The Thursday after Trinity Sunday was dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament by the Western Church during the Middle Ages. While it is arguable that celebrating the institution of the Eucharist on Maundy Thursday makes more sense, that day is taking place in the midst of Holy Week and focusing on the Passion. Thus, the first Thursday after Trinity Sunday was used.
The Book of Common Prayer does not specify this particular feast, and as such it is observed by custom, and by permission of our Ordinary.
The following is taken from:
- The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Anglican Church of Canada, Anglican Book Centre, Toronto © The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, 1962, Used without permission.
- The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Edited by Francis Burgess, originally produced by the Plainchant and Mediaeval Music Society, Royal School of Church Music, Dorking.
The following is based on a combination of the service for Maundy Thursday, the Gospel used at the Burial of the Dead, and the English Gradual.
Antiphon: Psalm 81 He fed them also with the finest wheat flour, alleluia: and with honey from the rock hath he satisfied them. alleluia, alleluia.
Verse: Ibid Sing we merrily unto God our helper: make a cheerful noise unto the God of Jacob.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Repeat the Antiphon He fed them also ...
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 197-204
O God, who in a wonderful sacrament hast left unto us a memorial of thy passion: Grant us so to reverence the holy mysteries of thy Body and Blood, that we may ever know within ourselves the fruit of thy redemption; who livest and reignest with the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 169
Brethern, I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh condemnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
1 Corinthians 11:23-29 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages 169-170
Psalm 145 The eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord: and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand: and fillest all things living with plenteousness.
Alleluia. Alleluia. John 6 My Flesh is meat indeed, and my Blood is drink indeed: he that eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 197-204
Laud, O Sion, thy Salvation, Laud with hymns of exaltation Christ, thy King and Shepherd true:
Spend thyself, his honour raising, Who surpasseth all thy praising; Never canst thou reach his due.
Sing to-day, the mystery shewing Of the living, life-bestowing Bread from heaven before thee set;
E'en the same of old provided, Where the Twelve, divinely guided, At the holy Table met
Full and clear ring out thy chanting, Joy nor sweetest grace be wanting To thy heart and soul today;
When we gather up the measure Of that Supper and its treasure, Keeping feast in glad array.
Lo, the new King's Table gracing, This new Passover of blessing Hath fulfilled the elder rite:
Now the new the old effaceth, Truth revealed the shadow chaseth, Day is breaking on the night.
What he did at Supper seated, Christ ordained to be repeated His memorial ne'er to cease:
And, His word for guidance taking, Bread and wine we hallow, making Thus our sacrifice of peace.
This the truth to Christians given - Bread becomes His Flesh from heaven, Wine becomes His Holy Blood.
Doth it pass thy comprehending? Yet by faith, thy sight transcending, Wondrous things are understood.
Yea, beneath these signs are hidden Glorious things to sight forbidden: Look not on the outward sign.
Wine is poured and Bread is broken, But in either sacred token Christ is here by power divine.
Whoso of this Food partaketh, Rendeth not the Lord nor breaketh: Christ is whole to all that taste.
Thousands are, as one, receivers; One as thousands of believers, Takes the Food that cannot waste.
Good and evil men are sharing One repast, a doom preparing Varied as the heart of man;
Doom of life or death awarded, As their days shall be recorded Which from one beginning ran.
When the Sacrament is broken, Doubt not in each severed token, Hallowed by the word once spoken, Resteth all the true content:
Nought the precious Gift divideth, Breaking but the sign betideth, He himself the same abideth, Nothing of His fulness spent.
Lo! the Angel's Food is given To the pilgrim who hath striven; See the children's Bread from heaven, Which to dogs may not be cast;
Truth the ancient types fulfilling; Isaac bound, a victim willing; Paschal lamb, its life-blood spilling; Manna sent in ages past.
Very Bread, good Shepherd, tend us, Jesu of thy love befriend us, Thou refresh us, thou defend us, Thine eternal goodness send us In the land of life to see;
Thou who all things canst and knowest, Who on earth such Food bestowest, Grant us with thy Saints though lowest, Where the heavenly Feast thou shewest, Fellow-heirs and guests to be.
Amen. Alleluia.
Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6.35-40 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 610
Leviticus 21 The priests of the Lord do offer the offerings of the Lord made by fire and the Bread of their God: therefore they shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the Name of their God. Alleluia.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 197-204
1 Corinthians 11 As often as ye do eat of this Bread, and drink of this cup: ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore, whosoever shall eat of this Bread, and drink of this Cup of the Lord, unworthily: shall be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord. Alleluia.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 197-204