Matthew 18. 10

Then shall the Minister say,

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; In earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Then shall be said one or more of the following Prayers:

ALMIGHTY God, the fountain of all wisdom, who knowest our necessities before we ask, and our ignorance in asking: We beseech thee to have com­passion upon our infirmities; and those things, which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blind­ness we cannot ask, vouchsafe to give us, for the worthiness of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

O GOD, whose ways are hidden and thy works most wonderful, who makest nothing in vain and lovest all that thou hast made: Comfort thou thy servants, and grant that they may so love and serve thee in this life, that they may obtain the fulness of thy promises in the world to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O ALMIGHTY God, who out of the mouths of . babes and sucklings hast ordained strength, and madest infants to glorify thee by their deaths: Mortify and kill all vices in us, and so strengthen us by thy grace, that by the innocency of our lives, and constancy of our faith even unto death, we may glorify thy holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O GOD, heavenly Father, hear, we beseech thee, our prayers for these thy servants, who in their sorrow desire to lift up their hearts to thee, and to be enabled by thy grace humbly to accept thy will. Console and comfort these thy servants, we beseech thee, O Father of mercy and God of all comfort, and grant them the assurance of thy unfailing love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
 

A FORM OF SERVICE
FOR THE BURIAL
OF PERSONS FOR WHOM THE PRAYER BOOK SERVICE MAY NOT BE USED

The Minister shall await the body at the grave. When the body has been brought to the graveside, he shall say:

Psalm 130

OUT of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord; * Lord, hear my voice.
    2 O let thine ears consider well * the voice of my complaint.
    3 If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, * O Lord, who may abide it?
    4 For there is mercy with thee; * therefore shalt thou be feared.
    5 I look for the Lord; my soul doth wait for him; * in his word is my trust.
    6 My soul fleeth unto the Lord * before the morn­ing watch, I say, before the morning watch.
    7 O Israel, trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, * and with him is plenteous redemp­tion.
    8 And he shall redeem Israel * from all his sins.

Note that Glory be to the Father, &c., is not said after the Psalm.

Then may be read this Lesson:

St John 5. 25

VERILY, verily I say unto you, The hour cometh. and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself, even so gave he to the Son also to have life in himself: and he gave him authority to execute judgement, because he is the Son of Man. Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done ill, unto the resurrection of judgement.

While the body is being made ready to be laid into the earth, and is actually being interred, the Minister shall say:

MAN that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up, and is cut down, like a flower; he fleeth as it were a shadow, and nevercontinueth in one stay.

IN the midst of life we are in death: of whom may we seek for succour, 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 Saviour, 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 Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternal; suffer us not, at our last hour, for any pains of death, to fall from thee.

Then shall the Minister say,

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

OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be th name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done In earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day ou daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As w forgive them that trespass against us. And lead u not into temptation; But deliver us from eviI. Amen

ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast n away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious Majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, now and ever. Amen.

O GOD, whose ways are hidden and whose works past understanding, who makest nothing in vain and lovest all that thou hast made: Deal gra­ciously, we pray thee, with those who mourn because of this bereavement, that casting every care on thee, they may know the consolation of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amell.

ALMIGHTY God, the fountain of all wisdom, who knowest our necessities before we ask, and our ignorance in asking: We beseech thee to have compassion upon our infirmities; and those things, which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask, vouchsafe to give us, for the worthiness of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Minister say,

THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.

 THE ORDERING OF PRIESTS

A PERMISSIVE CEREMONY

OF VESTING IN A CHASUBLE

After adjusting the stole, the Bishop may vest each newly ordained Priest in a chasuble, saying,

TAKE this vesture, which betokens charity: be­cause God is able to give thee an increase of charity, and to make thee perfect in every good work to do his will.
    The Priest shall answer, Thanks be to God.
 

A SERVICE OF

SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

The Leader appointed to conduct the Service shall follow the Order appointed for the celebration of the Lord's Supper to the end of the Intercession, omitting the Offertory. He shall then say:

Let us humbly confess our sins to God.

All, kneeling, shall say together:

WE confess to God Almighty, The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, That we have sinned in thought, word and deed, Through our own grievous fault. Wherefore we pray God to have mercy upon us.
    O Lord, we beseech thee, mercifully hear our prayers, And spare all those who confess their sins unto thee; That they, whose consciences by sin are accused, By thy merciful pardon may be absolved; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
    Almighty God have mercy upon us, Forgive us all our sins, Deliver us from all evil, Confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, And bring us to ever­lasting life; Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall silence be kept for a space, after which the Leader shall say:

ALMIGHTY God, whom today thy whole Church throughout the world is adoring in the blessed Memorial of thy dear Son: Mercifully grant that we too, drawing near by faith, may obtain remission of our sins and all other benefits of his passion and risen life. Cleanse and uplift us, so that we, being joined together in the holy fellowship of thine elect, and made one with our blessed Saviour, may dare to offer and present ourselves also, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee. And although we be 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 offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be unto thee, a Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.

Theil shall all say together the Lord's Prayer, to be followed by:

O LAMB of God, that takest away the sin of the world, Have mercy upon us.
    O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, Have mercy upon us.
    O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, Grant us thy peace.

Here shall silence be kept for a space of about two minutes for spiritual communion with our Lord.

After the silence the Leader shall say:

Let us bless the Lord.
Answer. Thanks be to God.

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we most heartily n thank thee for that thou hast refreshed us with this spiritual communion, and dost assure us of thy favour and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs through hope of everlasting kingdom, by the merits of the most precious death and passion of thy dear Son. And we most humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

The Service shall end by all saying together:

THE Lord bless us, and keep us; the Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us; the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon us, and give us peace, now and for evermore. Amen.