The Door of Heaven Part 6

"The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on Him in thy heart by faith with thanksgiving.

[After the words "everlasting life" you can say "_Amen_" softly. And at the end you can say in your heart:--

"_Lord, I believe: help Thou mine unbelief._"]

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_The Minister, when he gives you the Cup, will say,_

"The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ's Blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.

[Say _Amen_ devoutly, as before, after the words "ever-lasting life,"

and at the end you may say in your heart:--

"_Thanks and Praise be to Thee, O Lord!_"

Wait until the one next to you has received, and then return to your place and kneel, thanking G.o.d again for His mercies to you. Pray that you may not fall back into sin. Say:--

O G.o.d of all mercy, may this most blessed Sacrament which I have received convey to my soul grace and peace, that being made clean, I may sin no more. I ask this for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

[If you still have time, you may use now the Hymns given at the end of this book.]

When all have communicated, the Minister shall return to the Lord's Table, and reverently place upon it what remaineth of the consecrated elements, covering the same with a fair linen cloth.

Then shall the Priest say the Lord's Prayer, the people repeating after him every Pet.i.tion.

_Our Father, which 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 {40} daily bread. And forgive us our trespa.s.ses, as we forgive them that trespa.s.s against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen._

After shall be said as followeth,

O Lord and heavenly Father, we Thy humble servants entirely desire Thy fatherly goodness mercifully 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, and through faith in His Blood, we and all Thy whole Church may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of His pa.s.sion. And here we offer and present unto Thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls, and bodies to be a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto Thee; humbly beseeching Thee, that all we who are partakers of this holy Communion, may be fulfilled with Thy grace and heavenly benediction. And although we be unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto Thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech Thee to accept this our 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 {41} Ghost, all honour and glory be unto Thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. _Amen_.

_Or this,_

Almighty and everliving G.o.d, 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 a.s.sure 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 the most precious death and pa.s.sion of Thy dear Son. And we most humbly beseech Thee, O heavenly Father, so to a.s.sist us with Thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellows.h.i.+p, 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 GLORIA IN EXCELSIS.

Then shall be said or sung,

_Glory be to G.o.d on high, and in earth peace, good will towards men.

We praise Thee, we bless {42} Thee, we wors.h.i.+p Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory, O Lord G.o.d, heavenly King, G.o.d the Father Almighty_.

_O Lord, the only-begotten Son Jesu Christ; O Lord G.o.d, Lamb of G.o.d, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.

Thou that sittest at the right hand of G.o.d the Father, have mercy upon us_.

_For Thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord; Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the Glory of G.o.d the Father.

Amen_.

THE BLESSING.

The peace of G.o.d, which pa.s.seth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of G.o.d, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of G.o.d Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always. _Amen_.

[Do not be in a hurry to rise from your knees. Thank G.o.d once more for all He has done for you. Pray again for help to persevere. Say one or more of the following thanksgivings and prayers:--]

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THANKSGIVING AFTER HOLY COMMUNION.

I give Thee thanks, O Lord, holy Father, Almighty, everlasting G.o.d, who hast refreshed me with the most holy Body and Blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and I pray that this Sacrament which I have received may be to the strengthening of my body and soul unto life eternal, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O G.o.d, who hast in Thy great mercy permitted me to draw near this day to the blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Thy dear Son; I give Thee hearty thanks and praise for this Thy goodness. Lord, I thank Thee: help Thou my unthankfulness. Teach me more and more to feel and know the richness and freedom of Thy love. Teach me more and more to prize and to long for this holy feast of heavenly Food. Give me an ever-thankful heart, that so I may live ever a life of thankfulness, serving Thee, not as a slave, but as a loving child, in the spirit of adoption, and as sharing in the glorious liberty of Thy children. Oh, keep me from falling back; lead me onward by Thy grace; and bring me at last to the unveiled presence of my Saviour in heaven, through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me praise His holy Name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His {44} benefits; who forgiveth all thy sin, and healeth all thine infirmities; who saveth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with mercy and loving kindness.

"Thanks be unto G.o.d for His unspeakable gift!" Amen.

May G.o.d the Father, G.o.d the Son, and G.o.d the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep me, now and for evermore. Amen.

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HYMNS.

1.

HOLY COMMUNION

1 Bread of heaven, on Thee we feed, For Thy Flesh is meat indeed; Ever may our souls be fed With this true and living Bread; Day by day with strength supplied Through the life of Him who died.

2 Vine of heaven, Thy Blood supplies This blest cup of sacrifice; Lord, Thy wounds our healing give, To Thy Cross we look and live: Jesus, may we ever be Grafted, rooted, built on Thee. Amen.

2.