An Order for the Holy Communion, arranged from the Mozarabic Liturgy.
By the Rev. Charles R. Hale, D.D.
[Baltimore, Maryland:] Privately Printed, 1879.

The substance of this 1879 liturgical composition by the Right Reverend Charles Reuben Hale (1837-1900) was incorporated into the Order for Holy Communion from the Provisional Offices of the Mexican Episcopal Church (1895). An account of the compilation and publication of this diglot English-Spanish liturgy is provided in Chapter XI. of William Muss-Arnolt's Book of Common Prayer among the Nations of the World (1914).

This text was transcribed by Richard Mammana in 2014 from a private copy of the sixteen-page original.

Preface

In the American Church Review of April 1876, the writer of these lines published a paper, on “The Mozarabic Liturgy, and the Mexican Branch of the Catholic Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, Militant upon Earth.” In part of this Essay, he gave “An Order for the Holy Communion, parallel to that of the American Church, arranged from the Mozarabic.” His aim, as stated in the Essay, was to “draw attention to the treasures of the Mozarabic Liturgy, and to shew what could be done with these, rather than what should be.”
            Soon after that paper appeared, the wish was expressed, by one who had taken a very prominent part in regard to Mexican Church Reform, that the writer would draw up, in English, from the Mozarabic, a Liturgy which would, in his opinion, when put into their own language, be adapted to the use of the Old Catholics of Spanish descent. This was done, and what follows, having been placed, nearly two years since, in MS., in the hands of those most nearly interest, is now privately printed, by lithographic process, for limited circulation.
            Very much more liturgical matter has been prepared than is herewith presented, including the Collects for the year, an Office for Holy Baptism, an Order for Daily Morning and for Daily Evening Prayer, &c., &c.; some part of which may appear at another time.

Chas. R. Hale.
239 Maryland Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland.

An Order for the Holy Communion.
From the Mozarabic.

¶ At the time of the Celebration of the Holy Communion, the Minister, standing at the Chancel Rail or where Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer are appointed to be said, the People all standing, shall say:

            I will arise and go to my Father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

Then shall be said the Prayer following, all devoutly kneeling, the Minister first saying:

Let us pray.

Min. Lord have mercy upon us.
Ans. Lord have mercy upon us.
Min. Lord have mercy upon us.
            Our Father, who art in Heaven . . .
                        But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Min. Cleanse thou us, O Lord, from secret faults.
Ans. And keep thy servants from presumptuous sins.
Min. Lord hear our prayer.
Ans. And let our cry come unto thee.

Then shall the Minister say this Collect following:

            O God, who makest the unworthy to be worthy, the sinner to be just, and the impure to be pure; cleanse our hearts and bodies from all thoughts and pollution of sin, that this our service may be acceptable to thee, through that Great High Priest without spot of sin, Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end.

The people shall answer here, and at the end of all other prayers, Amen.

Then shall the minister go to the Holy Table, and shall reverently place thereon a copy of the Holy Gospels, open at the Gospel for the Day. And as he doeth this, he shall say, or there shall be sung, the appointed Introit Sentence, all standing.

Then shall be sung, or said, Gloria in Excelsis.

Then the People kneeling, the Minister shall say the Collect for the Season.

Then shall the Minister say:

            The Lord be ever with you.

And the People shall answer:

            And with thy spirit.

Then shall the Minister read the appointed Prophecy, first saying:

            The Prophecy is written in the —— chapter of ——, beginning with the —— verse.

¶ Then shall be sung or said the following Anthem, except on those days for which other Anthems are appointed:

Confitemini Domino. From Psalm CVI.

            O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious: and His mercy endureth forever.
            Who can express the noble acts of the Lord: or show forth all His praise.
            Blessed are they that alway keep judgment: and do righteousness.
            Remember me, O Lord, according to the favor that Thou bearest unto Thy people: O visit me with Thy Salvation,
            That I may see the felicity of Thy chosen: and rejoice with the gladness of Thy people, and give thanks with Thine inheritance.
            O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious: and His mercy endureth forever.
            Glory and honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

Note. That whenever this Gloria is appointed in Divine Service, it shall be sung, or said, by the Minister and People together.

¶ Then shall the Minister say:

            The Lord be ever with you.

And the People shall answer:

            And with thy spirit.

¶ Then shall be said, the People kneeling, the Collect for the Day, the Minister first saying:

Let us pray.

And immediately after the Collect, the Minister shall read the Epistle, first saying:

            The Epistle (or the portion of Scripture appointed for the Epistle) is written in the —— chapter of ——, beginning at the —— verse.

And when the Epistle is announced, the People shall answer:

            Thanks be to God.

Then shall be read the Gospel, the People all standing up, first saying:

            The Holy Gospel is written in the —— chapter of ——, beginning at the —— verse.

And when the Gospel is announced, the People shall sing or say:

            Glory be to thee, O Lord.

And after the reading of the Gospel, shall be sung, or said:

            Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God, Eternal King, praise and thanks be to thee.

Then may be sung an Hymn.

Then shall follow the Sermon, if there be any at that time.

After which the Minister shall return to the Lord’s Table, if he have left it, and say one or more of the Offertory Sentences.

¶ The Offerings of the People being brought to the Presbyter, he shall humbly present and place them upon the Holy Table.

And as he doth this, there shall be sung, or said, as following, all standing:

            All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own do we give unto thee.

Then shall the Presbyter reverently place upon the Holy Table so much Bread and Wine as he shall think sufficient.

¶ And as he doeth this, shall be sung or said, all standing, as followeth:

            Alleluia. Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, forever and ever. Alleluia.

Then shall the Minister say:

            Let us remember in our prayers the Holy Catholic Church, that the Lord would graciously vouchsafe to increase it in faith, hope, and charity.
            Let us remember them that are fallen, the sick and all that are in any danger or trouble, that the Lord would vouchsafe to restore, to heal, and to comfort them.

And the People shall answer:

            Grant this, Almighty, everlasting God.

Then, the People kneeling devoutly, the Presbyter shall say:

            Almighty and Everliving God, who by thy Holy Apostle has bidden us make prayers, supplications, and intercessions, and to give thanks for all men, we humbly beseech thee most mercifully (to accept our Alms and Oblations, which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty, and [If there be no Alms or Oblations the words referring to these shall be left unsaid]) to receive these our prayers, for thy Holy Catholic Church, in the East and in the West, in the North and in the South. Sustain her in danger, protect her in adversities, and make her watchful in prosperity.
            And grant that all they that do confess thy Holy Name may live in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in sincere love of the brethren.
            Make those who bear rule to do it as in thy sight, and those who sit in judgment to judge with equity, for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
            Establish all Bishops and other Ministers in thy true faith, and make them examples in godliness, in piety, in patience, setting forth in their lives what they preach with their lips, and rightly and duly administering thy holy Sacraments.
            Grant that all thy people, and especially this congregation here present, may truly receive thy Holy Word which is preached unto them, and serve thee in holiness and righteousness, all the days of their life. And we most humbly beseech thee, of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all those who are in need, trouble, sickness, or any other adversity. Amen.
            Hear us, O Lord, of thy mercy, and for the sake of thine only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Minister say further:

            Having in remembrance the Patriarchs and Prophets who foretold of the coming of thy Son, the Apostles who bare witness unto his mighty works, the Martyrs who died for the truth’s sake, and all other thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear, we pray thee, most merciful Lord, to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. Amen.
            For thou art the Life of the living, the Health of the sick, and the rest of the all the faithful departed, world without end. Amen.

Then shall the Minister say to those who come to receive the Holy Communion:

            Dearly beloved brethren, we who mind to come to the Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, must confess our sins, if we would not be condemned at God’s judgment. We must humble ourselves before men, if we would be glorified before the angels. We must mourn here, if we would reign with Christ hereafter.
            May our merciful Lord Jesus Christ grant us so truly to confess our sins, that we may obtain speedy remission. May he clothe us with the wedding garment, that we may come holy and clean to the Heavenly Feast. Amen.
            With a full trust in God’s mercy through Christ, let us make our humble confession unto him, devoutly kneeling.

Then shall this General Confession be made by the Presbyter and all those who are minded to come to the Holy Communion:

            Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we acknowledge that we have grievously sinned against thee, by thought, word, and deed, and by omission. We do earnestly repent of these our misdoings; we are heartily sorry for our sins; we are bowed down under the burden of them. Turn thy face from our sins, and blot out all our iniquities. Have mercy upon us, we beseech thee, imploring thy favor in the Name of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, who died upon the cross for our salvation. Forgive us all the evil that we have committed; cleanse us from all the stains of sin; and fill us with all spiritual gifts, that we may ever hereafter walk in newness of life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Presbyter (the Bishop if he be present) stand up, and, turning to the People, say:

            Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, who so loved the world that he gave his Only-Begotten Son to die on the cross to redeem it; Have mercy upon all the repentant, pardon and deliver them from all their sins, confirm and strengthen them in all goodness, keep them in peace here, and bring them to everlasting life; through the same, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
            Who is our true peace, and unbroken charity, and liveth and reigneth, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. 

¶ Then shall the Presbyter say:

            The grace of God the Father Almighty, the peace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all, evermore. Amen.
            Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith unto His disciples:
            Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
            A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another.
            Glory and honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

After which, the Presbyter shall proceed, saying:

Lift up your hearts.
Answer. We lift them up unto the Lord.
Presbyter. Let us give praise and thanksgiving unto God, and unto our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is in Heaven.
Answer. It is meet and right so to do.

¶ Then shall the Presbyter turn to the Lord’s Table, and say:

            It is very meet and right, that we should alway give thanks unto thee, O Holy Lord, everlasting Father, Almighty God,

Here shall follow the Proper Preface, according to the time.

After which, the Presbyter shall say:

            Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of Heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name, evermore praising thee, and saying:

 

Then shall be sung, or said, by the Presbyter and People:

            Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts, Heaven and Earth are full of the Glory of thy Majesty.
            Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed be he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
            Hagios, Hagios, Hagios, Kyrie ho Theos.

Then the Presbyter, standing before the Holy Table, shall say:

            Verily holy and blessed art thou, O God the Father Almighty, who didst send thine only-begotten Son, to take upon him our nature, and die for the sins of the whole world; who, by his Cross and Passion, bare the burden of our sins, and made an end of atoning sacrifices, by that one Oblation of infinite worth, Christ the Lord and an eternal Redeemer: who, the day before he suffered, in the same night in which he was betrayed, (a) took bread into his holy and venerable hands, and, giving thanks, blessed, and (b) brake, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat, (c) this is my Body, which is given for you. Do this, as oft as ye eat it, for a Commemoration of me. Amen.
            Likewise, after supper, (d) he took the Cup, saying, (e) This is the Cup of the New Testament in my blood, is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins, Do this, as oft as ye drink it, for a Commemoration of me. Amen.

(a) Here the Presbyter is to take the bread into his hands.
(b) And here to break the bread.
(c) And here to lay his hands upon all the bread.
(d) Here he is to take the Cup with his hand.
(e) And here to lay his hands upon ever vessel in which there is any wine to be consecrated.

            Thus doing, Most Holy Father, with these thy holy gifts, which we now offer unto thee, we shew forth the death of thine only-begotten Son, by which we were redeemed, as he commended us to do, until he himself should come, having in remembrance his glorious Passion, and Resurrection, and Ascension, rendering unto thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same.
            And we most humbly pray thee, that, by the same Spirit by whom thy Blessed Son became incarnate for us, the Holy and Undivided Trinity would vouchsafe to bless and sanctify these gifts and creatures of Bread and Wine, that we, receiving them according to our Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution, may be made partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood. Amen.
            Graciously hear us, O Holy Lord our God, and through these thy Good Gifts, sanctified by thee, grant unto us, thine unworthy servants, thy blessing unto the life eternal. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Presbyter say to the People:

    The faith which we believe in our hearts, let us confess with our mouths.

Then shall be said, or sung, by the Presbyter and People, the Creed, as followeth:

            I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
            And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of God, Begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God; Begotten, not made; Being of one substance with the Father; By whom all things were made; Who, for us men, and for our salvation, came down from Heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into Heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead; whose Kingdom shall have no end.
            And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, the Life Giver, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of Sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Presbyter say:

            Mindful of the Divine Command, let us, dearly beloved Brethren, offer the Prayer which Christ taught his disciples to pray, and say:

            Our Father, who art in Heaven . . . But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Then shall the Presbyter say:

            Delivered from evil, and ever stablished in what is good, may we have grace to serve thee acceptably, O Lord our God. Put an end, O Lord to our sins. Give joy to the troubled, and health to the sick. Give peace and quietness in our times. Restrain those who would do us harm, and turn them to a better mind. And hear, O Lord, the supplications of us thy servants, and of all faithful Christians, both now and ever, through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth, with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Then shall the Presbyter say:

            Holy things for holy persons.

And the People shall answer:

            One only is holy, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is, with the Holy Ghost, Most High in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Then shall the Presbyter, kneeling down at the Lord’s Table, say, in the name of all those who shall receive the Holy Communion, this Prayer following:

            O Holy Lord our God, who hast said, Be ye holy, for I am holy, we come to this thy Table in humbleness of spirit, trembling because of our sinfulness, but trusting in thy manifold and great mercies. We hide not our sins from thee, heal us through the mercy of the one Sacrifice. Grant us, O gracious Lord our God, so to eat the Flesh of thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, and to drink his Blood, that we may receive remission of all our sins, be filled with thy Holy Spirit, and, in the world to come, attain the crown of everlasting life. Amen.

Then shall be sung, or said:

Gustate et videte, from Psalm XXXIV.

            O taste and see how gracious the Lord is: Blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
            I will alway give thanks unto the Lord: His praise shall ever been in my mouth.
            The Lord delivereth the souls of His servants: And all they that put their trust in Him shall not be destitute.
            Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
            Glory and honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

Then shall the Presbyter first receive the Holy Communion in both kinds himself, and proceed to deliver the same to the Bishops, Priests, and Deacons (if any be present) in like manner, and after that to the people also, in order, into their hands, all devoutly kneeling.

And when he delivereth the Bread to anyone, he shall say:

The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Amen.

And the Minister who delivereth the Cup to any one shall say:

The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Amen.

If the consecrated Bread or Wine be spent before all have communicated, the Presbyter is to consecrate more, according to the Form before prescribed, beginning at Verily Holy and Blessed art thou, O God the Father, Almighty, and ending partakers of His Most Blessed Body and Blood.

When all have communicated, the Presbyter shall return to the Lord’s Table, and reverently place upon it what remaineth of the Consecrated Elements, covering the same with a fair linen cloth.

Then shall the Presbyter say, the People all kneeling,

            We thank thee, O God the Father Almighty, that thou hast deign to feed us, who have duly received these Holy Mysteries, with the spiritual food of the Body and Blood of thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ, grant that this may not be to our judgment and condemnation, but may profit to our salvation, and the healing of our souls unto life eternal, through the same, thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

¶ And this:

O Lord our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, make us ever to seek and to love thee, and may we have grace, through this Holy Communion which we have received, never more to draw back from thee, but ever to do those things that are pleasing in thy sight; for thou art God, and beside thee there is none else, world without end. Amen.

Then may be sung Nunc Dimittis, or other suitable Hymns.

Then shall the Presbyter (the Bishop if he be present) let them depart with this Blessing:

            That peace which our Lord Jesus Christ, when he ascended up on high, left to his disciples, be ever with you in all its fullness:
            And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, descend upon you, and remain with you alway. Amen.

If any of the consecrated Bread and Wine remain after the Communion, the Presbyter and other Communicants, shall, immediately after the Blessing, reverently eat and drink the same.