AN ORDER FOR THE CELEBRATION OF
THE HOLY EUCHARIST
AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF
THE HOLY COMMUNION

LONDON
SPCK
1959
 

THE INTRODUCTION

At the entry of the Priest and his Assistants, or after the Collect for Purity, an Introit Psalm may be sung or said.

THE COLLECT FOR PURITY

Let us pray

ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts 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. R. Amen.

KYRIE ELEISON

V. Kyrie eleison.         or         V. Lord, have mercy.
R. Kyrie eleison.         |           R. Lord, have mercy.
V. Kyrie eleison.         |           V. Lord, have mercy.
R. Christe eleison.      |           R. Christ, have mercy.
V. Christe eleison.      |           V. Christ, have mercy.
R. Christe eleison.      |           R. Christ, have mercy.
V. Kyrie eleison.         |           V. Lord, have mercy.
R. Kyrie eleison.         |           R. Lord, have mercy.
V. Kyrie eleison.         |           V. Lord, have mercy.

In place of the above may be said The Ten Commandments or The Summary of the Law, with their responses, pages 20 and 21.

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS

On Sundays and other Holy Days (except Sundays in Advent and Sundays from Septuagesima to Palm Sunday, inclusive) and daily from Easter Day to Trinity Sunday, the following Hymn is sung or said, unless it is to be sung or said before the Blessing.

GLORY BE TO GOD ON HIGH, and in earth peace, goodwill 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, 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.

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

Let us pray.

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
which may be followed by other Collects.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

THE EPISTLE

The people being seated, the Reader shall read the Epistle or Lesson,

Here may follow a Psalm or portion of a Psalm, or a Hymn.

THE GOSPEL

The Deacon shall read the Gospel, the People standing and facing towards him.

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

After he has announced the Gospel:

R. Glory be to thee, O Lord.

The Gospel ended, there shall be said:

R. Praise be to thee, O Christ.
 

THE NICENE CREED

On Sundays and other Holy Days this Creed shall be sung or said.

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 the 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; Through 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, the 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 in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic 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 one of the Ministers shall announce any Holy Days, Days of Abstinence, or Fast Days to be observed during the week. And Notices, Banns of Marriage, or Pastorals from the Bishop shall be published.

Biddings for special thanksgiving and prayer shall be made, unless they are to be made before the Intercession.

Then shall follow the Sermon.

THE OFFERTORY

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

Then shall the Priest begin the Offertory, saying one or more of the Sentences.

The offerings of bread and wine shall be brought to the Priest by representatives of the People, or by one of the Assistants, and the Priest shall present them and place them upon the Altar.

When alms are offered they shall be received by the Church Wardens or other fit persons and shall be presented at the Altar by the Priest.

The Offerings having been made, the Priest shall wash his hands.

Then he shall begin the Intercession.

THE INTERCESSION

Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's Church.

ALMIGHTY and everliving 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 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.
    We beseech thee also to save and defend all Christian Kings, Princes, and Governors, especially thy servant Elizabeth our Queen and all that are put in authority under her, that thy people may be godly and quietly governed.
    Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops, Priests and Deacons, especially thy servants N. our Archbishop, and N. our Bishop, that they may 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; 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.
    Increase, we pray thee the number of thy servants who proclaim among the nations the Gospel of thy kingdom, and enlighten with thy Spirit all places of education and learning; that the whole world may be filled with the knowledge of thy truth.
    And we most humbly beseech thee of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all those who, in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity.
    We also commend unto thy mercy, O Lord, all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear; beseeching thee to grant. them everlasting light and peace.
    And here we do give unto thee most high praise and hearty thanks for the wonderful grace and virtue declared in all thy Saints; chiefly in the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and God, and in the holy Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, and Martyrs; beseeching thee to give us grace that we, rejoicing in the Communion of thy Saints, and following their good examples, may be partakers with them of thy heavenly kingdom:
    Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. R. Amen.
 

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

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

Then shall the Priest continue:

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, pages 25 - 30, if one be appointed, or else shall follow on Sundays:

WHO with thine only-begotten Son and the Holy Ghost art one God, one Lord, in Trinity of Persons and in Unity of Substance: For that which we believe of thy glory, O Father, the same we believe of thy Son, and of the Holy Ghost, without any difference or inequality.

Then shall follow:

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

Priest and People:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High.
    Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord, Hosanna in the Highest.

Then shall the Priest proceed saying:

ALL glory, praise, and thanksgiving be unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, for that thou hast created the world and all mankind, and of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to take our nature upon him, and to suffer death, upon the cross, for our redemption; who made there, by his own 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.

Here shall all the People answer: Amen.

Let us pray

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

Then shall the Priest and People sing or say together:

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

THE FRACTION

Here the Priest is to break the Sacrament of Christ's Body

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

AGNUS DEI

Here shall be sung or said this anthem:

O LAMB of God, that takest away the sins of the world; have mercy upon us.
    O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world; have mercy upon us.
    O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world; Grant us thy peace.

At Memorials of the Departed instead of Have mercy upon us is said Grant them rest, and instead of Grant us thy peace, Grant them rest eternal.
 

THE COMMUNION

THE INVITATION

The Deacon 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: Draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God.

THE GENERAL CONFESSION

All who intend to receive the holy Communion shall say:

ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against Thy Divine Majesty. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings. 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 the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE ABSOLUTION

The Priest (or the Bishop, if he be present) shall say:

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. R. Amen.

THE COMFORTABLE WORDS

Then may be said:

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.

The Prayer of Humble Access

Let us pray.

WE do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Father, 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 with bodies and souls made clean from every stain of sin, we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. R. Amen.

The Priest shall receive Holy Communion in both kinds and then proceed to administer the same.
 

THE ADMINISTRATION OF
HOLY COMMUNION

The Deacon shall say:

DRAW near and receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which were given for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

When the Priest delivers the Sacrament of Christ's Body he shall say:

The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life.

The Deacon in administering the Cup shall say:

The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life.

When all have communicated, if any of the holy Sacrament remain, apart from that which is to be reserved, the Priest shall consume the same. He shall then cleanse the sacred vessels in the accustomed manner.

A Communion Sentence may be sung or said during the administration, or be said by the Priest immediately before the following prayer.

THE THANKSGIVING

And other collects, when they are so appointed.

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

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, we most heartily thank thee for that thou dost graciously feed us in these holy mysteries with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, assuring us thereby that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son and are also heirs, through hope, of thy everlasting kingdom. And we most humbly beseech thee so to assist us with thy grace that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. R. Amen.

Gloria in Excelsis shall be sung or said here as directed on page 1, unless it has already been sung or said before the Collect of the Day.

THE BLESSING

The Priest (or the Bishop if he be present) shall let the People depart with this Blessing.

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

At Memorials of the Departed the Blessing may be omitted and the following may be said:

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.

THE ORDER FOR A SECOND CONSECRATION

The Priest shall take pains to ensure that the Consecrated Elements are sufficient to communicate all who desire to receive Holy Communion. If, however, they do not suffice, he shall use the following prayer to consecrate more in either kind.

HEAR us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech thee; and vouchsafe to bless and sanctify this (these) thy gift (s) and creature (s) of bread (and) wine, that it (they) may be unto us the Body (and) Blood of thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

If there be need to consecrate bread only, he shall add Who in the same night, etc.

Or if to consecrate wine only, he shall add Likewise after supper, etc.
 

The Ten Commandments

After each Commandment the People shall say, Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law, except that after the Tenth Commandment they shall say, Lord, have mercy upon us, and write all these thy laws in our hearts, we beseech thee.

GOD spake these words, and said,
1. I am the Lord thy God: thou shalt have none other gods but me.
    2. Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them.
    3. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain.
    4. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.
    5. Honour thy father and thy mother.
    6. Thou shalt do no murder.
    7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
    8. Thou shalt not steal.
    9. Thou shalt not bear false witness.
    10. Thou shalt not covet.

The Summary of the Law

Priest: Our Lord Jesus Christ said: Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this: 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.

PROPER PREFACES

During Advent

BECAUSE thou hast given salvation unto mankind through the coming of thy well-beloved Son in great humility, and by him wilt make all things new when he shall come again in his glorious Majesty to judge the world in righteousness.

From Christmas Day until the Epiphany

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 sin.

The above Preface is used on the Purification, and, may be used on, any other feast of the Virgin Mary, and on Corpus Christi, except that in the place of as at this time for us is said for our salvation.

Upon the Epiphany, and seven days after

THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord; who in the substance of our mortal flesh, manifested forth his glory, that he might bring all men everywhere out of darkness into his own most marvellous light.

From Ash Wednesday until Passion Sunday

WHO by bodily fasting dost restrain the vice that is within us; dost raise our minds to things above, and dost bestow upon us virtue and heavenly rewards, through Christ our Lord.

From Passion Sunday until Maundy Thursday

WHO by the tree of the Cross didst give salvation to all mankind, that so whence death arose thence life also might rise again, and that he who by a tree once overcame, might also by a tree be overcome, through Christ our Lord.

The above Preface is used on feasts of the Holy Cross.

From Easter Day until Ascension Day

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 sins of the world; who by his death hath destroyed death, and by his rising to life again hath restored to us everlasting life.

From Ascension until Whitsunday

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.

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 the right hand of thy Majesty, did (as at this time) pour forth upon the universal Church thy Holy and Life-giving Spirit; that through his glorious power the joy of the everlasting Gospel might go forth 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 our Saviour Jesus Christ.

When the above Preface is used at other times, the words as at this time are omitted.

Upon the Feast of The Transfiguration

BECAUSE the divine glory of the Incarnate Word shone forth upon the Holy Mount before the chosen witnesses of his Majesty: And thine own voice from heaven proclaimed thy beloved Son.

Upon the feast of Christ the King

BECAUSE thou hast anointed thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord with the oil of gladness to be a Priest forever and to be King over all mankind; that when he had offered himself a spotless sacrifice of peace upon the Altar of the Cross, he might fulfil the mystery of our redemption, and having brought all creatures under his governance, might present unto thine infinite Majesty a kingdom universal and everlasting, a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of sanctity and grace, a kingdom of justice, love, and peace.

Upon the Dedication of a Church or the Anniversary of the Dedication

WHO though the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee, and thy glory is in all the world, yet dost accept the earthly habitations dedicated to thy Name, and in them dost pour forth gifts of grace upon thy faithful people.

Upon the feast of Christ the King

BECAUSE thou hast anointed thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord with the oil of gladness to be a Priest forever and to be King over all mankind; that when he had offered himself a spotless sacrifice of peace upon the Altar of the Cross, he might fulfil the mystery of our redemption, and having brought all creatures under his governance, might present unto thine infinite Majesty a kingdom universal and everlasting, a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of sanctity and grace, a kingdom of justice, love, and peace.

Upon feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary

AND that in the . . . . . . . . of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, we should praise, bless, and tell forth thy wonders: in that by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost, she conceived thy only-begotten Son, and the glory of her virginity still abiding, brought forth for man the Light eternal, even Jesus Christ our Lord.

Upon the feast of St. Joseph

AND that in the festival of Joseph the blessed, we should praise, bless, and tell forth thy wonders; who being a righteous man, was espoused to the Virgin Mother of God by thine appointment: a faithful and wise servant made ruler of thy household: that in the office of a father he should guard thy only-begotten Son, conceived by the over-shadowing of the Holy Ghost, even Jesus Christ our Lord.

Upon the feasts of Apostles

AND that we should humbly entreat thee, O Lord, the everlasting Shepherd, to leave not thy flock untended, but to keep it by thy blessed Apostles under thy continual protection, that it may be governed by those same rulers, whom in thy stead thou hast chosen as shepherds of thy people.

Upon the feast of St. John the Evangelist, December 27th the Christmas Preface is used.

Upon All Souls' Day and other Memorials of the Departed

THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord; In whom hath shone forth unto us the hope of a blessed resurrection, that they who bewail the certain condition of their mortality may be comforted by the promise of immortality to come. For to thy faithful people, O Lord, life is changed, not taken away; and at the dissolution of the tabernacle of this earthly pilgrimage a dwelling place eternal is made ready in the heavens.

THE EXHORTATION

This Exhortation may be read from time to time at the discretion of the Priest.

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 life and sustenance in that most holy Sacrament; unto which, in God’s behalf, I bid you all that are here present, who are so lovingly called and bidden by God himself; and I exhort you, as ye love your own salvation, that ye will be partakers of this holy Communion.
    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. And if any man say, I am a grievous sinner, and therefore am afraid to come: wherefore then do ye not repent and amend? I beseech you, therefore, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, that ye will not refuse to come to this holy Sacrament, in which we spiritually eat the Flesh of Christ, and drink his Blood, in which we dwell in Christ, and Christ in us; we are one with Christ, and Christ with us.
    And if ye shall perceive your offences to be such, as are not only again it 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 who have offended you, as ye would have forgiveness of your offences at God’s hand.
    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 Minister of God’s word, and open his grief; that he may receive such godly counsel and advice, as may tend to the quieting of his conscience, and the removing of all scruple and doubtfulness.