Ministers of care, both lay and ordained, are sent to bring the comfort of personal presence and prayer to those who are sick, homebound, isolated, or suffering. This book contains the official rites they will need to bring Holy Communion to, and to pray and share the Gospel with, those who cannot regularly worship with their parish community on Sunday. It includes the official rites they will need from the Book of Blessings and Pastoral Care of the Sick: Rites of Anointing and Viaticum. These rites include: -Communion in Ordinary Circumstances -Communion in a Hospital or Institution -Celebration of Viaticum outside Mass -Orders for the Blessing of the Sick -Order for the Blessing of a Person Suffering from Addiction or from Substance Abuse -Order for the Blessing of a Victim of Crime or Oppression -Order for the Blessing of Parents after a Miscarriage -Visits to the Sick and to a Sick Child -Pastoral Care of the Dying To further assist in this important ministry, this book also includes: -The Gospel for Sundays and holydays of obligation for Year B -New explanations of the readings for Year B -List of patron saints for the sick and the suffering

As an extension of the compassionate ministry of Jesus, ministers of care go forth from the Eucharistic celebration so that they may share the Word of God and holy Communion with those who are sick and cannot attend Sunday Mass. The Catholic Handbook for Visiting the Sick and Homebound compiles in one place all the rites a lay minister needs to perform this ministry with great care and sensitivity. The rites have been adapted for lay ministers and include those for sharing holy Communion and Viaticum, visiting the sick, blessing the sick and those who suffer, and praying with those who are dying. The Gospel texts for Year C, explanations of the readings, and a list of patron saints for those who are sick and suffering are also included in this resource, allowing ministers to more easily bring the Sunday Gospel to those in need. The 2025 edition includes the new translation of the rites from Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery outside Mass.

All lay ministers who provide care to those who are sick, homebound, isolated, or suffering in some way will benefit from the contents of this book. It includes the official rites they will need from the Book of Blessings and Pastoral Care of the Sick: Rites of Anointing and Viaticum to bring Holy Communion to, pray with, and share the Gospel with those who cannot regularly worship with their parish community on Sunday. These rites include: -Communion in Ordinary Circumstances -Communion in a Hospital or Institution -Celebration of Viaticum outside Mass -Orders for the Blessing of the Sick -Order for the Blessing of a Person Suffering from Addiction or from Substance Abuse -Order for the Blessing of a Victim of Crime or Oppression -Order for the Blessing of Parents after a Miscarriage -Visits to the Sick and to a Sick Child -Pastoral Care of the Dying To help you with your ministry, this book also includes: -The Gospel for Sundays and holydays of obligation for Year A -New explanations of the readings for Year A -A list of patron saints for the sick and the suffering This handbook is specially designed for the use of lay ministers of care, so it does not contain the rites for the sacraments of penance or the anointing of the sick, or the special prayers and blessings used by ordained bishops, priests, or deacons.