The Ascension of the Lord, Year B

This guide is designed to assist those parishioners who may have a relative or friend who is unwell, and wish to assist them as a Minister of Communion of the Sick for the period of time that they are not able to join the rest of the community at Mass.

When the eucharist is brought to the sick, it should be carried in a pyx or small closed container. Those who are with the sick should be asked to prepare a table covered with a linen cloth upon which the blessed sacrament will be placed. Lighted candles are prepared. Care should be taken to make the occasion special and joyful.

Pastoral Care of the Sick, 74

This guide follows the Church’s formal ritual for the Communion of the Sick, which also allows for a shorter form of the rite to be used where that is more appropriate.  If you decide that the shorter form is  more appropriate, then use the sections marked by the bold type.

Introductory Rites

Sign of the Cross

Minister:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

℟  Amen.

Greeting

Minister:

Let us bless the Lord who gives us peace.  Let us bless the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

℟  Blessed be God for ever.

Penitential Act

Minister:        

Friends, to prepare ourselves for this celebration, let us ask the Lord for forgiveness.

Pause briefly for silent prayer.

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

℟  Lord, have mercy.

You forgave sinners.  Christ, have mercy.

℟  Christ, have mercy.

You give yourself to us 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.

℟  Amen.

Liturgy of the Word

Gospel

The Gospel can be read by the minister, the sick person, or another person who is present.  Some silent reflection should follow.

Reader:

A reading from the holy gospel according to Mark                                                            Mk 16:15-20

Jesus showed himself to the Eleven, and said to them, 'Go out to the whole world, proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.'

And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.

The Gospel of the Lord.

℟  Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Silent Reflection on the Reading

Prayer of the Faithful

Everyone who is present can be invited to offer prayer intentions for the sick person and the needs of the world.

We pray for…

Lord, hear us.

℟  Lord, hear our prayer.

Liturgy of Holy Communion

Lord’s Prayer

Minister:

Let us pray the words that Jesus taught us.

All:

Our Father…

Communion

The minister holds the host before those present and invites them to communion by saying:

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.

All:

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof,

but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

The minister gives communion to the sick person and any others receiving in the same way as at Mass:

The Body of Christ.

℟  Amen.

Some silent prayer should follow communion

Prayer After Communion

There are three options for the minister to choose from.

Option A

Let us pray.

God our Father,

you have called us to share the one bread and one cup

and so become one in Christ.

Help us to live in him

that we may bear fruit,

rejoicing that he has redeemed the world.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

℟  Amen.

Option B

Let us pray.

All powerful God,

we thank you for the nourishment you give us

through your holy gift.

Pour out your Spirit upon us

and in the strength of this food from heaven

keep us single minded in your service.

We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

℟  Amen.

Option C

Let us pray.

All powerful and ever living God,

may the body and blood of Christ your Son

be for our brother/sister (name).

a lasting remedy for body and soul.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

℟  Amen.

Concluding Rite

The minister and everyone present make the sign of the cross on themselves as the minister says:

May the almighty and merciful God bless and protect us,

the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

℟  Amen.

Please remind those who are sick that their parish community is praying for them.  We look forward to the time when they can join us again at the celebration of Mass.

If the sick person would like to celebrate one of the sacraments (such as Reconciliation or Anointing of the Sick), or would simply like a visit from a priest, please contact the parish office and arrange for one of the priests to visit them.

Acknowledgements

Excerpts of the English translation of Pastoral Care of the Sick, The Roman Missal and The Lectionary for Mass © International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc.  Excerpts of The Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday and Company Ltd.