Thursday, February 29, 2024

THE ORDINARY AND CANON OF THE MASS




The Ordinary and Canon of the Mass

[under construction]


Preparation before Mass




Part I. The Mass of the Catechumens

The Order of Blessing Water & The Asperges


Preparatory Prayers of the Celebrant


Immediate Preparation for Worship; Collect for Purity

Decalogue, or Summary of the Law

Kyrie and Trisagion

Collect(s) of the Day

Lessons

Gospel

Sermon

Part II. The Mass of the Faithful or the Action

Creed

1. Oblation or the Offertory

Prayer for the Church

Communion Devotions; Confession

The Peace

2. Consecration or the Eucharistic Blessing

Preface

Prayer of Consecration

Lord's Prayer

3. Utilization of the Sacrifice Presented or the Fracture

Agnus Dei

Prayer of Humble Access











Vesting Prayers



VESTING PRAYERS


Cassock

The wearing of clerical garb is a visible sign of belief and of the consecration of one’s life to the service of the Lord and His Church. The Roman collar symbolizes obedience; and the color black, poverty. Moreover, black is a color of mourning and death; for the priest, the symbolism is dying to oneself to rise and to serve the Lord as well as giving witness of the Kingdom yet to come.

O Lord, the portion of my inheritance and my chalice, You are He who will restore my inheritance.

Dominus, pars hereditatis meae et calicis mei, tu es qui restitues hereditatem meam.


Fascia (sash)

The sash or cincture around the waist represents chastity.

Gird me, O Lord, with the cincture of purity, and quench in my heart the fire of concupiscence, that the virtue of continence and chastity may abide in me.

Praecinge me, Domine, cingulo puritatis, et exstingue in lumbis meis humorem libidinis; ut maneat in me virtus continentia et castitatis.


Surplice

Invest me, O Lord, as a new man, who was created by God in justice and holiness of truth. Amen.

Indue me, Domine, novum hominem, qui secundum Deum creatus est in justitia et sanctitate veritatis. Amen.


Washing Hands

Before he vests for Mass, the celebrant washes his hands and asks for the grace of purity.

Give virtue, O Lord, to my hands, that every stain may be wiped away, that I may be enabled to serve you without defilement of mind or body.

Da, Domine, virtutem manibus meis ad abstergendum omnem maculam ut sine pollutione mentis et corporis valeam tib servire.



Amice

The amice, a rectangular piece of white linen cloth, is the helmet of salvation and a sign of resistance against temptation. The priest usually kisses it and passes it over his head before putting it across his shoulders and tying it around the waist.

Place, O Lord, on my head the helmet of salvation, that I may overcome the assaults of the devil.

Impone, Domine, capiti meo galeam salutis, ad expugnandos diabolicos incursus.


Alb

The alb, a white tunic which covers the priest’s whole body, signifies perfect integrity.

Purify me, O Lord, from all stain and cleanse my heart, that, washed in the Blood of the Lamb, I may enjoy eternal delights.

Dealba me, Domine, et munda cor meum; ut, in sanguine Agni dealbatus, gaudiis perfruare sempiternis.


Cincture

The cincture, a cord which fastens the alb at the waist, symbolizes the virtue of purity.

Gird me, O Lord, with the cincture of purity, and quench in my heart the fire of concupiscence, that the virtue of continence and chastity may remain in me.

Praecinge me, Domine, cingulo puritatis, et exstingue in lumbis meis humorem libidinis; ut maneat in me virtus continentia et castitatis.


Maniple

The Maniple became known as an emblem of the tears of penance, the burden of sin, and the fatigue of the priestly office. This understanding is reflected in the vesting prayer said while putting on the maniple before Mass.

May I deserve, O Lord, to bear the maniple of weeping and sorrow in order that I may joyfully reap the reward of my labors.

Merear, Domine, portare manipulum fletus et doloris; ut cum exsultatione recipiam mercedem laboris.


Stole

The stole, the long band that fits around the neck, is a symbol of immortality and the sign of the dignity of the ministerial priesthood.

Restore to me, O Lord, the state of immortality which was lost to me by my first parents, and, although unworthy to approach your sacred mysteries, grant me, nevertheless, eternal joy.

Redde mihi, Domine, stolam immortalitatis, quam perdidi in praevaricatione primi parentis: et, quamvis indignus accedo ad tuum sacrum mysterium, merear tamen gaudium sempiternum.


Tunicle

May the Lord cloth me in the tunicle of delight, and the garment of rejoicing.

Tunica jucunditatis, et indumento laetitiae induat me Dominus.


Dalmatic

The dalmatic (worn by deacons and bishops) is a symbol of service. The colour white represents purity of soul and the red stripes  love for one's neighbour.

Endow me, O Lord, with the garment of salvation, the vestment of joy, and with the dalmatic of justice ever encompass me.

Indue me, Domine, indumento salutis et vestimento lætitiæ; et dalmatica justitiæ circumda me semper.


Chasuble

The chasuble, the outermost vestment worn by the celebrant at Mass, is the emblem of charity which makes the yoke of Christ light and agreeable.

O Lord, you said, “My yoke is sweet and my burden light,” grant that I may carry it so as to obtain your grace. Amen.

Domine, qui dixisti: Iugum meam suave est et onus meum leve: fac, ut istud portare sic valeam, quod consequar tuam gratiam. Amen.


While Waiting to go to the Altar

Heavenly Father, I go to the Offering of Jesus my Lord; to give thanks and praise to You,
especially for:_____________________;
and I do especially pray for: __________.
Receive these imperfect offerings of my heart, which I go to set forth to You in the Perfect Offering of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.


Prayers While Removing the Vestments

Lord Jesus Christ, who in a wonderful Sacrament has left unto us a memorial of Your passion: Grant me, I beseech You, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Your Body and Blood, that I may ever perceive within myself the fruit of Your redemption.

Let it be to me the armor of faith, the riddance of all vices, and the increase of all virtues.
 
And I pray You, that You would vouchsafe to bring me, a sinner, to that unfathomable Feast, where You, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, are to Your Saints true light, full satisfaction, everlasting joy, complete delight, and perfect happiness. All this I ask through Your most Holy Name. Amen.




Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Prayers and Thanksgivings





PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS
UPON SEVERAL OCCASIONS


[under construction]

¶  To be used before the Prayer for all Conditions of Men, or, when that is not said, before the final Prayer of Thanksgiving or of Blessing, or before the Grace.

Prayers

1. For the Church Universal.
 2. For the Unity of all Christian People.
 3. For the Extension of the Church.
 4. For the Conversion of the Jews.
 5. For all Missionary Workers.
 6. For Missionary Societies.
 7. For General, Provincial, or Diocesan Synods.
 8. For a Diocese, Rural Deanery, or Parish.
 9. For the Parish.
10. For a Parish Mission.
11. During the Vacancy of a See.
12. During the Vacancy of a Pastoral Charge.
13. For Universities, Colleges, and Schools.
14. For Theological Colleges.
15. For those who are to be admitted into Holy Orders.
16. For the Increase of the Ministry.
17. For Theological Students.
18. For Church and Sunday Schools.
19. For those being prepared for Confirmation.
20. For the Right Observance of Sunday.
21. For the Queen.
22. For the Royal Family.
23. For the Commonwealth.
24. For the Prime Minister of Canada and the Premiers of the Provinces.
25. For the Parliament of Canada and the Legislature of the Province.
26. For Civic Authorities.
27. Before an Election.
28. For Peace in the World.
29. For those who serve in the King’s Forces.
30. For Agriculture.
31. For Fisheries.
32. For Seasonable Weather.
33. In Time of Dearth and Famine.
34. For Industry.
35. For Right Relations in Industry.
36. For those in Hazardous Occupations.
37. For those in Anxiety.
38. For Teachers in Schools.
39. For Travellers.
40. For Healing Ministries.
41. For the Recovery of a Sick Person.
42. For Help to bear Bereavement.
43. The Communion of Saints.
44. For Memorial Services and other Occasions.
45. A General Intercession.
46. At Eventide.
Thanksgivings

1. For Missions.
2. For our National Heritage.
3. For Confederation.
4. For the Commonwealth.
5. For Deliverance in Peril.
6. For Favourable Weather
7. For the Ending of Civil or Industrial Strife.
8. For Recovery from Sickness.
9. For the Advancement of Medical Science.

________


PRAYERS

FOR THE CHURCH

1. For the Church Universal. [C, 

MOST gracious God, we humbly beseech thee for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth; in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where any thing is amiss, reform it; where it is right, strengthen and confirm it; where it is in want, furnish it; where it is divided and rent asunder, make it whole again; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Or [C, 

 O GOD of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favourably upon thy whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; and by the tranquil operation of thy perpetual providence carry out the work of men’s salvation; that things which were cast down may be raised up, and that all things may return into unity through him by whom all things were made, even thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Or [US]

O GRACIOUS Father, we humbly beseech thee for thy holy Catholic Church; that thou wouldest be pleased to fill it with all truth, in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, establish it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of him who died and rose again, and ever liveth to make intercession for us, Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord.  Amen.


2. For the Unity of all Christian People. [C, 

 O LORD Jesus Christ, who didst say unto thine Apostles, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: Regard not our sins, but the faith of thy Church, and grant unto it that peace and unity which is agreeable to thy will; who livest and reignest with the Father and the
Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.  Amen.

For the Unity of God's People. [US]

O GODthe Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, the Prince of Peace; Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder us from godly union and concord: that as there is but one Body and one Spirit, and one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us also we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


3. For the Extension of the Church. [C, 

O GOD, who hast made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth, and didst send thy blessed Son Jesus Christ to preach peace to them that are afar off and to them that are nigh: Grant that all peoples of the world may feel after thee and find thee; and hasten, O Lord, the fulfilment of thy promise to pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Or [C, 

ALMIGHTY God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give commandment to the Apostles that they should go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature: Grant to us whom thou hast called into thy Church, a ready will to obey thy Word; and fill us with a  hearty desire to make thy way known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Or [C, 

BLESSED Saviour, who didst look with compassion upon the multitudes: Raise up, we beseech thee, faithful men to seek and find thy sheep dispersed and lost, that they may be saved for ever; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end.  Amen.

Or

For Missions. [US]

O GODwho hast made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth, and didst send thy blessed Son to preach peace to them that are far off and to them that are nigh; Grant that all men everywhere may seek after thee and find thee. Bring the nations into thy fold, pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten thy kingdom; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Or [US]

ALMIGHTY God, whose compassions fail not, and whose loving-kindness reacheth unto the world's end; We give thee humble thanks for opening heathen lands to the light of thy truth; for making paths in the deep waters and highways in the desert; and for planting thy Church in all the earth. Grant, we beseech thee, unto us thy servants, that with lively faith we may labour abundantly to make known to all men thy blessed gift of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


4. For the Conversion of the Jews. [C, 

O GOD, who didst choose Israel to be thine inheritance: Look, we beseech thee, upon thine ancient people; open their hearts that they may see and confess the Lord Jesus to be thy Son and their true Messiah, and, believing, they may have life through his Name. Take away all pride and prejudice in us that may hinder their understanding of the Gospel, and hasten the time when all Israel shall be saved; through the merits of the same Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


5. For all Missionary Workers. [C, 

O GOD, who willest that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth: Prosper, we pray thee, all those who labour in the Gospel at home and in distant lands [particularly . . . ]; protect them in all perils, and support them in loneliness and in the hour of trial; give them thy grace to bear faithful witness unto thee; endue them with burning zeal and love, that they may turn many to righteousness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


6. For Missionary Societies. [C, 

ALMIGHTY Saviour, who, being exalted by the right hand of God, didst receive gifts for men: Send down the grace of thy Holy Spirit upon thy people, and grant that they may give cheerfully of their substance for the evangelizing of the world. Bless all those who are banded together for the spread of the Gospel [especially...]; make them faithful and true witnesses in proclaiming thy glorious Name; and prosper the work of their hands upon them, that the light of thy truth may shine into the darkest corners of the earth. Hear us, O merciful Saviour, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest an reignest, ever one God, world without end.  Amen.


7. For General, Provincial, or Diocesan Synods. [C, 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who by thy  Holy Spirit didst preside in the Council of the blessed Apostles, and hast promised, through thy Son Jesus Christ, to be with thy Church to the end of the world: We beseech thee to be present with the General Synod [or the Synod of this Province, or the Synod of this Diocese] now [or about to be] assembled in thy Name. Save its members from all error, ignorance, pride, and prejudice; and of thy great mercy vouchsafe so to direct, govern, and sanctify them in their deliberations by thy Holy Spirit, that through thy blessing the Gospel of Christ may be faithfully preached and obeyed, the order and discipline of thy Church maintained, and the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour enlarged and extended. Gran this, we beseech thee, through the merits and mediation of the same Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Or [C, 

GUIDE, we beseech thee, Almighty God, by  the light of thy Holy Spirit, the counsels of the Bishop[s], Clergy, and Laity at this time assembled in General [or Provincial, or Diocesan] Synod; that thy Church may dwell in peace, and fulfil all the mind of him who loved it and gave himself for it, thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen.

A Prayer to be used at the Meetings of Convention. [US]

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who by thy Holy Spirit didst preside in the Council of the blessed Apostles, and hast promised, through thy Son Jesus Christ, to be with thy Church to the end of the world; We beseech thee to be with the Council of thy Church here assembled in thy Name and Presence. Save us from all error, ignorance, pride, and prejudice; and of thy great mercy vouchsafe, we beseech thee, so to direct, sanctify, and govern us in our work, by the mighty power of the Holy Ghost, that the comfortable Gospel of Christ may be truly preached, truly received, and truly followed, in all places, to the breaking down the kingdom of sin, Satan, and death; till at length the whole of thy dispersed sheep, being gathered into one fold, shall become partakers of everlasting life; through the merits and death of Jesus Christ our Saviour.  Amen.

¶  During, or before, the session of any General or Diocesan Convention, the above Prayer may be used by all Congregations of this Church, or of the Diocese concerned; the clause, here assembled in thy Name, being changed to now assembled (or about to assemble) in thy Name and Presence; and the clause, govern us to our work, to govern them in their work.


8. For a Diocese, Rural Deanery, or Parish.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully hear our prayers, and grant to this Diocese all things needful for its spiritual welfare [ministers to labour in this portion of thy vineyard, churches complete in the beauty of holiness]. Strengthen and confirm the faithful; protect and guide the children; visit and relieve the sick; turn and soften the wicked; arouse the careless; recover the fallen; restore the penitent. Remove all hindrances to the advancement of thy truth; and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within the fold of thy holy Church, to the honour and glory of thy blessed Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


9. For the Parish.

O GOD the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful: Sanctify this parish by thine abiding presence. Bless those who minister in holy things. Enlighten the minds of thy people more and more with the light of the everlasting Gospel. Bring erring souls to the knowledge of God our Saviour; and those who are walking in the way of life, keep stedfast unto the end. Give patience to the sick and afflicted, and renew them in body and soul. Guard from forgetfulness of thee those who are strong and prosperous. Increase in us thy manifold gifts of grace, and make us all to be fruitful in good works; O blessed Spirit, whom with the Father and the Son together we worship and glorify, one God, world without end.  Amen.


10. For a Parish Mission.

 O GOD, our heavenly Father, we humbly pray thee to bless abundantly the efforts that are now being made to turn thy people in this parish to sincere repentance and a more lively faith. Prepare all hearts to receive the seed of thy Word. Grant that it may take deep root, and bring forth fruit to thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


11. During the Vacancy of a See.

ALMIGHTY God, the giver of all good gifts: Grant thy blessing, we humbly beseech thee, to the clergy and laity about to assemble [or now assembled] for the election of a Bishop; and give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, that a chief Pastor may be chosen who shall minister before thee to the glory of thy Name, the good government of the flock committed to his charge, and the welfare of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


12. During the Vacancy of a Pastoral Charge.

ALMIGHTY God, who knowest the needs of  thy Church in every place: Look graciously at this time upon the people of this parish; and give to them a faithful Pastor, who shall feed thy flock according to thy will, and make ready a people acceptable unto thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


13. For Universities, Colleges, and Schools.

ALMIGHTY God, of whose only gift cometh  wisdom and understanding: We beseech thee with thy gracious favour to behold our universities, colleges, and schools, that knowledge may be increased among us, and all good learning flourish and abound. Bless all who teach and all who learn; and grant that in humility of heart they may ever look unto thee, who art the fountain of all wisdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


14. For Theological Colleges.

ALMIGHTY Father, grant that our schools of  theology may be homes of faith and fruitful study; and that all their students may so learn truth as to bear its light along their ways, and so learn Christ as to be found in him; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.  Amen.


15. For those who are to be admitted into Holy Orders.

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who hast purchased to thyself an universal Church by the precious blood of thy dear Son: Mercifully look upon the same, and at this time so guide and govern the minds of thy servants the Bishops and Pastors of thy flock, that they may lay hands suddenly on no man, but faithfully and wisely make choice of fit persons to serve in the sacred Ministry of thy Church. And to those who shall be ordained to any holy function give thy grace and heavenly benediction; that both by their life and doctrine they may set forth thy glory, and set forward the salvation of all men; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Or

ALMIGHTY God, the giver of all good gifts, who of thy divine providence hast appointed divers Orders in thy Church: Give thy grace, we humbly beseech thee, to all those who are to be called to any office and administration in the same; and so replenish them with the truth of thy doctrine, and endue them with innocency of life, that they may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great Name, and to the benefit of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


16. For the Increase of the Ministry .

WE beseech thee, Almighty God, to call many to the Ministry of thy Church; and to those whom thou dost call give thy grace that they may hear and answer thy voice; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


17. For Theological Students.

O HEAVENLY Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ did command his disciples to proclaim the glad tidings of thy saving love to all mankind: Pour out thy Holy Spirit, we beseech thee, on all who are now in training for the Ministry of thy Church; make them to be modest, humble, and constant in their labours, and to have a ready will to obey all spiritual discipline; that they may become faithful ministers of thy Word and Sacraments; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


18. For Church and Sunday Schools.

ALMIGHTY God, who hast committed to thy  holy Church the care and nurture of thy children: Enlighten with thy wisdom those who teach and those who learn; that, rejoicing in the knowledge of thy truth, they may worship thee and serve thee all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


19. For those being prepared for Confirmation.

O GOD, who through the teaching of thy Son Jesus Christ didst prepare the disciples for the coming of the Comforter: Make ready, we beseech thee, the hearts and minds of thy servants who at this time are seeking the gifts of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands, that, drawing near with penitent and faithful hearts, they may be filled with his power; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Or

O ALMIGHTY God, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: We humbly commend unto thee those who are about to renew before the Church the solemn vows of their Baptism, and to seek thy heavenly grace in the laying on of hands. Guard them from the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and give them grace to devote themselves wholly unto thee, body, soul, and spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


20. For the Right Observance of Sunday.

ALMIGHTY God, who hast given a day of rest to thy people, and, through thy Spirit in the Church, hast consecrated the first day of the week to be a perpetual memorial of thy Son’s resurrection: Grant that we may so use thy gift that, refreshed and strengthened in soul and body, we may serve thee faithfully all the days of our life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


FOR THE STATE

21. For the King

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, we are taught by thy holy Word, that the hearts of Kings are in thy rule and governance, and that thou dost dispose and turn them as it seemeth best to thy godly wisdom: We humbly beseech thee so to dispose and govern the heart of CHARLES thy servant, our King and Governor, that in all her thoughts, words, and works, he may ever seek thy honour and glory, and study to preserve thy people committed to his charge, in wealth, peace, and godliness: Grant this, O merciful Father, for thy dear Son’s sake, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


22. For the Royal Family.

ALMIGHTY God, the fountain of all goodness, we humbly beseech thee to bless our most gracious Sovereign Lord, King CHARLES, [*] Queen Camilla, William Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, and all the Royal Family: Endue them with thy Holy Spirit; enrich them with thy heavenly grace; prosper them with all happiness; and bring them to thine everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
* Here shall be named, as determined by authority from time to time,
the several members of the Royal Family.
________


In the United States:

A Prayer for Congress.

¶  To be used during their Session.

MOST gracious God, we humbly beseech thee, as for the people of these United States in general, so especially for their Senate and Representatives in Congress assembled; that thou wouldest be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations, to the advancement of thy glory, the good of thy Church,. the safety, honour, and welfare of thy people; that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations. These and all other necessaries, for them, for us, and thy whole Church, we humbly beg in the Name and mediation of Jesus Christ, our most blessed Lord and Saviour.  Amen.

For a State Legislature.

O GOD, the fountain of wisdom, whose statutes are good and gracious and whose law is truth; We beseech thee so to guide and bless the Legislature of this. State, that It may ordain for our governance only such things as please thee, to the glory of thy Name and the welfare of the people; through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord.  Amen.

For Courts of Justice.

ALMIGHTY God, who sittest in the throne judging right; We humbly beseech thee to bless the courts of justice and the magistrates in all this land; and give unto them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, that they may discern the truth, and impartially administer the law in the fear of thee alone; through him who shall come to be our Judge, thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen.

For Our Country.

ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favour and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogancy, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.









For those who are to be admitted into Holy Orders.

¶  To be used in the Weeks preceding the stated Times of Ordination.

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who hast purl\. chased to thyself an universal Church by the precious blood of thy dear Son; Mercifully look upon the same, and at this time so guide and govern the minds of thy servants the Bishops and Pastors of thy flock, that they may lay hands suddenly on no man, but faithfully and wisely make choice of fit persons, to serve in the sacred Ministry of thy Church. And to those who shall be ordained to any holy function, give thy grace and heavenly benediction; that both by their life and doctrine they may show forth thy glory, and set forward the salvation of all men; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

¶  Or this.

ALMIGHTY God, the giver of all good gifts, who of thy divine providence hast appointed divers Orders in thy Church; Give thy grace, we humbly beseech thee, to all those who are to be called to any office and administration in the same; and so replenish them with the truth of thy doctrine, and endue them with innocency of life, that they may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great Name, and the benefit of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


For the Increase of the Ministry.

O ALMIGHTY God, look mercifully upon the world which thou hast redeemed by the blood of thy dear Son, and incline the hearts of many to dedicate themselves to the sacred Ministry of thy Church; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


For Fruitful Seasons.

¶  To be used on Rogation Sunday and the Rogation Days.

ALMIGHTY God, who hast blessed the earth that it should be fruitful and bring forth whatsoever is needful for the life of man, and hast commanded us to work with quietness, and eat our own bread; Bless the labours of the husbandman, and grant such seasonable weather that we may gather in  the fruits of the earth, and ever rejoice in thy goodness, to the praise of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

¶  Or this.

O GRACIOUS Father, who openest thine hand and fillest all things living with plenteousness; We beseech thee of thine infinite goodness to hear us, who now make our prayers and supplications unto thee. Remember not our sins, but thy promises of mercy. Vouchsafe to bless the lands and multiply the harvests of the world. Let thy breath go forth that it may renew the face of the earth. Show thy loving-kindness, that our land may give her increase; and so fill us with good things that the poor and needy may give thanks unto thy Name; through Christ our Lord.  Amen.


For Rain.

O GOD, heavenly Father, who by thy Son Jesus Christ hast promised to all those who seek thy kingdom, and the righteousness thereof, all things necessary to their bodily sustenance; Send us, we beseech thee, in this our necessity, such moderate rain and showers, that we may receive the fruits of the earth to our comfort, and to thy honour; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


For Fair Weather.

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech thee, of thy great goodness, to restrain those immoderate rains, wherewith thou hast afflicted us. And we pray thee to send us such seasonable weather, that the earth may, in due time, yield her increase for our use and benefit; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


In Time of Dearth and Famine.

O GOD, heavenly Father, whose gift it is that the rain doth fall, and the earth bring forth her increase; Behold, we beseech thee, the afflictions of thy people; increase the fruits of the earth by thy heavenly benediction; and grant that the scarcity and dearth, which we now most justly suffer for our sins, may, through thy goodness, be mercifully turned into plenty; for the love of Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, now and for ever.  Amen.


In Time of War and Tumults.

O ALMIGHTY God, the supreme Governor of all things, whose power no creature is able to resist, to whom it belongeth justly to punish sinners, and to be merciful to those who truly repent; Save and deliver us, we humbly beseech thee, from the hands of our enemies; that we, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore from all perils, to glorify thee, who art the only giver of all victory; through the merits of thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


In Time of Calamity.

O GOD, merciful and compassionate, who art ever ready to hear the prayers of those who put their trust in thee; Graciously hearken to US who call upon thee, and grant us thy help in this our need; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


For the Army.

O LORD God of Hosts, stretch forth, we pray thee, thine almighty arm to strengthen and protect the soldiers of our country. Support them in the day of battle, and in the time of peace keep them safe from all evil; endue them with courage and loyalty; and grant that in all things they may serve without reproach; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. 


For the Navy.

O ETERNAL Lord God, who alone spreadest out the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea; Vouchsafe to take into thy almighty and most gracious protection our country's Navy, and all who serve therein. Preserve them from the dangers of the sea, and from the violence of the enemy; that they may be a safeguard unto the United States of America, and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions; that the inhabitants of our land may in peace and quietness serve thee our God, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


Memorial Days.

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead; We give thee thanks for all those thy servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to them thy mercy and the light of thy presence, that the good work which thou hast begun in them may be perfected; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord.  Amen.


For Schools, Colleges, and Universities.

ALMIGHTY God, we beseech thee, with thy gracious favour to behold our universities, colleges, and schools, that knowledge may be increased among us, and all good learning flourish and abound. Bless all who teach and all who learn; and grant that in humility of heart they may ever look unto thee, who art the fountain of all wisdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


For Religious Education.

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who hast committed to thy holy Church the care and nurture of thy children; Enlighten with thy wisdom those who teach and those who learn, that, rejoicing in the knowledge of thy truth, they may worship thee and serve thee from generation to generation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


For Children.

O LORD Jesus Christ, who dost embrace children with the arms of thy mercy, and dost make them living members of thy Church; Give them grace, we pray thee, to stand fast in thy faith, to obey thy word, and to abide in thy love; that, being made strong by thy Holy Spirit, they may resist temptation and overcome evil, and may rejoice in the life that now is, and dwell with thee in the life that is to come; through thy merits, O merciful Saviour, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest one God, world without end. Amen.


For those about to be Confirmed.

O GOD, who through the teaching of thy Son. Jesus Christ didst prepare the disciples for the coming of the Comforter; Make ready, we beseech thee, the hearts and minds of thy servants who at this time arc seeking to be strengthened by the gift of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands, that, drawing near with penitent and faithful hearts, they may evermore be filled with the power of his divine indwelling; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


For Christian Service.

O LORD, our heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be ministered unto, but to minister; We beseech thee to bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of their fellow men. Endue them 





























Sunday, December 17, 2023

Great O Advent Antiphons (Magnificat Antiphons)



Magnificat

+  +  +

THE ADVENT ANTHEMS

  On the appointed days these Anthems following may be sung or said immediately before and after the Magnificat.

December 16th. O SAPIENTIA

O Wisdom, which camest out of the mouth of the Most High, and reachest from one end to another, mightily and sweetly ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.

O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem, fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.

Wisdom viii. 1, ix. 4, 9, 10; Proverbs viii. 22, sq.; Hebrews i. 1; John i. 3; Ecclesiasticus xxxiv. 3. sq.


December 17th. O ADONAI

O Lord of lords and Leader of the house of Israel, who appearedst in the bush to Moses in a flame of fire, and gavest him the Law in Sinai: Come and deliver us with an outstretched arm.

O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.

Acts 7:30, 28; Hebrews 12:18-21, 10:16.


December 18th. O RADIX JESSE

O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the peoples, at whom kings shall shut their mouths, to whom the Gentiles shall seek: Come and deliver us, and tarry not.

O radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem Gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.

Isaiah xi. 1, 10, lii, 15; Romans i. 3; Matthew xxviii. 19, 20.


December 19th. O CLAVIS DAVID

O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel; that openest and no man shutteth, and shuttest and no man openeth: Come and bring the prisoner out of the prison-house, him that sineth in darkness and the shadow of death.

O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel; qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperit: veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris et umbra mortis.

Isaiah xxii. 22, xlii. 7; Revelation iii. 7; Luke i. 32; Mark ii. 10; Matthew xxviii. 18, xvi. 18, 19.


December 20th. O ORIENS

O Day-spring, Brightness of the Light eternal, and Sun of Righteousness: Come and enlighten them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

O Oriens, splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

Luke i. 78, 79; Malachi iv. 2; Wisdom vii. 26; Hebrews i. 3; John i. 4, 5; Titus iii. 4; Luke vii. 22; Ephesians v. 8-14.


December 21st. O REX GENTIUM

O King of the nations, and their Desire; the Cornerstone who makest both one: Come and save man, whom thou formedst of clay.

O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.

Acts xvii. 26; Ephesians ii. 14; Isaiah xlv. 22; Psalm cxiii. 6-8; xlvii. 9.


December 22nd. O EMMANUEL

O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, Hope of the nations, and their Saviour: Come and save us, 0 Lord our God. 

O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster, exspectatio Gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos, Domine, Deus noster.

Isaiah vii. 14, viii. 8, xxxii. 1; Psalm lxxii; Genesis xlix. 10; Haggai ii. 7; Luke i. 71, 74, 75


December 23rd. O VIRGO VIRGINUM

O Virgin of virgins, how shall this be? For neither before thee was any like thee, nor shall there be after. Daughters of Jerusalem, why marvel ye at me? The thing which ye behold is a divine mystery.

O Virgo virginum, quomodo fiet istud? Quia nec primam similem visa es nec habere sequentem. Filiae Jerusalem, quid me admiramini? Divinum est mysterium hoc quod cernitis.


________


Wikipedia: O Antiphons





Thursday, December 7, 2023

Commentary on The Athanasian Creed



Commentary on the Quicunque Vult

from
THE CREEDS OF CHRISTENDOM
WITH A HISTORY AND CRITICAL NOTES, Volume I,
by PHILIP SCHAFF, D.D., L.L.D.,
PROFFESSOR OF BIBLICAL LITERATURE IN THE UNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, N.Y.
pp 34 - 42 [for his notes, see the printed volume on the INTERNET ARCHIVE


§ 10. THE ATHANASIAN CREED.

The ATHANASIAN CREED is also called SYMBOLUM QUICUNQUE, from the first word, ‘Quicunque vult salvus esse.’

I. Its ORIGIN is involved in obscurity, like that of the Apostles’ Creed, the Gloria in Excelsis, and the Te Deum. It furnishes one of the most remarkable examples of the extraordinary influence 'which works of unknown or doubtful authorship have exerted. Since the ninth century it has been ascribed to Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, the chief defender of the divinity of Christ and the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity (d. 373). The great name of ‘ the father of orthodoxy’ secured for it an almost ecumenical authority, notwithstanding the solemn prohibition of the third and fourth ecumenical Councils to compose or publish any other creed than the Nicene.

Since the middle of the seventeenth century the Athanasian authorship has been abandoned by learned Catholics as well as Protestants. The evidence against it is conclusive. The Symbol is nowhere found in the genuine writings of Athanasius or his contemporaries and eulogists. The General Synods of Constantinople (381), Ephesus (431), and Chalcedon (461) make no allusion to it whatever. It seems to presuppose the doctrinal controversies of the fifth century concerning the constitution of Christ’s person ; at least it teaches substantially the Chalcedonian Christology. And, lastly, it makes its first appearance in the Latin Churches of Gaul, North Africa, and Spain; while the Greeks did not know it till the eleventh century, and afterwards rejected or modified it on account of the Occidental clause on the procession of the Holy Ghost from the Father and the Son. The Greek texts, moreover, differ widely, and betray, by strange words and constructions, the hands of unskilled translators.

The pseudo-Athanasian Creed originated in the Latin Church from the school of St. Augustine, probably in Gaul or North Africa. It borrows a number of passages from Augustine and other Latin fathers.' It appears first in its full form towards the close of the eighth or the beginning of the ninth century. Its structure and the repetition of the damnatory clause in the middle and at the close indicate that it consists of two distinct parts, which may have been composed by two authors, and afterwards welded together by a third hand. The first part, containing the Augustinian doctrine of the Trinity, is fuller and more metaphysical. The second part, containing a summary of the Chalcedonian Christology, has been found separately, as a fragment of a sermon on the Incarnation, at Treves, in a MS. from the niddlc of the eighth century. The fact that Athanasius spent some time in exile at Treves may possibly have given rise to the tradition that the great champion of the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity composed the whole.

II. CHARACTER and CONTENTS. — The Symbolum Quicunque is a remarkably clear and precise summary of the doctrinal decisions of the first four ecumenical Councils (from A.D. 325 to A.D. 451), and the Augustinian speculations on the Trinity and the Incarnation. Its brief sentences are artistically arranged and rhythmically expressed. It is a musical creed or dogmatic psalm. Dean Stanley calls it ‘a triumphant paean’ of the orthodox faith. It resembles, in this respect, the older Te Deum, but it is much more metaphysical and abstruse, and its harmony is disturbed by a threefold anathema.

It consists of two parts.

The first part (ver. 3-28) sets forth the orthodox doctrine of the Holy Trinity, not in the less definite Athanasian or Nicæno-Constantinopolitan, but in its strictest Augustinian form, to the exclusion of every kind of subordination of essence. It is therefore an advance both on the Nicene Creed and the Apostles’ Creed; for these do not state the doctrine of the Trinity in form, but only indirectly by teaching the. Deity of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and leave room tor a certain subordination of the Son to the Father, and the Holy Spirit to both The post-Athanasian formula states clearly and unmistakably both the absolute unity of the divine being or essence, and the tri-personality of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Cod is one in three persons or hypostases, each person expressing the whole fullness of the Godhead, with all his attributes. The term persona is taken neither in the old sense of a mere personation or form of manifestation (πρόσωπον, face, mask), nor in the modern sense of an independent, separate being or individual, but in a sense which lies between these two conceptions, and thus avoids Sabellianisrn on the one hand, and Tritheism on the other. The divine persons are in one another, and form a perpetual intercommunication and motion within the divine essence. Each person has all the divine attributes which are inherent in the divine essence, but each has also a characteristic individuality or property, which is peculiar to the person, and can not be communicated ; the Father is unbegotten, the Son begotten, the Holy Ghost is proceeding. In this Trinity there is no priority or posteriority of time, no superiority or inferiority of rank, but the three persons are coeternal and coequal.

If the mystery of the Trinity can be logically defined, it is done here. But this is just the difficulty : the infinite truth of the Godhead lies far beyond the boundaries of logic, which deals only with finite truths and categories. It is well always to remember the saying of Augustine : ‘God is greater and truer in our thoughts than in our words; he is greater and truer in reality than in our thoughts.’^

The second part (ver, 29-44) contains a succinct statement of the orthodox doctrine concerning the person of Christ, as settled by the general Councils of Ephesus 431 and Chalcedon 451, and in this respect it is a valuable supplement to the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds. It asserts that Christ had a rational soul (νοῦς, πνεῦμα), in opposition to the Apollinarian heresy, which limited the extent of his humanity to a mere body with an animal soul inhabited by the divine Logos. It also teaches the proper relation between the divine and human nature of Christ, and excludes the Nestorian and Eutychian or Monophysite heresies, in essential agreement with the Chalcedonian Symbol.

III. The DAMNATORY CLAUSES. — The Athanasian Creed, in strong contrast with the uncontroversial and peaceful tone of the Apostles’ Creed, begins and ends with the solemn declaration that the catholic faith in the Trinity and the Incarnation herein set forth is the indispensable condition of salvation, and that those who reject it will be lost forever. The same damnatory clause is also wedged in at the close of the first and at the beginning of the second part. This threefold anathema, in its natural historical sense, is not merely a solemn warning against the groat danger of heresy, nor, on the other hand, does it demand, as a condition of salvation, a full knowledge of, and assent to, the logical statement of the doctrines set forth (for this would condemn the great mass oven of Christian believers) ; but it does mean to exclude from heaven all who reject the divine truth therein taught. It requires every one who would be saved to believe in the only true and living God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one in essence, three in persons, and in one Jesus Christ, very God and very Man in one person.

The damnatory clauses, especially when sung or chanted in public worship, grate harshly on modern Protestant ears, and it may well be doubted whether they are consistent with true Christian charity and humility, and whether they do not transcend the legitimate authority of the Church. They have been defended by an appeal to Mark xvi. 16 ; but in this passage those only are condemned who reject the gospel, i. e., the great facts of Christ’s salvation, not any peculiar dogma. Salvation and damnation depend exclusively on the grace of God as apprehended by a living faith, or rejected m ungrateful unbelief. The original Nicene Symbol, it is true, added a damnatory clause against the Arians, but it was afterwards justly omitted. Creeds, like hymns, lose their true force and miss their aim in proportion as they are polemical and partake of the character of manifestoes of war rather than confessions of faith and thanks to God for his mighty works.‘

IV. INTRODUCTION and USE. — The Athanasian Creed acquired great authority in the Latin Church, and during the Middle Ages it was almost daily used in the morning devotions.

The Reformers inherited the veneration for this Symbol. It was formally adopted by the Lutheran and several of the Reformed Churches, and is approvingly mentioned in the Augsburg Confession, the Form of Concord, the Thirty-nine Articles, the Second Helvetic, the Belgic, and the Bohemian Confessions.

Luther was disposed to regard it as ‘ the most important and glorious composition since the days of the apostles.”

Some Reformed divines, especially of the Anglican Church, have commended it very highly ; even the Puritan Richard Baxter lauded it as ‘ the best explication [better, statement] of the Trinity,’ provided, however, ‘ that the damnatory sentences be excepted, or modestly expounded.’

In the Church of England it is still sung or recited in the cathedrals and parish churches on several festival days, but this compulsory public use meets with growing opposition, and was almost unanimously condemned in 1867 by the royal commission appointed to consider certain changes in the Anglican Ritual.

The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, when, in consequence of the American Revolution, it set up a separate organization in the Convention of 1785 at Philadelphia, resolved to remodel the Liturgy (in ‘ the Proposed Book’), and, among other changes, excluded from it both the Nicene and the Athanasian Creeds, and struck out from the Apostles’ Creed the clause, ‘ He descended into hell.’ The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, before consenting to ordain bishops for America, requested their brethren to restore the clause of the Apostles’ Creed, and ‘ to give to the other two Creeds a place in their Book of Common Prayer, even though the use of them should be left discretional.’ In the Convention held at Wilmington, Del., October 10, 1786, the request of the English prelates, as to the first two points, was acceded to, but ‘the restoration of the Athanasian Creed was negatived.’ As the opposition to this Creed was quite determined, especially on account of the damnatory clauses, the mother Church acquiesced in the omission, and granted the desired Episcopal ordination.'

In the Greek Church it never obtained general currency or formal ecclesiastical sanction, and is only used for private devotion, with the omission of the clause on the double procession of the Spirit.




Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Daily Evening Prayer


The Order for
Daily Evening Prayer 

[under construction]

¶  At the beginning of Evening Prayer the Minister shall read with a loud voice some one or more of these Sentences of Scripture that follow. And then he shall say that which is written after the said Sentences.

¶  And NOTE, That when the Confession and Absolution are omitted, the Minister may, after the Sentences, pass to the Versicles, O Lord, open thou our lips, etc., in which case the Lord's Prayer shall be said with the other prayers, immediately after The Lord be with you, etc., and before the Versicles and Responses which follow.


  Then the Minister shall say,

DEARLY beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us, in sundry places, to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart; to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same, by his infinite goodness and mercy. And although we ought, at all times, humbly to acknowledge our sins before God; yet ought we chiefly so to do when we assemble and meet together to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear his most holy Word, and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore I pray and beseech you, as many as are here present, to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice, unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying —

¶  Or he shall say,

LET us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.

A General Confession.

  To he said by the whole Congregation, after the Minister, all kneeling.

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father; We have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind In Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name.  Amen. 

The Declaration of Absolution, or Remission of Sins.

¶  To be made by the Priest alone, standing; the People still kneeling.

ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness and live, hath given power, and commandment, to his Ministers, to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent, the Absolution and Remission of their sins. He pardoneth and absolveth all those who truly repent, and unfeignedly believe his holy Gospel.

Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance, and his Holy Spirit, that those things may please him which we do at this present; and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy; so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

  But NOTE, That the Priest, at his discretion, may use the Absolution from the Order for the Holy Communion.

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him ; Have mercy upon you ; pardon and deliver you from all your sins ; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness ; and bring you to everlasting life ; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen,

  or this.

THE Almighty and merciful Lord grant you absolution and remission of all your sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit.  Amen.

  Then the Minister shall kneel, and say the Lord's Prayer; the People still kneeling, and repeating it with him, both here, and wheresoever else it is used in Divine Service.

OUR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, In 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 thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

¶  Then likewise he shall say,

               O Lord, open thou our lips.
Answer.    And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
Minister.   O God, make speed to save us.
Answer.    O Lord, make hast to help us.

¶  Here, all standing up, the Minister shall say,

Minister.   Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost;
Answer.    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.
Minister.   Praise ye the Lord.
Answer.    The Lord's Name be praised.



  Then shall be said or sung the Psalms, according to the Use of this Church. Then shall he read the First Lesson, according to the Table or Calendar. And after that, except on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Even, shall be sung or said the Hymn called Magnificat (or the Song of the Blessed Virgin Mary), as followeth.

MAGNIFICAT
The Song of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St. Luke 1. 46.

  Then a Lesson of the New Testament, as it is appointed. And after that shall be sung or said the Hymn called Nunc dimittis (or the Song of Simeon, as followeth.

NUNC DIMITTIS
The Song of Simeon
St. Luke 2. 29.

  Or else this Psalm ; except it be on the Twelfth Day of , the Month.

DEUS MISEREATUR
Psalm 67.

  Then shall be sung or said  the Confession of the Faith, called the Apostles' Creed, by the Minister and the People, standing.

The Apostles' Creed

BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell1; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.

  And after that, these Prayers following, the People devoutly kneeling, the Minister first pronouncing with a loud voice.

                   The Lord be with you.
Answer.      And with thy spirit.
Minister.     Let us pray.
                   Lord, have mercy upon us.
                        Christ, have mercy upon us.
                   Lord, have mercy upon us.


  Then the Minister, Clerks, and people, shall say the Lord's Prayer with a loud voice.

OUR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, In 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. Amen. 

  Then the Minister standing up shall say,

Minister.     O Lord, show thy mercy upon us.
Answer.      And grant us thy salvation.
Minister.     O Lord, save those who govern us;    [note]
Answer.      And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
Minister.     Endue thy Ministers with righteousness;
Answer.     And make thy chosen people joyful.
Minister.     O Lord, save thy people;
Answer.     And bless thine inheritance.
Minister.     Give peace in our time, O Lord;
Answer.     Because there is none other that fighteth for us,
                      but only thou, O God.
Minister.     Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
Answer.     Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Minister.    O God, make clean our hearts within us.
Answer.     And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.


  Then shall follow THE COLLECT OF THE DAY, which shall be the same that is appointed at the Communion, together with any other Collects appointed to be saidand these two prayers in order: the  Collect for Peace; and the Collect for Aid against all Perils. And the two last Collects shall never alter, but daily be said at Evening Prayer throughout all the year, as followeth; all kneeling.

A Collect for Peace.

O GOD, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom; Defend us thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

A Collect for Aid against all Perils.

LIGHTEN our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

  In Quires and Places where they sing, here followeth a hymn or anthem.

  A Sermon may be preached here and the offerings of the people received and presented at the Lord’s Table.

  Then these Prayers following are to be read here [without note], except when the Litany is read; and then only the two last are to be read, as they are there placed.
________

  In the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

 A Prayer for the King's Majesty.

O LORD, our heavenly Father, high and mighty, King of kings, Lord of lords, the only Ruler of princes, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth: Most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold our most gracious Sovereign Lord, King CHARLES; and so replenish him with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that he may alway incline to thy will, and walk in thy way. Endue him plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant him in health and wealth long to live; strengthen him that he may vanquish and overcome all his enemies; and finally after this life he may attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

A Prayer for the Royal Family.

ALMIGHTY God, the fountain of all goodness, we humbly beseech thee to bless Queen Camilla, William Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, and all the Royal Family: Endue them with thy Holy Spirit; enrich them with thy heavenly grace; prosper them with all happiness; and bring them to thine everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
________

  In the United States

A Prayer for The President of the United States,
and all in Civil Authority. 

O LORD, our heavenly Father, the high and mighty Ruler of the universe, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth; Most heartily we beseech thee, with thy favour to behold and bless thy servant THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITEO STATES, and all others in authority; and so replenish them with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that they may always incline to thy will, and walk in thy way. Endue them plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant them in health and prosperity long to live; and finally, after this life, to attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

  Or this.

O LORD our Governor, whose glory is in all the world; We commend this nation to thy merciful care, that being guided by thy Providence, we may dwell secure in thy peace. Grant to THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITEO STATES, and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness; and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in thy fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.  Amen. 

________

A Prayer for the Clergy and People.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who alone workest great marvels: Send down upon our Bishops, and Curates, and all Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace; and that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ.  Amen.
________

  Here may be read any of the Occasional Prayers and Thanksgivings at the discretion of the Minister. or any prayers sanctioned by the Ordinary, always ending with the Prayer of St Chrysostom and the Grace; and before any of the prayers may be said Let us pray for —, and before any of the thanksgivings, Let us give thanks for —If none of these be said and no other Service follow, the Service shall end with the Prayer of St. Chrysostom and The Grace,

________

A Prayer for all Conditions of men.

GOD, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for the good estate of the Catholic Church; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those, who are any ways afflicted or distressed in mind, body, or estate; [*especially those for whom our prayers are desired;] that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them, according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake.  Amen.
  This may be said when any desire the prayers of the congregation.

A General Thanksgiving.
  To be said by the Minister alone, or by the Minister and people together.

ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies, We thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks For all thy goodness and loving-kindness To us and to all men; [*particularly to those who desire now to offer up their praises and thanksgivings.] We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; But above all for thine inestimable love In the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; For the means of grace, And for the hope of glory. And we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, That our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, And that we show forth thy praise, Not only with our lips, but in our lives; By giving up ourselves to thy service, And by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, To whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end.  Amen.
  This may be said when any desire to return thanks for mercies vouchsafed to them.

A Prayer of Saint Chrysostom.

ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests: Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting.  Amen.

The Grace
2 Corinthians 13. 14,

THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore.  Amen.

Here endeth the Order of Evening Prayer.
________