O Lord God, whose Son hath taught us that the greatest love is to lay down one’s life for one’s friends: we bless thee for the example of all thy martyrs who have answered pride with humility, anger with forgiveness, and hatred with charity. Grant, we beseech thee, that like thy proto–martyr St Stephen, all true martyrs may face their tribulations with fortitude and faith, and that they may sow in their oppressors the seed of repentance; to the glory of thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
May the souls of those who lost their lives in the September 11th attacks, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
℣. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord.
℟. And let light perpetual shine upon them.
℣. May they rest in peace.
℟. Amen.
This collect was originally written for the Commemoration of the Tenth Anniversary of 9/11.
The Martyrdom of St Stephen by Annibale Carracci (1560—1609)
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