The Holy Innocents

O Almighty God, who out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast ordained strength, and madest infants to glorify thee by their deaths: Mortify and kill all vices in us, and so strengthen us by thy grace, that by the innocency of our lives, and constancy of our faith even unto death, we may . . . → Read More: The Holy Innocents

Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

Merciful Lord, we beseech thee to cast thy bright beams of light upon thy Church, that it, being illumined by the doctrine of thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist Saint John, may so walk in the light of thy truth, that it may at length attain to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Saint Stephen

martyrdom of st stephen by carracci

Grant, O Lord, that, in all our sufferings here upon earth for the testimony of thy truth, we may stedfastly look up to heaven, and by faith behold the glory that shall be revealed; and, being filled with the Holy Ghost, may learn to love and bless our persecutors by the example of thy first . . . → Read More: Saint Stephen

The Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Day

Gerard van Honthorst Adoration of the Shepherds

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

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 . . . → Read More: The Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Day

Christmas Eve

Journey to Bethlehem

O Lord Jesus Christ, thou that art higher than the highest and didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb: Humble us under thy mighty hand, that we may be accounted true citizens of the heavenly kingdom; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

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Saint Thomas, Apostle

Benozzo Gozzoli Triumph of St Thomas Aquinas

Triumph of St Thomas Aquinas, by Benozzo Gozzoli (1420–1497)

Almighty and everliving God, who, for the greater confirmation of the faith, didst suffer thy holy Apostle Thomas to be doubtful in thy Son’s resurrection: Grant us so perfectly, and without all doubt, to believe in thy Son Jesus Christ, that our faith in . . . → Read More: Saint Thomas, Apostle

For the Awakening of the Force of Righteousness

The Pilgrim's Progress by Byam Shaw

Within Sight of the City to Which They Went, from The Pilgrim’s Progress, illustrated by Byam Shaw (1872–1919).

Inspired by the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and by the Choirmaster-Organist’s post-service voluntary, “Atrio solii”, a tour–de–force transcription of the final cue from John Williams’s score for Star Wars: A New Hope . . . → Read More: For the Awakening of the Force of Righteousness

The Fourth Sunday in Advent  

O Lord, raise up, we pray thee, thy power, and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness, we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us, thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ . . . → Read More: The Fourth Sunday in Advent  

Saint Lucy

Saint Lucy, by Francesco del Cossa (c. 1430–c. 1477). From Wikimedia.

Almighty God, who didst give to thy servant Lucy boldness to confess the Name of our Saviour Jesus Christ before the rulers of the world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give . . . → Read More: Saint Lucy

The Third Sunday in Advent 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee: Grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at thy second coming . . . → Read More: The Third Sunday in Advent