THE VISITATION

When any person is sick, notice shall be given thereof to the Priest, who shall minister to the sick person after the Form following, or in like manner.

When he cometh into the sick person's house, he shall say,

PEACE be to this house, and to all that dwell in it.

Let us pray.

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

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.

    Minister. O Lord, save thy servant;
    Answer. Which putteth his trust in thee.
    Minister. Send him help from thy holy place;
    Answer. And evermore mightily defend him.
    Minister. Let the enemy have no advantage of him;
    Answer. Nor the wicked approach to hurt him.
    Minister. Be unto him, O Lord, a strong tower;
    Answer. From the face of his enemy.
    Minister. O Lord, hear our prayers;
    Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.

O LORD of all grace and blessing, behold, visit, and relieve this thy servant. Look upon him with the eyes of thy mercy, give him comfort and sure confidence in thee, defend him from the danger of the enemy, and keep him 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 this thy servant who is grieved with sickness. Amen.
    Sanctify this trial unto him, that the sense of his weakness may add strength to his faith, and seriousness to his repentance. Amen.
    May it be thy good pleasure to restore him to his former health, that so he may live the rest of his life in thy fear, and to thy glory. Amen.
    And whatsoever the issue that thou shalt ordain for him, give him grace to be so conformed to thy will, that he may be made meet to dwell with thee in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FAITH AND PRAYER

Then shall the Minister explain to the sick person some part of the Christian Faith, and shall rehearse the Articles of the Faith, saying thus,

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
    And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.

Thereafter, as occasion serveth, the Minister shall instruct the sick person so to order his rule of prayer, for himself and others, that his days of sickness may be a time faithful and loving intercourse with God.

REPENTANCE

The Minister shall examine the tick person, whether he repent him truly of his tins, and be in charity with all the world; exhorting him to forgive, from the bottom of his heart, all persons that have offended him; and if he hath offended any other, to ask them forgiveness; and where he hath dons injury or wrong to any man, that he make amends to the uttermost of his power.

And if he have not before disposed of his goods, let him then be admonished to make his Will, and to declare his debts, what he oweth, and what is owing unto him; for the better discharging of his conscience, and the quietness of his Executors. But men should often be put in remembrance to take order for the settling of their temporal estates whilst they are in health.

FORASMUCH as after this life there is an account to be given unto the righteous Judge, by whom all must be judged, without respect of persons, I require you to examine yourself, and your state both toward God and man; so that accusing and condemning yourself for your own faults, you may find mercy at our heavenly Father's hand for Christ's sake.

REMEMBER not, Lord, our offences, neither take thou vengeance of our sins: spare us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us for ever.

Answer. Spare us, good Lord.

Here shall the sick person be moved to make a special confession of his sins, of he feel his conscience troubled with any weighty matter, in this or other like form.

I CONFESS to God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, that I have sinned in thought, word, and deed, through my own grievous fault; wherefore I pray God to have mercy on me. And especially I have sinned in these ways....

OUR Lord Jesus Christ, who hath left power to his Church to absolve all sinners who truly repent and believe in him, of his great mercy forgive thee thine offences: And by his authority committed to me, I absolve thee from all thy sins, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Let us pray.

O MOST merciful God, who, according to the multitude of thy mercies, dost so put away the sins of those who truly repent, that thou rememberest them no more: Look upon this thy servant, who most earnestly desireth pardon and forgiveness. And forasmuch as he putteth his full trust only in thy mercy, impute not unto him his former sins, but strengthen him with thy blessed Spirit; and whenever thou art pleased to take him hence, take him into thine everlasting favour; through the merits of thy most dearly beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ANOINTING, AND LAYING ON OF HANDS

    Anthem. 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 23. Dominus regit me.

THE Lord is my shepherd : therefore can I lack nothing.
    2 He shall feed me in a green pasture : 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 against 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.
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

Or any of the following, Psalms 27, 43, 71 (vv. 1-17), 77, 86, 91, 103, 121, 130, 142, 146.

    Anthem. 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 the Priest, if the sick person so desire it, proceed to anoint him with oil, or to lay his hands upon him, saying as followeth:

(1) When anointing the Sick.

I ANOINT thee with oil In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

O ALMIGHTY God, giver of life and health, who hast taught us in thy holy word to pray over the sick and to anoint them with oil in the Name of the Lord: Grant, we beseech thee, to this person whom we anoint in thy Name refreshment of spirit, and, if it be thy holy will, perfect restoration to health; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(2) When laying hands upon the Sick.

I LAY my hands upon thee In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

O ALMIGHTY God, whose blessed Son did lay his hands upon the sick and healed them: Grant, we beseech thee, to this person on whom we now lay our hands in his Name refreshment of spirit, and, if it be thy holy will, perfect restoration to health; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Priest say,

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 thy defence; and make thee know and feel, that there is none other Name under heaven given to man, in whom and through whom thou mayest receive health and salvation, but only the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

And after that he shall say,

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

SPECIAL PRAYERS TO BE USED AS OCCASION MAY SERVE

O God the Father,
        Have mercy.

O God the Son,
        Have mercy.

O God the Holy Ghost,
        Have mercy.

O Holy Trinity, one God,
        Have mercy.

Remember not, Lord, our offences.
        Spare us, good Lord.

From all evil and sin,
        Good Lord, deliver him.

From the assaults of the devil,
        Good Lord, deliver him.

From thy wrath, and from everlasting damnation,
        Good Lord, deliver him.

In the hour of death,
        Good Lord, deliver him.

In the day of judgement,
        Good Lord, deliver him.

By the mystery of thine Incarnation,
        Save him, O Lord.

By thy cross and passion,
        Save him, O Lord.

By thy resurrection and final triumph,
        Save him, O Lord.

That it may please thee to grant him relief in pain;
        We beseech thee to hear us.

To give him such health as is agreeable to thy will;
        We beseech thee to hear us.

That it may please thee to deliver his soul;
        We beseech thee to hear us.

To cleanse him from his sin;
        We beseech thee to hear us.

That it may please thee to receive him to thyself;
        We beseech thee to hear us.

To set him in a place of light and peace;
        We beseech thee to hear us.

To number him with thy saints and thine elect;
        We beseech thee to hear us.

Son of God;
        We beseech thee to hear us.

O Lamb of God;
        Have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God;
        Grant him thy peace.

O GOD, who by the might of thy command canst drive away from men's bodies all sickness and infirmity: Be present in thy goodness with this thy servant, that his weakness being banished, and his health restored, he may live to glorify thy holy Name; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

For one troubled in Conscience.

O BLESSED Lord, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort: We beseech thee, look down in pity and compassion on thy servant, whose soul is full of trouble: give him a right understanding of himself, and also of thy will for him, that he may neither cast away his confidence in thee, nor place it anywhere but in thee; deliver him from the fear of evil; lift up the light of thy countenance upon him, and give him thine everlasting peace; through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For a Convalescent.

O LORD, whose compassions fail not, and whose mercies are new every morning: We give thee hearty thanks that it hath pleased thee to give to this our brother both relief from pain and hope of renewed health; continue, we beseech thee, in him the good work that thou hast begun; that, daily increasing in bodily strength. and humbly rejoicing in thy goodness, he may so order his life and conversation as always to think and do such things as shall please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For a Sick Child.

O LORD Jesus Christ, who didst with joy receive and bless the children brought to thee: Give thy blessing to this thy child; and in thine own time deliver him from his bodily pain, that he may live to serve thee all his days. Amen.

For a Dying Child.

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

 
COMMENDATORY PRAYERS

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. Amen.

UNTO thee, O Lord, we commend the soul of thy servant N., that, dying to the world, he may live to thee; and whatsoever sins he hath committed through the frailty of earthly life, we beseech thee to do away by thy most loving and merciful forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

GO forth upon thy journey, from this world, O Christian soul,
    In the Name of God the Father Almighty who created thee. Amen.
    In the Name of Jesus Christ who suffered for thee. Amen.
    In the Name of the Holy Ghost who strengtheneth thee. Amen.
    In communion with the blessed Saints, and aided by Angels and Archangels, and all the armies of the heavenly host. Amen.
    May thy portion this day be in peace, and thy dwelling in the heavenly Jerusalem. Amen.

LIST OF SUITABLE PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE FOR USE WITH THE SICK PERSON

    1. Confidence in God: Psalms 27, 46, 91, 121; Proverbs 3. 11-26; Isaiah 26. 1-9; 40. 1B11; 40. 25-end; Lamentations 3. 22-41; St. Matthew 6. 24-end; Romans 8. 31-end.
    2. Answer to Prayer: Psalms 30, 34.
    3. Prayer for Divine Aid: Psalms 43, 86, 143; St. James 5. 10-end.
    4. Penitence: Psalms 51, 130.
    5. Praise and Thanksgiving: Psalms 103, 146; Isaiah 12.
    6. God's Dealing with Man through Affliction: Job 33. 14-30; Hebrews 12. 1-11.
    7. Christ our Example in Suffering: Isaiah 53; St. Matthew 26. 36-46; St. Luke 23. 27-49.
    8. God's Call to Repentance and Faith: Isaiah 55.
    9. The Beatitudes: St. Matthew 5. 1-12.
    10. Watchfulness: St. Luke 12. 32-40.
    11. Christ the Good Shepherd: Psalm 23; St. John 10. 1-18.
    12. The Resurrection: St. John 20. 1-18; 20. 19-end; 2 Corinthians 4. 13-5. 9.
    13. Redemption: Romans 5. 1-11; 8. 18-end; 1 St. John 1. 1-9.
    14. Christian Love: 1 Corinthians 13.
    15. Growth in Grace: Ephesians 3. 13-end; 6. 10-20; Philippians 3. 7-14.
    16. Patience in Suffering: St. James 5. 10-end.
    17. God's Love to Men: 1 St. John 3. 1-7; 4. 9-end.
    18. The Life of the World to come: Revelation 7.9-end; 21. 1-7; 21. 22-end; 22. 1-5.
    19. Our Lord's last Discourse before his Passion: St. John 14; 15; 16; 17.
    20. Christian Hope on the Approach of Death: Deuteronomy 33. 27; Psalm 16. 9-end; Psalm 23; St. John 3. 16; 2 Corinthians 4. 16-5. Revelation 21. 4-7.

    Our Heavenly Father, in his love for all men, useth sickness as a gracious means whereby to correct his children.

    Our Lord Jesus Christ, ever present with us, is ready to impart to us spiritual strength to use sickness well to the glory of God.

    Our Lord, manifested in the Gospel as the healer of disease, is still ready to minister grace for the healing of the body.

    Our Lord himself, though sinless, was made perfect through suffering; and sinful man needeth discipline in order to correct and amend in him whatever is amiss in the eyes of our heavenly Father.

    The aim of the Christian, whether in health or in sickness, is that God may be glorified in him through Jesus Christ.

    There is great honour in suffering if by our pain we are conformed to the Spirit of Jesus Christ; for in the bearing of pain God manifested his will to redeem the world.

    In sickness as in health we are to seek constantly the inspiration of God the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Christ.

THE

Forasmuch as all mortal men be subject to many sudden perils, diseases, and sicknesses, and ever uncertain what time they shall depart out of this life; therefore, to the intent they may be always in a readiness to die, whensoever it shall please Almighty God to call them, Ministers shall diligently from time to time (but, especially in the time of pestilence, or other infectious sickness) exhort their people to the often receiving of the holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, when it shalt be publicly administered in the church;, that so doing, they may, in case of sudden visitation, have the less cause to be disquieted for lack of the same.

The Priest shall also instruct the people concerning the Communion of the sick, as occasion shalt require, that they may not be in ignorance that men can receive the Holy Sacrament in their homes,, if they be unable, for any just cause, to come to the church.

If the sick person be not able to come to the church and yet is desirous to receive the Communion in his house; then he must give timely notice to the Priest, signifying also, as far as he may, whether there be some to communicate with him, as is much to be desired.

And a convenient place in the sick person's house, together with all thing necessary, having been prepared, the Priest shall there celebrate the Holy Communion. He may at his discretion begin with the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, and then, if the Scottish Liturgy be used, proceed to The Lord be with you and Lift up your hearts, and omit the Prayer for the Church, or, if the English Liturgy be used, proceed to the words Ye that do truly.

In case of extreme necessity the Priest may begin with the Consecration, and immediately after the delivery of the Holy Sacrament to the sick person, end with the Blessing.

ALMIGHTY, Everliving God, Maker of mankind, who dost correct those whom thou dost love, and chastise every one whom thou dost receive: We beseech thee to have mercy upon this thy servant visited with thine hand; and to grant that he may take his sickness patiently, and recover his bodily health, (if it be thy gracious will,) and whensoever his soul shall depart from the body, it may be without spot presented unto thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Or this,

ALMIGHTY and immortal God, giver of life and health: We beseech thee to hear our prayers for thy servant N., for whom we implore thy mercy, that by thy blessing upon him and upon those who minister to him of thy healing gifts, he may be restored, if it be thy gracious will, to soundness of health, and give thanks to thee in thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. Hebrews 12. 5.

MY son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Or this,

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 6. 24.

VERILY, verily I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgement, but hath passed out of death into life.

St. Matthew 11. 28.

COME unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest] unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

St. John 10. 14.

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.

The Collect, Epistle, and Gospel of the Day may be used in place of the above.

At the time of the administration of the Holy Sacrament, the Priest shall first receive the communion himself, and after minister unto them that are appointed to communicate with the sick; and last of all to the sick person.

But if a man, either by reason of extremity of sickness, or for want of warning in due time to the Priest, or by any other just impediment, do not receive the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood: the Priest shall instruct him that if he do truly repent him of his sins, and stedfastly believe that Jesus Christ hath suffered death upon the cross for him, and shed his Blood for his redemption, earnestly remembering the benefits he hath thereby, and giving him hearty thanks therefor; he doth eat and drink the Body and Bread of our Saviour Christ profitably to his soul's health, although he do not receive the Sacrament with his mouth.

Immediately after the Blessing any of the consecrated Elements that remain shall be reverently consumed, or else taken back to the church.

When the sick person is communicated from the consecrated Gifts reserved for that purpose, it shall suffice that the following portions of the Service be used. In cases of urgency the Service may be still further shortened.

PEACE be to this house, and to all that dwell in it.

When he cometh into the sick person's presence, he shall say,

The Lord be with you;
R. And with thy spirit.

Then shall be said the Collect. And immediately after the Collect the Priest shall read the Epistle and the Gospel as is appointed. After which he shall say:

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.

Then shall this general Confession be made.

ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men: We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we from time to time most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden 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.

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

Then shall the Priest say,

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

COME unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.   St. Matthew 11. 28.

WE do not presume to come to this thy Holy 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 most sacred Body, and our souls washed through his most precious Blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

At the Administration.

THE Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Amen.

THE Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Amen.

The Priest.

As our Saviour Christ hath commanded and taught us, we are bold to say,

OUR Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom People. 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.

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 his most precious death and passion. We now most humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy Holy Spirit, that we may continue in that holy communion and 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.

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.

Any of the consecrated Elements that remain shall be reverently consumed, or else taken back to the church.

Additional Collects for the sick from this Book may, if desired, be said before the Blessing.

In cases of infection or of great prostration, the administration may be by intinction, the Priest at the time of communicating dipping a small portion of the consecrated Bread into the consecrated Wine, and so putting it into the mouth of the sick person, saying:

THE Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, and the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Amen.
 

Priest and People