The Rite of the Lamp For Wednesday of Passion Week
Introduction
The present text takes place in the collection of “The Maronite Rites” (1997), published by the Liturgical Department of the University of Kaslik, Lebanon.
It is composed of the “first watch” of the Rite of the Lamp, as it exists in the official “Book of Rituals for the Service of the Divine Mysteries” (Chapter Six, “The Anointing of the Sick, Bkerke, 1942). To this “First Watch” are added the litanies and the hymns of the other six watches, accompanied by the light the wicks of the Lamp. It is concluded with the prayers of the blessing of the oil (by a priest), the solemn invocation of the Holy Spirit, and the anointing of the faithful with this oil.
The edition of 1897 for the “Administration of the Divine Mysteries,” edited by the Archbishop of Beirut, Youssef Debs, introduces the Rite of the Lamp with the following remarks:
- A ball of dough with seven wicks inserted into it is to be prepared in a plate. Next to it, there is a vessel filled with oil. The wicks represent the seven lamps envisioned by the prophet Jeremiah (4:1-14) and by John in Revelation (1:12-20). The oil is to be blessed by the celebrant an then poured over the seven wicks.
- The place with the dough with oil is placed on a table within the sanctuary. The celebrant and assistants surround it for the Rite.
- At the conclusion of the Rite of the Lamp, the celebrant dips a cotton swab in the oil and in the form of a cross, anoints the forehead of the members of the Community, saying, “For the forgiveness of your sins and faults, and for the healing of your body and soul.”
The purpose of this Rite of the Lamp is to plead the Lord to receive the contrition of the faithful repentant and to grant health to the sick, according to the letter of the Apostle, St. James (5:13-15).
The remarks continue to say that the Rite of the Lamp differs from the Anointing of the Sick for five reasons:
- The Anointing is a Mystery, the fifth of the seven mysteries of the Church. The Rite of the Lamp, on the other hand is, as we just said, a plea to the Lord on behalf of those who repent.
- The Anointing is a Mystery common to all Churches, East and WEst, and its administration is obligatory and necessary. The Rite of the Lamp is administered by the Eastern Churches, and it is not obligatory nor necessary.
- The oil of the Anointing is consecrated by the Bishop only along with the consecration of the Myron on Thursday of the Mysteries. The Rite of the Lamp is not a consecration. It is a simply blessing given by a priest without any specific time.
- The Anointing belongs to the sick in danger of death and is not given to anyone else. The oil of the Rite of the Lamp is administered to the members of the Community, the sick as well as the healthy ones.
- The consecration of the Anointing oil takes place only within the church, while the blessing of the lamp oil may take place inside or outside the church.
Thus, the Rite of the Lamp is not the Anointing of the Sick.
A final note added to these remarks reads, “Since the Rite of the Lamp is used during Passion Week, it should be administered not on Great Friday, but on Wednesday of Passion Week.
We would like to introduce this Rite of the Lamp (in its short form) in our Church here in the USA so that our people may be touched by it during the holiest time of the Liturgical Calendar of the year; that is the time of the Passion, Death and Resurrection, so also that we may not forget, rather have the opportunity to “live” one of our significant traditions.
This Rite of the Lamp, as is used her, brings back the age old forgotten tradition, which places it within Passion Week: this tradition highlights the need, for us, as we remember the Passion, “of the healing of our body and soul” through the oil blessed by the priest himself on this occasion. The community as a whole is anointed. The whole community feels the need of healing “in body and soul.” While oil is for the healing of the body, repentance and contrition of heart are the oil of the soul.
We urge pastors and faithful to make it a part of Passion Week in their churches.
+Stephen Hector Doueihi, S.T.D.
Bishop of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn
RITE OF THE LAMP
A Table is prepared in the sanctuary with a crucifix and two lit candles. On the table there is also a “lamp”, that is: a ball of dough, immersed in oil on a plate.
Seven wicks or tapers are placed in the dough. They are not lit. The incense is prepared, burning on the side. Priests and deacons assemble before the table, each vested according to his order.
PREPARATORY RITES
Doxology
Cel: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
Cong: Amen.
Opening Prayer
Cel: O Lord God, make us worthy, by your divine teaching, to bind and to heal these wounds, through our tears of contrition, which resulted form the sting of our sin. Grant us, O Lord God, that we may meet you with purity and an enlightened soul, and delight in the eternal blessings of your kingdom. And we will glorify you, together with your lambs on your right, and give glory to you, and to your Father, and to your Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
Cong: Amen.
Psalm 51
The celebrant and congregation recite Psalm 51:
Cong: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving kindness; according to the multitude of your tender mercies blot out my sins.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sins.
Satisfy me with y our joy and gladness, that my broken spirit may rejoice.
Turn your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall show forth your praise.
For you desire not sacrifice; you delight not in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS (HOOSOYO)
Proemion (Doxological Introduction)
The celebrant burns incense saying:
Cel: To the praise and glory of the Most Holy Trinity.
Cel: May we offer glory, praise and honor to the Sea of Mercy and Compassion, the ever glowing Spring of blessings, and to the One who promised the heavenly kingdom for those who work in the vineyard of justice and truth. To Christ, the good One, are due glory and honor, on this day and all the days of our lives, now and for ever.
Cong: Amen.
Sedro (Order of Petitions)
Cel: O immortal One, through your death you gave life to our race. Send down your love toward our feeble supplication. O Son of God, you willed to give us life and died for our sake. Hear the petitions which we bring before you. O Full Treasury, from which all who are needy may take, grant our request which we ask of you. Accept the incense which we are offering before your majesty; and by it, may the abundance of your fragrant mercies rest upon us.
Look, O Lord, upon us, your worshipers standing before you, with souls in agony and bodies in affliction. Nothing can help and nothing can save, except your mercy, and no one can heal and no one can give life, except your love.
Since we bore your seal from the waters of baptism, believed in your name, and consumed your body and drank your blood, let your living cross be a rudder for our ship, and guide us through the storms which surround us.
Shine your salvific mercy upon us; and, by your grace, let there be a rest to our affliction. Let your mercy bring comfort us us as we bow before you, forgive our sins and blot our our offenses from your book.
When the thread of our life comes to an end, send to us, O Lord, and angel of peace in your Providence. Let the Watcher of your mercy guide our souls kindly from the guards and attacks of the devil, that we may be delivered by you.
Sprinkle on us the dew of your mercy and aid, and together with the legions of the children of light, we will sing glory when you rise to carry our judgement on all generations.
In your mercy, Lord, make us worthy to stand at your right hand. All of us, together, will sing glory to your divinity and give thanks in a clear voice to you, the hidden One: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, to you be glory and upon us mercy, for ever.
Cong: Amen.
Qolo (Hymn of Incense)
The congregation sits and the hymn is then sung.
Cong: O Christ, Medicine of truth, you humbled yourself toward earthly things, and healed the sufferings and sicknesses of our afflicted human race; heal us, O Lord, as we bow before you, and ask pardon from you. Remove from us, by your mercy, trials, distress and grievous pain.
In your kindness, forgive the hidden blemishes in our souls. And when we are healed in soul and body, we will give praise and thanks to your unlimited grace. Amen.
Etro
Cel: O Exalted One, in your mercy, you came down towards earthly beings. You, who are forgiving and holy, in the abundance of your grace, forgive now our iniquities. In your love, accept our sincere petition; be pleased by the sweet fragrance of our incense, which we are offering before your Majesty, and send down through it tranquility and peace to the whole world. O Lord, our God, to you be glory, for ever.
Cong: Amen.
SERVICE OF THE WORD
Psalm of the Readings
All sit for the psalm of the readings.
Cong: The merciful Physician came to bind up those who suffer. He gave health to all who are afflicted and healing to all who are sick.
Cel: Almighty God for ever, by the wounds and sufferings which you bore, you healed the wounds of our weak human race and your forgave our sins and follies.
Cong: Grant us, Lord, forgiveness of sins from your treasury. Heal our sins and have mercy on us, that our sins and have mercy on us, that we may sing glory to your divinity.
Reading(s)
Reader: I read from the letter of St. James the apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ, before this holy lamp, and before our father the priest.
The reader then asks for the celebrant’s blessing:
Reader: Father, give your blessing.
The celebrant blesses the reader. The reader then continues:
Cel: Glory to the Lord of the Apostles. May their prayer be a wall of protection for this city (or country), and for all who dwell in it, for ever. Amen.
Reader: My beloved, are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest. (James 5:13-18)
The reader concludes the reading by singing or saying:
Reader: Praise be to God always!
Alleluia
Meanwhile, the congregation stands and sings:
Cong: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Cantor: “Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled” (Psalm 6:2)
Cong: Alleluia!
Gospel
Deacon: Before the good news of our Savior, announcing life to us all, let us offer this incense. O Lord, we ask for your mercy.
The celebrant burns incense while two subdeacons (servers) hold lighted candles on each side of the Book of Gospels.
Cel: Peace be with you.
Cong: And also with you.
Cel: Let us be attentive to the gospel of life and salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded by the evangelist Luke
The celebrant incenses the Book of Gospels three times. Meanwhile, the deacon proclaims:
Deacon: Remain silent, O Listeners, for the holy gospel is about to be announced to you. Listen and give glory and thanks to the living Word of God.
Cel: The Evangelist said, Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus replied, “A man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by a chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. The he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I ill repay you whatever more you spend.’ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “God and do likewise.” (Luke 10:25-37)
At the conclusion of the gospel, he sings or says:
Cel: This is the truth. Peace be with you.
Cong: Praise, thanksgiving and blessings to Jesus Christ for giving us his words of life, to his Father who sent him to redeem us and to his living Spirit now and for ever. Amen.
Homily
The congregation sits. The celebrant then gives a homily based on the readings and the liturgy of the day.
THE LITANIES AND LIGHTING OF THE SEVEN WICKS OF THE LAMP
Lighting of the First Wick
Diaconal Proclamations
Deacon: Again and again, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the forgiveness of our sins, and for the acceptance of our repentance, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the medicine that we receive and the healing to our souls and body, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the dwelling of the Holy Spirit in us, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
The first wick of the lamp is then lit while the congregation sings/recites the hymn.
Hymn
Cong: O good Shepherd, you came to seek the lost sheep. Call us now, O Lord, that we may be sheep of your flock.
O good One, you open your door to the sinners. Open to us the door of your mercy, that we may come to you.
With the sign of y our cross, mark, Lord, all the members of our body and protect them from all harm. Do not let evil and his inclinations dominate, at will:
our eyes, that they may look to your with a pure look;
our ears, that they may be inclined to listen to your word;
our lips, that they may sing the glory of your name;
our breath, that it may breathe the fragrance of eternal life;
our hands, that they may keep knocking at your door;
and our feet, that they may walk on the path leading to the temple of your divinity.
Our soul then, Lord, will be able, with our five senses, to raise glory to your Holiness.
From the treasury of your kindness, grant pardon to all the sins we committed with the senses of our body and soul. Amen.
Lighting of the Second Wick
Diaconal Proclamations
Deacon: Again and again, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the perfect health of our souls and body, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
The second wick of the lamp is then lit while the congregation sings/recites the hymn.
Cong: Alleluia! O Lord, you open your door to those who knock. Open your door to my weakness, as I stand before you. Protect me, as the pupil of my eye. Take me under your wings, that evil may not harm me. Let your goodness, O Lord, come toward my supplication that your mercies may be my protection. Alleluia! Alleluia! Forgive our sins and faults, Lord, and have mercy on us.
Lighting of the Third Wick
Diaconal Proclamations
Deacon: Again and again, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For our protection against temptation, weakness and trial, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
The third wick of the lamp is then lit while the congregation sings/recites the Hymn:
Cong: Alleluia! Glory to you, O Lord. You experienced death, and by your death you inflicted death to evil, and to death itself, as it brought death to Adam. Inflict death, O Lord, to the sin that lives in me, for I became, by my own will, a slave to it.
O good Shepherd, you sought the wandering sheep gone astray from the flock. Search out my perdition, as did the woman who lost her dime: You are indeed seeking those who are lost. I ill then proclaim and say: Blessed are you, O Lover of sinners. Alleluia and Alleluia!
Lighting of the Fourth Wick
Diaconal Proclamations
Deacon: Again and again, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
The fourth wick of the lamp is then lit while the congregation sings/recites the Hymn:
Cong: O Christ the King, may your blessings by upon sinners who call on you. Open your door to the humble who petition you. May Mary, the Virgin who gave birth to you, intercede with you on our behalf. May the martyrs who gave their lives in your hope join us to implore you. In your mercy, O Lord, reconcile us to you and grant your blessings to all of us, for, Lord, you are abundant in blessings.
Lighting of the Fifth Wick
Diaconal Proclamations
Deacon: Again and again, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For our lives that they may be sanctified, our resolutions that they may be confirmed, and the testimony of our life that it may flourish, let us pray tot he Lord..
Cong: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
The fifth wick of the lamp is then lit while the congregation sings/recites the Hymn:
Cong: Holy are you, O god: you willingly humbled yourself for our sake. Holy are you, O Strong One: in your love for us, you call to penance all sinners.
holy are you, O immortal One: at your door all sinners knock, asking for your mercy.
Lord, you accepted death on the cross for our sake. Grant us, now, mercy and compassion and pardon of our sins. Make us worthy to take refuge in the contrition of heart.
May we dwell in your kingdom with the diligent ones, and offer glory and praise to your glorious name, now and for ever.
Lighting of the Sixth Wick
Diaconal Proclamations
Deacon: Again and again, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For new life in your heavenly kingdom, that it may be ours, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
The sixth wick of the lamp is then lit while the congregation sings/recites the Hymn:
Cong: Through the incense they offered, Moses and Aaron obtained for Israel the pardon of their faults through the incense of Aaron, forgive now, Lord, your worshipers, and through the priests who implore you, give pardon to the sheep of your flock. Let no anger weary your faithful people who worship you and who, with a contrite heart, ask pardon of their sins and faults.
Lighting of the Seventh Wick
Diaconal Proclamations
Deacon: Again and again, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For all of us who bow before the Lord and implore his blessings and mercy, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the protection of our life and the healing of our soul, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the life in the heavenly kingdom, that we may be counted among the saints, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For this oil, that it may be consecrated and for our sins and faults, that they may be forgiven, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
The seventh wick of the lamp is then lit while the congregation sings/recites the Hymn:
Cong: Alleluia! Accept , Lord, the incense of your servants as you accepted Moses in the tabernacle. Be pleased with our prayers as you did with Phineas and Eleazar. You were satisfied with the chanting offered to you by Aaron, and you removed death from the people of Israel. Now, Lord, accept the incense that we offer to you.
Blessing of Oil
The celebrant prays over the oil, saying:
Cel: O Lord God, in the abundance of your mercy, you cure the infirmity of our soul and body. Bless + this oil. For those who are anointed with it, may it be a cure and a salvation from all sufferings, ills and malice; may your holy name be glorified through it. You are our all-merciful and compassionate Savior, our Lord and God, Jesus Christ. To you, to your Father and to your Holy Spirit be glory and thanksgiving, for ever.
Cong: We praise you; we bless you; we adore you; we acknowledge and ask you: have mercy on us, O Lord, and hear us.
Invocation of the Holy Spirit
He invokes the Holy Spirit, saying:
Cel: May your Holy and living Spirit, O Lord, come and bless this oil +. May this oil be filled with your power. Mary your divinity abide in it, so it may become, in the Holy Spirit, the oil of joy, a regenerating oil, a consecrated oil, an angelic shield against the power of the adversary. May it become a joy and eternal happiness to those who believe in it, so that it may protect those who are anointed by it. Because it is for them the oil of a new life, may they shine like heavenly stars, in purity and holiness, on the day in which the Just will radiate like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. With them and among them, we will offer glory to you, for ever.
Cong: Amen.
The Anointing With the Oil
The celebrant dips the thumb of his right hand, or a cotton swab, in the oil and starts anointing the members of the community. He marks them with the sign of the cross on their foreheads, saying:
Cel: For the Forgiveness of your sins and faults, and for the healing of your body and soul.
Hymn
The Congregation sings/recites a proper hymn of penance.
Cong: My soul is broken and afflicted. My soul yearns for mercy. Come to me, Lord, tell me to rise and serve. Like the woman with fever, who received your blessing, heal my soul, Lord, and grant me the blessing that is from you.
You cured the sick, Lord, only by the touch of your hand. Now touch my soul, Lord, heal my infirmity and forgive my sins. You are love, tender and healing love. Tell me, Lord, to rise and serve, that I may rise and serve.
My soul sings to the One healed us from our ills, who granted us total cure from our sickness. My soul sings to the Son, our Savior and Physician, our Healer and our all-merciful One. My sings to the Father and to the Holy Spirit for ages to come. Amen.
Concluding Prayers
Cel: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Cel: Holy are you, O God; holy are you, O Strong One; Holy are you, O immortal One. (Three times)
Cong: O Christ, who was crucified for us, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Cong: Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
Cel: O Lord our God, Jesus Christ, you are the true physician of our souls and bodies. In your grace and in the bounty of the Father who sent you, heal our infirmity and our ills. May your mercy and compassion be upon us, you creatures and the work of your hand, so that we may find salvation in you, and offer glory to you, to your Father and to y our Holy Spirit, for ever.
Cong: Amen.
Note: Pre-Anaphora and Anaphora may now follow.
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