short rite of communion outside the mass
The place where communion outside Mass is ordinarily given is a church or oratory in which the Eucharist is regularly celebrated or reserved, or a church, oratory, or other place where the local community regularly gathers for the liturgical assembly on Sundays or other days. Communion may be given, however, in other places, including private homes, when it is a question of the sick, prisoners, or others who cannot leave the place without danger or serious difficulty.
Among the possible forms, this form of service is used when the longer, more elaborate form is unsuitable.
Greeting
℣. The Lord be with you.
℟. And also with you.
Penitential Rite
℣. My brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves for this celebration, let us call to mind our sins.
A pause for silent reflection follows. 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.
The priest says the absolution:
May almighty God have mercy on us forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
The people answer: Amen.
Reading of the scripture
The minister should read a short scriptural text:
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 Gospel of the Lord.
℟. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord’s prayer and Holy Communion
The minister takes the ciborium or pyx containing the body of the Lord, places it on the altar, and genuflects. He then introduces the Lord’s Prayer in these or similar words:
Let us pray with confidence to the Father in the words our Savior gave us:
He continues with the people:
Our Father . . .
The minister genuflects. Taking the host, he raises it slightly over the vessel or pyx and, facing the people, says:
℣. This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
The communicants say once:
℟. Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.
The minister takes a host for each one and says:
℣. The Body of Christ
℟. Amen.
After Communion, the minister puts any particles left on the plate into the pyx, and he may wash his hands. He returns any remaining hosts to the tabernacle and genuflects. A period of silence may now be observed, or a psalm or song of praise may be sung.
Meanwhile, not forming part of the rite, one may pray inaudibly:
How holy this feast in which Christ is our food: His passion is recalled, grace fills our hearts, and we receive a pledge of the glory to come (P. T. Alleluia).
The minister then says the concluding prayer:
Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, you gave us the Eucharist as the memorial of your suffering and death. May our worship of this sacrament of your body and blood help us to experience the salvation you won for us and the peace of the kingdom where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
℟. Amen.
During Easter Time the following prayer is preferred:
Let us pray.
Lord, you have nourished us with your Easter sacraments. Fill us with your Spirit and make us one in peace and love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
℟. Amen.
Concluding Rite and Blessing
If the minister is a priest or deacon, he extends his hands and, facing the people, says:
℣. The Lord be with you.
℟. And also with you.
He blesses the people with these words:
℣. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, X and the Holy Spirit.
℟. Amen.
℣. Go in the peace of Christ.
℟. Thanks be to God.