LAYING ON OF HANDS ON THE SICK.

(The psalm may be omitted if the sick person is too weak to be able to bear a long service).

The priest and people will say:

Saviour of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have set us free: save us and help us, we humbly pray you, Lord.

(Psalm 121).

I look to the mountains:
Where will my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
who has made heaven and earth.
May he not let me fall;
may my protector keep awake:
The protector of Israel
does not doze or sleep:
The Lord will guard you;
He is by your side to protect you.
The Sun will not hurt you during the day,
nor the moon during the night.
The Lord will protect you from all danger;
He will keep you safe.
He will protect you as you come and go,
from now on and forever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and always shall be: for ever and ever. Amen.

Saviour of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have set us free: save us and help us, we humbly pray you, Lord.

Let us pray:

Almighty God, you are the giver of all health, and the helper of those who ask for your help; we call on you for your help and goodness to be shown on this your servant N ...... that he (she) may be healed of his (her) weakness and may give thanks to you in your holy Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The priest shall lay hands on the sick person.

(He may invite a few other christians to share in the laying on of hands.)

The priest says:

In the Name of God most high, may you be released from your pain, and have your health given back to you according to his holy will In the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of life, may your mortal body be filled with new life. In the name of the Holy Spirit, may you receive inward health and peace which is more than we can understand, and may the God of peace himself make you completely holy: and may your spirit, soul and body be kept wholly safe, without blame, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Then the priest shall say:

May the Almighty God, who is a very strong defence to all who put their trust in him, whom all things in heaven and earth and under the earth bow down to and obey, be now and always your defence; and make you know and feel that there is no other name under heaven given to man in whom you may receive health and salvation, except the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Into God’s loving kindness and safe keeping we give you. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine on you and be kind to you. The Lord lift up the light of his face on you and give you peace, now and forever. Amen.

Go in peace; Love and serve the Lord, be full of joy in the power of the Holy Spirit. And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be with you and stay with you for ever. Amen.
 

HOLY ANOINTING.

When the sick person is dying, and there is no time, the priest may leave out everything except the actual anointing and laying on of hands.

The priest and people shall say:

Saviour of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have set us free; save us and help us, we humbly pray you, Lord.

(Psalm 23.)

The Lord is my shepherd;
I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.
He gives me new strength.
He guides me in the right way, as he has promised.
Even if that way goes through a valley as dark as death, I will not be afraid, Lord, because you are with me.
Your shepherd’s rod and staff keep me safe.
You prepare a banquet for me, where all my enemies can see me; you welcome me by pouring ointment on my head and filling my cup to the brim.
Certainly your goodness and love will be with me as long as I live; and your house will be my home forever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now and always shall be: for ever and ever. Amen.

Saviour of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have set us free: save us and help us, we humbly pray you, Lord.

Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

Almighty God, you are the giver of all health, and the helper of those who ask for your help: we call on you for your help and goodness to be shown on this your servant N ...... that he (she) may be healed of his weakness and may give thanks to you in your holy church, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with you.

The priest anoints the sick person on his forehead in the form of a cross, saying,

N ...... in the faith of Jesus Christ, I anoint you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then the priest lays hands on the sick person, saying:

As your body is outwardly anointed with this oil, so may our heavenly Father grant in his goodness that your soul may be inwardly anointed with the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of all strength, comfort, joy and gladness.

May the almighty Lord give you release from all your pains, troubles and sickness, both in body and mind. May he forgive you all your sins, and give you strength to serve him truly: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Into God’s loving kindness and safe keeping we commit you. The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine on you and be kind to you. The Lord lift up the light of his face on you and give you peace; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be with you and stay with you for ever. Amen.
 

THE COMMUNION OF THE SICK.
(With the Reserved Sacrament).

NOTES.

1. It is the custom to reserve the sacrament in one kind. If a church has the sacrament reserved all the time in a tabernacle, or aumbry or hanging pyx, then the sacrament is renewed each week. If a priest is absent from a parish or station for a long period the Reservation should be discontinued (unless there is another priest or deacon there) and renewed on return.

2. If the church does not normally have Reservation then the priest will reserve the sacrament at the Eucharist in order to take it to the sick person(s) after the service.

3. The sick person(s) should be visited and prepared beforehand (except in cases of emergency) by the priest, or by the deacon or by a leading layman.

4. Sick persons should be given the opportunity to make a sacramental confession if they so desire. If a person has lapsed from communion and in sickness wishes to receive the sacrament, then he(she) should be encouraged to make his (her) confession first and to receive the benefit of Absolution.

5. If the priest is not available then a deacon may administer the sacrament from the tabernacle in cases of emergency.

6. If any consecrated Bread remains after communicating the sick it should be eaten by the priest or returned to the tabernacle without delay. If communion has been given in BOTH KINDS any Wine remaining should be drunk by the priest.

On arrival at the house the priest says:

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

When all is suitably arranged, the priest says:

We have a great high priest who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God; so let us draw near with a true heart and a sure faith, and make our confession to our heavenly Father:

Short silence.

All who are present will then make this confession.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned against you and each other, through our own fault, in thought, and word, and deed, and in the good things we have not done.
For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us all that is past, and help us to serve you in the new life, to the glory of your name. Amen.

Priest: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you and save you from all your sins, make you strong in all goodness and keep you in eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

All: Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, give us your peace.

Priest: Come with faith; take the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for you and his Blood which was shed for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving.

The priest then communicates the sick person in both kinds, or in one kind, as occasion shall serve, with the usual words of administration:

THE BODY OF CHRIST and THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.

After the communion a short silence is kept. Then the priest says:—

As our Saviour Christ has commanded and taught us, we say:

All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

Priest: Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us in this Holy Sacrament with the Body and Blood of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.

We thank you for keeping us in the Mystical Body of your Son, which is the Blessed company of all believing people; We pray that we may continue to be living members of that holy fellowship, and do all those good works you have made ready for us.

And here we offer you ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a living sacrifice through Jesus Christ our Lord: who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Almighty God, you are the giver of all health, and the helper of those who ask for your help: we call on you for your help and goodness to be shown on this your servant N ...... that he (she) may be healed or his (her) weakness and may give thanks to you in your holy church, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Into God’s loving kindness and safe keeping we commit you. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be kind to you. The Lord lift up the light of his face on you and give you peace; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be with you and stay with you for ever. Amen.

Note: If reading from scripture is required then one or other, or both of the following could be used. The reading(s) would come sometime before the sick person(s) receives the sacrament.

2 Corinthians 1 vvs 3-5: Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes! He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help those who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God. Just as we have a share in Christ’s sufferings, so also through Christ we share in his great help. (T.E.V.)

John 10 vvs 14-15, 27-30: I am the good shepherd. As the Father knows me and I know the Father, in the scarce way I know my sheep and they know me. And I am willing to die for them. My sheep listen to my voice: I know them and they follow me. I have given them eternal life, and they shall never die: and no one can snatch them away from me. What my Father has given me is greater than all, and no one can snatch them away from the Father’s care. The Father and I are one. (T.E.V.)
 

BURIAL OF THE DEAD.

At a Requiem mass one or both of these collects will be used:

Lord, the Maker and Redeemer of all believers, grant to these who have died in the faith, all the rewards of the suffering of your Son, which we cannot now know, that, in the day of his coming, they may be known as your true children, through the same your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Remember, Lord, your servant (N ..... ) who has died and gone before us marked with the sign of faith. May he, and may all who sleep in Christ, find in your presence light, happiness and peace: through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

EPISTLE: 1 Thessalonians 4 vvs 13-18.
GOSPEL: John 11 vvs 21-27.

If the burial is to follow the mass immediately the priest will lead the body out at the end of the mass and only the BURIAL part of the service will follow next.
 

SERVICE FOR THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD.

(This can be used by a lay reader, an evangelist, or any layman).

The body is placed in the middle of the church with the feet towards the altar. There may be two or more candles burning at the sides.

The Reader will say: Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live though he dies. And whoever lives and believes in me will never die”.

Reader: Lord God give eternal rest to ......
People: And let everlasting light shine on him (her).

Psalm 23.

First the reader will say:

Saviour of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have bought us back.
People: Save us and help us we humbly ask you, Lord.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.
He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right way, as he has promised.
Even if that way goes through a valley as dark as death. I will not be afraid, Lord, because you are with me: Your shepherd’s rod and staff keep me safe.
You prepare a banquet for me, where all my enemies can see me; you welcome me by pouring ointment on my head and filling my cup to the brim.
Certainly your goodness and love will be with me as long as I live; and your house will be my home forever.

Reader: Saviour of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have bought us back.
People: Save us and help us we humbly ask you, Lord.

Lesson. John 11 vvs 21-27.
Martha said to Jesus “If you had been here, Lord, my brother would not have died: But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask of him.” “Your brother will rise to life,” Jesus told her. “I know,” she replied, “that he will rise to life on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord:” she answered. “I do believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who was to come into the world”. (T.E.V)

For a child
Mark 10 vvs 13-16.

Some people brought children to Jesus for him to touch them, but the disciples scolded those people. When Jesus noticed it, he was angry and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Remember this: Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on each of them, and blessed them. (T.E.V.)
 

PRAYERS.

Priest or Deacon: The Lord be with you.
Answer: And with you.

Reader: Lord have mercy upon us.
Answer: Christ have mercy upon us.
Reader: Lord have mercy upon us.

All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

Reader: 1. THANKSGIVING.

Almighty and merciful Father we thank you for the life of your servant N ...... and for all the love and the goodness that has come into the world through him (her). We pray you to keep alive in us all that is good in his (her) example and to bring us all to your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

2. FOR THE DEPARTED.

Heavenly Father we pray you for N ...... whom we love, but will see no more. Give him (her) your peace; let light perpetual shine on him (her) and in your wisdom and your almighty power complete in him (her) all the goodness you have prepared; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

3. FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SAD.

Almighty God, you are the Father of all mercies, and the giver of all comfort, be kind and gentle to those who are mourning. May they cast all their cares on you and find the comfort of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

4. FOR THE HELP OF JESUS.

Lord Jesus Christ, you won the fight with the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers: Help us your servants, whom you have saved with your dear blood, and count us with your holy ones in everlasting glory, where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever, Amen.

Reader: Lord give eternal rest to N. .....
People: And let everlasting light shine on him (her).
 

THE BURIAL.

(The Reader (following the cross) leads the way out of the church and friends carry the body (feet first.) As they go they say the following verses:

“Christ has been raised from death and will never die again—death has no more power over him. The death he died was death to sin, once and for all; and the life he now lives is life to God. In the same way you are to think of yourselves as dead to sin but alive to God in union with Christ Jesus. “ (Romans 6 vvs 9-11).

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and always shall be, for ever and ever. Amen.

The reader may say

We brought nothing into the world and we cannot take anything out of the world. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away: blessed be the name of the Lord. (1 Tim. 6 v 7, Job 1 v 21.)

Forgive the sins and errors of my youth. Because of your constant love and goodness remember me, Lord. (Psalm 25 v 7).

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are his everlasting arms. (Deut. 33 v 27).

Nothing can separate us from his love: Neither death nor life: neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers: neither the present nor the future: neither the world above nor the world below—there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom. 8 vvs. 38, 39).

If we live, it is for the Lord that we live, and if we die it is for the Lord that we die; whether we live or die then, we belong to the Lord. For Christ died and rose to life in order to be the Lord of the living and the dead. (Romans 14 vvs. 7-8).

(When they come to the grave the Priest will first say a prayer to bless the grave if it is not in a consecrated cemetery).

While they are getting ready the reader will first say:

Jesus said, “Do not be worried and upset. Believe in God, and believe also in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for you. And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am.” (John 14 vvs 1-3).

“Happy are those who mourn: God will comfort them.” (Matt 5 v 4).

Then Psalm 103 vvs 13-17 may be said:

As kind as a father is to his children, so the Lord is kind to those who fear him.
He knows what we are made of; He remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his life is like grass; He grows and flourishes like a wild flower.
Then the wind blows on it, and it is gone, and no-one sees it again.
But the Lord’s love for those who honour him lasts for ever, and his goodness endures for all generations.

When the body is ready for the grave the reader says:

Almighty God in his great mercy has received to himself the soul of our dear brother (sister) N ..... We therefore commit his (her) body to the ground; earth to earth (+), ashes to ashes (+), dust to dust (+), in sure hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our earthly body, by his power, through which he can make all things obey Him.

(+) at these words throw a little earth into the grave.

THE PEOPLE WILL SAY

We believe—that Jesus died and rose again,—and that it will be the same—for those who have died in Jesus—God will bring them with him.

Reader: Go forth on your journey Christian soul,
In the name of God the almighty Father who created you:
In the name of Jesus Christ, his Son who redeemed you:
In the name of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies you.
May your Guardian Angel succour and defend you.
May the prayers of the Blessed Saints help you.
May the Redeemer look upon you in pardon and mercy.
May your rest be in peace, and with him this day in Paradise. Amen.

A voice from heaven said: “From now on, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord”. “Certainly so,” answered the Spirit, “they will enjoy rest from their hard work.” (Revelation 14 v-13).

Now to the eternal King, immortal and invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1 v 17.)