Communion of the Sick in Ordinary Circumstances
In the light of verbal indications given to several episcopal Conferences, texts in this rite affected by the new translation of the Roman Missal into English are appended and indicated by the abbreviation ‘NTRM’. Users are requested to consult their local Ordinary, or abide by guidelines issued by him, in determining which text to use.
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Greeting
Sprinkling with Holy Water
Penitential Rite
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Reading
Response
General Intercessions
LITURGY OF THE HOLY COMMUNION
The Lord’s Prayer
Communion
Silent Prayer
Prayer After Communion
CONCLUDING RITES
Blessing
Whoever eats this bread will llive for ever.
72. Priests with pastoral responsibilities should see to it that the sick or aged, even though not seriously ill or in danger of death, are given every opportunity to receive the Eucharist frequently, even daily, especially during the Easter season. They may receive communion at any hour. Those who care for the sick may receive communion with them, in accord with the usual norms. To provide frequent communion for the sick, it may be necessary to ensure that the community has a sufficient number of ministers of communion. The communion minister should wear attire appropriate to this ministry.
The sick person and others may help to plan the celebration, for example, by choosing the prayers and readings. Those making these choices should keep in mind the condition of the sick person. The readings and the homily should help those present to reach a deeper understanding of the mystery of human suffering in relation to the paschal mystery of Christ.
73. The faithful who are ill are deprived of their rightful and accustomed place in the Eucharistic community. In bringing communion to them the minister of Communion represents Christ and manifests faith and charity on behalf of the whole community toward those who cannot be present at the Eucharist. For the sick the reception of communion is not only a privilege but also a sign of support and concern shown by the Christian community for its members who are ill.
The links between the community’s Eucharistic celebration, especially on the Lord’s Day, and the communion of the sick are intimate and manifold. Besides remembering the sick in the general intercessions at Mass, those present should be reminded occasionally of the significance of communion in the lives of those who are ill: union with Christ in his struggle with evil, his prayer for the world, and his love for the Father, and union with the community from which they are separated.
The obligation to visit and comfort those who cannot take part in the Eucharistic assembly may be clearly demonstrated by taking Communion to them from the community’s Eucharistic celebration. This symbol of unity between the community and its sick members has the deepest significance on the Lord’s Day, the special day of the Eucharistic assembly.
74. When the Eucharist is brought to the sick, it should be carried in a pyx or small closed container. Those who are with the sick should be asked to prepare a table covered with a linen cloth upon which the Blessed Sacrament will be placed. Lighted candles are prepared and, where it is customary, a vessel of holy water. Care should be taken to make the occasion special and joyful.
Sick people who are unable to receive under the form of bread may receive under the form of wine alone. If the wine is consecrated at a Mass not celebrated in the presence of the sick person, the Blood of the Lord is kept in a properly covered vessel and is placed in the tabernacle after Communion. The Precious Blood should be carried to the sick in a vessel which is closed in such a way as to eliminate all danger of spilling. If some of the Precious Blood remains, it should be consumed by the minister, who should also see to it that the vessel is properly purified.
75. If the sick wish to celebrate the sacrament of penance, it is preferable that the priest make himself available for this during a previous visit.
If it is necessary to celebrate the sacrament of penance during the rite of communion, it takes the place of the penitential rite.
Communion in Ordinary Circumstances
77. If possible, provision should be made to celebrate Mass in the homes of the sick, with their families and friends gathered around them. The Ordinary determines the conditions and requirements for such celebrations.
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Greeting
81. The minister greets the sick person and the others present. One of the following greetings may be used:
A. The peace of the Lord be with you always.
B. Peace be with you (this house) and with all who live here
C. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
D. The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Response: And also with you.[NTRM: And with your spirit.]
The minister then places the blessed sacrament on the table, and all join in adoration.
Sprinkling with Holy Water
82. If it seems desirable, the priest or deacon may sprinkle the sick person and those present with holy water. One of the following may be used:
A
Let this water call to mind our baptism into Christ, who by his death and resurrection has redeemed us.
B
Like a stream in parched land,
may the grace of the Lord
refresh our lives.
Penitential Rite
83. The minister invites the sick person and all present to join in the penitential rite, using these or similar words:
A. My brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves for this celebration, let us call to mind our sins.
B.My brothers and sisters, let us turn with confidence to the Lord and ask his forgiveness for all our sins.
After a brief period of silence, the penitential rite continues, using one of the following:
A. All say:
I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault
They strike their breast:
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;
and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
[NTRM:
I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
And, striking their breast, they say:
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
Then they continue:
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.]
B
Lord Jesus, you healed the sick:
Lord, have mercy.
R. Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you forgave sinners:
Christ, have mercy.
R. Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you give us yourself to heal us and bring us strength:
Lord, have mercy.
R. Lord, have mercy.
The minister concludes the penitential rite with the following:
May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
R. Amen.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Reading
84. The word of God is proclaimed by one of those present or by the minister.
A. John 6:51
B. John 6:54-58
C. John 14:6
D. John 15:5
E. 1 John 4:16
A.
A reading from the holy gospel according to John
6:51
Jesus says:
“I myself am the living bread
come down from heaven.
If anyone eats this bread,
he shall live forever;
the bread I will give
is my flesh, for the life of the world.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
B.
A reading from the holy gospel according to John
6:54-58
Jesus says:
“He who feeds on my flesh
and drinks my blood
has life eternal,
and I will raise him up on the last day.
For my flesh is real food
and my blood real drink.
The man who feeds on my flesh
and drinks my blood
remains in me, and I in him.
Just as the Father who has life sent me
and I have life because of the Father,
so the man who feeds on me
will have life because of me.
This is the bread that came down from heaven.
Unlike your ancestors who ate and died nonetheless
the man who feeds on this bread shall live forever.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
C.
A reading from the holy gospel according to John
14:6
Jesus says,
“I am the way and the truth and the life;
no one comes to the Father but through me.
The Gospel of the Lord.
D.
A reading from the holy gospel according to John
15:5
Jesus says:
“I am the vine, you are the branches.
He who lives in me and I in him,
will produce abundantly,
for apart from me you can do nothing.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
E.
A reading from the first letter of Saint John
4:16
We have come to know and to believe
in the love God has for us.
God is love,
and he who abides in love
abides in God
and God in him.
The Word of the Lord.
Additional readings may be found in Pastoral Care of the Sick - Readings, found in the ‘Rites’ Section of the iBreviary.
Response
85. A brief period of silence may be observed after the reading of the word of God.
The minister may then give a brief explanation of the reading, applying it to the needs of the sick person and those who are looking after him or her.
General Intercessions
86. The general intercessions may be said. With a brief introduction, the minister invites all those present to pray. After the intentions the minister says the concluding prayer. It is desirable that the intentions be announced by someone other than the minister.
LITURGY of HOLY COMMUNION
The Lord’s Prayer
87. The minister introduces the Lord’s Prayer in these or similar words:
A. Now let us pray as Christ the Lord has taught us:
B. And now let us pray with confidence as Christ our Lord commanded:
All say:
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.
Communion
88. The minister shows the eucharistic bread to those present, saying:
A
This is the Lamb of God
who takes away the sins of the world.
Happy are those who are called to his supper.
[NTRM: Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.]
B
This is the Bread of Life:
taste and see that the Lord is good
The sick person and all who are to receive Communion say:
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word and I shall be healed.
[NTRM:
Lord, I am not worthy
that you should enter under my roof,
but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed.]
The minister goes to the sick person and, showing the blessed sacrament, says:
The body of Christ.
The sick person answers: Amen. and receives communion.
Then the minister says:
The blood of Christ.
The sick person answers: Amen and receives communion.
Others present who wish to receive Communion then do so in the usual way. After the conclusion of the rite, the minister cleanses the vessel as usual.
Silent Prayer
89. Then a period of silence may be observed.
Prayer after Communion
The minister says a concluding prayer.
Let us pray.
Pause for silent prayer, if this has not preceded.
A
All-powerful and ever-living God
may the body and blood of Christ your Son
be for our brother/sister N.
a lasting remedy for body and soul.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
Go to the Blessing
B
God our Father,
you have called us to share the one bread and one cup
and so become one in Christ.
Help us to live in him
that we may bear fruit,
rejoicing that he has redeemed the world.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
Go to the Blessing
C
All-powerful God
we thank you for the nourishment you give us
through your holy gift.
Pour out your Spirit upon us
and in the strength of this food from heaven
keep us single-minded in your service.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
R. Amen.
CONCLUDING RITE
Blessing
Go to Concluding Rite for non-ordained
91. The priest or deacon blesses the sick person and the others present, using one of the following blessings. If, however, any of the blessed sacrament remains, he may bless the sick person by making a sign of the cross with the blessed sacrament, in silence.
A
May the Lord be with you to protect you.
R. Amen.
May he guide you and give you strength.
R. Amen.
May he watch over you, keep you in his care, and bless you with his peace.
R. Amen.
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.
B
May God the Father bless you.
R. Amen.
May God the Son heal you.
R. Amen.
May God the Holy Spirit enlighten you.
R. Amen.
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.
C
May the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit,
come upon you and remain with you for ever.
R. Amen.
A minister who is not a priest or deacon invokes God’s blessing and makes the sign of the cross on himself or herself, while saying:
A
May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil,
and bring us to everlasting life.
R. Amen.
B
May the almighty and merciful God
bless and protect us
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.
