Missal of Robert of Jumièges: the Visitation of the Sick (English) (written in England c. 1020; given to Jumièges by Robert, Archbishop of Canterbury (1051–1052))

Entering the House and the Litany

The Visitation of the Sick.

¶ [In Old English:] Here beginneth how one shall visit or anoint a sick man. First let the priests hallow water with ashes, and sprinkle the house and the sick man, and then go in, saying: Peace be to this house [Pax huic domui]. And then let them begin the antiphon Thou shalt purge me [Asperges me], and sprinkle the water over the sick man and over all the house, singing the psalm Have mercy upon me, O God [Psalm 51].

Prayer. Almighty, everlasting God, we beseech thy boundless loving-kindness that, at the entrance of our lowliness, thou wouldest vouchsafe to visit with thy saving visitation this thy servant N., lying weary in this dwelling; and as thou didst visit, O Lord, Tobias and Sara, and Peter's wife's mother, and the centurion's servant, so may this man also, his former health of soul and body restored, give thanks to thee in thy Church. Through.

¶ [In Old English:] After that let the sick man make known his confession; and after that the litany.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. God the Father of heaven, have mercy upon us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy upon us. God the Holy Ghost, have mercy upon us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy upon us.

Holy Mary, pray for him. Holy Mother of God, pray for him. Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for him. Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, Saint Raphael, pray for him [after each]. All holy Angels and Archangels, pray for him. All holy orders of blessed Spirits, pray for him. All holy Patriarchs and Prophets, pray for him.

Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Saint Andrew, Saint John, Saint James, Saint Philip, Saint Bartholomew, Saint James, Saint Matthew, Saint Thomas, Saint Simon, Saint Jude, Saint Matthias, Saint Mark, Saint Luke, Saint Martial, pray for him. All holy Apostles and Evangelists, pray for him. All holy Disciples of the Lord, pray for him. All holy Innocents, pray for him.

Saint Stephen, Saint Linus, Saint Cletus, Saint Clement, Saint Sixtus, Saint Cornelius, Saint Cyprian, Saint Laurence, Saint Vincent, Saint Florentinus, Saint Fabian, Saint Sebastian, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Paul, pray for him. All holy Martyrs, pray for him.

Saint Benedict, Saint Martin, Saint Hilary, Saint Silvester, Saint Gregory, Saint Augustine, Saint Jerome, Saint Cuthbert, Saint Guthlac, Saint Antony, Saint Macarius, pray for him. All holy Confessors of God, pray for him. All holy Monks and Hermits, pray for him.

Saint Felicity, Saint Perpetua, Saint Scholastica, Saint Agatha, Saint Agnes, Saint Cecily, Saint Lucy, Saint Brigid, Saint Etheldreda, Saint Sexburga, Saint Withburga, Saint Ermenilda, Saint Petronilla, Saint Cyneswith, Saint Cyneburga, Saint Tibba, pray for him. All holy Virgins, pray for him. All Saints, pray for him.

Be merciful: spare him, O Lord. Be merciful: hear him, O Lord. Be merciful: deliver him, O Lord. From all evil: deliver him, O Lord. From the snares of the devil: deliver him, O Lord. From sudden and from everlasting death: deliver him, O Lord. By thy cross and passion: deliver him, O Lord. By thy holy resurrection: deliver him, O Lord. By thy glorious ascension: deliver him, O Lord. By the grace of the Holy Ghost the Comforter: deliver him, O Lord.

We sinners: we beseech thee, hear us. That thou give him peace: we beseech thee, hear us. That thou give him remission of all his sins: we beseech thee, hear us. That thou vouchsafe lovingly and mercifully to raise him from the bed of sickness: we beseech thee, hear us. That thou vouchsafe to restore him safe and sound to thy Church: we beseech thee, hear us. That thou vouchsafe to hear us: we beseech thee, hear us. Son of God, vouchsafe to hear us: we beseech thee, hear us.

Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world: spare him, O Lord. Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world: have mercy upon him, O Lord. Christ, hear us. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Prayer. Look down, O Lord, from heaven, and behold, and visit this thy servant N.; bless him as thou didst vouchsafe to bless Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Look upon him, O Lord, with thine eyes, and fill him with all joy and gladness and with thy holy fear, and drive from him all the snares of the enemy. Send also, O Lord, the angel of peace, to keep this house in everlasting peace. Through Christ our Lord. [Given by its opening words, referring to the York order; supplied from it.]

The Psalms and Prayers at the Anointing

¶ [In Old English:] Then let the priest make a cross with the holy water and with the ashes over his breast, and lay on hair-cloth [the next word is unclear in the scan], and anoint him with the holy oil; and meanwhile let them sing the psalms that are here marked.

Antiphon. Heal, O Lord, this sick man, whose bones are sore vexed: but thou, O Lord, heal him and deliver his soul. Psalm. O Lord, rebuke me not [Psalm 6].

Prayer. O Lord God, who didst speak by thine apostle James, saying, Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with holy 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 be in sins they shall be forgiven him: cure, we beseech thee, our Redeemer, by the grace of the Holy Ghost, the sicknesses of this our sick brother N., and heal his wounds, and forgive his sins, and drive from him all pains of heart and body, and restore to him full health within and without; that, healed by the help of thy mercy, he may be restored to the former duties of thy service. Through Christ our Lord. [Supplied from the York order, as Henderson directs.]

Antiphon. Succour, O Lord, this sick man, and heal him with spiritual medicine, that, restored by thee to his former health, he may give thee thanks. Psalm. Blessed is he whose unrighteousness is forgiven [Psalm 32].

Prayer. Almighty, everlasting God, who by thine apostle James didst command the elders of the Church to be brought in and the sick to be anointed with oil; grant, we beseech thee, that thou vouchsafe by our hands to anoint and bless this thy sick servant N. with the sanctified oil. And what we outwardly embrace as thy gifts, may thy divine power work inwardly in the spirit and thy healing remedies invisibly. Through Christ our Lord. [Supplied from the York order.]

Antiphon. Jesus Christ heal thee of all thy sickness, whatsoever pains thou hast: the Lord forgive thee all thy sins. Psalm. Put me not to rebuke, O Lord [Psalm 38].

Prayer. O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, who by the gracious pouring in of thy strength dost confirm the frailty of our human condition, that our bodies and limbs may be quickened by the saving remedies of thy goodness; look favourably upon this thy servant N., that, every need of bodily infirmity being shut out, the grace of his former health may be perfectly restored in him. Through Christ our Lord. [Supplied from the York order.]

Antiphon. God bring help to this sick man upon the bed of his sorrow: may he preserve him and keep him alive. Psalm. Blessed is he that considereth the poor [Psalm 41].

Another. O God, who ever rulest thy creature with loving affection; incline thine ear to our supplications, and look graciously upon thy servant labouring under ill health of body, and visit him with thy salvation, and grant him the medicine of heavenly grace. Through Christ our Lord. [Supplied from the York order.]

Antiphon. The Lord said to his disciples: In my name cast out devils, and lay your hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Psalm. The God of gods [Psalm 50].

Another. O God, who to mankind [the rest is given by reference to the Leofric order, p. 170*, and is not printed here].

Antiphon. A broken and contrite heart God will not despise. Psalm. Have mercy upon me, O God [Psalm 51].

Another. O God of the heavenly powers, who by the might of thy command drivest all sickness and infirmity from men's bodies; be favourably present with this thy servant, that, his infirmities put to flight and his strength recovered, he may bless thy holy Name, his health being speedily restored. Through Christ our Lord. [Supplied from the York order.]

Antiphon. Save thy servant, O Lord my God, that putteth his trust in thee: keep his soul, for he hath hoped in thee. Psalm. Bow down thine ear, O Lord [Psalm 86].

Another. Almighty, everlasting God, who drivest away the sicknesses of souls and of bodies, stretch forth the power of thy help upon our sick brother, that, aided by the help of thy mercy, he may be restored to all the duties of thy service. Through.

Antiphon. A thousand shall fall beside thee, and ten thousand at thy right hand: but evil shall not come nigh thee. Psalm. Whoso dwelleth [Psalm 91].

Another. Let us pray the Lord Jesus Christ, and with all supplication ask him that he would vouchsafe by his holy angel to visit, gladden and comfort this his servant N.; who with God the Father and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth God, world without end. [Supplied from the York order.]

Antiphon. God be merciful to thine iniquities and heal all thy sicknesses, and thy youth be renewed as the eagle's. Psalm. Praise the Lord, O my soul [Psalm 103].

Another. The Lord be merciful to all thine iniquities [the rest is given by reference to the Leofric order, p. 176*, and is not printed here].

The Anointing

¶ [In Old English:] Then let the sick man be anointed on the mouth [or crown], and on the forehead, and on the temples, and on his face. Then let the priest say this prayer:

I anoint thee, N., with holy oil, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, as Samuel anointed David king and prophet, that no unclean spirit may lurk in thee, neither in thy limbs, nor in thy marrow, nor in any joint of thy limbs; but that the power of Christ most high and of the Holy Ghost may dwell in thee; that through the working of this mystery, and through this anointing with sacred oil, and our prayer, being healed or made whole by the power of the Holy Ghost, thou mayest be worthy to receive thy former and a better health. Through.

¶ When thou anointest the eyes, this prayer: I anoint thine eyes with hallowed oil, that whatever thou hast done amiss by unlawful use may be expiated by the anointing of this oil. Through. [The formulas at the eyes, nostrils, lips, shoulders, breast, hands and feet are given by their opening words, referring to the Leofric order; supplied from it.]

¶ When thou anointest the ears within and without, this prayer: I anoint thine ears with the anointing of sacred oil, that whatever hath been let in by the hurtful delight of hearing, spiritual medicine may empty out. Through.

¶ When thou anointest the nose before and within, this prayer: I anoint these nostrils with holy oil, that whatever harm hath been contracted by excess of smelling may be healed by this medicine. Through.

¶ When thou anointest the lips outside, this prayer: I anoint these lips with the medicine of consecrated oil, that whatever thou hast sinned by idle or even wicked speech may, by the mercy of God's clemency, be purged by this anointing. Through.

¶ When thou anointest the neck and the throat, this prayer: I anoint thee, N., with holy oil, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, as Samuel [anointed] David the king [as above].

¶ When thou anointest the shoulders, this prayer: I anoint these shoulders, or the middle place between the shoulders, with consecrated oil, that, fortified on every side by spiritual protection, thou mayest manfully despise the darts of the devil and drive him far off by the strength of heavenly help. Through.

¶ When thou anointest the breast, this prayer: I anoint thy breast with holy oil, that, protected by this anointing, thou mayest be able to stand firm against the hosts of the air. Through.

¶ When thou anointest the hands outside, this prayer: I anoint these hands with consecrated oil, that whatever they have wrought by unlawful or hurtful work may be done away by this anointing. Through.

¶ When thou anointest the feet, this prayer: I anoint these feet with blessed oil, that whatever they have committed by needless or hurtful walking this anointing may abolish. Through.

¶ Wheresoever the pain troubleth most, there let him be anointed most: I anoint thee with hallowed oil, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, that, like an anointed soldier made ready for the wrestling, thou mayest overcome the hosts of the air. Through.

¶ After the anointing, these prayers: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, be this anointing with oil to thee for the cleansing of mind and body, for a bulwark and defence against the darts of unclean spirits. Through.

Another. O Lord God, our Saviour, who art the true health and medicine [and the rest, as in the York order].

The Communion of the Sick

¶ [In Old English:] Then let him taste God's Body and Blood, saying thus:

O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, we faithfully beseech thee that to this our brother N., receiving the most holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, it may be health both of body and soul. Through.

¶ [In Old English:] At the fulfilment of this service:

Almighty, everlasting God, who succourest them that labour in perils and necessity, we humbly entreat thy majesty that thou vouchsafe to send thy holy angel Raphael, to lift up with consolations thy servant labouring in straits and necessities, whereby he may both obtain help in the present and lay hold on eternal remedies. [Supplied from the York order.]

Another. O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, who by pouring the grace of thy blessing upon sick bodies governest thy creature with manifold loving-kindness, be graciously present at the calling upon of thy Name; that thou mayest [restore] thy servant, freed from sickness [and] given health by thy right hand [the rest of the prayer, and an Old English rubric on how the priests are to continue this ministry over the sick man, are damaged in the scan].

The Blessings and the Mass for the Sick

The Lord Jesus Christ be with thee, to defend thee [and the rest, as in the York order]. Another. God the Father [bless thee]; the Son heal thee [as above]. Another. The God of heaven bless thee; Christ help thee [as above]. Another. God the Father bless thee, who in the beginning [as above]. Another. God the Father bless thee; Jesus Christ keep thee [as above]. [These blessings are given by their opening words only; see the York order.]

¶ [The Mass] for the sick. [Collect.] O God, the author of all [the rest by reference, p. 17*].

Collect. Almighty, everlasting God, who succourest [as above].

Epistle. Brethren: Is any among you afflicted [James 5:13–16].

Gradual. Arise, O Lord, succour this sick man, and deliver him, and heal his sickness; a very present helper in trouble; give to the troubled the kindly help of thy aid. Alleluia. Send him help, O Lord, from the sanctuary: and strengthen him out of Sion.

Gospel. At that time: Jesus entered into Capernaum [Matthew 8:5–13].

Offertory. O Lord, who wast appeased by the prayers and supplication of the publican, who didst deliver [Peter's] wife's mother from a great fever; be present also with us, O Lord, as we pray for the sick man.

Secret. Receive, almighty God, the oblations offered in distress for the sins and offences of thy servant lying in sickness, whom we trust thou didst speak of by the prophet: Offer unto God the sacrifice of praise, and pay thy vows unto the most Highest; and call upon me in the day of thy trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Through.

Communion. Succour, O Lord, this sick man, and heal him with spiritual medicine, that, restored by thee to his former health, he may give thanks to thee [being made] whole. Through.

Postcommunion. Almighty, everlasting God, who therefore givest to sinners the occasion of amendment, that there may be in them nothing for the sentence of judgement to punish; for this, we beseech thee, that thou accept as a sacrifice of praise that thy servant is bruised by the rod of correction. Heal him, we beseech thee, O Lord, of all his infirmities, that by thy healing he may receive the fulness of health and be ever obedient to thy commands. Through.

Another. O God, who gavest to thy servant Hezekiah [as above]. Another. Look, O Lord, upon thy servant [as above]. Another. O God, who ever rulest thy creature [as above].

Another. O God, who hast bestowed on mankind both the remedy of health and the gifts of eternal life; preserve to thy servant N. the gifts of thy powers, and grant that he may feel thy healing not only in body but also in soul. Through.

Another. O God of the heavenly powers [as above]. Another. O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, who [dost confirm] the frailty [as above].