Communion under
Special CircumstancesThis form is intended for use with those who for reasonable cause cannot be present at a public celebration of the Eucharist.
When persons are unable to be present for extended periods, it is desirable that the priest arrange to celebrate the Eucharist with them from time to time on a regular basis, using either the Proper of the Day or one of those appointed for Various Occasions. If it is necessary to shorten the service, the priest may begin the celebration at the Offertory, but it is desirable that a passage from the Gospel first be read.
At other times, or when desired, such persons may be communicated from the reserved Sacrament, using the following form.
It is desirable that fellow parishoners, relatives, and friends be present, when possible, to communicate with them.
The Celebrant, whether priest or deacon, reads a passage of Scripture appropriate to the day or occasion, or else one of the following
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16 Jesus said, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."
John 6:35 Jesus said, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him."
John 6:51, 55-56 Jesus said, "Abide in me, as I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love."
John 15:4-5a, 8-9 After the Reading, the Celebrant may comment on it briefly.
Suitable prayers may be offered, concluding with the following or some other Collect
Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
A Confession of Sin may follow. The following or some other form is used
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.The Priest alone says
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
A deacon using the preceding form substitutes "us" for "you" and "our" for "your."
The Peace may then be exchanged.
The Lord's Prayer is said, the Celebrant first saying
Let us pray in the words our Savior Christ has taught us.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.The Celebrant may say the following Invitation
The Gifts of God for the People of God
and may add Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and
feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.The Sacrament is administered with the following or other words
The Body (Blood) of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you in everlasting life. [Amen.]
One of the usual postcommunion prayers is then said, or the following
Gracious Father, we give you praise and thanks for this Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of your beloved Son Jesus Christ, the pledge of our redemption; and we pray that it may bring us forgiveness of our sins, strength in our weakness, and everlasting salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The service concludes with a blessing or with a dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
An Order for Celebrating
the Holy Eucharist
This rite requires careful preparation by the Priest and other participants.
It is not intended for use at the principal Sunday or weekly celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
The People and Priest
Gather in the Lord's Name
Proclaim and Respond to the Word of God
The proclamation and response may include readings, sons, talk, dance, instrumental music, other art forms, silence. A reading from the Gospel is always included.
Pray for the World and the Church
Exchange the Peace
Either here or elsewhere in the service, all greet one another in the name of the Lord.
Prepare the Table
Some of those present prepare the table; the bread, the cup of wine, and other offerings, are placed upon it.
Make Eucharist
The Great Thanksgiving is said by the Priest in the name of the gathering, using one of the eucharistic prayers provided.
The people respond--Amen!
Break the Bread
Share the Gifts of God
The Body and Blood of the Lord are shared in a reverent manner; after all have received, any of the Sacrament that remains is then consumed.
When a common meal or Agape is a part of the celebration, it follows here.
At the Great Thanksgiving
In making Eucharist, the Celebrant uses one of the Eucharistic Prayers from Rite One or Rite Two, or one of the following forms
Form 1
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.The Celebrant gives thanks to God the Father for his work in creation and his revelation of himself to his people;
Recalls before God, when appropriate, the particular occasion being celebrated;
Incorporates or adapts the Proper Preface of the Day, if desired.
If the Sanctus is to be included, it is introduced with these or similar words
And so we join the saints and angels in proclaiming your glory, as we sing (say),
Celebrant and People
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.The Celebrant now praises God for the salvation of the world through Jesus Christ our Lord.The Prayer continues with these words
And so, Father, we bring you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.
At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it, or to lay a hand upon it; and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to be consecrated.
On the night he was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."
After supper, he took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."
Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. By means of this holy bread and cup, we show forth the sacrifice of his death, and proclaims his resurrection, until he comes again.
Gather us by this Holy Communion into one body in your Son Jesus Christ. Make us a living sacrifice of praise.
By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.
Form 2
Celebrant The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and
the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.The Celebrant gives thanks to God the Father for his work in creation and his revelation of himself to his people;
Recalls before God, when appropriate, the particular occasion being celebrated;
Incorporates or adapts the Proper Preface of the Day, if desired.
If the Sanctus is to be included, it is introduced with these or similar words
And so we join the saints and angels in proclaiming your glory, as we sing (say),
Celebrant and People
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.The Celebrant now praises God for the salvation of the world through Jesus Christ our Lord.
At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it, or to lay a hand upon it; and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to be consecrated.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."
Recalling now his suffering and death, and celebrating his resurrection and ascension, we await his coming in glory.
Accept, O Lord, our sacrifice of praise, this memorial of our redemption.
Send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts. Let them be for us the Body and Blood of your Son. And grant that we who eat this bread and drink this cup may be filled with your life and goodness.
The Celebrant then prays that all may receive the benefits of Christ's work, and the renewal of the Holy Spirit.
The Prayer concludes with these or similar words
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.
Additional Directions
The Holy Table is spread with a clean white cloth during the celebration.
When the Great Litany is sung or said immediately before the Eucharist, the Litany concludes with the Kyries, and the Eucharist begins with the Salutation and the Collect of the Day. The Prayers of the People following the Creed may be omitted.
When a psalm is used, it may be concluded with Gloria Patri. In Rite One services, the following form of the Gloria may be used:
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.The Kyrie eleison (or "Lord, have mercy") may be sung or said in threefold, sixfold, or ninefold form. The Trisagion, "Holy God", may be sung or said three times, or antiphonally.
Gloria in excelsis, or the hymn used in place of it, is sung or said from Christmas Day through the Feast of the Epiphany; on Sundays from Easter Day through the Day of Pentecost, on all the days of Easter Week, and on Ascension Day; and at other times as desired; but it is not used on the Sundays or ordinary weekdays of Advent or Lent.
It is desirable that the Lessons be read from a lectern or pulpit, and that the Gospel be read from the same lectern, or from the pulpit, or from the midst of the congregation. It is desirable that the Lessons and the Gospel be read from a book or books of appropriate size and dignity.
When a portion of the congregation is composed of persons whose native tongue is other than English, a reader appointed by the celebrant may read the Gospel in the language of the people, either in place of, or in addition to, the Gospel in English.
If there is no Communion, all that is appointed through the Prayers of the People may be said. (If it is desired to include a Confession of Sin, the service begins with the Penitential Order.) A hymn or anthem may then be sung, and the offerings of the people received. The service may then conclude with the Lord's Prayer; and with either the Grace or a blessing, or with the exchange of the Peace.
In the absence of a priest, all that is described above, except for the blessing, may be said by a deacon, or, if there is no deacon, by a lay reader.
The greeting, "The peace of the Lord be always with you," is addressed to the entire assembly. In the exchange between individuals which may follow, any appropriate words of greeting may be used. If preferred, the exchange of the Peace may take place at the time of the administration of the Sacrament (before or after the sentence of Invitation).
Necessary announcements may be made before the service, after the Creed, before the Offertory, or at the end of the service, as convenient.
It is the function of a deacon to make ready the Table for the celebration, preparing and placing upon it the bread and wine. It is customary to add a little water to the wine. The deacon may be assisted by other ministers.
During the Great Thanksgiving, it is appropriate that there be only one chalice on the Altar, and, if need be, a flagon of wine from which additional chalices may be filled after the Breaking of the Bread.
The following anthem may be used at the Breaking of the Bread:
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
grant us peace.While the people are coming forward to receive Communion, the celebrant receives the Sacrament in both kinds. The bishops, priests, and deacons at the Holy Table then communicate, and after them the people.
Opportunity is always to be given to every communicant to receive the consecrated Bread and Wine separately. But the Sacrament may be received in both kinds simultaneously, in a manner approved by the bishop.
When the celebrant is assisted by a deacon or another priest, it is customary for the celebrant to administer the consecrated Bread and the assistant the Chalice. When several deacons or priests are present, some may administer the Bread and others the Wine. In the absence of sufficient deacons and priests, lay persons licensed by the bishop according to the canon may administer the Chalice.
If the consecrated Bread or Wine does not suffice for the number of communicants, the celebrant is to return to the Holy Table, and consecrate more of either or both, by saying
Hear us, O heavenly Father, and with thy (your) Word and Holy Spirit bless and sanctify this bread (wine) that it, also, may be the Sacrament of the precious Body (Blood) of thy (your) Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who took bread (the cup) and said, "This is my Body (Blood)." Amen.
or else the celebrant may consecrate more of both kinds, saying again the words of the Eucharistic Prayer, beginning with the words which follow the Sanctus, and ending with the Invocation (in the case of Eucharistic Prayer C, ending with the narrative of the Institution).
When the service of a priest cannot be obtained, the bishop may, at discretion, authorize a deacon to distribute Holy Communion to the congregation from the reserved Sacrament in the following manner:
1. After the Liturgy of the Word (and the receiving of the people's offering), the deacon reverently places the consecrated Sacrament on the Altar, during which time a communion hymn may be sung.
2. The Lord's Prayer is then said, the deacon first saying, "Let us pray in the words our Savior Christ hath (has) taught us."
3. And then, omitting the breaking of the Bread, the deacon proceeds with what follows in the liturgy as far as the end of the postcommunion prayer, and then dismisses the people.
If any of the consecrated Bread or Wine remain, apart from any which may be required for the Communion of the sick, or of others who for weighty cause could not be present at the celebration, or for the administration of Communion by a deacon to a congregation when no priest is available, the celebrant or deacon, and other communicants, reverently eat and drink it, either after the Communion of the people or after the Dismissal.
A hymn may be sung before or after the postcommunion prayer.
Disciplinary Rubrics
If the priest knows that a person who is living a notoriously evil life intends to come to Communion, the priest shall speak to that person privately, and tell him that he may not come to the Holy Table until he has given clear proof of repentance and amendment of life.
The priest shall follow the same procedure with those who have done wrong to their neighbors and are a scandal to the other members of the congregation, not allowing such persons to receive Communion until they have made restitution for the wrong they have done, or have at least promised to do so.
When the priest sees that there is hatred between members of the congregation, he shall speak privately to them, telling them that they may not receive Communion until they have forgiven each other. And if the person or persons on one side truly forgive the others and desire and promise to make up for their faults, but those on the other side refuse to forgive, the priest shall allow those who are penitent to come to Communion, but not those who are stubborn.
In all such cases, the priest is required to notify the bishop, within fourteen days at the most, giving the reasons for refusing Communion.
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