Service of Healing

Beginning on page 222 in the Book of Common Prayer, there can be found the three rites of healing. These rites consist of: Confession and Absolution [Reconciliation], the Anointing of the Sick [Unction], and the Holy Communion. This structure is provided because these three naturally lead into the other. Christ forgives the paralytic's sins before healing his body. Christ heals the bodies of the lepers before sending them to make sacrifices in the Temple. We believe that the healing of the soul and of the body culminate in the Sacrifice of the Holy Communion in which we rightly confess “that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood.” These three rites taken together as a unit and logical unfolding of God's mercy are the ordinary means provided to the Church for the healing and comfort of its members. The Prayer book says that they are “foundational to the many ways that the Church ministers to those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit.” In fact, when a Church is consecrated, it is done so as to ask for God’s “forgiveness” [Reconciliation], to know His “healing power” [Unction], and “to be nourished by the Body and Blood” of Christ [the Holy Communion]. Individual parishes, then, have an obligation to make these rites regularly available to their people. Here at Saint Mark's, we endeavor to provide them at any time upon request, but we can do even more! Please join us Saturday, April 26th, for our first monthly Healing Service where all three of these rites will be provided to all who come seeking healing in mind, body, or spirit. See you there!