Saint Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers and Doctor

Hilary of Poitiers

The Ordination of Hilary of Poitiers, from a 14th century Lives of the Saints, by Richard de Montbaston and others. From Wikipedia.

O God, who hast enlightened thy Church by the teaching of thy servant Saint Hilary: Enrich it evermore, we beseech the, with thy heavenly grace, and raise up faithful witnesses, . . . → Read More: Saint Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers and Doctor

Saint Benedict Biscop

Celtic Cross

O God, the author of all virtues, by whose gift thy blessed Abbot Benedict Biscop chose the heavenly vision before the fleeting glories of this world: Grant that we may learn by his example to despise the things of earth and to seek after the things which are eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. . . . → Read More: Saint Benedict Biscop

Saint David of Scotland

The Thistle, the royal badge of Scotland

Almighty God, who dost choose thine elect out of every nation, and dost shew forth thy glory in their lives: Grant, we pray thee, that following the example of thy servant King David, we may be fruitful in good works to the praise of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

. . . → Read More: Saint David of Scotland

Archbishop William Laud

NPG 171; William Laud after Sir Anthony Van Dyck

William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, after Sir Anthony Van Dyck. From Wikimedia

Keep us, O Lord, constant in faith and zealous in witness, that, like thy servant William Laud, we may live in thy fear, die in thy favour, and rest in thy peace; for the sake of Jesus Christ thy Son . . . → Read More: Archbishop William Laud

The First Sunday after the Epiphany

Isaac on Epiphany

Isaac on Epiphany

O Lord, we beseech thee mercifully to receive the prayers of thy people who call upon thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

. . . → Read More: The First Sunday after the Epiphany

The Epiphany, or the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles

Bartolomé Esteban Murillo - Adoration of the Magi - Google Art Project

Adoration of the Magi, by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617–1682). From Wikimedia

¶ This Collect is to be said daily throughout the Octave.

O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only–begotten Son to the Gentiles: Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may . . . → Read More: The Epiphany, or the Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles

The First Sunday after Christmas Day

Advent Wreath Christmas

Almighty God, who hast given us thy only–begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus . . . → Read More: The First Sunday after Christmas Day

The Circumcision of Christ, or The Holy Name

Albrecht Dürer Circumcision

The Circumcision, from the middle panel of The Seven Sorrows of Mary, by Albrecht Dürer (1471–1518. From Wikipedia.

Almighty God, who madest thy blessed Son to be circumcised, and obedient to the law for man: Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit; that, our hearts, and all our members, being mortified . . . → Read More: The Circumcision of Christ, or The Holy Name

Saint Sylvester

St Sylvester and the Dragon

Saint Sylvester overcomes the dragon of the Tarpeian Rock, by Battista da Vicenza (1375?–1438)

Most merciful God, we humbly pray thee, that like as when thy blessed Abbot Sylvester was devoutly meditating over an open tomb on the vanity of this life, thou didst vouchsafe to call him thence unto the desert, and . . . → Read More: Saint Sylvester

Saint Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury

Thomas Becket

The Martyrdom of Thomas Becket

O God, by whose grace and power thy holy Martyr Thomas triumphed over suffering, and despised death: Grant, we beseech thee, that enduring hardness, and waxing valiant in fight we may with him receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. . . . → Read More: Saint Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury