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Q 1: What is this new Holy Communion Liturgy?
A: It is an attempt to recover one of the treasures of our Anglican heritage by offering to ANiC and ACNA a modern English version of the 1552 service of Holy Communion.
Q 2: Why 1552?
A: The principal architect of the English reformation was Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. The 1552 order of Holy Communion represents Cranmer’s final and finest liturgical expression of the doctrine of justification by faith.
Q 3: What’s the biggest difference in the 1552 order?
A: The 1552 order (sequence) places the prayer of humble access before the prayer of consecration and removes everything between the prayer of consecration and the act of receiving the elements by the congregation. The spoken ‘amen’ becomes the act of receiving.
Q 4: Is the order of service different than the one found in the Canadian Book of Common Prayer (1962)?
A: Yes and no. The service will feel very familiar to those using the Canadian BCP, which was a revision of the 1662 BCP. The main difference occurs after the sanctus (“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts . . .”) as you can see in the chart below.
1552 BCP
• Prayer of Humble Access
• Prayer of Consecration
• Distribution & Reception |
1662 BCP
• Prayer of Humble Access
• Prayer of Consecration
• Distribution & Reception |
1962 BCP
• Prayer of Consecration — with longer ending
• The Peace
• Prayer of Humble Access
• Distribution & Reception |
Q 5: Why modern English?
A: The Apostle Paul directs that in our gatherings all things be done for the building up of others, for edification. What cannot be understood cannot build up. In his essay ‘On Ceremonies’ Cranmer argues for simple clarity—language understood by all worshippers:
“…some think it a great matter of conscience to depart from a piece of the least of their Ceremonies (they be so addicted to their old customs:) and again on the other side, some be so new fangled, that they would innovate all thing, and so do despise the old, that nothing can like them, but that is new: it was thought expedient, not so much to have respect how to please and satisfy either of these parties, as how to please God, and profit them both.”
Q 6: Where did this modern English version come from?
A: With minor alterations it comes entirely from the new ACNA rites, and is intended to be a sister service to them, with a definite family likeness.
Q 7: How is it different from the BAS?
A: It shifts the emphasis away from us and back to God, and is not ashamed of a clear articulation of the atoning death of Christ.
Q 8: How is the service to be used?
A: The Rubrics (rules) in the service are deliberately light with maximum flexibility, adaptable to local practice. Thus the service can be used in church plants, and new congregations, as well as regular Sunday gatherings in traditional churches.
Q 9: Why are there 2 editions?
A: There is a US spelling edition and a Canadian spelling edition, with the hope it may be used both sides of the border.
Q 10: Who authorized this liturgy?
A: In January 2014, the then Primate of ACNA, Archbishop Bob Duncan encouraged the development of this liturgy. In February 2014, the ANiC House of Bishops gave permission for the development of this liturgy and, in March 2015, gave permission for its trial use in any ANiC congregation over the next two years with the request of feedback. The ANiC Canon, Section II, Article 2 provides that:
“Where a Form of Service has been prepared with a view to its submission to the Synod for approval by the Synod, the House of ANiC Bishops may, prior to that submission, authorize such Form of Service for trial use for a period specified by them not to exceed two (2) years on such terms and in such places or ANiC Parishes as they may designate.”
Q 11: What is the hope for this liturgy?
A: That it will be unitive and pastorally useful, and will bring glory to Christ.
Q 12: Can I give feedback?
A: Yes. We are receiving feedback until 1 May 2016. Please click here if you wish to give feedback.
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