“It is right, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth” —so begins our beautiful liturgy for Holy Communion. Each week, we have the privilege to gather as God’s people, give thanks for his mighty deeds, and receive this holy sacrament.
Our Sunday liturgy looks slightly different depending on whether or not a priest is available to preside. In the Anglican tradition, specific liturgical actions, such as pronouncing absolution and consecrating communion, can only be performed by a priest. However, not having a priest does not mean we do not receive communion. Our diocese and the Book of Common Prayer (2019 BCP, p. 227) provide a special liturgy for situations in which a deacon leads a communion service. (This service is sometimes called Deacon’s Mass or Reserved Sacrament.)
A deacon-led communion service is, liturgically speaking, a continuation of a previous Eucharistic service where a priest has already consecrated the bread and wine. As such, there is no procession at the beginning of the service. At the confession, the deacon doesn’t pronounce an absolution; instead, they pray for an assurance of forgiveness.
Since the bread and wine have already been consecrated, the deacon doesn’t recite the consecration prayers again; instead, they offer a brief prayer of thanksgiving, a reading from John 6, the Lord’s Prayer, and then invite the congregation to receive communion.
This service reminds us that the grace of the Eucharist is dependent on the presence of Christ himself. Our gathering remains an opportunity to give thanks, hear God’s Word, and receive the sacrament with faith. In all circumstances, we are nourished by Christ’s body and blood, united as his people, and sent forth to live as faithful witnesses of his love in the world.
