The Book of Common Prayer
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    The Book of Common Prayer of
the Church of Ireland (1926): Holy Communion

 

THE ORDER FOR THE

ADMINISTRATION OF THE

LORD'S SUPPER,

OR

HOLY COMMUNION.

SO many as intend to be partakers of the Holy Communion shall signify their names to the Curate, at least some time the day before.

¶ If the Minister shall have knowledge or reasonable ground to believe that any person who is living in open and notorious sin intends to come to the Holy Communion so that scandal would thereby arise, he shall privately admonish him not to presume to come to the Lord's Table till the cause of offence shall have been removed; and in every such case the Minister shall have regard to the Canons relating thereto.

¶ The Table, at the Communion-time having a fair white linen cloth upon it, shall stand in the Body of the Church, or in the Chancel. And the Priest standing at the north side of the Table shall say the Lord's Prayer, with the Collect following, the people kneeling.

¶ The Minister shall say the Service following in a distinct and audible voice.

OUR Father, which 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.

THE COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse thethoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

 

Note that several of the Prayers were changed or added afterbbb 1949, when Ireland became a Republic and left the Commonwealth.
Items marked "R.I." are for use in the Republic of Ireland, and were added since 1949; items marked "N.I." are for use in Northern Ireland, and were always part of this book.

¶ Then shall the Priest, turning to the people, rehearse distinctly all the TEN COMMANDMENTS; and the people still kneeling shall, after every Commandment, ask God mercy for their transgression thereof for the time past, and grace to keep the same for the time to come, as followeth: [provided the responses by the people as hereinafter set forth after each of the Commandments other than the fourth and the tenth may be omitted, in which case the response after the fourth Commandment shall be: Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.]*

Minister.
GOD spake these words, and said; I am the LORD thy God: Thou shalt have none other gods but me.
    People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
    Minister. Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or n the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, and visit the sins of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and shew mercy unto thousands in them that love me and keep my commandments.
    People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
    Minister. Thou shalt not take the Name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain.
    People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
    Minister. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all that thou hast to do; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God. In it thou shalt do no manner of work, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, thy cattle, and the stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the seventh day and hallowed it.
    People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
    Minister. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
    People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
    Minister. Thou shalt do no murder.
    People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
    Minister. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
    People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
    Minister. Thou shalt not steal.
    People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
    Minister. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
    People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
    Minister. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is his.
    People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and write all these thy laws in our hearts, we beseech thee.

Or, he may rehearse instead of the Ten Commandments (which, however, shall be said at least once on the Lord's Day, and on the great festivals, when there is a celebration of Holy Communion) our Blessed Lord's Summary of the Law, as followeth:

    Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith:
    Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great Commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.
    People. Lord, have mercy upon us, and write these thy laws in our hearts, we beseech thee.

Let us pray.

 

 

* Added since 1936.

¶ Then shall follow one of these two Collects for the King (except when the King has been prayed for in any Service used along with this Office, or when the Prayer For the whole state of Christ's Church is said), the Priest standing as before, and saying,

N.I.[ALMIGHTY God, whose kingdom is everlasting, and power infinite ; Have mercy upon the whole Church; and so rule the heart of thy chosen servant GEORGE, our King and Governor, that he (knowing whose minister he is) may above all things seek thy honour and glory: and that we and all his subjects (duly considering whose authority he bath) may faithfully serve, honour, and humbly obey him, in thee, and for thee, according to thy blessed Word and ordinance; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Or,

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, we are taught by thy holy Word, that the hearts of kings are in thy rule and governance, and that thou. dost dispose and turn them as it seemeth best to thy godly wisdom : We humbly beseech thee so to dispose and govern the heart of GEORGE thy servant, our King and Governor, that, in all his thoughts, words, and works, he may ever seek thy honour and glory, and study to preserve thy people committed to his charge, in wealth, peace, and godliness : Grant this, O merciful Father, for thy dear Son's sake, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.]

Then shall be said the Collect of the Day, and after the Collect one of the Ministers shall read the Epistle, saying, The Epistle is written in the chapter of —— beginning at the —— verse. And the Epistle ended, he shall say, Here endeth the Epistle. Then shall one of the Ministers read the Gospel (the people all standing up) saying, The holy Gospel is written in the —— chapter of the Gospel according to —— beginning at the —— verse. Here may be said or sung, Glory be to thee, O Lord. And after the Gospel ended, Thanks be to thee, O Lord, or Hallelujah. Then shall be sung or said the Creed following, commonly called the Nicene Creed, the people still standing as before.

I BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible:
    And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, Begotten of his Father before all worlds God of God Light of Light, Very God of very God, Begotten, not made, Being of one substance with the Father By whom all things were made: Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man, And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead: Whose kingdom shall have no end.
    And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord, and Giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one Catholick and Apostolick Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the Resurrection of the dead, And the life of the world to come, Amen.
 

 

¶ Then the Curate shall declare unto the people what Holy-days, or Fasting-days, are in the week following to be observed. And then also (if occasion be) shall notice be given of the Communion; Banns of Matrimony shall be published, and such other matters as may be directed by the Ordinary. And nothing shall be proclaimed or published in the Church during the time of Divine Service, but by the Minister; nor by him any thing but what is prescribed in the Rules of this Book, or enjoined by the General Synod of the Church of Ireland, or permitted by the Ordinary of the place.

¶ Here followeth the Sermon.

¶ Then shall the Priest return to the Lord's Table, and begin the Offertory, saying one or more of these Sentences following, as he thinketh most convenient in his discretion.

LAY not up for yourselves treasure upon the earth, where the rust and moth doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven; doth corrupt, and where where neither rust nor moth doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal.
St. Matthew 6. 19, 20.
 
    Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do unto them for this is the Law and the Prophets.
St. Matthew 7. 12.
 
    Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20. 35.
 
    Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
St. Matthew 7. 21.
 
    Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
St. Matthew 5. 16.
 
    He that soweth little shall reap little; and he that soweth plenteously shall reap plenteously. Let every man do according as he is disposed in his heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity for God loveth cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9. 6, 7.
 
    Godliness is great riches if a man be content with that he hath: for we brought nothing into the world, neither may we carry any thing out.
1 Timothy 6. 6, 7.
 
    Charge them who are rich in this world, that they be ready to give, and glad to distribute; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may attain eternal life.
1 Timothy 6. 17, 18, 19.
 
    To do good, and to distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Hebrews 13. 16.
 
    Ye shall not appear before the LORD empty. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.
Deuteronomy 16. 16, 17.

    Do ye not know, that they who minister about holy things live of the sacrifice; and they who wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord also ordained, that they who preach the Gospel shall live of the Gospel.
1 Corinthians 9. 13, 14.
 
    If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your worldly things?
1 Corinthians 9. 11.
 
    Let him that is taught in the Word minister unto him that teacheth, in all good things. Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he reap.
Galatians 6. 6, 7.

    God is not unrighteous, that he will forget your works, and labour that proceedeth of love ; which love ye have shewed for his Name's sake, who have ministered unto the saints, and yet do minister.
Hebrews 6. 10.
 
    While we have time, let us do good unto aft men; and specially unto them that are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6. 10.
 
    Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1 St. John 3. 17.
 
    He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD: and look, what he layeth out, it shall be paid him again.
Proverbs 19. 17.
 
    Blessed be the man that provideth for the sick and needy: the LORD shall deliver him in the time of trouble.
Psalm 41. 1.

    Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest: and he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
St. John 4. 35, 36.

After which may be said one of these following:

(For CHRISTMAS.)
    Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
2 Corinthians 8. 9.

(For EASTER.)
    Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast.
1 Corinthians 5. 7, 8.

(For ASCENSION.)
When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Ephesians 4. 8.

(For WHITSUNTIDE.)
    God hath sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
2 Corinthians 1. 22.

(Upon TRINITY SUNDAY.)
    Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1. 17.

    Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious Name: for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.
1 Chronicles 29. 11, 13, 14.

¶ Whilst these Sentences are in reading, or whilst, in addition to the Sentences, an Anthem or Hymn is sung, the Deacons, Church. wardens, or other fit persons appointed for that purpose, shall receive the alms for the Poor, and other devotions of the people; and reverently bring them to the Priest, who shall humbly present and place them upon the holy Table. But, subject to the control of the Ordinary, alms may be collected at other times during Divine Service, with or without the use of the Offertory Sentences ; provided that when the Holy Communion is celebrated, a collection shall be made as here directed.

¶ And when there is a Communion the Priest shall then place upon the Table so much Bread and Wine as he shall think sufficient, if this have not been already done.
 

 

¶ The Priest shall then say,

    Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's Church militant here in earth,

ALMIGHTY and ever-living God, who by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications and to give thanks, for all men; We humbly beseech thee most mercifully If no oblations ...[to accept our alms and oblations, and] to receive these our prayers which we offer unto thy
Divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the universal Church with the spirit of truth unity, and concord: And grant, that all they that do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.
    N.I.[We beseech thee also to save and defend all Christian Kings, Princes, and Governors ; and especially thy servant GEORGE our King; that under him we may be godly and quietly governed: And grant unto his whole Council, and to all that are put in authority under him, that they may truly and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion, and virtue.]
    R.I.[We beseech thee also so to direct and dispose the hearts of all Christian Rulers, that they may truly and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion, and virtue.]
    Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops and Curates, that they may both by their life and doctrine set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments:
And to all thy People give thy heavenly grace; and especially to this Congregation here present; that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear and receive thy holy Word; truly serving thee In holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.
    And we most humbly beseech thee of thy goodness, O Lord to comfort and succour all them, who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity.
    And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear; beseeching thee to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom: Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
 

 

¶ When the Minister giveth warning for the celebration of the Holy Communion, he may read this Exhortation following, or such part of it as he thinketh most convenient:

DEARLY beloved, on — day next I purpose, through God's assistance, to administer to all such as shall be religiously and devoutly disposed the most comfortable Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ; to be by them received In remembrance of his meritorious Cross and Passion; whereby alone we obtain remission of our sins, and are made partakers of the kingdom of heaven. Wherefore it is our duty to render most humble and hearty thanks to Almighty God our heavenly Father for that he hath given his Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, not only to die for us, but also to be our spiritual food and sustenance in that holy Sacrament. Which being so divine and comfortable a thing to them who receive it worthily, and so dangerous to them that will presume to receive it unworthily; my duty is to exhort you in the mean season to consider the dignity of that holy mystery, and the great peril of the unworthy receiving thereof and so to search and examine your own consciences, (and that not lightly, and after the manner of dissemblers with God; but so) that ye may come holy and clean to such a heavenly Feast, in the marriage garment required by God in holy Scripture, and be received as worthy partakers of that holy Table.
    The way and means thereto is; First, to examine your life and conduct by the rule of God's commandments; and whereinsoever ye shall perceive yourselves to have offended, either by will, word, or deed, there to bewail your own sinfulness, and to confess yourselves to Almighty God, with full purpose of amendment of life. And if ye shall perceive your offences to be such as are not only against God, but also against your neighbours; then ye shall reconcile yourselves unto them; being ready to make restitution and satisfaction, according to the uttermost of your powers, for all injuries and wrongs done by you to any other and being likewise ready to forgive others that have offended you, as ye would have forgiveness of your offences at God's hand: for otherwise the receiving of the Holy Communion doth nothing else but increase your condemnation. Therefore if any of you be a blasphemer of God, an hinderer or slanderer of his Word, an adulterer, or be in malice, or envy, or in any other grievous crime, repent you of your sins, or else come not to that holy Table; lest, after the taking of that holy Sacrament, the devil enter into you, as he entered into Judas, and fill you full of all iniquities, and bring you to destruction both of body and soul.
    And because it is requisite, that no man should come to the Holy Communion, but with a full trust in God's mercy, and with a quiet conscience; therefore if there be any of you, who by this means cannot quiet his own conscience herein, but requireth further comfort or counsel, let him come to me, or to some other discreet and learned Minister of God's Word, and open his grief; that by the ministry of God's holy Word, he may receive the benefit of absolution, together with spiritual counsel and advice, to the quieting of his conscience, and avoiding of all scruple and doubtfulness.

Or, in case he shall see the people negligent to come to the Holy Communion, instead of the former, he shall use this Exhortation:

DEARLY beloved brethren, on —— I intend, by God's grace, to celebrate the Lord's Supper: unto which, in God's behalf, I bid you all that are here present; and beseech you, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, that ye will not refuse to come thereto, being so lovingly called and bidden by God himself. Ye know how grievous and unkind a thing it is, when a man hath prepared a rich feast, decked his table with all kind of provision, so that there lack&h nothing but the guests to sit down; and yet they who are called (without any cause) most unthankfully refuse to come. Which of you in such a case would not be moved? Who would not think a great injury and wrong done unto him? Wherefore, most dearly beloved in Christ, take ye good heed, lest ye, withdrawing yourselves from this holy Supper, provoke God's indignation against you. It is an easy matter for a man to say, I will not communicate, because I am otherwise hindered with worldly business. But such excuses are not so easily accepted and allowed before God. If any man say, I am a grievous sinner, and therefore am afraid to come: wherefore then do ye not repent and amend? When God calleth you, are ye not ashamed to say ye will not come? When ye should return to God, will ye excuse yourselves, and say ye are not ready? Consider earnestly with yourselves how little such feigned excuses will avail before God. They that refused the feast in the Gospel, because they had bought a farm, or would try their yokes of oxen, or because they were married, were not so excused, but counted unworthy of the heavenly Feast. I, for my part, shall be ready; and, according to mine office, I bid you in the Name of God, I call you in Christ's behalf, I exhort you, as ye love your own salvation, that ye will be partakers of this Holy Communion. And as the Son of God did vouchsafe to yield up his soul by death upon the Cross for your salvation; so it is your duty to receive the Communion in remembrance of the sacrifice of his death, as he himself hath commanded: which if ye shall neglect to do, consider with yourselves how great injury ye do unto God, and how sore punishment hangeth over your heads for the same; when ye wilfully abstain from the Lord's Table, and separate from your brethren, who come to feed on the banquet of that most heavenly food. These things if ye earnestly consider, ye will by God's grace return to a better mind: for the obtaining whereof we shall not cease to make our humble petitions unto Almighty God our heavenly Father.

¶ At the time of the celebration of the Communion (those who do not intend to communicate having had opportunity to withdraw), the Communicants being conveniently placed for the receiving of the holy Sacrament, the Priest may say this Exhortation,

    Note, that if this Exhortation be not read at the time of the celebration of the Communion, it shall, nevertheless, be read to the people by the Curate at such times as he shall think fit, and at the least three times in the year.

DEARLY beloved in the Lord, ye that mind to come to the Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, must consider how Saint Paul exhorteth all persons diligently to prove and examine themselves, before they presume to eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup. For as the benefit is great, if with a true penitent heart and lively faith we receive that holy Sacrament; (for then we spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, and drink his blood; then we dwell in Christ, and Christ in us; we are one with Christ, and Christ with us;) so is the danger great, if we receive the same unworthily. For then we are guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ our Saviour; we eat and drink judgement to ourselves, not considering the Lord's Body. Judge therefore yourselves, brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord; repent you truly for your sins past; have a lively and stedfast faith in Christ our Saviour; amend your lives, and be in perfect charity with all men; so shall ye be meet partakers of those holy mysteries. And above all things ye must give most humble and hearty thanks to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, for the redemption of the world by the death and passion of our Saviour Christ, both God and man; who did humble himself, even to the death upon the Cross, for us miserable sinners, who lay in darkness and the shadow of death; that he might make us the children of God, and exalt us to everlasting life. And to the end that we should alway remember the exceeding great love of our Master, and only Saviour, Jesus Christ, thus dying for us, and the innumerable benefits which by his precious blood-shedding he hath obtained to us; he hath instituted and ordained holy mysteries, as pledges of his love, and for a continual remembrance of his death, to our great and endless comfort. To him therefore, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, let us give (as we are most bounden) continual thanks; submitting ourselves wholly to his holy will and pleasure, and studying to serve him in true holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. Amen.  
 

 

¶ Then shall the Priest say to them that come to receive the Holy Communion,

YE that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, 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 take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God, meekly kneeling upon your knees.

¶ Then shall this general Confession be made, in the name of all those that are minded to receive the Holy Communion, by one of the Ministers; both he and all the people kneeling humbly upon their knees, and saying,

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 those 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 (or the Bishop, being present,) stand up, and turning himself to the people, Pronounce this Absolution:

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of 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.

¶ Then shall the Priest say,

    Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all that truly turn to him.

COME unto me all that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you.
St. Matthew 11. 28.
 
    So God loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, to the end

that all that believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
St. John 3.16.

Hear also what Saint Paul saith.
    This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
1 Timothy 1. 15.

Hear also what Saint John saith.
    If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins.
1 St. John 2.1,2.

¶ After which the Priest shall proceed, saying,

LIFT up your hearts.
    Answer. We lift them up unto the Lord.
    Priest. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
    Answer. It is meet and right so to do.

¶ Then shall the Priest turn to the Lord's Table, and say,

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.

¶ Here shall follow the Proper Preface, according to the time, if there be any specially appointed: or else immediately shall follow,

THEREFORE with An gels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name, evermore praising thee, and saying,
    Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord most high. Amen.
 

 

PROPER PREFACES.

Upon CHRISTMAS DAY, and seven days after.

BECAUSE thou didst give Jesus Christ thine only Son to be born as at this time for us who, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, was made very man of the substance of the Virgin Mary his mother; and that without spot of sin, to make us clean from all am. Therefore with Angels, etc.

Upon EASTER DAY, and seven days after.

BUT chiefly are we bound to praise thee for the glorious Resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord: for he is the very Paschal Lamb, which was offered for us, and hath taken away the sin of the world; who by his death hath destroyed death, and by his rising to life again hath restore to us everlasting life. Therefore with Angels, etc.

Upon ASCENSION DAY, and seven days after.

THROUGH thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who after his most glorious Resurrection manifestly appeared to all his Apostles, and in their sight ascended up into heaven to prepare a place for us; that where he is, thither we might also ascend, and reign with him in glory. Therefore with Angels, etc.

Upon WHITSUNDAY, and six days after.

THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord; who after that he had ascended up far above all the heavens, and was set down at thy right hand, did as at this time pour forth upon the children of adoption thy holy and life-giving Spirit; that through his glorious power the joy of the everlasting Gospel might come abroad into all the world; whereby we have been brought out of darkness and error into the clear light and true knowledge of thee and of thy Son Jesus Christ. Therefore with Angels, etc.

Upon the Feast of TRINITY only.

WHO with shine only begotten Son and the Holy Ghost art one God, one Lord; in Trinity of Persons, and m Unity of Substance: for that which we believe of thy glory, O Father, the same we believe of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, without any difference or inequality. Therefore with Angels, etc.

¶ After each of which Prefaces shall immediately be sung or said,

THEREFORE with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord most high, Amen.

¶ Then shall the Priest, kneeling down at the Lord's Table, say in the name of all them that shall receive the Communion this Prayer following:

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.
 

 

¶ When the Priest, sanding before the Table, hath so ordered the Bread and Wine, that he may with the more readiness and decency break the Bread before the people, and take the Cup into his hands, he shall, standing at the north side of the Table, say the Prayer of Consecration, as followeth:

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who 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, until his coming again: Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech thee; and grant that we receiving these thy creatures of bread and wine, according to thy Son Priest's manual actionsour Saviour Jesus Christ's holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood:
    Who, in the same night that he was betrayed, (a) took Bread ; and, when he had given thanks, (b) he brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat; (c) this is my Body which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise after supper he (d) took the Cup; and, when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this : for (e) this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you andfor many for the remission of sins: Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Minister first receive the Communion in both kinds himself, and then proceed to deliver the same to the Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, in like manner (if any be present), and after that to the people also in order, into their hands, all meekly kneeling. And when he delivereth the Bread to any one, he shall say,

THE Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart by faith with thanksgiving.

¶ And the Minister that delivereth the Cup to any one shall say,

THE Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ's Blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.

¶ If the consecrated Bread or Wine be all spent before all have communicated, the Priest is to consecrate more, according to the Form before described; beginning at Our Saviour Christ in the same night, etc., for the blessing of the Bread; and at Likewise after supper, etc. for the blessing of the Cup.

¶ When all have cornmunicated, the Minister shall return to the Lord's Table, and reverently place upon it what remaineth of the consecrated Elements, covering the same with a fair linen cloth.

¶ Then shall the Priest say the Lord's Prayer, the people repeating after him every petition.

OUR Father, which 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: For thine is the kingdom, The power, And the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

¶ After shall be said either or both of the following Prayers:

O LORD and heavenly Father, we thy humble servants entirely 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 ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee, that all we, who are partakers of this Holy Communion, may be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction.
    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, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and ever living 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, 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 Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
 

 

Then, all standing up, shall be said or sung Gloria in excelsis, as followeth:

GLORY be to God on high, and in earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
    O Lord, the only begotten Son Jesu Christ: O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
    For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

¶ Then the Priest (or the Bishop, if he be present) shall let them depart with this Blessing, the people kneeling:

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 Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen.

Collects which may be said after the Collect of the Day, or before the Blessing at the discretion of the Minister.

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

ALMIGHTY God, with whom do live the spirits of them that depart hence in the Lord; We humbly beseech thee that it may please thee, of thy gracious goodness, shortly to accomplish the
number of thins elect, and to hasten thy kingdom; that we, with all those that 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.

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.

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the words, which we have heard this day with our outward ears, may through thy grace be so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that they may bring forth in us the fruit of good living, to the honour and praise of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PREVENT us, O Lord, all our doings with thy most gracious favour, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally by thy mercy obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

MOST merciful Father, we beseech thee to send upon the ministers of thy Word and Sacraments thy heavenly blessing; that - they may be clothed with righteousness, and that thy Word spoken by their mouths may have such success, that it may never be spoken in vain. Grant also, we humbly pray thee, that thy people may have grace to hear and receive what they shall deliver out of thy most holy Word, or agreeable to the same; to the honour and glory of thy Name, and the increase of thy kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O GOD, who hast made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the whole earth, and didst send thy blessed Son to preach peace to them that are afar off, and to them that
are nigh; Grant that the peoples of the world may feel after thee and find thee; and hasten, O Lord, the fulfilment of thy promise to pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In the Ember Weeks.

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father who hast purchased to thyself an universal Church by the precious blood of thy dear Son: Mercifully look upon the same, and at this time so guide and govern the minds of thy servants the Bishops and Pastors of thy flock, that they may lay hands suddenly on no man, but faithfully and wisely make choice of fit persons to serve in the sacred Ministry of thy Church. And to those which shall be ordained to any holy function give thy grace and heavenly benediction; that both by their life and doctrine they may set forth thy glory, and set forward the salvation of all men; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Or this, which may also be used on the day on which Deacons or Priests are ordered.

ALMIGHTY God, the giver of all good gifts, who of thy Divine Providence hast appointed divers Orders in thy Church; Give thy grace, we humbly beseech thee, to all those who are to be*On the day of ordering, 'this day' instead of 'to be' called to any office and administration in the same; and so replenish them with the truth of thy doctrine, and endue them with innocency of life, that they may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great Name, and the benefit of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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, who hast promised to hear the petitions of them that ask in thy Son's Name; We beseech thee mercifully to incline thine ears to us that have made now our prayers and supplications unto thee; and grant that those things which we have faithfully asked according to thy will, may effectually be obtained, to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting forth of thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ A Prayer which may be used after the collection, when there is no Communion.

ALMIGHTY God, we humbly beseech thee to accept the offerings which we have presented unto thee, and mercifully to receive our supplications and prayers; and grant that those things which we have faithfully asked according to thy will, may effectually be obtained, to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting forth of thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

 

Upon Sundays and Holy-days (if there be no Communion) all shall be said as appointed up to the Prayer For the whole state of Christ's Church militant here in earth; which Prayer may in such case be said, or omitted, at the discretion of the Minister; and then shall follow one or more of the Collects; concluding with the Blessing.

And there shall be no celebration of the Lord's Supper, except there be three (or two at the least) of the people to communicate with the Priest.

And in Cathedral and Collegiate Churches, and Colleges, where there are many Priests and Deacons, they shall all receive the Communion with the Priest every Sunday at the least, except they have a reasonable cause to the contrary.

On occasions sanctioned by the Ordinary, this Office may begin with the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel.

And to take away all occasion of dissension, and superstition, which any person hath or might have concerning the Bread and Wine, the Bread shall be such as is usual to be eaten; but the best and purest Wheat Bread that conveniently may be gotten.

And if any remain of the Bread and Wine which was consecrated, it shall not be carried out of the Church, but the Priest, and such other of the Communicants as he shall then call unto him, shall, immediately after the Blessing, reverently eat and drink the same.

All Ministers shall exhort their people to communicate frequently. And every Parishioner shall from time to time be exhorted to contribute regularly of his substance to the maintenance of the worship of God, according as God shall prosper him.

And when, by reason of numbers, it is inconvenient to address to each Communicant separately the words appointed to be said on delivering the Bread and the Cup, the words may, with the consent a/the Ordinary, be said once to as many as shall together kneel for receiving the Communion at the holy Table: provided that the words shall be said separately to any Communicant so desiring it.
 

 

Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing rubrics, it shall be lawful for a person being a regular Communicant, to administer the Cup at Holy Communion for a particular occasion or for a limited period, only when specifically authorised in writing so to do by the Bishop of the Diocese. The deilcery of the Cup by such persons may be made only on the invitation of the Minister. The Bishop may at any time withdraw any authorisation given.

After the Divine Service ended, the money given at the Offertory shall be disposed of to such pious and charitable uses as the Minister and Churchwardens shall thank fit. Wherein if they disagree, it shall be disposed of as the Ordinary shall appoint.

WHEREAS it is ordained in this Office for the Administration of the Lord's Supper, that the Communicants should receive the same kneeling; (which order is well meant, for a signification of our humble and grateful acknowledgement of the benefits of Christ therein given to all worthy receivers, and for the avoiding of such profanation and disorder in the Holy Communion, as might otherwise ensue;) yet, lest the same kneeling should by any persons, either out of ignorance and infirmity, or out of malice and obstinacy, be misconstrued and depraved; It is here declared, That thereby no adoration is intended, or ought to be done, either unto the Sacramental Bread or Wine there bodily received or unto any Corporal Presence of Christ's natural Flesh and Blood. For the Sacramental Bread and Wine remain still in their very natural substances, and therefore may not be adored: (for that were Idolatry, to be abhorred of all faithful Christians;) and the natural Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ are in Heaven, and not here; it being against the truth of Christ's natural Body to be at one time in more places than one.
 

This rubric added since 1936.

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