The Communion of the Sick

The Communion of the Sick

Forasmuch as all mortal men be subject to many sudden perils, diseases, and sicknesses, and ever uncertain what time they shall depart out of this life: Therefore to the intent they may be always in a readiness to dye, whomsoever it shall please almighty God to call them: The curates shall diligently from time to time, but specially in the plague time, exhort their parishioners to the oft receiving (in the church) of the holy communion of the body and blood of our Savior Christ: which (if they do) they shall have no cause in their sudden visitation, to be unquited for lack of the same. But if the sick person be not able to come to the church, and yet is desirous to receive the communion in his house, then he must give knowledge over night, or else early in the morning to the curate, signifying also how many he appointed to communicate with him. And if the same day there be a celebration of the holy communion in the church, then shall the priest reserve (at the open communion) so much of the sacrament of the body and blood, as shall serve the sick person, and so many as shall communicate with him (if there be any.) And so soon as he conveniently may, after the open communion ended in the church, shall go and minister the same, first to those that are appointed to communicate with the sick (if there be any), and last of all to the sick person himself. But before the curate distribute the holy communion: the appointed general confession must be made in the name of the communicants, the curate adding the absolution with the comfortable sentences of scripture following in the open communion, and after the communion ended the collect.

ALMIGHTIE and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee, &c.

¶ But if the day be not appointed for the open communion us the church, then (upon convenient warning given) the curate shall come and visit the sick person afore noone. And having a convenient place in the sick mans house (where he may reverently celebrate) with all things necessary for the same, and not being otherwise hindered with the public service. or any other just impediment; he shall there celebrate ye holy communion after such form and sort as hereafter is appointed.

The Celebration

of the holy communion for the sick.

O PRAYSE the Lord, all ye nations, laude him, all ye people: for his merciful kindnesses is confirmed toward us, and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.

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.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

The Priest. The Lord be with you.

Answer. And with thy spirit.

Priest Let us pray.

ALMIGHTIE everliving God, maker of mankind, which doest correct those whom thou doest love, and chastises every one whom thou doest receive: we beseech thee to have mercy upon this thy servant visited with thy hand, and to grant that he may take his sickness patiently, and recover his bodily health (if it be thy gracious will), and whomsoever his soul shall depart from the body, it may without spot be presented unto thee: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. Heb. xii.

MY son, despise not the correction of the Lord, neither faint when thou art rebuked of him: for whom the Lord loveth, him he correcteth, yea and he scourges every son whom he receives.

The gospel. John v.

VERILY, verily I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and beleveth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come unto damnation, but he passes from death unto life.

The Preface.

The Lord be with you.
Answer. And with thy spirit.

 Lift up your hearts, &c.

Unto the end of the Canon.

¶ At the time of the distribution of the holy sacrament, the priest shalt first receive the communion himself, and after minister to them that be appointed to communicate with the sick (if there be any), and then to the sick person. And the sick person shall all ways desire some, either of his own house, or else of his neighbors, to receive the holy communion with him; for that shall be to him a singular great comfort, and of their parte a great token of charity.

¶ And if there be more sick persons to be visited the same day that the curate doth celebrate in any sick mans house; then shall the curate (there) reserve so much of the sacrament of the body and blood: as shall serve the other sick persons, and such as be appointed to communicate with them (if there be any). And shall immediately carry it, and minister it unto them.

¶ But if any man either by reason of extremity of sickness, or for lack of warning given in due time, to the curate, or by any other just impediment, does not receive the sacrament of Christ’s body and blood then the curate shall instruct him, that if he do truly repent him of his sins and steadfastly believe that Jesus Christ hath suffered death upon the cross for him, and shed his blood for his redemption, earnestly remembering the benefits he hath thereby, and giving him hearty thanks therefore; he doeth eat and drink spiritually the body and blood of our saviors Christ, profitably to his souls’ health, although he does not receive the sacrament with his mouth.

¶ When the sick person is visited and receiveth the holy communion, all at one time: then the priest for more expedition shall use this order at the visitation.

The Anthem.

Remembre not Lord, &c.

Lord have mercy upon us.
Christ have mercy upon us.
Lord have mercy upon 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. 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, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.  Amen.

Answer. But deliver us from evil. Amen.

  Let us pray.

  O Lord,* look down from heaven, &c.

With the first part of the exhortation and all other things unto the Psalm:

In thee O Lord have I put my trust, &c.

And if the sick desire to be anointed, then shall the priest use the appointed prayer without any Psalm.