When a minister of the Church brings Communion, the sick or elderly person shares in the eucharistic meal of the community. This holy Communion manifests the support and concern of the community for its members who are not able to be present. Holy Communion is a bond to the community for its members who are not able to be present. Holy Communion is a bond to the community, as it is a union with Christ. When the Eucharist is brought to the home, the family should prepare a table with a cloth and a lighted candle. All members of the household may receive Communion with the sick person, according to the usual norms. The following texts are among many that may be chosen from the Rite of Communion of the Sick.2items that may be neededA briefcase to carry the following items:

White stole (for the priest or deacon)

Holy water sprinkler

Ritual, or card with prayers

Crucifix

Purificator

One should check with the priest as to what is needed; in some cases (e.g., Communion in a hospital), the requirements differ. The priest usually does not wear a surplice during the trip but does wear a narrow white stole under his suit coat.

GREETING

All make the Sign of the Cross. The minister of Communion speaks the following or a similar greeting:

V. Peace be with this house and with all who live
here.

All respond:R. And also with you.

SPRINKLING WITH HOLY WATER

The Blessed Sacrament is placed on the table. The sick person and all present may be sprinkled with holy water. Before this sprinkling, the minister of Communion says:

Let this water call to mind our baptism into Christ, who by his death and resurrection has redeemed us.

PENITENTIAL RITE

The minister invites all to join in the penitential rite:

My brothers and sisters, let us turn with confidence to the Lord and ask forgiveness for all our sins.

After a brief silence, the penitential rite continues:I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault

They strike their breast:in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;
and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

or

V. Lord Jesus, you healed the sick:
Lord, have mercy.R. Lord, have mercy.

V. Lord Jesus, you forgave sinners:
Christ, have mercy.R. Christ, have mercy.

V. Lord Jesus, you give us yourself to heal us
and to bring us strength:
Lord, have mercy.R. Lord, have mercy.

Then the minister concludes the penitential rite:

May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.R. Amen.

READING OF THE SCRIPTURE

Then a selection from the Scriptures is read. An appropriate reading should be selected and prepared by the family or the minister of Communion. The following Scriptures are appropriate but are not intended to limit the choice of a reading.

A reading of the holy gospel according to John 6:51

Jesus says: "I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world."

V. The Gospel of the Lord.R. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

or John 15: 5

or 1 John 4:16

LORD'S PRAYER AND COMMUNION

Following a time of silence, all join in prayers of intercession. Then, in preparation for holy Communion, all recite the Lord's Prayer.

Now let us pray to God as our Lord Jesus Christ taught us.Our Father, . . .

After this, the minister shows the eucharistic bread to those present, saying:This is the Lamb of God
who takes away the sins of the world.
Happy are those who are called to his supper.

All who are to receive Communion respond:

Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word and I shall be healed.

The minister gives Communion saying, "The body of Christ," "The blood of Christ," as appropriate. The sick person answers "Amen." All who wish to do so receive Communion in the usual way. After a time of silence, the minister says the following or another prayer:

All-powerful and ever-living God,
may the body and blood of Christ your Son
be for our brother (sister) N.
a lasting remedy for body and soul.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.VIATICUM

Viaticum is the sacrament of the dying. When the minister has brought holy Communion, the rite may begin with the renewal of the dying person's profession of faith (p. 549).

Viaticum is then celebrated in the same manner as Communion of the Sick (p. 309), except that after giving Communion, the minister says:May the Lord Jesus Christ protect you
and lead you to eternal life.R. Amen.

The concluding prayer follows:

God of peace,
you offer eternal healing to those who believe in you;
you have refreshed your servant N.
with food and drink from heaven:
lead him (her) safely into the kingdom of light.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.R. Amen.