The Breaking of the Bread

The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread.

A period of silence is kept.

Then may be sung or said:

[Alleluia.] Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. [Alleluia.]

In Lent, Alleluia is omitted, and may be omitted at other times except during Easter Season.

The following anthem is sung or said here:

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world,
grant us thy peace.

The following prayer may be said. The People may join in saying this prayer:

We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

Turning to the People, and showing the Chalice and Host, the Celebrant says:

The Gifts of God for the People of God.
Behold the Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world.

The People respond thrice:

Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof,
but speak the word only, and my soul shall be healed.

The ministers receive the Sacrament in both kinds, and then immediately deliver it to the People.

The Bread and the Cup are given to the communicants with these words:

The Body (Blood) of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you in everlasting life. [Amen.]

or with these words:

The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. [Amen.]

The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation. [Amen.]

During the ministration of Communion, hymns, psalms, or anthems may be sung.

After Communion, the Celebrant says:

Let us pray.

The People may join in saying this prayer:

Almighty and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee for that thou dost feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favor and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs, through hope, of thy everlasting kingdom. And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

Or the proper Postcommunion Prayer appointed for the Eucharist offered at Marriage, or for the Sick, or for the Departed may be said.

The Bishop when present, or the Priest, gives the blessing.

The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.

Or this:

The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.

The Deacon, or the Celebrant, may dismiss the People with these words:

Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
Thanks be to God.

Or the following:

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Or this:

Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.
Thanks be to God.

Or this:

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

From the Easter Vigil through the Day of Pentecost, "Alleluia, alleluia" may be added to any of the dismissals.

The People respond:

Thanks be to God.
Alleluia, alleluia.