The Catholic Handbook for Visiting the Sick and Homebound 2026 is an essential pastoral care resource for ministers who bring prayer, comfort, and the Eucharist to the sick, homebound, and suffering members of the parish community.
This updated 2026 edition includes the new translation of the rites from Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery outside Mass, carefully adapted for lay ministers. The handbook conveniently gathers in one place all the rites and prayers needed to serve this ministry with care, reverence, and compassion.
This resource includes:
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Rites for sharing Holy Communion and Viaticum with the sick and dying
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Prayers and rites for visiting the sick and praying with the dying
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Blessings for the sick and those who suffer
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Full Gospel texts for Year A of the liturgical cycle
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Commentary and reflections on the Sunday readings
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A listing of patron saints for those who are sick and suffering
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Guidance for ministers of care to bring the Word of God and Eucharist to those unable to gather with the parish community
Perfect for:
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Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
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Ministers of care and pastoral care teams
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Clergy, chaplains, and hospital ministers
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Homebound and hospice ministry
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Parish health ministry teams
