Old Catholic Diocese of the Holy Spirit
An Orthodox Old Catholic Diocese
Affiliated with the Old Catholic Communion of North America
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Old Catholic Diocese of the Holy Spirit
An Orthodox Old Catholic Diocese Affiliated with the Old Catholic Communion of North America
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To Our Visitors The Old Catholic Diocese of the Holy Spirit is a Catholic Church not affiliated with the Roman jurisdiction, however it still celebrates the same sacraments. All people are invited, encouraged, and welcome to attend our services. Our communion is open to all baptized Christians regardless of their particular denomination or tradition. After the service please feel free to visit and ask additional questions. It is our sincere desire to provide a prayerful and meaningful worship service for all.
Rt. Rev Michael G. Nesmith, D.D Bishop and Diocesan Ordinary
The Holy Eucharist [An entrance song is sung or an antiphon is recited as the priest and the ministers enter the church and process to the altar; after reverencing the altar, they go to their chairs. The Celebrant may elect to open with the Penitential Rite, the Alternate Opening, or the Sprinkling Rite.]
Greeting: [Standing]
Celebrant:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
[All together make the sign of the cross.] Celebrant: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. People: And also with you.
Penitential Opening Rite [Kneeling] [The Rite begins with the following or similar words of introduction] Celebrant: As we prepare to celebrate the mystery of Christ's love, let us acknowledge our failures and ask the Lord for pardon and strength.
Form 1: All: Almighty Father, You know my deepest secrets. I confess that I have, through my own fault, sinned against Your holy laws in my thoughts, in my words, and in what I have done or failed to do. I sincerely regret my sins and I am truly sorry for offending You. I ask, Father, that in Your mercy You pardon my sins. I promise to change my way of living so that through a deeper holiness I may better serve You throughout the rest of my life. I ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, all the saints and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
Form II: All: Most holy and merciful Father, we confess to you, to one another, and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth, that we have sinned by our own fault in thought, word, and deed; by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven. Have mercy on us sinners, O God.
Celebrant: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive our sins and bring us to everlasting life. Amen
[ALL Remain kneeling while the Bishop, when present, Or the Priest alone, stands and says]
Bishop [or Priest]: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
Alternate Opening Rite Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People : And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
[In place of the above, from Easter Day through the Day of Pentecost]
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ is risen. People : The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
[In Lent and on other penitential occasions]
Celebrant Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins. People : His mercy endures for ever.
[The Celebrant may say]
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Kyrie [Kneeling or Standing if using the alternate opening] [One of the following acclamations are sung or recited]
Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling Holy Water [This rite is commonly celebrated during the Easter Season, but may also be used at other times. When it is used, the Penitential Rite is omitted, and the Mass continues with the Gloria ]
Celebrant: Dear friends, this water will be used to remind us of our baptism. Let us ask God to bless it, and to keep us faithful to the Spirit he has given us. [or similar words of introduction]
Celebrant: God our Father, your gift of water brings life and freshness to the earth; it washes away our sins and brings us eternal life. We ask you now to bless this water, and to give us your protection on this day which you have made your own. Renew the living spring of your life within us and protect us in spirit and body, that we may be free from sin and come into your presence to receive your gift of salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.
[After blessing the water, the priest moves through the church sprinkling all of the people while an antiphon or other song is sung. When the sprinkling and the song is finished, the priest concludes this rite as follows.]
Celebrant: May almighty God cleanse us of our sins, and through the Eucharist we celebrate make us worthy to sit at his table in his heavenly kingdom. All: Amen.
Gloria [Standing] [This ancient hymn of praise is used on all Sundays outside of Advent and Lent, on solemnities and feasts, and in solemn local celebrations. It is normally sung, preferably by the whole congregation, but may also be recited.]
All: Glory
to God in the highest,
we
praise you for your glory.
receive our prayer.
Opening Prayer / Collect [Standing]
Celebrant:
Let us pray.
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading [Seated]
Lector:
A reading from the Book [or Letter, or Acts] of...
Responsorial Psalm [Seated] [The Psalm may be read or said/sung as instructed by the leader]
Second Reading [Seated] [A second reading is prescribed for all Sundays and major feasts, but not for most weekdays or minor feasts. The lector's introduction and conclusion and the people's response are the same as in the First Reading.]
Alleluia, Gospel Acclamation, or Hymn [Standing] [During the Season of Lent, a different "Gospel Acclamation" is used, such as "Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory!" or "Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!" or something similar. A hymn appropriate to the Gospel may be sung instead of the Acclamation]
Gospel [Standing] [The gospel is read by the deacon. If there is no deacon, one of the celebrants reads the gospel. If there is no deacon or second priest, the Celebrant him/herself will read the gospel.]
[Before the Gospel
Proclamation]
All:
And also with you.
[After the Gospel
Proclamation]
Homily [Seated]
Profession of Faith [Standing] [On Sundays and solemnities, the Nicene Creed is normally recited by everyone after the homily. In celebrations of Masses with children, the Apostles' Creed may be used instead.]
Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.
I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers of the People [Kneeling or Standing] [Leader and People pray responsively as instructed by the leader. Or the leader may elect to use one of the prayers from a published source such as the BCP. If not said prior a General Confession of Sins may be said at this time. If there is no confession of sins the Celebrant offers a Closing Prayer. The Peace is exchanged after the Prayers]
The Peace [Standing] [The Peace will be exchanged either here or after the Eucharistic Prayer and introduced with one of the following verses]
Agree with one another, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. [2 Cor 13. 11b] Or: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body. And be thankful. [Col 3. 15]
Celebrant:
The Peace of the Lord be with you always. Celebrant: Let us offer each other a sign of peace.
Announcements [Seated] [The celebrant may elect to have announcements before beginning or a the end of the service]
The Holy Communion
Offertory
[Prior to beginning the Offertory the Celebrant will announce which Rite will be used for the Holy Communion. The Celebrant may begin the Offertory with one of these sentences or with some other sentence of Scripture.]
Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High. Psalm 50:14
Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts. Psalm 96:8
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2
Preparation of the Gifts [Seated] [A psalm or hymn may be sung at the preparation. There may also be silence or instrumental music. The gifts are brought to the altar. If there is no singing during the presentation of the gifts, the priest may say the preceding prayers aloud, and the people may respond. But if a presentation song is being sung, the priest recites these prayers inaudibly, and the people's response is omitted.]
The celebrant takes the paten with the bread, holds it above the altar and says]
Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life. People: Blessed be God forever.
[The celebrant] pours wine and blessed water into the chalice saying] By the mystery of this wine and water may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled Himself to share in our humanity.
[The celebrant takes the chalice and holds it above the alter saying] Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become our spiritual drink. People: Blessed be God forever.
[The celebrant places the chalice on the corporal. Bowing, he says] Lord God, we ask You to receive us and be pleased with the sacrifice we offer You with humble and contrite hearts.
[Extending his hands, he continues. The Altar may be censed afterwards.] Come, Holy Spirit and bless this sacrifice which we have prepared for the glory of Your Holy Name.
[The celebrant washes his hands and says quietly] Lord, wash away my iniquity; cleanse me from my sin.
[The Celebrant returns to the center of the altar, bows and says] Receive this offering, most Holy Trinity, which we make in memory of the passion, resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ and in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints. May they, whose memory we honor on earth, intercede for us in heaven.
[All Stand]
[Addressing the congregation with hands extended the Celebrant says] Pray, brethren, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
People: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our sake and the good of all his Church.
Prayer over the Gifts [Standing] [The Priest sings or says this prayer or proper which is different for each Mass.]
The Great Thanksgiving [Standing] Celebrant: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Celebrant: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them to the Lord. Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Preface [Now follows the first part of the Eucharistic Prayer, the Preface is said by the celebrant with hands extended. At the end of the Preface the celebrant joins his hand and together with eh people sing or say the Sanctus].
Sanctus Celebrant: Therefore, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we joyfully proclaim your glory. Evermore praising you and saying/singing:
All: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest +Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
The Eucharistic Prayers [Kneeling or Standing]
Eucharistic Prayer A [Old Catholic Church of Germany] Celebrant: We give you thanks, O God, our Father, through your beloved Son, Jesus. You sent him in the fullness of time to be our Savior and redeemer. As the angel of your holy will He is your eternal Word, inseparable from you. Through him you created everything, and you saw that it was good. He became human by the power of the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary. You revealed him as your Son.
To accomplish your will and to gather a holy people for you, he stretched out his hands in suffering, to bring release to those who place their hope in you. He gave himself freely to death to break the power of death, to shatter the chains of evil, to banish the darkness and to reveal the resurrection. On the night he was handed over, he took bread and gave you thanks, broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying,
Take this, all of you, and eat it; this is my body which will be given up for you. [Sanctus Bells] [He elevates the Host, genuflects in adoration and continues with his hands extended.]
After supper he like wise took the cup, and when he had given thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, saying,
Take this, all of you, and drink from it; this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me. [Sanctus Bells] [He elevates the Chalice, genuflects in adoration and continues with his hands extended.] Remembering, therefore, the death and resurrection of your Son, we bring you this bread and this cup and celebrate the mystery of our faith. People: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
[At the following words concerning the bread and the wine, the Celebrant is to hold, or to lay a hand upon it;] We thank you that you have made us worthy to stand before you and to serve you. We ask you, Send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts of +Bread and of +Wine, and upon the celebration of your Church. Gather it to unity at your Table. Strengthen it by your Spirit in its faith in you and keep it in the truth, that we may praise you and give you glory through your Son Jesus.
All: Through Him, with Him, in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is Yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen
[Continue with the Lords Prayer]
Eucharistic Prayer B [Union of Utrecht Canon] Celebrant: Blessed are You God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Father of mercy and God of all consolation. For You so loved the world that You gave Your only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. He then established a lasting memorial of Your salvation. On the evening in which He willingly surrendered Himself, He took bread, gave You thanks, blessed it and broke it saying, Take this, all of you, and eat it; this is my body which will be given up for you. [Sanctus Bells] [He elevates the Host, genuflects in adoration and continues with his hands extended.]
After supper he like wise took the cup, and when he had given thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, saying,
Take this, all of you, and drink from it; this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me. [Sanctus Bells] [He elevates the Chalice, genuflects in adoration and continues with his hands extended.]
So, we recall before You, Father, the Incarnation of Your Son, His words and deeds, how He humbled Himself and obediently accepted death, even death on the cross. Therefore You have raised Him up and given Him a Name which is above every name so that in heaven and under the earth every knee shall bow and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father that Jesus Christ is Lord. We offer this Sacrifice of Your Son before You, Father, with praise and thanksgiving and ask that You accept this oblation. [Extending his hands over the Oblation, the celebrant says]
Send Your Holy Spirit and fill these Gifts with His life-giving power that they may be for us the +Body and +Blood of Your dearly beloved Son. Grant that the Bread which we break may be the +Body of our Lord and the Cup over which we give thanks may be one with the +Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. In the company of Mary, the Mother of God, with Your apostles and martyrs, with holy Willibrord and all the saints, together with N., our bishop and with all bishops, priests and deacons as well as Your whole Church we praise and glorify You and look forward to the coming of Your beloved Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.
All: Through Him, with Him, in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is Yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen
[Continue with the Lords Prayer on page 18]
Eucharistic Prayer C: [The Dutch Old Catholic Canon] Celebrant: Blessed are You, Lord of all majesty and King of eternal glory through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. In Him Your Word was made flesh. In Him the fullness of Your grace was revealed in splendor. In all things, He fulfilled Your will and glorified Your name. He proclaimed Your Kingdom to us. He Broke the power of darkness over us. He took our guilt upon Himself. He reconciled us to You and unlocked the new paradise for us. As the Way, the Truth and the Life, He has revealed Your love to us. He humbled Himself and became obedient even to death on a cross, and by rising restored our life.
On the night in which He was betrayed to undergo that suffering which He Himself had chosen, He took bread into His hands and, lifting His eyes to You His heavenly Father, He gave thanks. He blessed the bread, broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying: Take this, all of you, and eat it; this is my body which will be given up for you. . [Sanctus Bells] [He elevates the Host, genuflects in adoration and continues with his hands extended.]
After supper he like wise took the cup, and when he had given thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, saying, Take this, all of you, and drink from it; this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me. [Sanctus Bells] [He elevates the Chalice, genuflects in adoration and continues with his hands extended.]
[The congregation sings or says] All: Your death, Lord Jesus, we proclaim! Your resurrection we celebrate! Your return in glory we await!
The celebrant continues: Therefore, Father, we remember His saving passion, His glorious resurrection and His exaltation at Your right hand. We await His coming in the fullness of majesty. We here set forth this sign of our faith in Him Who offered You the perfect sacrifice and gained for us eternal salvation.
[The celebrant extends his hands above the Oblation and says] Send Your Holy Spirit, the Giver of life and holiness, upon us and upon these Gifts: the +Bread and +Wine of eternal life.
[The celebrant joins his hands and the congregation may respond] All: Holy Spirit come to us. Fill us with Your gift of grace.
The celebrant continues: Take these Gifts from our hands, Lord God, as an acceptable sacrifice through which we offer ourselves to You so that the Bread which we break and the Cup which we bless my be a sharing in the +Body and the +Blood of Your Son. May all who receive from Your heavenly altar always remain united with You, together with all Your saints and chosen ones; with the blessed and glorious Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Lord; [and with Saint N., whose memory we keep this day;] with Your prophets and apostles with Your martyrs and confessors and with all who stand about Your throne in praise and prayer.
Grant also, Lord a share in that glory to the departed and to those whom we remember before You [especially. . .]
[He prays briefly with joined hands for those whom he desires to remember. The faithful should likewise pray for deceased relatives and friends. He extends his hands and continues]
Deal with them and with all people according to Your merciful kindness and let perpetual light shine upon them. Remember also Your servants on earth for whom we invoke Your mercy [especially. . .]
[He prays briefly with joined hands for those remembered and then extending his hands, continues]
Bless Your Church throughout the world. Grant it unity and peace. Renew the earth according to Your promise. Remember all people and grant that all nations may give You thanks, worshiping and praising Your holy name. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, and our Lord.
[Holding the Sacred Host above the Chalice and lifting them up, the celebrant sings or says]
All: Through Him, with Him, in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is Yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen
[Continue with the Lords Prayer on page 18]
Eucharistic Prayer D [When remembering the departed] Celebrant: Holy, immortal God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, we praise and thank you because your mercy is infinite. For love you created us mortals and breathed in us life from your immortal life. You will not allow to suffer and grow cold forever the hands that were raised to you, the eyes that looked for your beauty, the hearts that longed for your rest. You will not allow those to perish in death whom you have called to eternal fellowship and communion with you, you give a share in the mystery of the death and resurrection of your Son.
On the night he was handed over, he took bread and gave you thanks, broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take this, all of you, and eat it; this is my body which will be given up for you. . [Sanctus Bells] [He elevates the Host, genuflects in adoration and continues with his hands extended.]
After supper he like wise took the cup, and when he had given thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, saying, Take this, all of you, and drink from it; this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me. [Sanctus Bells] [He elevates the Chalice, genuflects in adoration and continues with his hands extended.]
Remembering, therefore, the death and resurrection of your Son, we bring you this bread and this cup and celebrate the mystery of our faith.
People: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
[At the following words concerning the bread and the wine, the Celebrant is to hold, or to lay a hand upon it;] Until your Son comes again, we do what he has commanded us to do. We proclaim his death, his resurrection and his imperishable life with you. Therefore we ask you: Send your life-giving Spirit upon these gifts that they may become for us the +bread of eternal life and the +blood of everlasting salvation. May we, by sharing in this meal, become one with your Son and with each other.
Raise us at the end of time when he comes and makes all new; grant us then, [together with N. and] with all who have gone before us, the never-ending life in your glory. With our Bishop N., with all women and men in the apostolic ministry and with all your Church we praise you, God of life. You are worthy to receive the blessing and the honor and the power, for your created all things and people. Through your will they are, and in your love they remain in Jesus, our living Lord.
All: Through Him, with Him, in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is Yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen
The Lord's Prayer [Kneeling or Standing] Celebrant: Admonished and taught by our Lord's instruction, we are bold to say: Or: Let us pray as the Lord taught us to pray: Or: We have received the Spirit who makes us children of God. Therefore we are bold to say:
[The celebrant extends his hands and sings or says with the congregation]
All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
[With hands extended, the celebrant sings or says]
Celebrant: Deliver us Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In Your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
All: For the kingdom, the power and the glory are Yours, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread [Holding the Sacred Host over the Chalice, the celebrant divides it into two parts. He places one half on the paten and breaks a particle from the other half and says]
Celebrant: The Cup of Blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the Blood of Christ? The Bread which we break, is it not a participation in the Body of Christ?
People: Because there is one Bread we who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one Bread.
[Dropping the particle of the Host into the Chalice, the celebrant says]
Celebrant: May the union of divinity and humanity in Jesus Christ bring us sanctification and eternal life. Amen.
[The celebrant may elevate the Host and joins the congregation in saying or singing]
All: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Communion Prayer [The celebrant joins his hands and says] Celebrant: Let us pray together: All: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, by the will of the Father and the work of the Holy Spirit, Your death brought life to the world. By Your holy Body and Blood Free me from all my sins and from every evil. Keep me faithful to Your teaching and never let me be parted from You. Amen
[The celebrant takes the Host saying] Celebrant: I will take the Bread of Heaven and call upon the name of the Lord. |