The Introits, Collects, etc. St. Ambrose, Muhlenberg, William Law, and St. Leo the Great

St. Ambrose

(Bishop of Milan)

April 4

The Collect.

O GOD, who didst give grace to thy servant Ambrose, eloquently to declare thy righteousness in the great congregation, and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honour of thy Name: Mercifully grant unto all bishops and pastors such excellency in preaching, and fidelity in ministering thy Word, that thy people may be partakers with them of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. Ecclesiasticus 2:7-11, 16-18.

YE that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; and go not aside, lest ye fall. Ye that fear the Lord, believe him; and your reward shall not fail. Ye that fear the Lord, hope for good, and for everlasting joy and mercy. Look at the generations of old, and see; did ever any trust in the Lord, and was confounded? or did any abide in his fear, and was forsaken? or whom did he ever despise, that called upon him? For the Lord is full of compassion and mercy, long-suffering, and very pitiful, and forgiveth sins, and saveth in rime of affliction. They that fear the Lord will seek that which is well-pleasing unto him; and they that love him shall be filled with the law. They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and humble their souls in his sight, saying, We will fall into the hands of the Lord, and not into the hands of men: for as his majesty is, so is his mercy.

The Gospel. St. Luke 12:42-44.

JESUS said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

 

William Augistus Muhlenberg

(Priest)

April 8

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who didst enkindle the flame of thy love in the heart of thy servant William Augustus Muhlenberg: Grant to us, thy humble servants, the same faith and power of love; that, as we rejoice in his triumph, we may profit by his example; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

William Law

(Priest)

April 9

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, we give thee thanks for the purity and strength with which thou didst endow thy servant William Law; and we pray that by thy grace we may have a like power to hallow and conform our souls and bodies, to the purpose of thy most holy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

St. Leo the Great

(Bishop of Rome)

April 11

 The Collect.

ALMIGHTY, everlasting God, whose servant Leo steadfastly confessed thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to be Very God and Very Man: Grant that we may hold fast to this faith, and evermore magnify his holy Name; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

 

The Epistle. 2 Timothy 1:12-14.

FOR I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

The Gospel. St. Matthew 5:13-19.

YE are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good 'works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

The Introits, Collects, etc. March 29 to April 3

John Keble

(Priest)

March 29

 

The Collect.

O ETERNAL Lord God, who boldest all souls in life. We beseech thee to shed forth upon thy whole Church in paradise and on earth the bright beams of thy light and thy peace; and grant that we, following the good examples of thy servant John Keble, and of all those who loved and served thee here, may at the last enter with them into thine unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

John Donne

(Priest)

March 31

 The Collect.

 ALMIGHTY God, who in this wondrous world dost manifest thy power and beauty: Open the eyes of all men to see, as did thy servant John Donne, that whatsoever has any being is a mirror wherein we may behold thee, the root and fountain of all being; through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord. Amen.

 

John Frederick Denison Maurice

(Priest)

April 1

The Collect.

LET thy continual mercy, 0 Lord, enkindle in thy Church the never-failing gift of charity, that, following the example of thy servant John Frederick Denison Maurice, we may have grace to defend the children of the poor, and maintain the cause of them that have no helper; for the sake of him who gave his life for us, thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

St. Richard

(Bishop of Chichester)

April 3

The Collect.

O GOD, the light of the faithful and shepherds of souls, who didst call thy servant Richard to feed thy sheep by his word, and guide them by his example: Grant us, we pray thee, to keep the faith which he taught, and to follow in his footsteps; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Introits, Collects, etc. The Annunciation

The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

March 25

Antiphons for the Psalms at Matins and Evensong

1. The Savior of the world shall arise as the sun; * and shall come down into the Virgin’s womb, as the show’rs upon the grass.

2. Lo, there cometh one that is both God and Man, * out of the house of David, to sit in David’s seat.
3. There shall come forth a rod from the stem of Jesse; * and all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
4. Tell it out among the heathen that the Lord is King; * for he cometh, even God our Savior.
5. The Angel of the Lord brought tidings unto Mary; * and she conceived by the Holy
Ghost.

1st Evensong

The Psalms Appointed

111 & 131

The Readings

Gen. 3:1–15 & Rom. 5:12

The Antiphon for the Magnificat

The Angel came in unto Mary, saying: * Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

 

Matins

The Psalms Appointed

8 & 113

 

The Readings

Isa. 52:7–10 & Heb. 2:5

The Antiphon for the Benedictus

The Angel Gabriel was sent to Mary, * a virgin espoused to Joseph.

 

Holy Communion

The Introit Ps 45:10-15

    10 Hearken, O daughter, and consider; incline thine ear; * forget also thine own people, and thy father's house.

    11 So shall the King have pleasure in thy beauty; * for he is thy Lord³, and worship thou him.
    12 And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; * like as the rich also among the people shall make their supplication before thee.
    13 The King’s daughter is all glorious within; * her clothing is of wrought gold.
    14 She shall be brought unto the King in raiment of needlework: * the virgins that be her fellows shall bear her company, and shall be brought unto thee.
    15 With joy and gladness shall they be brought, * and shall enter into the King's palace.

The Collect.

WE beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts; that, as we have known the incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an Angel, so by his cross and passion we may be brought unto the glory of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Epistle. Isa. vii. 10.

MOREOVER the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord. And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.

The Gradual Ps 131:1-3

    LORD, I am not high-minded; * I have no proud looks.
    2 I do not exercise myself in great matters * which are too high for me.
    3 But I refrain my soul, and keep it low, like as a child that is weaned from his mother: * yea, my soul is even as a weaned child.

The Alleluia Ps 131:4

Alleluia! Alleluia! O Israel, trust in the LORD * from this time forth for evermore. Alleluia!

The Gospel. St. Luke i. 26.

AND in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be. seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

2nd Evensong

The Psalms Appointed

36 & 138

The Readings

1 Sam. 2:1–10 & Matt. 1:18–23

The Antiphon for the Magnificat

Blessed art thou M ary, who hast believed: * there shall be performed in thee the things which were told thee from the Lord.

How should we offer Matins, Mass, and Evensong on Sundays and Principal Feasts

Let us assume that I have convinced you that we should have Matins, Mass and Evensong every Sunday. What now? How should we offer them and how should a pastor introduce the Daily Office to his Congregation?

The first point to make is that any liturgical change should be discussed with your parishioners. As priest, you do not have to ask their permission (unless the vestry puts its foot down), but you should ask for their thoughts and inputs. Instruction about the traditions of the Anglican Church and the wider Church would be helpful.

Second, how you introduce the offices to your parish is going to depend on your parish’s situation. If you currently have one service on Sunday, that will call for one way of doing things. If yours is a large parish with lots of money and fours masses on Sunday, that will call for a different response. I will now deal with various sized parishes and how I would introduce the office.

Let’s start with what is tragically, probably the most likely situation in the Episcopal Church. Your parish has one service on Sunday and either a) you have no organist, b) you have a volunteer organist or, c) you have a paid organist, but you can’t afford to pay him or her for more than one service on Sunday.

In this case it is important to get the most out of the organist, if you are lucky enough to have one. So I would say that you should do what the ’79 book clearly allows. Have a combined Morning Prayer and Mass service at the time of your current service. (Assuming that service is in the morning, if it is in the PM hours them you should have a combined Evening Prayer and Mass service) What you do is say Matins with one psalm to the end of first canticle, substituting the Old Testament reading from the RCL for the one in the daily office lectionary. Then after the first canticle is sung proceed directly to the beginning of mass with the opening acclamation and collect for purity. Just because you chanted a Psalm at Matins does not mean you should drop the Gradual or Tract at Mass.

At the same time announce to the congregation that you will be in the church at thus and such hour and read Evening Prayer with all who want to come. (Obviously Morning Prayer if your principal service is at night) Try and invite the members of the parish two at time to join you on a specific Sunday.

This is obviously suboptimal, in that you are cutting an office reading to include the OT RCL reading at Matins, but it is still adding two readings and several psalms on Sunday. Also it is moving your parish more in line with the reformed and catholic tradition of the Anglican Communion.

Now to turn to a slightly more optimistic situation, suppose your parish has two masses on Sunday. Maybe they are in the morning and one is Rite I and the other Rite II, or maybe you have a morning service and an evening service.

Suppose it is the former, in that case, you can start, after proper catechesis, substituting Morning Prayer for one of the services. My advice would be to have Matins at the early service on the 1^st, 3^rd, and 5^th Sundays and at the later service on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays.

At the same time announce to the congregation that you will be in the church at thus and such hour and read Evening Prayer as above.

If it is the later and you have a morning and evening service, then have Matins in place of mass on the 1^st, 3^rd, and 5^th Sundays and Evensong instead of Mass on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays.

At the same time announce that you are going to say the office before mass and invite people to join you as above.

If you are really fortunate, maybe your parish is a large one with three masses on Sunday. Now obviously you don’t want to mess this up so just as in the previous cases, catechesis and consulting with your parishioners is very important. Such parishes in the this day and age usually have one of the two patterns for their services. Either they have thee masses in the morning or two in the morning and one in the evening.

I am going to address the second case first, because I think it is the easiest to deal with. My advice would be to have Matins at the early moring service on the 1^st, 3^rd, and 5^th Sundays and at the later moring service on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays. For the evening mass you have three choices. First, and least optimally, you could have combined Evening prayer to the end of the first canticle and mass. Second, you could have mass and evensong on alternate Sundays. Third, and most optimally you could institute a fourth service in your Sunday offering and have Evensong and Mass on Sunday night.

If you have three Sunday morning masses, then I would have Matins on alternate Sundays as above and start a said or sung evening prayer on Sunday evening. This could involve eliminating an existing mass or to expanding your Sunday offering to four services.

Now the best case is if your parish is offering four or more worship services already, but in that case your options are so many that I am not sure how to advise you other than to say, you obviously have the resource go forth and do what you know is right.

For all sized parishes, on Principal Feasts, Morning and Evening prayer with Mass after one of them is called for with whatever musical accompaniment you can reasonably afford.

I have two closing thoughts.

First, for a three service parish, the model I outlined in my previous post consisting of: Matins or Mass at 9 a.m., Christian Education at 10 a.m., whichever service you didn’t have at nine at 11 a.m., and coffee hour or monthly pot luck at noon, a parish service activity from 1:30 to 3:30, and Evensong at 4 p.m. really is the ideal that we should be working towards.

It has many advantages. A) It discourages communion without baptism. B) It is welcoming and inclusive. C) It allows both the high church and low church members of your parish to feel at home D) It encourages increased participation in a fuller program without hectoring by the Rector. E) It is what our tradition calls for. F) It is a program that can grow with Sext at noon or a mass after evensong.

Second, for those parishes that are going to have two masses on Sunday along with Matins and Evensong the question of the readings for the second mass now arises. Now you could use the same reading twice, but another option would be to celebrate the mass for the day at the principal service and the mass for a commemoration or suppressed feast, or the votive mass for Sunday (of the Holy and Undivided Trinity) or the votive mass for the Faithful Departed at the less well attended Mass.

I hope that was some help, now back to posting the Introits, Collects, etc.

The Introits, Collects, etc. March 20-23

St. Cuthbert

(Bishop of Lindisfarne)

March 20

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who didst enkindle the flame of thy love in the heart of thy servant Cuthbert: Grant to us, thy humble servants, the same faith and power of love; that, as we rejoice in his triumph, we may profit by his example; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thomas Ken

(Bishop of Bath and Wells)

March 21

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, we give thee thanks for the purity and strength with which thou didst endow thy servant Thomas Ken; and we pray that by thy grace we may have a like power to hallow and conform our souls and bodies, to the purpose of thy most holy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

James De Koven
(Priest)

March 22

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY God, who hast enriched thy Church with the singular learning and holiness of thy servant James De Koven: Grant us to hold fast the true doctrine of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, and to fashion our lives according to the same, to the glory of thy great Name and the benefit of thy holy Church; through the same

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

St. Gregory the Illuminator

(Bishop and Missionary of Armenia)

March 23

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, we thank thee for thy servant Gregory, whom thou didst call to preach The Gospel to the people of Armenia: Raise up, we pray thee, in this and every land, heralds and evangelists of thy kingdom, that thy Church may make known the unsearchable riches of Christ, and may increase with the increase of God; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Introits, Collects, etc. St Patrick, St Cyril and St. Joseph

St. Patrick

(Bishop and Apostle to the Irish)

March 17

Matins

The Psalms Appointed

22 & 67

The Readings

Ezek. 2:1–7 & Acts 11:1–18

The Antiphon for the Benedictus

Blessed be the Name of God for ever and ever, for wisdom and might are his: * I thank thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given us wisdom and might, in that thou hast revealed the deep and secret things Alleluia!

Holy Communion

The Collect.

O ALMIGHTY God, who in thy providence didst choose thy servant Patrick to be an apostle to the people of Ireland, to bring those who were wandering in darkness and error to the true light and knowledge of thee: Grant us so to walk in that light, that we may come at last to the light of everlasting life; through the merits of Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle, 1 Thessalonians 2:2-12.

WE were bold in our God to speak unto you The Gospel of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: but as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with The Gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering Words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been

burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: so being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not The Gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you The Gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves! among you that believe: as ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth; his children, that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath' called you unto his kingdom and glory.

The Gospel. St. Matthew 5:43-48.

YE have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun td rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Evensong

The Psalms Appointed

23 & 146

The Readings

Ezek. 3:4–11 & Acts 4:8–20

The Antiphon for the Magnificat

Blessed is the man that considereth the ways of wisdom in his heart, and that goeth after her as one that traceth: * by her he shall be covered from the heat, and shall dwell in her glory Alleluia!

St. Cyril

(Bishop of Jerusalem)

March 18

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY God, who hast enriched thy Church with the singular learning and holiness of thy servant Cyril: Grant us to hold fast the true doctrine of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, and to fashion our lives according to the same, to the glory of thy great Name and the benefit of thy holy Church; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord Amen.

Saint Joseph

March 19

Matins

The Psalms Appointed

8 & 113

The Readings

Isa. 52:7–10 & Heb. 2:5

The Antiphon for the Benedictus

Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: * for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Holy Communion

The Collect.

O GOD, who didst call blessed Joseph to be the faithful guardian of thine only-begotten Son, and the spouse of his virgin Mother: Give us grace to follow his example in constant worship of thee and obedience to thy commands, that our homes may be sanctified by thy presence, and our children nurtured in thy fear and love; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. Isaiah 63:7-9, 16.

I WILL mention the loving kindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving-kindnesses. For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, 0 LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.

The Gospel. St. Matthew 1: 18-25.

NOW the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Evensong

The Psalms Appointed

36 & 138

The Readings

1 Sam. 2:1–10 & Matt. 1:18–23

The Antiphon for the Magnificat

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: * for he shall save his people from their sins.

The Introits, Collects, etc. St. Thomas Aquinas and Ss. Gregory of Nyssa and the Great

St. Thomas Aquinas

(Friar)

March 8

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY God, who hast enriched thy Church with the singular learning and holiness of thy servant Thomas: Grant us to hold fast the true doctrine of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, and to fashion our lives according to the same, to the glory of thy great Name and the benefit of thy holy Church; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

St. Gregory

(Bishop of Nyssa)

March 9

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, whose servant Gregory steadfastly confessed thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to be Very God and Very Man: Grant that we may hold fast to this faith, and evermore magnify his holy Name; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

The Epistle. Wisdom 7:22-28.

FOR wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me: for in her is an understanding spirit, holy, one only, manifold, subtil, lively, clear, undefiled, plain, not subject to hurt, loving the thing that is good, quick, irresistible, ready to do good, kind to man, stedfast, sure, free from care, having all power, overseeing all things, and going through all understanding, pure, and most subtil, spirits. For wisdom is more moving than any motion: she passeth and goeth through all things by reason of her pureness. For she is the breath of the power of God, and a pure influence. flowing from the glory of the Almighty: therefore can no defiled thing fall into her. For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of his goodness. And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in herself, she maketh all things new: and in all ages entering into holy souls, she maketh them friends of God, and prophets. For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom.

The Gospel. St. John 5:19-24.

JESUS said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth, the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

St. Gregory the Great

(Bishop of Rome)

March 12

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and merciful God, who didst raise up in Gregory a servant of the servants of God, by whose labour the English people were brought into the knowledge of the Catholic and Apostolic faith: Preserve in thy Church evermore a thankful remembrance of his zeal and devotion; that thy people, being fruitful in every good work, may receive with him and thy servants everywhere the crown of glory that fadeth not away; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. Ecclesiasticus 47:8-11.

IN all his works he praised the Holy One most high with words of glory; with his whole heart he sung songs, and loved him that made him. He set singers also before the altar, that by their voices they might make sweet melody, and daily sing praises in their songs. He beautified their feasts, and set in order the solemn times until the end, that they might praise his holy name, and that the temple might sound from morning. The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn for ever: he gave him a covenant of kings, and a throne of glory in Israel.

The Gospel. St. Mark 10:42-45.

JESUS called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know J that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. 

The Introits, Collects, etc. Ss. Chad and Perpetua, and John and Charles Wesley

St. Chad

(Bishop of Lichfield)

March 2

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who didst enkindle the flame of thy love in the heart of thy servant Chad: Grant to us, thy humble servants, the same faith and power of love; that, as we rejoice in his triumph, we may profit by his example; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

John and Charles Wesley

(Priests)

March 3

The Collect.

O GOD of mercy, enlighten the hearts of thy faithful people, and grant us after the example of thy servants, John and Charles Wesley, not to mind earthly things, but to love things heavenly; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

St. Perpetua and her Companions

(Martyrs of Carthage)

March 7

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, with whom thy meek ones go forth as the mighty: Grant us so to cherish the memory of thy blessed martyrs Perpetua and her companions, that we may share their pure and steadfast faith in thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. Hebrews 10:32-39.

BUT call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

The Gospel. St. Matthew 24:9-14.

THEY shall deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations. 

The Introits, Collects, etc. St. Matthias, George Herbert, St. David

Saints Days from Septuigesima to Advent

Saint Matthias, the Apostle

February 24

1st Evensong

The Psalms Appointed

113 & 122

The Readings

1 Sam. 16:1–13 & 1 John 2:15

The Antiphon for the Magnificat

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate from you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake: * rejoice ye, and leap for joy: for behold, your reward is great in heaven.

Matins

The Psalms Appointed

15 & 24

The Readings

1 Sam. 2:27–35 & Matt. 7: 15-27

The Antiphon for the Benedictus

They will deliver you unto the councils, and in their synagogues will they scourge you, * and before kings and governors shall ye be brought for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

Holy Communion

The Introit Psalm 140. Eripe me, Domine.

DELIVER me, O LORD, from the evil man; * and preserve me from the wicked man;
    2 Who imagine mischief in their hearts, * and stir up strife all the day long.
    3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; * adder's poison is under their lips.
    4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the ungodly; * preserve me from the wicked men, who are purposed to overthrow my goings.
    5 The proud have laid a snare for me, and spread a net abroad with cords; * yea, and set traps in my way.
    6 I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God, * hear the voice of my prayers, O LORD.
    7 O LORD God, thou strength of my health; * thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
    8 Let not the ungodly have his desire, O LORD; * let not his mischievous imagination prosper, lest they be too proud.
    9 Let the mischief of their own lips fall upon the head of them * that compass me about.
    10 Let hot burning coals fall upon them; * let them be cast into the fire, and into the pit, that they never rise up again.
    11 A man full of words shall not prosper upon the earth: * evil shall hunt the wicked person to overthrow him.
    12 Sure I am that the LORD will avenge the poor, * and maintain the cause of the helpless.
    13 The righteous also shall give thanks unto thy Name; * and the just shall continue in thy sight.

The Collect.

OALMIGHTY God, who into the place of the traitor Judas didst choose thy faithful servant Matthias to be of the number of the twelve Apostles; Grant that thy Church, being alway preserved from false Apostles, may be ordered and guided by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Epistle. Acts i. 15.

IN those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling head long, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

The Gradual Ps 80:8-11

    8 Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt; * thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.
    9 Thou madest room for it; * and when it had taken root, it filled the land.
    10 The hills were covered with the shadow of it, * and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedar-trees.

11 She stretched out her branches unto the sea, * and her boughs unto the River

The Gospel. St. Matt. xi. 25.

AT that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

2nd Evensong

The Psalms Appointed

145

The Readings

1 Sam. 12:1–5 & Acts 20:17–35

The Antiphon for the Magnificat

In the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit upon the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon the throne of his glory; * ye also shall sit, and shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel, saith the Lord.

George Herbert

(Priest)

February 27

The Collect.

O ETERNAL Lord God, who boldest all souls in life: We beseech thee to shed forth upon thy whole Church in paradise and on earth the bright beams of thy light and thy peace; and grant that we, following the good examples of thy servant George Herbert, and of all those who loved and served thee here, may at the last enter with them into thine unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

St. David

(Bishop of Menevia )

March 1

Matins

The Psalms Appointed

22 & 67

The Readings

Ezek. 2:1–7 & Acts 11:1–18

The Antiphon for the Benedictus

Blessed be the Name of God for ever and ever, for wisdom and might are his: * I thank thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given us wisdom and might, in that thou hast revealed the deep and secret things Alleluia!

Holy Communion

The Collect.

O ALMIGHTY God, who in thy providence didst choose thy servant David to be an apostle to the people of Wales, to bring those who were wandering in darkness and error to the true light and knowledge of thee: Grant us so to walk in that light, that we may come at last to the light of everlasting life; through the merits of Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. Ephesians 2:4-10.

GOD, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his

grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The Gospel. St. Mark 4:26-29.

JESUS said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

Evensong

The Psalms Appointed

23 & 146

The Readings

Ezek. 3:4–11 & Acts 4:8–20

The Antiphon for the Magnificat

Blessed is the man that considereth the ways of wisdom in his heart, and that goeth after her as one that traceth: * by her he shall be covered from the heat, and shall dwell in her glory Alleluia!