Healing Service of St. Thomas Becket of Canterbury

Each Wednesday evening, and on the first Sunday of the month, All Saints conducts the Healing Service of “St. Thomas Becket of Canterbury.” Jesus healed the sick, passing these ministries on to His disciples so that in His name the Church would continue to perform this healing liturgy. This healing does not replace doctors and medicine, but works through faith. That is, God works through his servants, both Doctors and Ministers, for the healing of His righteous people.

The healing service consists of a Litany, Psalms, Collects, Antiphons, and the “laying on of hands.” The Priest invites all people to the altar rail, directing the crucifer to stand behind each person as he proceeds to lay his hands on each. Anointing them with holy oil with the sign of the cross, he says (NAME) “I anoint you with this holy oil, and lay my hands upon thee, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; beseeching the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all thy pain and sickness of body being put to flight, the blessings of health may be restored unto thee. Amen.” Everyone present prays silently for the person for whom the Priest is praying.

Each person can also request prayers for others not present by “proxy.” The Priest continues to lay his hand upon those present as he calls upon the Holy Spirit for the person’s recovery and prayers to be answered, until all have been anointed. The balm used for anointing is a combination of olive oil, beeswax, frankincense and myrrh. This balm is blessed according to an ancient tradition on Maundy Thursday by the Bishop of the Diocese. This Healing Service came to All Saints via Rev. Canon Frank Smith, former Rector of St. Thomas Becket of Canterbury Anglican Church in Tempe, Arizona.

History of the Healing Service

Becket was appointed Archdeacon of Canterbury Cathedral in 1154, and soon adopted extreme and provocative stands on ecclesiastical immunities and jurisdiction, to the annoyance of his mentor King Henry II. His relations with the King soon deteriorated, and he was charged with breaking his promises to observe the Kings Laws, leading to his exile. After six years, Becket reconciled with the King, who allowed his return to England. He continued to thwart the King, however, eventually causing him to lose his temper, and in a fit of rage utter “Will nobody rid me of this turbulent priest?” This inspired four French Knights to make their way to Canterbury Cathedral where Becket was assassinated.

Becket’s martyrdom effectively established the autonomy of the Archbishops and made Canterbury Cathedral one of Christendom’s greatest shrines and a major center of pilgrimage. Many miracles were reported by pilgrims who flocked there, especially when it was discovered that water tinged by Becket’s blood had miraculous healing powers. Tin ampullea, thus encapsulated, were sold to take home a cure for their maladies. Over 600 people are reported to have been healed in the months after his death; lending great credence to Becket’s after-death healing powers.

Thus was born the Healing Service of St. Thomas Becket of Canterbury. Becket’s body was enshrined in Trinity Chapel at Canterbury, where the healing continued, this time beneath stained glass windows commissioned to enhance the popularity of Becket’s shrine. These stained glass windows began to accrue their own ability to heal pilgrims, further promoting the cult of St. Thomas Becket.

Some say there is a connection between the ampullae and the windows because the Canterbury Cross is imprinted on both. The covers of our own Healing Service Booklets continue this practice.