LITURGY OF THE WORD [WITH HOLY COMMUNION] LAY LEADER S TEXT INTRODUCTORY RITES Hymn Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Greeting: Brothers and sisters, the Lord invites us to his table to share in the body of Christ: bless him for his goodness. Blessed be God forever. 1
Penitential Act My sisters and brothers, to prepare ourselves for this celebration, let us call to mind our sins. Pause for silent reflection. Form A, B, or C of the Penitential Act is said. Included in this rite is Form C: The leader or another minister makes the following invocations. 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 gave yourself to heal us and bring us strength: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life. 2
CELEBRATION OF THE LITURGY OF THE WORD Texts for the Liturgy of the Word are chosen for the occasion either from the Mass of the day or from the votive Masses of the Holy Eucharist or the Precious Blood, the readings from which are in the Lectionary. The Lectionary offers a wide range of readings which may be drawn upon for particular needs, such as the Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart. There may be one or more readings, the first being followed by a psalm or some other chant or by a period of silent prayer. The readings are followed by the prayer of the faithful. First Reading Responsorial Psalm [Second Reading] Gospel Acclamation always sung Gospel Silent Reflection Universal Prayer (General Intercessions) Reader: In faith and humility let us offer our needs to the God of compassion. For those who lead and guide the Church; for the grace to lead in wisdom and truth. We pray to the Lord. 3
For nations torn by war and destruction; for leaders who will bring justice and peace. We pray to the Lord For parish communities who stand as witness to the Gospel; for the grace to be a light to all nations. We pray to the Lord. [For those discerning vocations; for an openness to the call of the Holy Spirit. We pray to the Lord.] For those who have died: may they have a share in the eternal banquet. We pray to the Lord. either a concluding prayer is inserted here or the Prayer for Vocations may be used. If the Prayer for Vocations is used, then the intention for vocations is omitted and the concluding prayer to the Prayer of the Faithful is omitted. [COMMUNION RITE] The leader goes to the place where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved, genuflects, takes the vessel containing the body of the Lord, places it on the altar. The lay leader then returns to his/her place or off to the side of the altar, facing the ciborium and invites all to pray or sing: 4
Lord s Prayer The Father provides us with food for eternal life. Let us pray for nourishment and strength. 1 Our Father... The leader may invite the people in these or similar words: Let us offer each other a sign of peace. Invitation to Communion The leader returns to the altar and genuflects. Taking the host, the leader raises it slightly over the vessel and says: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb. The people respond: Lord, I am not worthy 1 Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest, USCCB, 2012 5
Communion that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. If the leader receives communion, he says quietly: May the Body of Christ keep me safe for eternal life. The leader reverently consumes the body of Christ. The leader then distributes communion to the communicants, raising the Host slightly, saying: The Body of Christ. If there are many communicants, another minister(s) may assist in distribution of Holy Communion. During the distribution of communion, a hymn may be sung. Once all have received communion, the leader places any particles left on the plate(s) into the pyx and returns any remaining hosts to the tabernacle. If the tabernacle is some distance, another extraordinary minister of Holy Communion may return the vessel to the tabernacle. Prayer after Communion After communion there may be a period of silence. Then the leader 6
stands for the prayer and says it with arms outstretched.) Let us pray. O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament have left us a memorial of your Passion, grant us, we pray, so to revere the sacred mysteries of your Body and Blood that we may always experience in ourselves the fruits of your redemption. Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 2 For additional prayer texts see the appendix. Blessing and Dismissal CONCLUDING RITE The leader invokes God s blessing and, crossing himself, says: May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. 2 Collect, Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ 7
Go in the peace of Christ. Thanks be to God. The leader may bow to the altar and leave. HYMN A suitable hymn may be sung. 8
APPENDIX I PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION Pour on us, O Lord, the Spirit of your love, and in your kindness make those you have nourished by this one heavenly Bread one in mind and heart. Through Christ our Lord. 3 May sharing at the heavenly table sanctify us, Lord, we pray, so that through the Body and Blood of Christ the whole family of believers may be bound together. Through Christ our Lord. 4 As we receive these glorious mysteries, we make thanksgiving to you, O Lord, for allowing us while still on earth to be partakers even now of the things of heaven. Through Christ our Lord. 5 3 Prayer after Communion, 2 nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. 4 Prayer after Communion, Votive Mass of the Most Holy Eucharist. 5 Prayer After Communion, 2 nd Sunday of Lent 9
Humbly we ask you, almighty God, be graciously pleased to grant that those you renew with your Sacraments may also serve with lives pleasing to you. Through Christ our Lord. 6 O God, who have willed that we be partakers in the one Bread and the one Chalice, grant us, we pray, so to live that, made one in Christ, we may joyfully bear fruit for the salvation of the world. Through Christ our Lord. 7 Renewed by this bread from the heavenly table, we beseech you, Lord, that, being the food of charity, it may confirm our hearts 6 Prayer After Communion, 1 st Week in Ordinary Time 7 Prayer After Communion, 5 th Sunday in Ordinary Time 10
and stir us to serve you in our neighbor. Through Christ our Lord. 8 Nourished by this sacred gift, O Lord, we give you thanks and beseech your mercy, that, by the pouring forth of your Spirit, the grace of integrity may endure in those your heavenly power has entered. Through Christ our Lord. 9 Renewed by the sustenance of the one Bread, O Lord, we humbly pray, that you may confirm us ever in your charity and make us walk in newness of life. Through Christ our Lord. 10 Pour out on us, O Lord, the Spirit of your love, and in your kindness make those you have nourished by this paschal Sacrament 8 Prayer After Communion, 22 nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 9 Prayer After Communion, 32 nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 10 Prayer After Communion, Common of Martyrs, II. During Easter Time, A. For Several Martyrs, #2 (variant) 11
one in mind and heart. Through Christ our Lord. 11 We pray, O Lord, that the reverent reception of the Sacrament of your Son may cleanse us from our old ways and transform us into a new creation. Through Christ our Lord. 12 Almighty ever living God, who restore us to eternal life in the Resurrection of Christ, increase in us, we pray, the fruits of this paschal Sacrament and pour into our hearts the strength of this saving food. Through Christ our Lord. 13 11 Prayer After Communion, Easter Vigil 12 Prayer After Communion, Wednesday within the Octave of Easter 13 Prayer After Communion, Thursday of the 2 nd Week of Easter 12