TH HE blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Deacon. Let the Catechumens depart. Then the Catechumens shall withdraw, the Sponsors remaining, and the Service shall proceed. ¶ In the Prayer of Oblation (after Consecration). our prayers. Especially we beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord, heavenly Father, Almighty God, on behalf of Thy servants, now desiring Thy Baptism; We commend them unto Thee in faith of that sacrifice which we now commemorate, and pray Thee, that those whom Thou hast instructed in Thy true doctrine, and who have now professed themselves Thy faithful and obedient servants, may, of Thine infinite mercy, be brought unto Thy holy Baptism, and made partakers of Thy divine life. And in the mean time do Thou preserve them from all impurity, and defend them from all the malice of the devil, who seeketh to hinder the work of Thy grace. So we, Thy people, and the sheep of Thy pasture, will rejoice in Thy salvation, and show forth Thy praise from generation to generation. R. Amen. PRA T The Communion Anthem. RAISE waiteth for Thee, O God, in Zion: O Thou that hearest prayer: Unto Thee shall all flesh come. Blessed is the man whom thou choosest: And causest to approach unto Thee, that he may dwell in Thy courts: He shall be satisfied with the goodness of Thy house: Even of Thy holy temple. Additional Post-Communion Prayer. GOD, who didst give to Thy people Israel to eat the same spiritual meat, even Christ, which was afterwards to come; Who hast also given unto Thy servants, whom we have now commended unto Thy mercy, to taste somewhat of the preciousness of His Name; We beseech Thee to strengthen, by Thy grace through this holy sacrament, the faith of Thy Church, that the holy seed may be continually increased, to the glory of Thy salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. R. Amen. Benediction of such as, having been fully instructed in the Faith, are about to be received to the Holy Communion. [Note. This service is to be used for young persons and others, who have no immediate opportunity of receiving the laying on of Apostles' hands.] On the day appointed, those about to be received to the holy Communion shall be presented on the outside of the choir by the Sponsors at their Baptism, or by their Parents, or by other faithful people, habitually receiving the holy Communion. The Angel, after prayer at the altar, shall come down to them, and say, EARLY beloved in the Lord, Ye have been received through holy Baptism into the Church of Christ, wherein is the fulness of spiritual grace. Ye have been instructed in the Faith delivered unto the saints, and ye have embraced and do profess the same. And ye now desire to approach unto the Table of the Lord, and to feed upon His precious Body and His life-giving Blood, broken and shed for us; to the intent that ye may be filled with the joy of His Communion, and may be enabled to give yourselves up henceforth wholly to His service. In order, therefore, that all Christian men may take note that ye abide in the Faith wherein ye were baptized, I ask of you, Do ye believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth? And in Jesus Christ, His Only-begotten Son, our Lord? And that He was conceived by the Holy Ghost; born of the Virgin Mary; that He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; that He went down into Hell, and also did rise again the third day; that He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, and from thence shall come again to judge the quick and the dead? And do ye believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Catholic Church; the Communion of Saints; the Remission of Sins; the Resurrection of the Body; and everlasting Life in the world to come? ¶ Each shall answer distinctly, All this I steadfastly believe. Do ye believe that God hath instituted and appointed in His Church sacraments, holy mysteries and ordinances, whereby, to those who believe and are baptized, the Holy Ghost is given, the body and blood of Christ our Saviour are dispensed for spiritual food, and forgiveness of sins, and all needful grace and spiritual strength, are continually ministered? And do ye, with all your heart and soul, seek and expect these blessings from Almighty God, through Jesus Christ, by means of these same sacraments and ordinances? R. These things I believe, and these blessings I expect. A Let us pray. LMIGHTY GOD, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hast vouchsafed unto These Thy servants the knowledge of Thy truth, and the gift of regeneration by the Holy Ghost; Grant unto them of Thine abundant grace, we humbly beseech Thee, such preparation of heart, that they may receive the benefit of Thy holy sacraments, and henceforth abide Thy faithful servants, in righteousness and true holiness, all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, O Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. R. Amen. Then shall he rise and pronounce over them GOD OD ALMIGHTY, of His infinite goodness and compassion, incline His ear unto your prayer, and grant unto you the grace of His benediction, and the reward of His eternal salvation. R. Amen. The Lord be gracious unto you in all times, and in every place; that ye may abide continually in His peace. R. Amen. Almighty God of His great bounty bless you, and inspire you with true wisdom and His holy fear unto salvation; the Lord nourish you in the doctrines of the true faith, and enable you to persevere in all good works; the Lord turn away your footsteps from all error, and lead you in the path of peace and charity; the Lord grant unto you your desires, and feed you with the fatness of His house, vouchsafing unto you the grace of His holy Communion, that ye may abide therein for ever, R. Amen. |