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Saint Valentine

Saint Valentine baptizing saint Lucilla

St Valentine baptizing Saint Lucilla by Jacopo Bassano (Jacopo da Ponte) (1510—1592). Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

Almighty God, by whose grace and power thy holy Martyr Valentine triumphed over suffering and despised death: Grant, we beseech the, that enduring hardness and waxing valiant in fight, we may with . . . → Read More: Saint Valentine

Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius

Cyril and Methodius

Saints Cyril and Methodius holding the Cyrillic alphabet, a mural by Bulgarian iconographer Z. Zograf, 1848, Troyan Monastery

O God, who by the preaching of thy servants Cyril and Methodius didst cause the light of the Gospel to shine in Slavonic lands: Lead thy people by its brightness to become sons of a . . . → Read More: Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius

Absalom Jones, Abolitionist

Absalom Jones by Peale

Portrait of the Rev’d Absalom Jones, by Raphaelle Peale (1774–1825). From Wikipedia.

Set us free, O heavenly Father, from every bond of prejudice and fear; that, honoring the steadfast courage of thy servant Absalom Jones, we may show forth in our lives the reconciling love and true freedom of the children of . . . → Read More: Absalom Jones, Abolitionist

It’s good for your health to be on a parish’s prayer list

Fr Hawtin

Folks who have gotten out of the habit of saying their prayers frequently feel self-conscious and embarrassed about taking it up again. But it’s vitally important to make the effort—and by no means solely for the sake of your spiritual health.

Scientific studies show that prayer is good for your physical health as well. Patients . . . → Read More: It’s good for your health to be on a parish’s prayer list

Sliming for Lent? Why not take up something?

Fr Hawtin

Shrove Tuesday pancake suppers are, for Anglicans, the last vestige of the old Pre-Lenten carnival—the veritable orgy of eating, drinking and merry-making that traditionally preceded the forty day fast.

Christians in many parts of Europe still observe the Pre-Lenten Carnival; none more so than the Germans who start the carnival season (called Fasching) well before . . . → Read More: Sliming for Lent? Why not take up something?

On the Kalendar: Cyril and Methodius, Apostles to the Slavs

February from Les Petites Heures d'Anne de Bretagne

“February”, kalendar page from Les Petites Heures d’Anne de Bretagne (The Little Hours of Queen Anne of Bretagne), by the Maître des Triomphes de Pétrarque. From Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris (France).

Perhaps no saints loom so large in the psyche of their adopted home as do Cyril and Methodius. Sure, the . . . → Read More: On the Kalendar: Cyril and Methodius, Apostles to the Slavs

Saint Scholastica

Kleinmariazell Altar Scholastica

Saint Scholastica Altar in the Kleinmariazell, Wienerwald, Austria

Blessed be thou, O Heavenly Father, for thy holy Virgin Saint Scholastica, who sought in this life to walk before thee with a perfect heart and now with all the redeemed rejoiceth eternally; through the merits and grace of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, . . . → Read More: Saint Scholastica

Septuagesima Altar — 9 February 2020

Pre-Lent has begun, so the altar will remain bare (except for Laetare Sunday, Lent IV) until Easter.

Saint Teilo

Celtic Cross

Almighty and most merciful Lord, who didst encourage the Church by the example of thy holy Bishop and Confessor Saint Teilo: Grant unto us thy servants that, remembering the victory of his faith, we too may learn to overcome the world and to glorify thy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

. . . → Read More: Saint Teilo

Septuagesima Sunday: the Third Sunday before Lent

Chi Rho mosaic

Chi Rho mosaic from Saint Gregory of Sinai Monastery

O Lord, we beseech thee favourably to hear the prayers of thy people; that we, who are justly punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered by thy goodness, for the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who liveth and . . . → Read More: Septuagesima Sunday: the Third Sunday before Lent