Ritual Conformity / Interpretations of the Rubrics of the Prayer-Book Agreed Upon by a Conference Held at All Saints, Margaret-street, 1880-1881

by Unknown

THE ORDER FOR

THE VISITATION OF THE SICK.

240. When any person is sick, notice shall be given thereof to the Minister of the Parish; who, coming into the sick person's house, shall say,

The direction that notice should be given to the Minister of the parish was first inserted in the Prayer-Book of 1662; indicating that he is the proper person to discharge the Priest's duty in ministering to the sick.

This office, being of a more solemn and formal character than an ordinary visit to a sick person, should be used, if possible, with proper ornaments of the Minister, such as the Surplice and Stole, or, at all events, the Stole.

241. When he cometh into the sick man's presence he shall say, kneeling down, Remember not, Lord, &c.

242. Then the Minister shall say, Let us pray.

243. Then shall the Minister exhort the sick person after this form, or other like. Dearly beloved, &c.

244. If the person visited be very sick, then the Curate may end his exhortation in this place, or else proceed. Take therefore, &c.

245. Here the Minister shall rehearse the Articles of the Faith, saying thus, Dost thou believe, &c.

246. The sick person shall answer. All this, &c.

247. Then shall the Minister examine whether he repent him truly of his sins, and be in charity with all the world; exhorting him to forgive, from the bottom of his heart, all persons that have offended him; and if he hath offended any other, to ask them forgiveness; and where he hath done injury or wrong to any man, that he make amends to the uttermost of his power. And if he hath not before disposed of his goods, let him then be admonished to make his Will, and to declare his Debts, what he oweth, and what is owing unto him; for the better discharging of his conscience, and the quietness of his Executors. But men should often be put in remembrance to take order for the settling of their temporal estates, whilst they are in health.

248. These words before rehearsed may be said before the Minister begin his Prayer, as he shall see cause.

249. The Minister should not omit earnestly to move such sick persons as are of ability to be liberal to the poor.

In obeying this explicit direction, the Minister must consider that hasty and inconsiderate almsgiving, especially by will, such as bequeathing doles to the inhabitants of particular places, has been productive of much evil. He must also be careful not to advise acts of liberality which are disproportionate to the ability of the sick person, or illegal (as, e.g., in contravention of the Mortmain Acts); and in general he will do well to refrain from suggesting any special objects of benevolence.

When the sick person prepares an offering of alms, and is afterwards communicated, his alms may well be offered after the Gospel, in the Office for the Communion of the Sick.

250. Here shall the sick person be moved to make a special Confession of his sins, if he feel his conscience troubled with any weighty matter. After which Confession, the Priest shall absolve him (if he humbly and heartily desire it) after this sort.

The significant introduction in the last revision of this direction to 'move' the sick person to make a special confession of his sins, recalls the fact that the practice of confession had then been interrupted for many years, and required exertion for its revival. In 'moving' the sick person, is included instruction upon the nature and details of sins, as well as help to discover them, such as the suggestion of questions on the Commandments, Baptismal obligations, marriage vows, &c. The expression 'special confession' does not mean a partial confession, but a confession which goes into detail; and the Priest should not absolve the sick person unless his confession comprehends, besides the weighty matter which had immediately prompted it, all matters which ought to press upon his conscience, and can be recalled to mind by his utmost efforts.

The words 'if he humbly and heartily desire it,' do not refer to the expression of the penitent's desire for absolution as a positive condition of his receiving it, but denote a state of mind suitable to receiving it, and the absence whereof, if manifested, would justify the priest in withholding absolution.

'After this sort' means in this form, and is an express direction to use the form of absolution which then follows. The form here prescribed is employed in this office as being the usual form of private absolution in all cases, and is recognised as such in the Prayer-Book of 1549, where it is enjoined for universal private use. Neither does it contain any such allusion to sickness or weakness of body, or to unlikelihood of recovery, as would render it inappropriate for persons in health.

251. And then the Priest shall say the Collect following. O most merciful, &c.

252. Then shall the Minister say this Psalm. In Thee, O Lord, &c.

253. Adding this. O Saviour, &c.

254. Then shall the Minister say, The Almighty Lord, &c.

255. And after that shall say, Unto God's, &c.

256. A Prayer for a sick Child. O Almighty God, &c.

257. A Prayer for a sick Person, when there appeareth small hope of recovery. O Father of mercies, &c.

258. A commendatory Prayer for a sick person at the point of departure. O Almighty God, &c.

259. A Prayer for persons troubled in mind or in conscience. O Blessed Lord, &c.