The Liturgical Commission of the Nippon Sei Ko Kai presents this English version of the Holy Communion, as revised and authorized for permissive use by the General Synod of April 1953, for your consideration.

The translation was made by the Reverend Cyril H. Powles, a member of the Commission, and revised by the Assistant Bishop of Tokyo. It is not an official version, in that it has not been submitted to nor approved by the Commission. It has been privately printed, not published. Nevertheless, it is circulated to furnish information, to encourage study, and to solicit suggestions and criticism.

The translators have endeavored in general to retain the wording of the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England or of the Church in America. Where changes have been made, the reasons for such changes fall into three categories.

1) In the Japanese some phrases have been shortened; e.g., in the Collect for Purity, “cleanse our hearts by thy Holy Spirit.”

2) The Japanese text has added some words; e.g., in the Gloria in Excelsis, “Thou only, O Jesus Christ, art holy.”

3) In a few cases a literal translation has been preferred, though the Japanese means essentially the same as the familiar English words; e.g., in the Prayer of Consecration, “the sins of all men,” instead of “the sins of the whole world.”

Although the translation is not literal, it is believed to be fundamentally faithful to the text and expresses its meaning in English which is in accord with Anglican liturgical tradition. In two instances, however, there is a divergence which ought to be noted. Instead of trying to translate the title, Hombun, the translators have used The Liturgy. The literal meaning is The Text. Possibly The Rite would have been a satisfactory rendering. In the salutation before the Blessing the phrase “in peace” is not expressed nor implied but the use of the salutation before a liturgical procession seemed a better choice than a literal translation of “Iza warera ide yukan,” “Now then, let us go forth.”

One further point to be noted is that the order has been altered from the Japanese text by placing the General Rubrics and the Exhortation at the end instead of at the beginning of the service.

(It is regretted that a few typographical errors escaped detection and correction.)

The Holy Communion

The Preparation

OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done; In earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse our hearts by the Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy Holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The minister, standing, reads the Commandments. The people, kneeling, after each commandment beseech the Lord for mercy on their past sins and pray for grace in the future to keep this commandment.

The Ten Commandments

GOD spake these words and said;

I am the Lord thy God: Thou shalt have none other gods but me.
Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in earth beneath, or in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them.
Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day. Six days shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to do; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.
Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Honour thy father and thy mother.
Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Thou shalt do no murder.
Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Thou shalt not steal.
Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Thou shalt not covet.
Lord, have mercy upon us, and write these thy laws in our hearts, we beseech thee.

Hear also what our Lord Jesus Christ saith;
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.
Lord have mercy upon us, and write this law in our hearts, we beseech thee.

Let us pray

ALMIGHTY, everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both our hearts and bodies, in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy commandments; that, through thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Confession

Let us confess our sins unto Almighty God.

The following confession is said by all.

ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; 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 thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Priest pronounces the following absolution. If a priest be not present, the minister shall continue with the Comfortable words which follow.

The Absolution

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him; Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Comfortable Words

HEAR what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all who truly turn to him.

Come unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. St. Matthew xi. 28.

So God loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. St. John iii. 16.

Hear also what St. Paul saith.

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

Hear also what St. John saith.

If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the Propitiation for our sins. Ist. John ii. 1, 2.

Let us pray

ASSIST us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayers, and dispose the way of thy servants towards the attainment of everlasting salvation; that, among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, we may ever be defended by thy most gracious and ready help; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Here may be used other suitable prayers.

THE LITURGY

The Introduction

Here may be used  a hymn, or the Introit.

When the Liturgy follows immediately on the Preparation, the Priest does not use the two following prayers.

OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done; In earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse our hearts by the Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy Holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall be sung or said (each verse may be repeated three times).

Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy

or

Kyrie eleison
Christe eleison
Kyrie eleison

Then, on Sundays (except in Advent and from Septuagesima to Palm Sunday inclusive), and on other Holy Days, all shall things or say the following canticle.

GLORY be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy 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, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takes away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
For thou only, O Jesus Christ, art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

The Collects

Priest The Lord be with you.
People And with thy spirit.
Priest Let us pray.

The people kneeling, the Priest offers the collects.

The Holy Word

The people being seated, the assistant, or the Priest, sings or reads the Epistle, first saying, The Epistle is written in the —— Chapter of ——, beginning at the —— verse. The Epistle ended, he shall say, Here endeth the Epistle.

Then, all the people standing, a hymn or the Gradual may be used.

The Deacon or the Priest, after making the following response, sings or reads the Gospel.

The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.

The Holy Gospel is written in the —— Chapter of the Gospel according to St. ——, beginning at the —— verse.
Glory be to thee, O Lord.

After the Gospel shall be sung or said.

Thanks be to thee, O Lord.

The Nicene Creed

Then, standing, all together, on Sundays and Holy Days, shall sing or say the following Creed.

I BELIEVE in one God: the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible:

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God; Begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God; Begotten, not made; Being of one substance with the Father; By whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man: And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried: And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures: And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father: And he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord, and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spake by the Prophets: And I believe one Catholic and Apostolic Church: I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins: And I look for the Resurrection of the dead: And the Life of the world to come. Amen.

Then shall the Priest give notice of Holy Days, Days of Abstinence and Fast Days to be observed during the week; also of days on which there is to be a celebration of the Holy Communion; communications from the Bishop; Banns of Marriage; notices of excommunication, and of other matters.

Then shall follow the Sermon.

When the Preparation has been said immediately before the Liturgy, the following Exhortation, Confession, and Absolution are omitted.

The Exhortation

Let us truly repent us of our sins and confess them to Almighty God.

The Confession

All together shall say the following confession.

O ALMIGHTY God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, sorrowfully we confess to thee that we have sinned in thout, word, and deed, by our own grievous fault. Wherefore we beseech thee, O God, to have mercy upon us. Amen.

The Absolution

The Priest, or the Bishop of the Diocese, if he be present, pronounces the following Absolution.

ALMIGHTY God have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, save you from evil, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life. Amen.

The Offertory

The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.

Then the Deacon, or Priest, shall sing or say.

Let us make our offering unto the Lord.

Then one or more of the following sentences, or the Offertory, shall be used.

LET your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. St. Matt. v. 16.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. St. Matt. vii. 21.

Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts xx. 35.

Know yet not that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. I Cor. ix. 13, 14.

To do good and to distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Heb. xiii. 16.

Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. St. Matt. xxv. 40.

All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee. I Chron xxxix. 14.

Here may be sung a hymn.

Then the Bread and Wine are offered, at which time the following prayer is to be used.

Let us pray

O LORD, we beseech thee to accept the Bread and Wine which thy servants offer, and to use it for the Most Excellent Sacrament which thou hast ordained. Amen.

Then the Alms and other Offerings of the People are presented, at which time an appropriate anthem may be used.

The Intercession

Here the priest may use prayers for special intentions.

Then the Priest shall say.

Let us pray for the whole Church.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers and supplications, and to give thanks, for all men; We humbly beseech thee most mercifully to accept our (alms and) oblations, and to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the Universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: And grant, that all they that do confess thy holy Name may agree in the Truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.

We beseech thee also to guide those in authority and those who rule, that they may impartially punish wickedness and maintain true religion.

Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons (especially — , our Bishop), that they may both by their life and doctrine set forth thy true and living Word, and rightly administer thy holy Sacraments.

And to all thy people give thy heavenly grace; and especially to this congregation here present; that with due reverence they may hear thy holy Word, truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.

And we most humbly beseech thee, of thy goodness, O Lord, to strengthen and help all those who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorry, need, sickness, or any other adversity.

And we commend to thy loving care, O Lord, thy faithful servants who have departed this life, beseeching thee to grant them mercy and everlasting peace.

We praise and thank thee, O Lord, for thy grace and favour revealed in all thy Saints, humbly beseeching thee to give us grace to have fellowship with them in thee, and to follow their examples, that with them we may be partakers of thy Kingdom.

Through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, who ever liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

The Consecration

Priest The Lord be with you.
People And with thy spirit.
Priest Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them up unto the Lord.
Priest Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
People It is meet and right so to do.

Then the Priest shall sing or say,

IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, Most Holy Lord, Almighty Father, Everlasting God.

Here shall follow the Proper Preface of the day, in accordance with the directions given for each of them as printed at the end of the Liturgy.

THEREFORE, with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name, evermore praising thee, and saying:

Priest and People together sing or say,

HOLY, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts. Heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High. Amen.

Continuing, together they may sing or say,

BLESSED is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the Highest.

Or, these words may be used immediately before the people's Communion.

Then the Priest shall say,

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, we give thanks to thee, and praise thy holy Name, for that thou of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; who made there (by his one oblation of himself once offered) the only perfect sacrifice for the redemption of the sins of all men; and didst institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious sacrifice and death until his coming again.

O most merciful Father, we humbly beseech thee to hear our prayer, to bless and sanctify with thy Word and Holy Spirit these thy gifts of bread and wine, and grant that we may be partakers of the precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ:

Who, in the night in which he was betrayed, took Bread (a) and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise, after supper, he took the Cup, (b) and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this: for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins. Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.

(a) Here the Priest takes the Bread in his hands.

(b) Here he takes the Cup into his hands.

Wherefore, O Heavenly Father, according to the institution of thy dearly beloved Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, we do celebrate and make here before thee, with these thy holy gifts, which we now offer to thee, the memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blssed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; rendering unto thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same.

Heavenly Father, we earnestly desire thee, of thy tender mercy, to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, we, and all thy whole Church, may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion. And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our souls and bodies, to be a pure and living sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee that we, and all others who shall be partakers of this Holy Communion, may receive the most precious Body and Blood of Christ, be filled with thy heavenly grace, and be made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him. And although we be unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice; yet we beseech thee to accept this bounden duty and service; not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.

Then shall the Priest sing or say,

As our Saviour Christ hath taught us, let us pray.

Priest and people together sing or say,

OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done; In earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Then may follow,

Priest The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And with thy spirit.

Here may be sung or said the following anthem, (but in celebrations in memory of the Departed instead of "Have mercy upon us" is said "Grant them rest" and instead of "Grant thy peace," "Grant them rest eternal").

O LAMB of God, that takest away the sins of the world: have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world: have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world: grant us thy peace.

The Communion

The Priest offers the following prayer, or it may be used before the Prayer of Consecration.

WE do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the Flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his Blood, that our sinful bodies and souls may be made clean by his most precious Body and Blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

The Priest shall first receive the Holy Communion, then those in Holy Orders, afterwards the People in their turn. When he administers the Communion, he shall say to each person,

THE Body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for thee.

The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ which was shed for thee.

In the event that the consecrated elements should not suffice to communicate all, directions are given at the end of this service.

Here may be used a Communion Sentence, or a hymn.

The Thanksgiving

Priest The Lord be with you.
People And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee, for that thou dost vouchsafe to feed us who have duly received these holy mysteries with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs through hope of thy everlasting kingdom, by the merits of his most precious death and passion. And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

The Blessing

The Priest (the Bishop of the Diocese, if he be present) shall let the People depart with this Blessing. The Deacon, or the Priest, before the Blessed may make the following response with the People.

The Lord be with you.
People And with thy spirit.
Let us go forth in peace. (Let us bless the Lord)
People Thanks be to God.

THE Peace of God, which passeth 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 Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.

If any of the consecrated elements remain, it must be reverently consumed at the Altar.

PROPER PREFACES

The Nativity

Upon Christmas Day, and seven days after; moreover, it may be used daily until Epiphany Eve, and also upon the Feasts of the Purification and the Annunciation.

BECAUSE thou didst give Jesus Christ thine only Son to be born for us; who, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, was made very man, of the substance of the Virgin Mary his mother; and that without spot of sin, to make us clean from all sin.

Easter

Upon Easter Day, and seven days after; moreover, it may be used daily until Ascension Eve.

BUT chiefly are we bound to praise thee for the glorious Resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord: for he is the very Paschal Lamb, which was offered for us, and hath taken away the sin of the world; who by his death hath destroyed death, and by his rising to life again hath given us everlasting life.

Ascension Day

Upon Ascension Day, and seven days after.

FOR the Ascension of thy beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who, after his most glorious Resurrection, manifestly appeared to all his Apostles, and in their sight ascended up into heaven, to prepare a place for us; that where he is, thither we might also ascend, and reign with him in glory.

Whitsunday

Upon Whitsunday, and six days after.

THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord; who after that he had ascended up far above all the heavens, and was set down at the right hand of thy Majesty, did as at this time pour forth upon the Universal Church thy Holy and Life-giving Spirit; that through his glorious power the joy of the everlasting Gospel might go forth into all the world, whereby we have been brought out of darkness and error into the clear light and true knowledge of thee, and of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Trinity Sunday

Upon Trinity Sunday, and three days after; moreover, it may be used on any Sunday for which no Proper Preface is assigned.

WHO, with thine only-begotten Son, and the Holy Ghost, art one God, one Lord, in Trinity of Persons and in Unity of Substance. For that which we believe of thy glory, O Father, the same we believe of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, without any difference of inequality.

The following Prefaces may also be used.

Advent

Upon Sundays and ferias.

BECAUSE thou hast given salvation unto mankind by the Advent of thine only Son; who, when he shall come again in great glory to judge the world with righteousness, shall make all things new.

The Epiphany

Upon the Epiphany, and seven days after; moreover, it may also be used upon the Feast of the Transfiguration.

THROUGH thine only Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who, in substance of our mortal flesh, manifested forth his glory; that he might bring us out of darkness into his own glorious light.

Lent

From Ash Wednesday to Passion Sunday.

THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord; who, when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, was hungry; and, being tempted of the evil, was victorious over him; that, by his merits, we, when we are tempted, may come with boldness to the throne of grace, there to receive mercy and to obtain grace and power.

Passiontide

From Passion Sunday to Wednesday in Holy Week.

THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord; who, being found in fashion as a man, humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross; that he, being lifted up, might draw all men unto him.

Maundy Thursday

Upon Maundy Thursday; moreover, it may be used on the Feast of Corpus Christi.

THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord; who, having loved his own that were in the world, loved them to the end: and on the night that he was betrayed, sitting at meat with his disciples, didst institute these holy mysteries; that we, redeemed by his death, and quickened by his resurrection, might be partakers of his divine nature.

Saints’ Days

Upon the Feasts of Apostles, Evangelists, Saint John Baptist, and All Saints.

WHO in thy Saints hast given us an example of godly living and a firm pledge of the hope of our calling; that we, being compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, may run with perseverance the race that is set before us, and with them receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away.

The Consecration of a Church or its Anniversary

WHO, though the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee, and thy glory is in all the world; dost design to hallow places for thy worship, and in them dost pour forth gifts of grace upon thy people.

Commemorations of the Departed

THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord; in whom hath shone forth the hope of a blessed resurrection, that they who bewail the certain condition of their mortality may be comforted by the promise of immortality to come; for to thy faithful people, O Lord, life is changed, not taken away; and at the dissolution of the tabernacle of this earthly pilgrimage a dwelling-place eternal is made ready in the heavens.

RECONSECRATION

The Priest must take pains to ensure that the consecrated elements are sufficient to communicate all who desire to receive Holy Communion. If, however, they do not suffice, he shall use the following prayer to consecrate more in both kinds.

We humbly beseech thee, O most merciful Father, to hear our prayer, and vouchsafe to bless and sanctify with thy Word and Holy Spirit, these thy gifts of Bread and Wine, that we may be partakers of the precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ:

Who in the night in which he was betrayed, took Bread. (Here the Priest takes the Bread in his hands) and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise after supper, he took the Cup (Here he takes the Cup into his hands) and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this: for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins. Do this as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me. Amen.

GENERAL RUBRICS

If a communicant in good standing desires to receive Holy Communion at a church other than the one in which he is registered, he must notify the Celebrant in advance.

If there be anyone among those who come to be partakers of the Holy Communion who has undoubtedly committed a grievous sin, or who has harmed his neighbour by word or deed, so that the congregation is offended, the Priest must call that person and inform him that he must not receive the Holy Communion until he has truly repented of his sin, has made amendment for the harm he has done, or has definitely resolved to make amendment in the future, so that the congregation is no longer thereby offended.

Furthermore, if in the congregation there are any who bear malice toward one another, they are not to receive Holy Communion, in accordance with the above regulation. However, if one of them has clearly expressed his forgiveness for the harm that has been done to him, and his amendment for the harm he has done, and is seeking reconciliation, though the other will not acknowledge this and still persists in his ill-will, the Priest shall allow the one who is seeking reconciliation to come to Communion, but him who refuses reconciliation he will not permit to communicate. In the event of his taking such action, the Priest must report to the Bishop his reasons for so doing.

THE EXHORTATION

The Priest shall read this exhortation from time to time (at the least once during Lent) during divine service.

DEARLY beloved brethren, our Lord Jesus Christ has ordained the Sacrament of his Body and Blood for our salvation, that all devout people, receiving it in remembrance of his Cross and Passion, may be strengthened by him. For we obtain remission of our sins and are made partakers of the joys of the kingdom of heaven only by his merits.

Wherefore, it is our duty to render most humble and hearty thanks to Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that he hath given his Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, not only to die for us, but also to be our spiritual food and sustenance in that holy Sacrament. Which being so divine and comfortable a thing to them who receive it worthily, and so dangerous to those who will presume to receive it unworthily; my duty is to exhort you, in the mean season to consider the dignity of that holy mystery, and the great peril of the unworthy receiving thereof; and so to search and examine your own consciences, and that not lightly, and after the manner of dissemblers with God; but so that ye may come holy and clean to such a heavenly Feast, in the marriage-garment required by God in holy Scripture, and be received as worthy partakers of that holy Table.

The way and means thereto is: First, to examine your lives and conversations by the rule of God’s commandments; and whereinsoever ye shall perceive yourselves to have offended, either by will, word, or deed, there to bewail your own sinfulness, and to confess yourselves to Almighty God, with full purpose of amendment of life. And if ye shall perceive your offences to be such as are not only against God, but also against your neighbours; then ye shall reconcile yourselves unto them; being ready to make restitution and satisfaction, according to the uttermost of your powers, for all injuries and wrongs done by you to any other; and being likewise ready to forgive others who have offended you, as ye would have forgiveness of your offences at God’s hand: for otherwise the receiving of the holy Communion doth nothing else but increase your condemnation. Therefore, if any of you be a blasphemer of God, an hinderer or slanderer of his Word, an adulterer, or be in malice, or envy, or in any other grievous crime; repent you of your sins, or else come not to that holy Table.

And because it is requisite that no man should come to the holy Communion, but with a full trust in God’s mercy, and with a quiet conscience; therefore, if there be any of you, who by this means cannot quiet his own conscience herein, but requireth further comfort or counsel, let him come to me, or to some other Minister of God’s Word, and open his grief; that he may receive such godly counsel and advice, as may tend to the quieting of his conscience, and the removing of all scruple and doubtfulness.

Those who have been confirmed should receive holy Communion frequently, moreover, they should do so without fail during Eastertide. Also it is the custom from ancient times that they should receive the holy Communion before they break their fast on that day.