The Great Vigil of Easter

The liturgy begins in darkness. A fire is kindled outside the church.

The Service of Light

All stand in silence. The Celebrant says:

Dear friends in Christ: On this most holy night, in which our Lord Jesus passed over from death to life, the Church invites her children throughout the world to come together in vigil and prayer. This is the Passover of the Lord. We remember His death and resurrection, and we await His coming in glory.

The Celebrant blesses the new fire, saying:
Let us pray.

O God, through your Son you have bestowed upon your people the brightness of your light: Sanctify this new fire, and grant that in this Paschal feast we may so burn with heavenly desires, that with pure minds we may attain to the feast of eternal light; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Paschal Candle is then lit from the newly kindled fire. The Celebrant or Deacon bearing the Candle leads the procession into the church, pausing three times and chanting or saying:

The Light of Christ.
Thanks be to God.

Once in place, the Paschal Candle is set in its stand, and then the Exsultet is sung or said.

The Exsultet (Easter Proclamation)

To be sung or said near the Paschal Candle. All stand with candles lit.

Rejoice now, heavenly hosts and choirs of angels, and let your trumpets shout Salvation for the victory of our mighty King.

Rejoice and sing now, all the round earth, bright with a glorious splendor, for darkness has been vanquished by our eternal King.

Rejoice and be glad now, Mother Church, and let your holy courts, in radiant light, resound with the praises of your people.

All you who stand near this marvelous and holy flame, pray with me to God the Almighty for the grace to sing the worthy praise of this great light; through Jesus Christ his Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Or say or sing the following:

Exult, let them exult, the hosts of heaven,

exult, let Angel ministers of God exult,

let the trumpet of salvation

sound aloud our mighty King's triumph!

Be glad, let earth be glad, as glory floods her,

ablaze with light from her eternal King,

let all corners of the earth be glad,

knowing an end to gloom and darkness.

Rejoice, let Mother Church also rejoice,

arrayed with the lightning of his glory,

let this holy building shake with joy,

filled with the mighty voices of the peoples.

(Therefore, dearest friends,

standing in the awesome glory of this holy light,

invoke with me, I ask you,

the mercy of God almighty,

that he, who has been pleased to number me,

though unworthy, among the Levites,

may pour into me his light unshadowed,

that I may sing this candle's perfect praises).

(Deacon: The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.)

Deacon: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them up to the Lord.

Deacon: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right and just.

It is truly right and just,

with ardent love of mind and heart

and with devoted service of our voice,

to acclaim our God invisible, the almighty Father,

and Jesus Christ, our Lord, his Son, his Only Begotten.

Who for our sake paid Adam's debt to the eternal Father,

and, pouring out his own dear Blood,

wiped clean the record of our ancient sinfulness.

These, then, are the feasts of Passover,

in which is slain the Lamb, the one true Lamb,

whose Blood anoints the doorposts of believers.

This is the night,

when once you led our forebears, Israel's children,

from slavery in Egypt

and made them pass dry-shod through the Red Sea.

This is the night

that with a pillar of fire

banished the darkness of sin.

This is the night

that even now throughout the world,

sets Christian believers apart from worldly vices

and from the gloom of sin,

leading them to grace

and joining them to his holy ones.

This is the night

when Christ broke the prison-bars of death

and rose victorious from the underworld.

Our birth would have been no gain,

had we not been redeemed.

O wonder of your humble care for us!

O love, O charity beyond all telling,

to ransom a slave you gave away your Son!

O truly necessary sin of Adam,

destroyed completely by the Death of Christ!

O happy fault

that earned for us so great, so glorious a Redeemer!

O truly blessed night,

worthy alone to know the time and hour

when Christ rose from the underworld!

This is the night

of which it is written:

The night shall be as bright as day,

dazzling is the night for me, and full of gladness.

The sanctifying power of this night

dispels wickedness, washes faults away,

restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to mourners,

drives out hatred, fosters concord, and brings down the mighty.

On this, your night of grace, O holy Father,

accept this candle, a solemn offering,

the work of bees and of your servants' hands,

an evening sacrifice of praise,

this gift from your most holy Church.

But now we know the praises of this pillar,

which glowing fire ignites for God's honour,

a fire into many flames divided,

yet never dimmed by sharing of its light,

for it is fed by melting wax,

drawn out by mother bees

to build a torch so precious.

O truly blessed night,

when things of heaven are wed to those of earth,

and divine to the human.

Therefore, O Lord,

we pray you that this candle,

hallowed to the honour of your name,

may persevere undimmed,

to overcome the darkness of this night.

Receive it as a pleasing fragrance,

and let it mingle with the lights of heaven.

May this flame be found still burning

by the Morning Star:

the one Morning Star who never sets,

Christ your Son,

who, coming back from death's domain,

has shed his peaceful light on humanity,

and lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

The Liturgy of the Word

All sit for the readings. After each reading, a psalm or canticle is said or sung. Silence is kept, then the Celebrant offers a Collect.

First Reading: Genesis 1:1–2:3 (The Creation)

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

6 And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7 And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. 8 And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.

9 And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

11 And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. 12 The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.

14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. 16 And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. 17 And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

20 And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” 21 So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.

24 And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. 25 And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

27 So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.

28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.  

Followed by Psalm 136:1–9, 23–26

1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

2 Oh give thanks to the God of gods,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

3 Oh give thanks to the Lord of lords,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

4 To him who alone does great wonders,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

5 To him who by understanding made the heavens,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

6 To him who spread out the earth above the waters,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

7 To him who made the great lights,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

8 the sun to rule over the day,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

23  It is he who remembered us in our low estate, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

24  and rescued us from our foes, 

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

 25  he who gives food to all flesh, 

for his steadfast love endures forever. 

Give thanks to the God of heaven, 

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;

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

Second Reading: Exodus 14:10–31, 15:20–21 (Israel’s deliverance at the Red Sea)

10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord. 11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

15 The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. 16 Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”

19 Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, 20 coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night.

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And in the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, 25 clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians.”

26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the Lord threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. 29 But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

30 Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.

20 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. 21 And Miriam sang to them:

“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;

the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”

Followed by Canticle: The Song of Moses (Exodus 15:1–6, 11–13, 17–18)

1 Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying,

“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;

the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.

2 The Lord is my strength and my song,

and he has become my salvation;

this is my God, and I will praise him,

my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

3 The Lord is a man of war;

the Lord is his name.

4 “Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea,

and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea.

5 The floods covered them;

they went down into the depths like a stone.

6 Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power,

your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.

11 “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?

Who is like you, majestic in holiness,

awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

12 You stretched out your right hand;

the earth swallowed them.

13 “You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed;

you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.

17 You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain,

the place, O Lord, which you have made for your abode,

the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established.

18 The Lord will reign forever and ever.”

Third Reading: Ezekiel 36:24–28 (A new heart and a new spirit)

24 I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. 28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

 
Followed by Psalm 42:1–7

1 As a deer pants for flowing streams,

so pants my soul for you, O God.

2 My soul thirsts for God,

for the living God.

When shall I come and appear before God?

3 My tears have been my food

day and night,

while they say to me all the day long,

“Where is your God?”

4 These things I remember,

as I pour out my soul:

how I would go with the throng

and lead them in procession to the house of God

with glad shouts and songs of praise,

a multitude keeping festival.

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my salvation 6 and my God.

My soul is cast down within me;

therefore I remember you

from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,

from Mount Mizar.

7 Deep calls to deep

at the roar of your waterfalls;

all your breakers and your waves

have gone over me.

Fourth Reading: Romans 6:3–11 (Baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection)

3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Gospel: Matthew 28:1–10 (The Resurrection)

1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Renewal of Baptismal Vows

The Celebrant addresses the faithful:

Through the Paschal mystery, dear brothers and sisters, we are buried with Christ by Baptism into His death, and raised with Him to newness of life. Let us now renew the solemn promises and vows of Holy Baptism.

Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
I renounce them.

Do you renounce the empty promises and deadly deceits of this world?
I renounce them.

Do you renounce the sinful desires of the flesh?
I renounce them.

Do you turn to Jesus Christ and trust Him as your Lord and Savior?
I do.

Do you intend to follow Him and obey His commandments all the days of your life?
I do.

The Celebrant then asperges the congregation with holy water, saying:

May Almighty God, who has given us new birth through water and the Holy Spirit, keep us in eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

The First Eucharist of Easter Day

The liturgy continues with the Gloria in excelsis and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the usual manner, beginning with the Collect for Easter Day.

The Lord be with you.

And with your spirit.

GLORY be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.

    O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. You who takes away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. You who sits at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.

    For you only are holy; you only are the Lord; you only, O Christ, with the Holy Spirit, are most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Collect for Easter Day:  

O God, who on this most holy night has opened the way to eternal life through the resurrection of your Son: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy Christ’s rising from the dead, may be raised from the death of sin to the life of righteousness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Offertory

If Communion is to take place, the Priest shall return to the Holy Table, and begin the Offertory, saying one or more of the following Sentences, as he deems appropriate. 

From the heavens You uttered judgment; 

the earth feared and was still, 

when God arose to establish judgment, 

 to save all the meek of the earth. (Psalm 76:8-9)

Receive, O Lord, we pray, these offerings of your rejoicing Church: that as you have given her cause for such great gladness, so you would graciously bestow upon her the joy of eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, may this sacrifice be acceptable to Almighty God.

Censing the altar: LET my prayer be set forth, LORD, as the incense in the sight of Your Majesty. 

After this, the Priest is incensed by the Deacon, and the Sub-Deacon gives him the Text to kiss: then the acolyte incenses the Choir…

This done, the Priest goes to the right corner of the Altar, and claps his hands, saying, 

CLEANSE me, Lord, from every defilement of mind and 

body; that I may be able purely to perform the Holy work 

of the Lord. 

Then standing before the Altar, with head and body bowed down, and with hands joined, he says this prayer: 

IN the spirit of humility and contrition of heart, may we be 

accepted by You, LORD; and so order our sacrifice in Your 

sight, that it may this day be accepted by You, and be pleasing to You, LORD my GOD. 

And raising himself up, he kisses the Altar to the right of the sacrifice, and giving his blessing upon the sacrifice, he afterwards signs himself saying, 

IN the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then turning himself to the people, he says with a low voice, 

PRAY, brothers and sisters, for me, that this sacrifice, yours equally with mine, may be accepted by the Lord our God. 

(2 Timothy 4.6; Philippians 2.17; Romans 12.1; 1 Corinthians 6.20; 1 Peter 2.5; Leviticus 2; Exodus 29.40-41; Leviticus 6.14-23; Hebrews 10.10)

The clerks reply, privately, 

MAY the grace of the Holy Spirit illumine your heart and lips, and may the LORD accept this sacrifice of praise at your hands, for our sins and offences. Amen.

Afterwards the Priest shall say:

Priest:    The Lord be with you.

Answer: And with your spirit.

Kneel

      Lift up your hearts. 

Answer: We lift them up to the Lord.

Priest:    Let us give thanks to our Lord God.

Answer: It is right and proper to do so.

Then the Priest shall turn to the Holy Table and say:

It is very proper, right, and our obligation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks to You, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God.

Here shall follow the Proper Preface, according to the time, if there is any specially appointed; or else immediately shall be said or sung by the Priest:

Proper Preface for Easter Day

BUT above all we are obligated to praise you for the glorious Resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord: for he is the very Paschal Lamb, which was offered for us, and has taken away the sin of the world; who by his death has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again has restored to us everlasting life. 

HOLY, HOLY, Holy Lord God of hosts, 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.

Let us pray for the whole state of Christ’s Church.

Then the priest, turning to the altar, will pray plainly and distinctly,

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, by your holy Apostle you taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks for all men. We humbly beg you to most mercifully accept our [alms and] oblations, and to receive our prayers, which we offer to your Divine Majesty. We implore you to inspire continually the Universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord. Grant that all those who do confess your holy Name may agree in the truth of your holy Word and live in unity and godly love.

     We entreat you also, to direct and influence the hearts of all Christian Rulers, so that they may truly and impartially administer justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and the maintenance of your true religion and virtue.

     Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops, Priests, Deacons, and other Ministers, that both by their life and doctrine, they may make known your true and life-giving Word, and rightly and duly administer your holy Sacraments.

    And to all your People give your heavenly grace, so that with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear and receive your holy Word, truly serving you in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.

     And we most humbly entreat you, of your goodness, O Lord, to comfort and give aid to all those who, in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity.

And especially we commend unto your merciful goodness, this congregation which is here assembled in your name to celebrate the commemoration of the most glorious death of your Son. For this we give to you most high praise and heartfelt thanks for the wonderful grace and virtue declared in all your saints, from the beginning of the world. Especially for that grace and virtue in the glorious and most blessed virgin Mary, mother of Your Son Jesus Christ our Lord and God, and in the holy Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles and Martyrs, whose examples, O Lord, and steadfastness in your faith, and keeping your holy commandments, grant that we are enabled to follow.

We commend unto your mercy, O Lord, all other servants, who have departed, with the sign of faith, and now resting in the sleep of peace: Grant unto them, we beseech you, your mercy, and everlasting peace, and that, at the day of the general resurrection, we and all the rest in the mystical body of your son, may altogether be set on his right hand, and hear his most joyful voice: “Come unto me, O you that are blessed by my Father, and possess the kingdom, which is prepared for you from the beginning of the world”: Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. 

CONSECRATION

WHEREFORE O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the institution of your dearly beloved Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, we, your humble servants celebrate and make here before your Divine Majesty with these your holy gifts, which we now offer unto you, the memorial your Son commanded us to make. This is in remembrance of his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension. We render unto you genuine thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by them. We earnestly desire your fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. We most humbly implore you to grant that, by the merits and death of your Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we, and all your whole Church, may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion. O Lord, here we offer and present unto you ourselves, our souls, and bodies to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto you. We humbly implore you, that we, and all others who shall be partakers of this Holy Communion, may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ, be filled with your grace and heavenly benediction, and made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him. Although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto you any sacrifice; yet we implore you to accept this our obligatory duty and service. We request that these our prayers and supplications, by the ministry of Your holy angels, be brought up into your holy Tabernacle before the sight of your Divine Majesty. We ask that you not weigh our merits, but pardon our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be unto you, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.

Let us pray.

And now, as our Saviour Christ has commanded and taught us, we are bold to say,

Everyone: OUR FATHER, Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. 

Priest: THE peace of the Lord be always with you.

Respond: And with your spirit.

Priest: CHRIST our Pascal Lamb is offered up for us, once-for-all, when he bore our sins on his body upon the cross, for he is the very Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world: wherefore let us keep a joyful and holy feast with the Lord.

Now the priest shall turn and face the congregation and say,

You who do truly and earnestly repent of your sins, are in love and charity with your neighbours, intend to lead a new life following the commandments of God, and walking from this time forth in his holy ways: Draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort, and make your humble confession to Almighty God, devoutly kneeling.

Then the General Confession shall be made, both by the Priest and those who intend to receive Holy Communion while humbly kneeling.

Priest and Laity: 

ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge and deeply mourn over our manifold sins and wickedness, which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, by thought, word, and deed, Against your Divine Majesty. These provoke most justly your wrath and indignation against us. We earnestly repent and are greatly sorry for our wrongdoings. The remembrance of them is grievous unto us. The burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father. For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us all that is past. Grant that from now on we may serve and please you in newness of life to the honour and glory of your Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then the Priest (or the Bishop if he is present) shall stand and turn to the People and say:

Priest: 

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with genuine repentance and true faith turn to him: Have mercy upon you; ✠ pardon and deliver you from all your sins; establish and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then the Priest shall say:

HEAR what comfortable words our Saviour Christ says to all who truly turn to Him.

Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. St Matthew 11:28 

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. St John 3:16 

Hear also what Saint Paul says. 

This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15 

Hear also what Saint John says. 

If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the propitiation for our sins. 1 St John 2:1, 2 

Then shall the Priest, kneeling down at the Lord’s Table, together with all those who shall receive the Communion, pray the following prayer: 

O MERCIFUL Lord, we do not presume to come to this Table of yours trusting in our own righteousness. Rather, we trust in your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your Table. However, you are the same Lord whose attribute is to always have mercy. Gracious Lord, grant us therefore, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his Body, and our souls washed through his most precious Blood. By this, grant that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

Here, making the sign of the Cross, he places a portion of the Host in the Sacrament of the Blood, saying, 

MAY this holy admixture of the ✠ Body and Blood of our 

Lord Jesus Christ be to me and to all partakers thereof health of mind and body, and a salutary preparation to the obtaining of eternal life, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Then shall the Celebrant receive the Communion in both kinds, first himself, and then proceed to deliver Communion in both kinds to the Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons, in like manner, (if any be present,) and after that to the people also in order, into their hands, all devoutly kneeling. And sufficient opportunity shall be given to those present to take Communion. And when he delivers the Bread, he shall say, 

THE Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life. 

And the Minister who delivers the Cup shall say, 

THE Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life. 

During the time of Holy Communion shall be sung,

O LAMB of God, Who takes away the sin of the world; have mercy upon us.

O LAMB of God, Who takes away the sin of the world; have mercy upon us.

O LAMB of God, Who takes away the sin of the world; grant us Your peace.

Then the priest shall say the post-communion words:

Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, to grant us that we might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. (St. Luke 1.68, 74, 75)

Priest:  The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

Priest:  Let us pray.

Turning back to the altar he shall pray, 

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we heartily thank you, because you condescend to feed us who have properly received these holy mysteries of the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. We thank you that you assure us thereby of your favour and goodness towards us and that we are actual members incorporate in the mystical body of your Son. This Body is the blessed company of all faithful people and we are also heirs through hope of your everlasting kingdom by the merits of his most precious death and passion. And we most humbly implore you, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with your grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship and do all such good works as you have prepared for us to walk in. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

Turning back to face the people, the priest shall give this blessing, 

Priest: THE peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord: And the blessing ✠ of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.