An Ecumenical Free Catholic Mass
The Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist
An Ecumenical Free Catholic Mass
Compiled and Edited by
The Most Rev. Brian E. Brown
According to the use of
Sacramental Community of the Coworkers of Christ
As authorized by the General Council and Commission on Liturgy
Feast of Saint Chad of Lichfield May 4, 2007
Imprimatur: Feast of Saint Kentigern January 13, 2008
+The Most Reverend Brian Ernest Brown
Saint Willibrord Press
Ozark Missouri
Welcome!
The Sacramental Community of the Coworkers of Christ is a community of believers, centered on Jesus Christ, holding to the faith and traditions of the apostles as expressed in Holy Scripture and in the spirit of the ancient creeds of the undivided Church: The Apostle’s Creed, The Nicene, The Creed of Saint Athanasius.
We are a Christ-centered and Trinitarian people, believing the Sacraments impart the grace which they signify, and that Apostolic Succession unifies and empowers us to administer the Sacraments and to proclaim the Gospel given to the Church by our Lord Jesus Christ, the author of our salvation.
We freely accept the continued revelation of the Word of God through the Holy Spirit and the call to love God with all of our heart, mind, and soul while loving our neighbors as our self in the same sacrificial way that Christ has loved us.
The Sacramental Community of the Coworkers of Christ sees itself as only one expression of God’s truth among many such Christian expressions and it holds firm to the belief that the Church really is one. It knows no national boundaries, no ethnic allegiance, no greater authority than Jesus Christ, no imperial court, and no secular government. Being truly free in the “free church” tradition, it has known neither papal prince nor earthly king. It seeks to be truly universal or catholic and ecumenical, serving all of God’s children with love, welcoming all to His Sacraments, and inviting all people to His care and fellowship. It does so regardless of age, race, creed, sex, sexual orientation, historic tradition, or state of grace, and at the same time holds fast to the Apostolic Faith.
We practice an open communion welcoming all Christians. We would turn down no one from receiving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
During the liturgy you are invited to receive our Lord in the Eucharist. You will have received general absolution during the General Confession. All your sins will have been forgiven. No matter how you have lived your life, no matter what you have done before, after your confession the Lord accepts you just the way you are. Please, come to the table he has prepared for you.
The Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist
The Entrance
With all standing a processional hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung.
Priest:
+ In the Name of the Three: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
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.
The Litany
Celebrant and people alternating:
Holy God, HAVE MERCY ON US.
Holy and Mighty One, HAVE MERCY ON US.
Holy and Immortal One, HAVE MERCY ON US.
The Collect
The Celebrant says to the people:
Priest:
May God, the Three in One, be with you.
People:
AND ALSO WITH YOU.
Priest:
Let us pray.
The Celebrant recites the Collect of the Day and the following.
Priest:
Oh God, Holy Three in One, who wonderfully created and yet more wonderfully restored the dignity of our human nature: Guide us in your grace that we may know and live the divine life of Christ your Son, who reveals your majesty in our humanity; Anoint us in your Spirit that we may burn with the fire of your love throughout the world; Nourish us in your Body, that you may teach us to walk in your truth and in your ways; Through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns in glory, with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN.
The Readings
With the people seated one or two lessons, as appointed, are read, the Reader first saying:
Reader:
A Reading from ________________________.
After the reading, the Reader shall say:
Reader:
The Word of the Lord.
People:
THANKS BE TO GOD.
A Psalm or hymn may follow each reading.
The Reading of the Gospel
With all standing, here may be said or sung a gradual psalm, hymn, or an anthem.
The Celebrant or Deacon may process into the midst of the people.
Deacon:
The Lord be with you.
People:
AND ALSO WITH YOU.
Deacon:
+ The Holy Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ according to St. ____________________.
People:
+ WHAT I THINK, + WHAT I SPEAK, MAY IT BE FROM MY + HEART.
The Celebrant or Deacon reads the Gospel, after which he says:
Deacon:
The Gospel of the Lord.
People:
GLORY TO YOU, O LORD, GLORY TO YOU.
The Sermon
All may be seated.
Preacher:
+ May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be always acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. AMEN.
The Creed
With all standing here follows when appointed:
All:
WE BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER
WHO CREATED ALL THAT IS
AND GAVE OUR ANCESTORS
THE DIGNITY OF FREEDOM,
WHICH WE ABUSED AND ARE ABUSING STILL.
GOD GRIEVES OVER OUR EVIL
AND CALLS US TO HIS BETTER WAY.
GOD LOVES THE WHOLE WORLD,
AND SENT HIS SON, JESUS, TO SAVE,
NOT TO CONDEMN.
WE BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST,
BORN AS GOD-WITH-US,
WHO TAUGHT US IN PARABLES,
WHO PERFORMED SIGNS AND WONDERS,
WHO HEALED THE SICK,
TOUCHED THE UNCLEAN,
RECEIVED FAILURES AND
WELCOMED THEM TO HIS FEAST.
HE TRAINED COMMON PEOPLE AS DISCIPLES
AND SENT THEM INTO THE WORLD
WITH HIS SAVING LOVE.
HE WAS BETRAYED, REJECTED,
MOCKED, TORTURED, AND CRUCIFIED.
BUT HE ROSE FROM DEATH
AND IS ALIVE AND WITH US ALWAYS,
AND LIVES IN US, THE HOPE OF GLORY,
INDWELLING AND FILLING US
THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT.
WE BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
WHO UNITES US AND GIVES US GIFTS
SO WE CAN SERVE ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE.
THE SPIRIT TRANSFORMS US
TO LIVE IN THE WAY OF CHRIST
AND EMPOWERS US TO MAKE CHRIST KNOWN
IN GRACIOUS WORDS AND DEEDS
OF JUSTICE AND COMPASSION.
THE SPIRIT BEARS FRUIT IN US
OF LOVE, JOY, PEACE,
AND ALL SORTS OF GOODNESS
AND IS AT WORK IN THE WORLD,
MOVING LIKE THE WIND.
THE HOLY SPIRIT INVITES US INTO
THE ETERNAL DANCE OF LOVE:
FATHER, SON, AND SPIRIT,
MUTUALLY INDWELLING,
MOVING FOR, WITH, IN,
AND THROUGH CREATION,
FOREVER AND EVER.
AMEN.
The Prayers of the People
The people may kneel. The prayers of the people are according
to the form provided, some other form, or extemporaneous.
Celebrant or Deacon and people alternating:
Let us offer our prayers to God the Father, in the Name of his Son, and the strength of his Spirit, saying: “To you, O Lord.”
For the world we live in, for sun and rain and good soil, and for wisdom in our stewardship of this world, we offer this prayer.
TO YOU, O LORD.
For those in poverty, famine, or hardship of any kind, we offer this prayer.
TO YOU, O LORD.
For the leaders of the world, especially .N. our President, that they might remember the needs of all your people; for justice, freedom, and the end of war and hunger, we offer this prayer.
TO YOU, O LORD.
For our enemies, for the enemies of our country, for our own persecutors, even for those who threaten the peace of our memories, remembering that your Son died for their souls as for ours, we offer this prayer.
TO YOU, O LORD.
For the peace of the world, for the welfare of the Holy Catholic Church of God, for the Sacramental Community of the Coworkers of Christ, and for the unity of all peoples, we offer this prayer.
TO YOU, O LORD.
For the Pope, the Patriarchs, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of Utrecht, for our Abbot Bishop .N., and .N. our Pastor, for all Bishops, Priests, Deacons, and all other Clergy, we offer this prayer.
TO YOU, O LORD.
For our church, that we might be a beacon of light for those in need, we offer this prayer.
TO YOU, O LORD.
For the sick and the dying, and for all who turn to you in hope, that you would love them, forgive them, and ease their pain, we offer this prayer.
TO YOU, O LORD.
For all who need and ask our prayers, especially __________, we offer this prayer.
TO YOU, O LORD.
For all the departed, especially __________; for all the dead in Christ, and those whose faith is known to you alone, we offer this prayer.
TO YOU, O LORD.
For our church, that we might be a beacon of light for those in need, we offer this prayer.
TO YOU, O LORD.
In thanksgiving for all our blessings, for the salvation of our souls, the answer to our prayers, and the joy of this day, we offer this prayer.
TO YOU, O LORD.
Priest:
O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies, look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O Lover of Souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. AMEN.
Confession of Sin
The following form of confession is intended to instill the practice of reconciliation and not to supplant it. Every Christian should avail themselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation often, by making a regular confession to a priest in a private setting.
Priest:
Dear brothers and sisters let us call to mind our sins against God, our neighbor, ourselves and the world.
The people may kneel. Silence may be kept.
All:
GOD OF ALL MERCY, WE CONFESS
THAT WE HAVE SINNED AGAINST YOU,
BY RESISTING YOUR WILL IN OUR LIVES.
WE CONFESS THAT WE HAVE SINNED AGAINST OUR NEIGHBORS,
BY NOT HONORING THEM AS YOU WOULD HAVE US TO DO.
WE CONFESS THAT WE HAVE SINNED AGAINST OURSELVES,
BY NOT LIVING ACCORDING TO YOUR WILL AND IN YOUR WAYS.
WE CONFESS THAT WE HAVE SINNED AGAINST YOUR WORLD,
BY ABUSING AND WASTING THE GIFTS OF YOUR GOODNESS.
REACH OUT YOUR SAVING HAND AND RESCUE US FROM OUR SINS.
FORGIVE, RESTORE, AND STRENGTHEN US
THROUGH OUR SAVIOR, YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST.
GRANT IN YOUR MERCY
THAT WE MAY ABIDE IN YOUR LOVE,
AND SERVE ONLY YOUR WILL IN OUR LIVES
FOR ALL YOUR PEOPLE, AND FOR ALL YOUR CREATION. AMEN.
The Bishop, when present, or the Priest, stands and says:
Priest:
May 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 everlasting life. AMEN.
The Peace
Priest:
May the God of love fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People:
AND ALSO WITH YOU.
The Ministers and people may greet each other with a sign of peace.
The Offertory
Priest:
O Lord our God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power; because you have created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.
The gifts to be offered to God are placed on the altar. As they are
brought forward, a hymn may be sung. The people stand to sing.
The people may kneel. As he offers the bread, the Celebrant says:
Priest:
Kindly receive us, O Lord, for we are humble in spirit and penitent of heart, and may the sacrifice we offer this day in the breaking of this bread be pleasing to you, our living and true God. AMEN.
The Celebrant mixes wine and water and offering the chalice he says:
Priest:
We offer to you, O Lord, the chalice of salvation, imploring your mercy, that our offering may rise with a pleasing fragrance before your divine majesty for the salvation of ourselves and for that of the whole world. AMEN.
The Censing of the Altar
The Celebrant blesses the incense and censing the altar shall say:
Priest:
May this incense be + blessed by him in whose honor it is to be burned. AMEN.
As this incense rises before you O Lord, so let our prayers be set forth in your sight. Let your Holy Angels encompass your people and breathe forth upon them the spirit of your blessing. AMEN.
The Lavabo Psalm 26
With the people seated the Celebrant blesses
the water and washes his hands while saying:
Priest:
I will wash my hands in innocence, O Lord,
That I may go in procession round your altar,
Singing aloud a song of thanksgiving
And recounting all your wonderful deeds.
Lord, I love the house in which you dwell
And the place where your glory abides.
Do not sweep me away with sinners,
Nor my life with those who thirst for blood,
Whose hands are full of evil plots,
And their right hand full of bribes.
As for me, I will live with integrity;
Redeem me, O Lord, and have pity on me.
My foot stands on level ground;
In the full assembly I will bless the Lord.
The Sursum Corda and Sanctus
Then shall follow all standing, the Celebrant
facing and alternating with the people:
Priest:
The Lord be with you.
People:
AND ALSO WITH YOU.
Priest:
Lift up your hearts.
People:
WE LIFT THEM TO THE LORD.
Priest:
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People:
IT IS RIGHT TO GIVE HIM THANKS AND PRAISE.
Then facing the altar the Celebrant proceeds:
Priest:
It is good and joyful that in your presence we give you thanks, Holy God.
You include us in creation and you made us in your glorious image.
You remember us from our beginning, and feed us with your constant love.
You redeemed us in Jesus Christ and knit us into one body with your Son.
Through your Spirit you replenish us, and call us to fullness of life.
A proper preface may be said.
Therefore, joining with angels and archangels and with all the faithful
in every generation, we give voice with all your creation as we sing (say):
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 Canon
The people shall kneel.
Priest:
Most generous, self-giving God, we celebrate your gift of creation. We rejoice that you formed us in your image and called us to dwell in your infinite love. You gave the world into our care that we might be your faithful stewards and reflect your bountiful grace.
Through Abraham and Sarah you blessed us with a holy heritage. You delivered us from slavery, sustained us through our journey in the wilderness, and brought us to your land.
You called us to be a holy people and sanctified us with your worship. You raised up prophets from among us that we might realize and practice the fullness of your promise.
But we failed to honor your image in one another and in ourselves; we failed to see your goodness in the world around us; and so we violated your creation, abused one another, and rejected your love.
Yet you did not abandon us to sin and death, but you sent Jesus Christ, your only Son, to be our Savior.
United with us by his incarnation through Mary and the Holy Spirit, born into our human family, he showed us the way of freedom and life.
Walking among us, he touched us with his healing and transforming power, and showed your glory. Giving himself freely to death on the cross, he triumphed over evil and became our salvation.
Celebrant is to hold the bread or lay a hand upon it and at the words concerning the cup to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing the wine to be consecrated.
Who on the night he was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
The priest elevates the host, kneels, and makes the sign of the cross.
After supper, he took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
The priest elevates the chalice, kneels, and makes the sign of the cross.
In obedience to this command, O God:
All:
WE CELEBRATE HIS LIFE, DEATH AND RESURRECTION,
AS WE AWAIT THE DAY OF HIS COMING.
Priest:
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us + gathered here and upon these gifts of bread and wine. May this be a time of transformation, nurture and healing. Make this bread and wine be for us the + Body and + Blood of Christ, so that through your power we may be for the world the Body of Christ, redeemed by his Blood.
By the healing power of your Spirit make us one in Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to the whole world. Nourished by your life, send us forth to seek out your lost sheep and to bring healing to your wounded ones. Help us mirror Christ’s love in this broken world, inspiring hope in the lives of those who suffer until Christ returns and all together we feast at his promised heavenly banquet.
Celebrant shall elevate the bread over the cup.
Through him and with him and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, now and forever, world without end. AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
Priest:
And now, as our Lord Jesus has taught us, we pray:
All:
OUR FATHER, ABOVE US, IN US AND AROUND US
MAY YOUR NAME BE ALWAYS BLESSED.
HERE TO EARTH, MAY YOUR KINGDOM COME.
HERE ON EARTH, MAY YOUR WILL BE DONE
AS IT IS IN PARADISE.
GIVE US TODAY OUR BREAD FOR THIS DAY.
AND FORGIVE US OUR WRONGS
AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO WRONG US.
LET US NOT WEAKEN
AND LIBERATE US FROM EVIL.
FOR THE KINGDOM IS YOURS AND YOURS ALONE,
AND THE POWER IS YOURS AND YOURS ALONE,
AND THE GLORY IS YOURS AND YOURS ALONE.
AMEN.
The Breaking of the Bread
The Celebrant breaks the bread, and says the following:
Priest:
We are the Body of Christ, the broken body and the blood poured out.
People:
WE BEHOLD WHO WE ARE; MAY WE BECOME ONE WITH THE ONE WE RECEIVE.
The Adoration
The Celebrant displaying the elements alternating with the people sings:
Lord Jesus Christ,
WE ADORE YOU!
Lamb of God,
WE ADORE YOU!
Light of the World,
WE ADORE YOU!
Beloved Son,
WE ADORE YOU!
Bread of Life,
WE ADORE YOU!
Bright Morning Star,
WE ADORE YOU!
Prince of Peace,
WE ADORE YOU!
Word of Life,
WE ADORE YOU!
Good Shepherd,
WE ADORE YOU!
Faithful and True,
WE ADORE YOU!
Priest:
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that
Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
The bread and chalice are given to the people with these words:
The Body of Christ broken for you. AMEN.
The Blood of Christ shed for you. AMEN.
If the Christian names of the communicants are known to the minister, they may be used. The ministers receive the Sacraments in both kinds, and delivers them to the people. During the ministration of Communion, hymns, psalms, or anthems may be sung.
Postcommunion Thanksgiving
Priest:
The Lord be with you.
People:
AND ALSO WITH YOU.
Priest:
Let us pray.
All:
GOD, THE CREATOR OF ALL, YOU HAVE RESTORED US IN YOUR IMAGE
THROUGH THE SACRIFICE AND GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST OUR SAVIOR;
YOU HAVE UNITED US AS ONE BODY IN THE SACRAMENT OF HIS BODY AND BLOOD;
SEND NOW YOUR HOLY SPIRIT TO SUSTAIN US IN LIVES OF SERVICE AS A HOLY AND CONSECRATED BODY, THROUGH CHRIST, AND IN CHRIST, OUR LIFE AND OUR JOY. AMEN.
The Bishop, when present, or the Priest, may bless the people.
Priest:
May the Blessing of God be with you, +
the Peace of Christ be upon you, +
and the Power of the Holy Spirit live in you, +
now and always. AMEN.
Then the Deacon, or the appointed person, shall dismiss the people with the following:
Deacon:
Go out into the world in peace;
have courage; hold on to what is good;
return no one evil for evil;
strengthen the fainthearted;
support the weak; help the suffering;
honor everyone; love and serve God;
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!
People:
THANKS BE TO GOD!
ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!
