A Celebration of Wholeness and Healing

		A Celebration of Wholeness and Healing

		(especially suitable for a diocesan or deanery occasion)


¶		The Gathering

		At the entrance of the ministers, a hymn or chant may be sung.

		The Greeting

		The president greets the people using these or other suitable words

		In the name of Christ, we welcome you. We have been called out of darkness into God's marvellous light. Grace and peace be with you
All		and also with you.

		The president may introduce the service, using one of the forms here or other suitable words.

		This dialogue or another suitable form may be used

		The love of God has been poured into our hearts, through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us: we dwell in him and he lives in us.

		Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his name:
All		make known his deeds among the peoples.

		Sing to God, sing praises to his name:
All		and speak of all his marvellous works.

		Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God almighty:
All		who was and is and is to come.

		The Collect

		Silence may be kept.

		Heavenly Father, you anointed your Son Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit and with power to bring to us the blessings of your kingdom. Anoint your Church with the same Holy Spirit, that we who share in his suffering and victory may bear witness to the gospel of salvation; through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
All		Amen.


¶		The Liturgy of the Word

		If this celebration takes place on a Sunday or Principal Festival the readings of the day are normally used. For other occasions a table of readings is provided here.

		Either one or two readings from Scripture precede the Gospel reading.

		At the end of each, the reader may say

		This is the word of the Lord.
All		Thanks be to God.

		The psalm or canticle follows the first reading, and other hymns and songs may be used between the readings.

		Gospel Reading

		An acclamation may herald the Gospel reading.

		When the Gospel is announced, the reader says

		Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N .
All		Glory to you, O Lord.

		At the end

		This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All		Praise to you, O Christ.


¶		Prayer and Penitence

		As an introduction to this section, a minister may use one of the forms here, if it has not already been used at the beginning of the service.


		Prayers of Intercession

		At the Prayers of Intercession, the following Litany of Healing may be used. Additional petitions, including names, may be included.

		God the Father, your will for all people is health and salvation.
All		We praise and bless you, Lord.

		God the Son, you came that we might have life, and might have it more abundantly.
All		We praise and bless you, Lord.

		God the Holy Spirit, you make our bodies the temple of your presence.
All		We praise and bless you, Lord.

		Holy Trinity, one God, in you we live and move and have our being.
*All*		We praise and bless you, Lord.

		Lord, grant your healing grace to all who are sick, injured or disabled, that they may be made whole.
All		Hear us, Lord of life.

		Grant to all who are lonely, anxious or depressed a knowledge of your will and an awareness of your presence.
All		Hear us, Lord of life.

		Grant to all who minister to those who are suffering wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience.
All		Hear us, Lord of life.

		Mend broken relationships, and restore to those in distress soundness of mind and serenity of spirit.
All		Hear us, Lord of life.

		Sustain and support those who seek your guidance and lift up all who are brought low by the trials of this life.
All		Hear us, Lord of life.

		Grant to the dying peace and a holy death, and uphold by the grace and consolation of your Holy Spirit those who are bereaved.
All		Hear us, Lord of life.

		Restore to wholeness whatever is broken by human sin, in our lives, in our nation, and in the world.
All		Hear us, Lord of life.

		You are the Lord who does mighty wonders.
All		You have declared your power among the peoples.

		With you, Lord, is the well of life
All		and in your light do we see light.

		Hear us, Lord of life:
All		heal us, and make us whole.

		Let us pray.

		A period of silence follows.

		O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
All		Amen.

		Prayers of Penitence

		The gospel calls us to turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ. As we offer ourselves to him in penitence and faith, we renew our confidence and trust in his mercy.

		Cast your burden upon the Lord
All		and he will sustain you.

		In returning and rest
All		you shall be saved.

		In quietness and trust
All		shall be your strength.

		There follows a period of silent reflection and self-examination.

		One or other of the following or another suitable form may be used

		You raise the dead to life in the Spirit: Lord, have mercy.
All		Lord, have mercy.

		You bring pardon and peace to the sinner: Christ, have mercy.
All		Christ, have mercy.

		You bring light to those in darkness: Lord, have mercy.
All		Lord, have mercy.

		(or)

All		Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbour as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.

		Absolution

		The president says the Absolution, using this or any other authorized form

		God, the Father of mercies, has reconciled the world to himself through the death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ, not holding our sins against us, but sending his Holy Spirit to shed abroad his love among us. By the ministry of reconciliation entrusted by Christ to his Church, receive his pardon and peace to stand before him in his strength alone this day and for evermore.
All		Amen.

		A hymn or chant may be sung.


¶		Laying on of Hands and Anointing

		Oil for anointing is brought before the president.

		Our help is in the name of the Lord
All		who has made heaven and earth.

		Blessed be the name of the Lord:
All		now and for ever. Amen.

		(or)

		Praise God who made heaven and earth,
All		who keeps his promise for ever.

		Let us give thanks to the Lord our God,
All		who is worthy of all thanksgiving and praise.

		Blessed are you, sovereign God, gentle and merciful, creator of heaven and earth. Your Word brought light out of darkness, and daily your Spirit renews the face of the earth.

		When we turned away from you in sin, your anointed Son took our nature and entered our suffering to bring your healing to those in weakness and distress. He broke the power of evil and set us free from sin and death that we might become partakers of his glory.

		His apostles anointed the sick in your name, bringing wholeness and joy to a broken world. By your grace renewed each day you continue the gifts of healing in your Church that your people may praise your name for ever. By the power of your Spirit may your blessing rest on those who are anointed with this oil in your name; may they be made whole in body, mind and spirit.

		Hear the prayer we offer for all your people. Remember in your mercy those for whom we pray: heal the sick, raise the fallen, strengthen the fainthearted and enfold in your love the fearful and those who have no hope.

		In the fullness of time complete your gracious work. Reconcile all things in Christ and make them new, that we may be restored in your image, renewed in your love, and serve you as sons and daughters in your kingdom.

		Through your anointed Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit we lift our voices of thanks and praise:
All		Blessed be God, our strength and our salvation, now and for ever. Amen.


		Alternative prayers may be used.

		The laying on of hands is administered, using these or other suitable words

		In the name of God and trusting in his might alone, receive Christ's healing touch to make you whole.

		May Christ bring you wholeness of body, mind and spirit, deliver you from every evil, and give you his peace.
All		Amen.


		Anointing may be administered. The minister says

		N, I anoint you in the name of God who gives you life. Receive Christ's forgiveness, his healing and his love.

		May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ grant you the riches of his grace, his wholeness and his peace.
All		Amen.

		After the laying on of hands and anointing, the president says

		The almighty Lord, who is a strong tower for all who put their trust in him, whom all things in heaven, on earth, and under the earth obey, be now and evermore your defence. May you believe and trust that the only name under heaven given for health and salvation is the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
All		Amen.

		Unless the Liturgy of the Sacrament follows immediately, the president introduces the Lord's Prayer

		In confidence let us pray to the Father for the coming of the kingdom among 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.

		(or)

All		Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 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.

		If the Liturgy of the Sacrament follows, the president continues with the Peace (see Note 2).

		A hymn or song of thanksgiving may be sung.

¶		The Sending Out

		The president may say

		God who said: 'Let light shine out of darkness'
All		has caused his light to shine within us
		to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
All		revealed in the face of Jesus Christ.
		We have this treasure in earthen vessels
All		to show that the power belongs to God.

		A minister says

		Hear the words of the Gospel according to N.
All		Glory to you, O Lord.

		A short passage from the Gospels is read (suggested passages are given here).

		At the end

		This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All		Praise to you, O Christ.

		The Peace and Dismissal

		God has made us one in Christ. He has set his seal upon us and, as a pledge of what is to come, has given the Spirit to dwell in our hearts. The peace of the Lord be always with you.
All		and also with you.

		A minister says

		Go in the joy and peace of Christ. [Alleluia, alleluia.]
All		Thanks be to God. [Alleluia, alleluia.]

		A sign of peace may be exchanged.

		The ministers and people depart.


		Notes

1		Occasion
		This Order is most suitable for use at a diocesan or deanery occasion. When the ministry of healing is a regular part of a parish's pattern of worship, the rites for the Laying on of Hands with Prayer and Anointing at a Celebration of Holy Communion and Prayer for Individuals in Public Worship will be more appropriate.

2		Holy Communion
		When this Order is used within the setting of a celebration of Holy Communion, the Peace follows the Laying on of Hands and Anointing, followed by the Preparation of the Gifts and the Eucharistic Prayer. A Proper Preface, the Post Communion and the blessing from the rite for the Laying on of Hands with Prayer and Anointing at a Celebration of Holy Communion may be used.

3		Extended Celebration
		When this Order is used for an extended celebration over a number of hours or a whole day, the Liturgy of the Word may be followed by an extended study period and a time for reflection. Prayer and Penitence may be introduced by the reading of a passage from the Gospels and the period of silence at the Prayers of Penitence may be prolonged. After the conclusion of the Laying on of Hands and Anointing, or after the distribution of communion if Holy Communion is celebrated, there may be a longer period of silence or thanksgiving.

4		Ministries
		The president of the rite is the bishop, or a priest, who presides over the whole rite. The president may invite others to share in the prayers and the Laying on of Hands, and may delegate the ministry of Anointing to other ministers authorized for this ministry under Canon B 37.

5		Oil
		The oil to be used at this celebration should be pure olive oil and normally be consecrated during this service by the bishop (or priest) who presides, rather than having been previously blessed. This will not only ensure an adequate supply of oil, but provide a prayer of thanksgiving at the heart of the rite. If preferred, the prayer may be used in the responsive form here. If oil which has previously been blessed is used, then the form of thanksgiving in the rite for Laying on of Hands with Prayer and Anointing at a Celebration of Holy Communion may be used.

6		Introduction to Prayer over the Oil
		Alternative versicles and responses are suggested at the beginning of the prayer over oil for anointing here (and also here). The introductory dialogue printed first has traditionally been a distinctively episcopal text.

© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
All of the official Common Worship publications are being published by Church House Publishing.