Mass For Special Needs And Occasions Mass For The Sick

Prayers and Scripture suitable for inclusion in mass or a Liturgy of the Word where the focus is on those who are sick.

Prayer samples

Collect:

Almighty ever-living God, eternal health of believers,

hear our prayers for your servants who are sick:

grant them, we implore you, your merciful help,

so that, with their health restored,

they may give you thanks in the midst of your Church.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer over the offerings:

Since the moments of our life unfold, O God,

according to your good pleasure,

receive the prayers and sacrificial offerings

by which we implore your mercy

for our brothers and sisters who are ill,

that, having been anxious for them in their danger,

we may rejoice at their recovery of health.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer after communion:

O God, only support of our human weakness,

show the power of your protection

over your servants who are sick,

that, sustained by your merciful help,

they may be restored to your holy Church in good health.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scripture Samples

First reading: Acts 4:8-12

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said, 'Rulers of the people, and elders! If you are questioning us today about an act of kindness to a cripple, and asking us how he was healed, then I am glad to tell you all, and would indeed be glad to tell the whole people of Israel, that it was by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the one you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by this name and by no other that this man is able to stand up perfectly healthy, here in your presence, today. This is the stone rejected by you the builders, but which has proved to be the keystone. For of all the names in the world given to men, this is the only one by which we can be saved.'

The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.

Psalm: Ps 26

R. Put your hope in the Lord; take courage and be strong.

The Lord is my light and my help;

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

before whom shall I shrink? R.

There is one thing I ask of the Lord,

for this I long,

to live in the house of the Lord,

all the days of my life,

to savour the sweetness of the Lord,

to behold his temple. R.

For there he keeps me safe in his tent

in the day of evil.

He hides me in the shelter of his tent,

on a rock he sets me safe.R.

O Lord, hear my voice when I call;

have mercy and answer.

Of you my heart has spoken:

'Seek his face.' R.

It is your face, O Lord, that I seek;

hide not your face.

Dismiss not your servant in anger;

you have been my help. R.

Do not abandon or forsake me,

O God my help!

Though father and mother forsake me,

the Lord will receive me. R.

Gospel: Matthew 15:29-31

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus reached the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and he went up into the hills. He sat there, and large crowds came to him bringing the lame, the crippled, the blind, the dumb and many others; these they put down at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were astonished to see the dumb speaking, the cripples whole again, the lame walking and the blind with their sight, and they praised the God of Israel.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer of the Faithful

1.That Jesus, who is merciful and filled with compassion, will bring strength to the sick and frail, especially…

Lord hear us.

Lord hear our prayer.

2. That those who are ill may be sustained through the loving support of those dear to them.

Lord hear us.

Lord hear our prayer.

3. That the Lord will bestow comfort and peace to those who are suffering.

Lord hear us.

Lord hear our prayer.

4. That those who care for the sick will be strengthened and comforted by God’s loving mercy.

Lord hear our prayer.