PENITENTIAL RITE · Handbook of Prayers

The minister invites all to join in the penitential rite:

My brothers and sisters, let us turn with confidence to the Lord and ask forgiveness for all our sins.

After a brief silence, the penitential rite continues:

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.

or he may speak the following invocations to which all respond.

℣. Lord Jesus, you healed the sick: Lord, have mercy.

℟. Lord, have mercy.

℣. Lord Jesus, you forgave sinners: Christ, have mercy.

℟. Christ, have mercy.

℣. Lord Jesus, you give us yourself to heal us and to bring us strength: Lord, have mercy.

℟. Lord, have mercy.

Then the minister concludes the penitential rite:

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

℟. Amen.

READING OF THE SCRIPTURE

Then the Scripture is read. An appropriate reading should be selected and prepared by the family or the minister of communion. The following Scriptures are appropriate but should not limit the choice of a reading.

A reading of the holy gospel according to John: 6:51

Jesus says: “I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. anyone who eats this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world.”

The reader concludes:

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

All respond:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

or:

A reading of the holy gospel according to John: 15: 5

I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.

The reader concludes:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All respond:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

or:

A reading of the first letter of John: 4:16

We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.

The reader concludes:

The Word of the Lord.

All respond: Thanks be to God.

LORD’S PRAYER AND COMMUNION

Following a time of silence, all join in prayers of intercession. Then, in preparation for holy communion, all recite the Lord’s Prayer.

Now let us pray to God as our Lord Jesus Christ taught us.

Our Father . . .

After this, the minister shows the eucharistic bread to those present, saying:

This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.

All who are to receive communion respond:

Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.

The minister gives communion saying, “The Body of Christ,” “The Blood of Christ,” as appropriate. The sick person answers “Amen.” All who wish receive communion in the usual way. After a time of silence, the minister says the following or another prayer:

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.