Offices of Preparation and Thanksgiving for Holy
Communion
(in contemporary
language)
An important part of
our life as believers privileged to receive the Holy Mysteries is time in preparation
and thanksgiving for the Holy Gifts. For many centuries, forms have existed for
this in various parts of the Christian Church. Below is a modernized form of
the classic Anglican Offices of Preparation and Thanksgiving for Reception for
use by Episcopalians and others. [I hope, God willing, to post the traditional
form in the future, for those desiring to use it.]
These prayers arise
from many eras. Some—the Psalms—come to us directly from the Hebrew Bible.
Others arise from the New Testament and early Christianity, yet others from the
medieval world, and a few from the centuries since. Each carries a particular
insight into what is, of course, always a profound mystery.
By preparing for the
Eucharist, either on the night prior to or the morning of receiving, we are stilling
our minds and focusing on the holiness and significance of what we about to do.
We are making space in our soul for God to speak with that “still, small voice”
that is drowned out in the rush and noise of modern, mechanized life. Time for
preparation also helps us attend to the deep concerns we are bringing to the
holy altar, consciously offering our lives to God for transformation, healing,
and renewal.
After the Eucharist is
concluded—either when at church, or after returning home—it is a wise practice
to pray a short Office of Thanksgiving. This is one way of drawing out the
Eucharist from an “event” locked in a particular time and place to a “way of
life” permeating everything.
The use of these
Offices is not a requirement, but it is a practice of long standing in the
Church, and the mark of a spiritual life seeking the deeper things of the
Spirit. May these prayers provide ample space and nourishment for those who
desire to offer the Eucharistic “sacrifice of thanksgiving” with both
intentionality and personal authenticity.
Before Holy Communion
Antiphon: You
spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; you have
anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
Psalm 27 Dominus illuminatio
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he Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I
fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?
When evildoers came
upon me to eat up my flesh, * it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who stumbled
and fell.
Though an army
should encamp against me, yet my heart shall not be afraid;
And though war
should rise up against me, yet will I put my trust in him.
One thing have I
asked of the Lord; one thing I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life;
To behold the fair beauty
of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of
trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; he shall hide me in the secrecy
of his dwelling and set me high upon a rock.
Even now he lifts
up my head above my enemies round about me.
Therefore I will
offer in his dwelling an oblation with sounds of great gladness; I will sing
and make music to the Lord.
Hearken to my
voice, O Lord, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me.
You speak in my heart
and say, “Seek my face.” Your face, Lord, will I seek.
Hide not your face
from me, nor turn away your servant in displeasure.
You have been my
helper; cast me not away; * do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.
Though my father
and my mother forsake me, the Lord will sustain me.
Show me your way, O
Lord; lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.
Deliver me not into
the hand of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen up against me, and
also those who speak malice.
What if I had not
believed that I should see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!
O tarry and await
the Lord’s pleasure; be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; wait patiently
for the Lord.
Glory to the
Father, and to the Son, and the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is
now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm 84 Quam dilecta!
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ow dear to me is your dwelling, O LORD of hosts! My soul has
a desire and longing for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh rejoice
in the living God.
The sparrow has found
her a house and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; by the side of
your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.
Happy are they who
dwell in your house! they will always be praising you.
Happy are the
people whose strength is in you! whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way.
Those who go
through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs, for the early
rains have covered it with pools of water.
They will climb
from height to height, and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.
LORD God of hosts,
hear my prayer; hearken, O God of Jacob.
Behold our
defender, O God; and look upon the face of your Anointed.
For one day in your
courts is better than a thousand in my own room, and to stand at the threshold
of the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the LORD God is
both sun and shield; he will give grace and glory; No good thing will the LORD
withhold from those who walk with integrity.
O LORD of hosts, happy
are they who put their trust in you!
Glory to the
Father, and to the Son, and the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is
now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Antiphon: You
spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; you have
anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
Or, in Penitential
Seasons
Antiphon: Remember
not, Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forebears; do not requite us
for our sins.
Psalm 130 De profundis
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ut of the depths have I called to you, O LORD; LORD, hear my
voice; let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
If you, LORD, were
to note what is done amiss, O LORD, who could stand?
For there is
forgiveness with you; therefore you shall be feared.
I wait for the
LORD; my soul waits for him; in his word is my hope.
My soul waits for
the LORD, more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the
morning.
O Israel, wait for
the LORD, for with the LORD there is mercy;
With him there is
plenteous redemption, and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.
Glory to the
Father, and to the Son, and the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is
now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Antiphon: Remember
not, Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forebears; do not requite us
for our sins.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Our Father, &c.
V. I said, Lord, be merciful to me.
R. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.
V. Turn again, O Lord, at the last;
R. And be gracious to your servants.
V. Lord, show us your love and mercy;
R. For we put our trust in you.
V. Let your priests be clothed with righteousness;
R. And your saints sing with joyfulness.
V. Cleanse me from my secret faults;
R. Keep your servant from presumptuous sins.
V. Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come to you.
V. The Lord be with you;
R. And also with you.
Let us pray.
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ost gracious God, incline your merciful ears to our prayers,
and enlighten our hearts by the grace of your Holy Spirit; that we may worthily
approach these holy Mysteries, and love you with an everlasting love.
O Lord, may the
Comforter who proceeds from you illuminate our minds, and lead us, as your Son
has promised, into all truth.
O Lord, may the
power of the Holy Spirit be with us, and both mercifully cleanse and purify our
hearts, and defend us from all adversities.
Purify our
conscience, Almighty God, by your visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at
his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns
with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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lmighty and everlasting God, behold we approach the
Sacrament of your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. As sick, we come to
the Physician of life: as unclean, to the Fountain of mercy: as blind, to the
Light of eternal splendor: as needy, to the Lord of heaven and earth: as naked,
to the King of glory.
We pray you,
therefore, of the abundance of your infinite majesty, that you would heal our
sickness, wash our foulness, lighten our blindness, enrich our poverty, clothe
our nakedness; that we may receive the Bread of angels, the King of kings, the
Lord of lords, with such reverence and fear, such contrition and love, such
faith and purity, such devotion and humility, as is best for the welfare of our
souls. Grant, we pray you, that we may receive not only the outward sign of the
Lord’s Body and Blood, but also the very gift and virtue of the same. O most
merciful God, grant us so to receive the Body of your only-begotten Son our
Lord Jesus Christ, which he took of the Virgin Mary, that we may be
incorporated into his mystical Body, and ever reckoned among his members. And,
O most loving Father, grant that whom we now purpose to receive under a veil we
may at length behold face to face, even your beloved Son, who with you and the
Holy Spirit, lives and reigns ever one God, world without end. Amen.
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oy with peace, amendment of life, time for true repentance,
the grace and comfort of your Holy Spirit, perseverance in good works, grant
us, O almighty and merciful Lord. Amen.
V. The Lord be with you;
R. And also with you.
V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.
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lessed be God, who blesses and sanctifies us through our
partaking of his holy and precious and heavenly Mysteries, now and for ever and
world without end. Amen.
Thanksgiving after Holy Communion
Antiphon: God gave
them bread from heaven; so mortals ate the angels’ food.
From the Song of the Three Young Men Benedicite omina opera.
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lorify the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise him and
highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord,
you angels and all powers of the Lord, praise him and highly exalt him for
ever.
Let the people of
God glorify the Lord, praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O
priests and servants of the Lord, praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O
spirits and souls of the righteous, praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
You that are holy
and humble of heart, glorify the Lord, praise him and highly exalt him for
ever.
Let us glorify the
Lord: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
In the firmament of
his power, glorify the Lord, praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Psalm 150 Laudate Dominum
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allelujah! Praise God in his holy temple; praise him in the
firmament of his power.
Praise him for his
mighty acts; praise him for his excellent greatness.
Praise him with the
blast of the ram’s horn; praise him with lyre and harp.
Praise him with
timbrel and dance; praise him with strings and pipe.
Praise him with
resounding cymbals; praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
Let everything that
has breath praise the Lord. Hallelujah!
Glory to the
Father, and to the Son, and the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is
now, and will be for ever. Amen.
[Here may follow Nunc
dimittis
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ord, you now have set your servant free, to go in peace as
you have promised;
For my eyes have
seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see.
A Light to
enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is
now, and will be for ever. Amen.]
Antiphon: God gave
them bread from heaven; so mortals ate the angels’ food.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Our Father, &c.
V. Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy
Spirit;
R. Let us praise him and magnify him forever.
V. All your works praise you, O Lord;
R. And your saints give thanks to you.
V. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us;
R. But to your Name give the praise.
V. Lord, hear our prayer;
R. And let our cry come to you.
V. The Lord be with you;
R. And also with you.
Let us pray.
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Lord Jesus Christ,
who in a wonderful Sacrament has left us a memorial of your passion: Grant us,
we pray, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of your Body and Blood, that we
may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit of your redemption; who lives and
reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Or, one of the
following
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e pray, O Lord Jesus Christ, that your passion may be for us
virtue, whereby we may be fenced, protected, and defended. Let the sprinkling
of your Blood be to us the washing away of all our sins. Let your death be to
us everlasting glory, both now and for evermore. Amen.
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rant, O Lord, we pray, that the fruits of our union and
communion with you may always abide and abound in us, to the glory of your holy
name, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for
ever and ever. Amen.
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e offer thanks to you, O Lord, holy Father, Almighty
everlasting God, who, not for any merit of ours, but of the condescension of
your mercy only, has fed us sinners, your unworthy servants, with the precious
Body and Blood of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ. And we humbly entreat your
boundless clemency, almighty and merciful Lord, that this Holy Communion may
not bring guilt upon us to condemnation, but may be unto us for pardon and
salvation. Let it be to us an armor of faith and a shield of good resolution.
Let it be to us a riddance of all vices and extermination of all evil desires
and lusts, and an increase of love and patience, of humility and obedience, and
of all virtues; a sure defense against the wiles of our enemies, visible or
invisible; a perfect quieting of all sinful impulses, fleshly or spiritual; a
firm adherence to you, the one true God, and a happy ending of our mortal life.
And we pray you, that you would bring us to that ineffable feast, where you,
with your Son and the Holy Spirit, are to your saints true light, full and
everlasting joy, and perfect happiness; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
adapted from The Cuddesdon Office Book and
The Book of Common
Prayer, 1979
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