Stowe Missal: the Order for Visiting and Communicating the Sick (Irish) (written in Ireland c. 792–812)

The Order for Visiting the Sick: Biddings and Prayers

Let us pray, brethren, to the Lord our God for our brother, whom the evil of sickness now afflicts, that the goodness of the Lord may vouchsafe to heal him with heavenly medicines; may he who gave him life give him health also. Through.

Dearly beloved brethren, let us humbly pray for our sick brother N. to the living and almighty God, for whom it is most easy to restore and strengthen all his works, that the creature may feel the hands of the Creator, so that either in restoring him or in receiving him the loving Father may vouchsafe to renew his work in his name. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.

O Lord, holy Father, author of all things, almighty and eternal God, for whom all things live, who quickenest the dead and callest those things which be not as though they were: as is thy wonted work, thou who art the great craftsman, mercifully exercise it upon this thy creature. Through Christ.

Dearly beloved brethren, let us beseech God, in whose hand is both the breath of the living and the life of the dying, that he heal the sickness of this body and grant health to the soul; that what he deserveth not by merits he may obtain by the grace of mercy, at our prayers. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.

O Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, who art the way, the truth and the life: hear and preserve this thy servant N., whom thou hast quickened and redeemed with the great price of the holy blood of thy Son. Who reigneth.

O God, who willest not the death of a sinner, but that he should turn and live: forgive the sins of this man who is turned to thee from his heart, and grant him the grace of everlasting life. Through our Lord.

O God, who ever endowest thy creation with loving affection: incline thine ear to us who pray to thee, and look favourably upon thy servant N., who laboureth under adversity of bodily health; visit him with thy salvation, and grant him the medicine of heavenly grace. Through.

The Gospels

At that time came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him. Jesus answering said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read how it was spoken by the Lord, saying unto you, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not therefore the God of the dead, but the God of the living. And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

In those days Jesus said: Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a trumpet and a great voice, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the heights of the heavens to the ends thereof.

The Anointing

I anoint thee with hallowed oil, that thou mayest be saved, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, for ever.

Grant us, O Lord, thy servants, that praying with confidence we may be worthy to say:

Our Father.

Deliver us, O Lord, from all evil, and keep us in all good, Jesus Christ, author of all good things, who reignest for ever and ever.

The Order for Communicating the Sick

We pray thee, O Lord, for our brother N., to whom in his sickness [we bring] the office of communion: that if any worldly stain hath assailed him, or worldly fault hath wounded him, thou wouldest pardon and wipe it away by the gift of thy goodness. Through.

O Lord, holy Father, we faithfully beseech thee that to our brother who receiveth this most holy eucharist of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ it may be health both of flesh and of soul. Through our Lord.

Hear us, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, for our sick brother, as we ask that thy holy eucharist may be a protection to him. Through our Lord.

The peace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ and the communion of thy saints be always with you. Answer: Amen.

The Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living and most high God. Answer [Amen].

Having received the saving food of the divine Body, we give thanks to our Saviour Jesus Christ, that by the sacrament of his Body and Blood he hath delivered us from death, and hath vouchsafed to give to mankind a remedy both of body and of soul. Who reigneth.

We give thanks to God the Father almighty, that he hath quickened us, who are of earthly origin and nature, by the gift of his sacrament unto a heavenly devotion. Through our Lord.

Turn us, O God of our salvation, and grant health to our sick.

For he satisfieth the empty soul, and filleth the hungry soul. Twice. Alleluia, alleluia.

Visit us, O God, with thy salvation. Alleluia.

The Lord is my strength, even unto salvation. Alleluia.

I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. Alleluia.

Refreshed with the Body and Blood of Christ, may we ever say unto thee, O Lord. Alleluia.

O praise the Lord, all ye nations (to the end).

Offer the sacrifice of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.

O God, we give thee thanks, through whom we have celebrated the holy mysteries, and of thee we ask the gifts of holiness, who reignest for ever and ever.

The Blessing

The Lord bless thee and keep thee; the Lord shew his face to thee, and be merciful unto thee; the Lord turn his countenance unto thee, and give thee peace.

And he answers: Amen.

Then signing him, say:

Thou art signed with the sign of the cross of Christ. Peace be with thee unto life eternal.

And he answers: Amen.

Here ends the order of communion.