A Service of Healing
The rubrics in this on-line version of the Healing Service from the Liberal Catholic Liturgy have been abbreviated to make the liturgy more readable.
When the Healing Service is celebrated after Mass, the Asperges, Confiteor and Absolution should be omitted. Patients should receive communion at the Service of Healing rather than at the Eucharist.
The Invocation
The Priest wears a red stole. The people stand. The Priest says:
Priest: In the Name of the + Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
All: Amen.
Asperges
Receiving the aspergill, he makes the sign of the cross over himself with it, saying:
Priest: May the Lord purify me that I may worthily perform His service.
Sprinkling the altar in the middle, then the chancel to his left and to his right, he continues:
In the strength of the Lord do I repel all evil from this His holy altar and sanctuary:
Then turning to the people and sprinkling them with the same triple motion:
and from this House, wherein we worship Him;
Turning back to the altar and resigning the aspergill:
and I pray our heavenly Father that He will send His healing Angel to minister unto these His servants here present, that they may be restored to health of mind and body; through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Confiteor
All kneel (or sit) and say together:
O Lord, Thou hast created us to be immortal and made us to be an image of Thine own eternity; yet often we forget the glory of our heritage and wander from the path which leads to righteousness. But Thou, O Lord, hast made us for Thyself and our hearts are ever restless till they find their rest in Thee. Look with the eyes of Thy love upon our manifold imperfections and pardon all our shortcomings, that we may be filled with the brightness of the everlasting light and become the unspotted mirror of Thy power and the image of Thy goodness; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Absolution
The Priest rises, goes to the altar and, turning to the people, who remain kneeling, says:
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost bless, preserve and sanctify you; the Lord in His loving-kindness look down upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord absolve you from all your sins and grant you the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
The Healing Hymn (or another)
Gracious Spirit of thy goodness hear our anxious prayer.
Take our loved ones who are suffering 'neath thy tender care.
Loving father hear us, hear us ....
Gracious Spirit may thy presence shed a healing ray.
Turning all their nights of darkness into glorious day.
Loving father hear us, hear us ....
Gracious Spirit should'st thou claim them, be their light and guide.
Lead to the heavenly kingdom safely by thy side
Loving father hear us, hear us .....
Reading From Scripture
The people are seated.
Hear the words of the Apostle James:
Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the Church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith, shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Pray for one another that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Veni Creator
All kneel (or sit) while the following hymn is sung:
Come, Thou Creator Spirit blest,
And in our souls take up Thy rest;
Come with Thy grace and heavenly aid,
To fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
Great Paraclete, to Thee we cry,
O highest gift of God most high;
O living Fount, O Fire, O Love,
And sweet anointing from above.
Thou in Thy sevenfold gift art known;
Thee, Finger of God's Hand, we own,
The promise of the Father, Thou
Who dost the tongue with power endow.
Kindle our senses from above,
And make our hearts o'erflow with love;
With patience firm and virtue high
The weakness of our flesh supply.
Far let us drive our tempting foe,
And Thine abiding peace bestow;
So shall we not, with Thee for guide,
Turn from the path of life aside.
O may Thy grace on us bestow
The Father and the Son to know,
And Thee, through endless times confessed,
Of both eternal Spirit blest.
All glory while the ages run
Be to the Father and the Son,
Who gave us life; the same to Thee,
O Holy Ghost, eternally. Amen.
The Unction
The Priest goes to the place in the chancel at which he is to administer Holy Unction.
Priest: Let us pray. The people kneel or sit.
Priest: O Lord, who hast given unto man bodily health and vigour wherewith to serve Thee, we pray Thee to free Thy servant(s) from their sickness (or imperfections or weakness) so far as may be expedient for them, and by the might of Thy blessing to restore unto them full health, both outwardly in their bodies and inwardly in their souls; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Priest: Ye that desire to be anointed draw nigh to receive the blessing of our Lord Christ, and of the holy Archangel Raphael.
The people are seated. Those who desire to be anointed come to the Priest one by one and kneel before him. The Priest now says over each one:
Priest: In the Name which is above every name, in the power of the + Father and of the + Son and of the + Holy Ghost, I exorcize all influences of evil, that thou mayest be rightly purified to receive this Sacrament of Holy Unction.
Taking upon his thumb some of the holy oil for the sick, the Priest anoints the person in the form of a cross upon the forehead, saying:
Priest: In the Name of our Lord Christ and invoking the help of the holy Archangel Raphael, I anoint thee with oil, that thou mayest gain refreshment both of soul and body.
The Priest proceeds to anoint, in the same manner as before but in silence, the centre at the top of the head, the front of the throat and the nape of the neck. He then places both hands upon the head of the person with the definite intention to heal, saying:
Priest: Christ the Son of God pour down His healing power upon thee, and enfold thee in the Light of His Love.
If a Bishop is conducting the service he may, at this point touch the person with his crozier. ….. When all desiring the Sacrament of Holy Unction have been anointed, the Priest cleanses his hands and, turning to the people, says:
Priest: As with this visible oil your bodies are outwardly anointed, so may Almighty God, our heavenly Father, grant of His infinite goodness that your souls may be anointed inwardly with the Holy Ghost, who is the Spirit of strength, relief and gladness. And may He so replenish you with the spirit of His wisdom and strengthen you with His mighty power, that you may persevere in the way of holiness and ever serve Him joyfully in the course that He hath appointed for you; through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
The Priest turns to the altar and leading the people, says with them:
All: O God, who in the wonderful Sacrament of the altar has left us a living memorial of Thine eternal Sacrifice; grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate the sacred mystery of Thy Body and Blood that we may ever perceive within ourselves the power of Thine indwelling life, and thus, by the glad pouring out of our lives in sacrifice, may know ourselves to be one with Thee and through Thee with all that lives; who livest and reignest with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God throughout all ages of ages. Amen.
Those who have been anointed kneel at the chancel rail and the Priest administers Holy Communion to them, saying to each:
Priest: The Body of our Lord Christ keep thee unto life eternal.
A hymn may be sung here.
Priest: Let us pray.
Priest: We who have been refreshed with Thy heavenly gifts do pray Thee, O Lord, that Thy grace may be so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that it may continually be made manifest in our lives; through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
The Benediction
Priest: Unto God's gracious love and protection we commit you; the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up the light of His Countenance upon you and give you His peace, now and for evermore.
All: Amen.
An anthem of Our Lady may be sung.
If the Service of Healing is to be followed by another service, such as the Holy Eucharist or Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the Priest closes the service with the Grace.
When the Healing Service is celebrated after Mass, the Asperges, Confiteor and Absolution should be omitted. Patients should receive communion at the Service of Healing rather than at the Eucharist.
The Invocation
The Priest wears a red stole. The people stand. The Priest says:
Priest: In the Name of the + Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
All: Amen.
Asperges
Receiving the aspergill, he makes the sign of the cross over himself with it, saying:
Priest: May the Lord purify me that I may worthily perform His service.
Sprinkling the altar in the middle, then the chancel to his left and to his right, he continues:
In the strength of the Lord do I repel all evil from this His holy altar and sanctuary:
Then turning to the people and sprinkling them with the same triple motion:
and from this House, wherein we worship Him;
Turning back to the altar and resigning the aspergill:
and I pray our heavenly Father that He will send His healing Angel to minister unto these His servants here present, that they may be restored to health of mind and body; through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Confiteor
All kneel (or sit) and say together:
O Lord, Thou hast created us to be immortal and made us to be an image of Thine own eternity; yet often we forget the glory of our heritage and wander from the path which leads to righteousness. But Thou, O Lord, hast made us for Thyself and our hearts are ever restless till they find their rest in Thee. Look with the eyes of Thy love upon our manifold imperfections and pardon all our shortcomings, that we may be filled with the brightness of the everlasting light and become the unspotted mirror of Thy power and the image of Thy goodness; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Absolution
The Priest rises, goes to the altar and, turning to the people, who remain kneeling, says:
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost bless, preserve and sanctify you; the Lord in His loving-kindness look down upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord absolve you from all your sins and grant you the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
The Healing Hymn (or another)
Gracious Spirit of thy goodness hear our anxious prayer.
Take our loved ones who are suffering 'neath thy tender care.
Loving father hear us, hear us ....
Gracious Spirit may thy presence shed a healing ray.
Turning all their nights of darkness into glorious day.
Loving father hear us, hear us ....
Gracious Spirit should'st thou claim them, be their light and guide.
Lead to the heavenly kingdom safely by thy side
Loving father hear us, hear us .....
Reading From Scripture
The people are seated.
Hear the words of the Apostle James:
Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the Church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith, shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Pray for one another that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Veni Creator
All kneel (or sit) while the following hymn is sung:
Come, Thou Creator Spirit blest,
And in our souls take up Thy rest;
Come with Thy grace and heavenly aid,
To fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
Great Paraclete, to Thee we cry,
O highest gift of God most high;
O living Fount, O Fire, O Love,
And sweet anointing from above.
Thou in Thy sevenfold gift art known;
Thee, Finger of God's Hand, we own,
The promise of the Father, Thou
Who dost the tongue with power endow.
Kindle our senses from above,
And make our hearts o'erflow with love;
With patience firm and virtue high
The weakness of our flesh supply.
Far let us drive our tempting foe,
And Thine abiding peace bestow;
So shall we not, with Thee for guide,
Turn from the path of life aside.
O may Thy grace on us bestow
The Father and the Son to know,
And Thee, through endless times confessed,
Of both eternal Spirit blest.
All glory while the ages run
Be to the Father and the Son,
Who gave us life; the same to Thee,
O Holy Ghost, eternally. Amen.
The Unction
The Priest goes to the place in the chancel at which he is to administer Holy Unction.
Priest: Let us pray. The people kneel or sit.
Priest: O Lord, who hast given unto man bodily health and vigour wherewith to serve Thee, we pray Thee to free Thy servant(s) from their sickness (or imperfections or weakness) so far as may be expedient for them, and by the might of Thy blessing to restore unto them full health, both outwardly in their bodies and inwardly in their souls; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Priest: Ye that desire to be anointed draw nigh to receive the blessing of our Lord Christ, and of the holy Archangel Raphael.
The people are seated. Those who desire to be anointed come to the Priest one by one and kneel before him. The Priest now says over each one:
Priest: In the Name which is above every name, in the power of the + Father and of the + Son and of the + Holy Ghost, I exorcize all influences of evil, that thou mayest be rightly purified to receive this Sacrament of Holy Unction.
Taking upon his thumb some of the holy oil for the sick, the Priest anoints the person in the form of a cross upon the forehead, saying:
Priest: In the Name of our Lord Christ and invoking the help of the holy Archangel Raphael, I anoint thee with oil, that thou mayest gain refreshment both of soul and body.
The Priest proceeds to anoint, in the same manner as before but in silence, the centre at the top of the head, the front of the throat and the nape of the neck. He then places both hands upon the head of the person with the definite intention to heal, saying:
Priest: Christ the Son of God pour down His healing power upon thee, and enfold thee in the Light of His Love.
If a Bishop is conducting the service he may, at this point touch the person with his crozier. ….. When all desiring the Sacrament of Holy Unction have been anointed, the Priest cleanses his hands and, turning to the people, says:
Priest: As with this visible oil your bodies are outwardly anointed, so may Almighty God, our heavenly Father, grant of His infinite goodness that your souls may be anointed inwardly with the Holy Ghost, who is the Spirit of strength, relief and gladness. And may He so replenish you with the spirit of His wisdom and strengthen you with His mighty power, that you may persevere in the way of holiness and ever serve Him joyfully in the course that He hath appointed for you; through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
The Priest turns to the altar and leading the people, says with them:
All: O God, who in the wonderful Sacrament of the altar has left us a living memorial of Thine eternal Sacrifice; grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate the sacred mystery of Thy Body and Blood that we may ever perceive within ourselves the power of Thine indwelling life, and thus, by the glad pouring out of our lives in sacrifice, may know ourselves to be one with Thee and through Thee with all that lives; who livest and reignest with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God throughout all ages of ages. Amen.
Those who have been anointed kneel at the chancel rail and the Priest administers Holy Communion to them, saying to each:
Priest: The Body of our Lord Christ keep thee unto life eternal.
A hymn may be sung here.
Priest: Let us pray.
Priest: We who have been refreshed with Thy heavenly gifts do pray Thee, O Lord, that Thy grace may be so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that it may continually be made manifest in our lives; through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
The Benediction
Priest: Unto God's gracious love and protection we commit you; the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up the light of His Countenance upon you and give you His peace, now and for evermore.
All: Amen.
An anthem of Our Lady may be sung.
If the Service of Healing is to be followed by another service, such as the Holy Eucharist or Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the Priest closes the service with the Grace.
