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.

In place of, or in addition to, the preceding, some other suitable anthem may be used.

The following anthem may be used:

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:
have mercy on us.

Facing the People, and showing the Chalice and Host, the Celebrant may say the following Invitation:

The Gifts of God for the People of God. Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to His supper.

The People respond thrice:

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