THE EUCHARIST

T HE O RDER FOR THE A DMINISTRATION OF

T HE L ORD ’ S S UPPER

H OLY C OMMUNION

WHICH IS CALLED

T HE E UCHARIST

AND ALSO CALLED

T HE M ASS

The blessed Sacrament of the Supper of the Lord, or Holy Communion, the administration whereof is called the Eucharist, and also called the Mass, was instituted by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Himself at the Last Supper with His holy disciples on the night in which He was betrayed, for the continual remembrance and the shewing forth of His saving death and sacrifice, until His coming again; and the Holy Eucharist is therefore the principal and highest act of Christian worship, and the source and summit of the Christian life: and for this reason, the Holy Eucharist shall be celebrated in every Cathedral and Collegiate Church, and in every Parish Church or Chapel where there is a Priest, on every Sunday and Holy-day for which provision therefor is made, except there be reasonable cause to the contrary.

It is the duty of every confirmed person, after due preparation, to communicate at Easter, Whitsun, and Christmas, at the least, and more frequently throughout the year if it may be at all possible for him so to do.

It is convenient that so many as shall intend to be partakers of the Holy Communion should signify their names unto the Parish Priest at least some time the day before; and if any person, after due examination, perceive himself not to be in a state of grace to receive the Holy Communion, he is to confess himself to the Priest and receive Absolution, and by the due performance of the penance imposed upon him to make satisfaction for his sins, before partaking of that holy Sacrament.

If any person be an open and notorious sinner or evil liver, or have done any wrong to his neighbours by word or by deed, so that the Congregation of Christ’s faithful be thereby offended; the Priest, having knowledge thereof, shall call him and advertise him, that in any wise he presume not to come to the Lord’s Table, until he have openly declared himself to have truly repented and amended his former sinful life, confessed himself to the Priest, received Absolution, and performed the penance required of him.

And the same order shall the Priest use with those betwixt whom he shall perceive malice and hatred to reign; not suffering them to be partakers of the Lord’s Table, until he know them to be reconciled. And if one of the parties so at variance be content to forgive from the bottom of his heart all that the other hath trespassed against him, and to make amends for that in which he himself hath offended; and the other party will not be persuaded to a godly unity, but will remain still in his frowardness and malice: the Priest in that case ought to admit the penitent person to the Holy Communion, and not him that is obstinate. Provided that every Priest so repelling any, as is specified in this, or the next precedent paragraph, shall be obliged to give an account of the same to the Ordinary within fourteen days after at the farthest. And the Ordinary shall proceed against the offending person according to the Canon.

And there shall be no celebration of the Lord’s Supper, except there be at least one person present to communicate with the Priest, unless it be for some just and lawful cause and with the express permission of the Ordinary.

The Priest may reserve so much of the consecrated Bread and Wine at the celebration of the Lord’s Supper as he thinketh in his discretion may be required for the Communion of the Sick and of such other persons as could not be present, placing the same in the Tabernacle or Aumbry, or some other receptacle appointed for that purpose. All other that remaineth of the Blessed Sacrament that shall not be reserved, the Priest and such other communicants as he shall then call unto him, shall reverently eat and drink the same before leaving the Church.

T HE H OLY E UCHARIST

This Devotion following may be used before the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

T HE P REPARATION

The Priest, standing at the Altar steps, shall say,

X I N the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Then shall the Priest say,

I WILL go unto the altar of God,

Answer. Even unto the God of my joy and gladness.

Then shall the Priest say,

G IVE sentence with me, O God, and defend my cause against the ungodly people; O deliver me from the deceitful and wicked man.

People. For Thou art the God of my strength; why hast Thou put me from Thee? and why go I so heavily while the enemy oppresseth me?

Priest. O send out Thy light and Thy truth, that they may lead me, and bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy dwelling.

People. And that I may go unto the altar of God, even unto the God of my joy and gladness; and upon the harp will I give thanks unto Thee, O God, my God.

Priest. Why art thou so heavy, O my soul, and why art thou so disquieted within me?

People. O put thy trust in God, for I will yet give Him thanks, which is the Help of my countenance, and my God.

And the Priest shall say,

G LORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:

People. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Then shall the Priest say,

I WILL go unto the altar of God,

Answer. Even unto the God of my joy and gladness.

Priest. Our help standeth in the Name of the Lord;

Answer. Who hath made heaven and earth.

Priest. Wilt Thou not turn again and quicken us, O God;

Answer. That Thy people may rejoice in Thee?

Priest. O Lord, shew Thy mercy upon us;

Answer. And grant us Thy salvation.

Priest. O Lord, hear our prayer;

Answer. And let our cry come unto Thee.

And turning to face the people, the Priest shall say,

T HE Lord be with you.

Answer. And with thy spirit.

Priest. Let us pray.

And at every celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the Priest, turning himself to face the Lord’s Table,

shall say the Lord’s Prayer with the Collect following, the people all devoutly kneeling.

O UR 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.

A LMIGHTY 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. Amen.

Then shall the Priest proceed with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.