The First Sunday in Advent

Advent Wreath Advent I

¶ This Collect is to be repeated every day, after the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas Day.

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son . . . → Read More: The First Sunday in Advent

Saint Andrew, Apostle

crucifixion of St Andrew

Crucifixion of St Andrew, by Carlo Maratta (1625–1713).

Almighty God, who didst give such grace unto thy holy Apostle Saint Andrew, that he readily obeyed the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed him without delay: Grant unto us all, that we, being called by thy holy Word, may forthwith give up . . . → Read More: Saint Andrew, Apostle

For Black Friday / Cyber Monday

Hoffman Christ And The Rich Young Ruler

O Lord Jesu Christ, who didst advise a rich young man to sell his possessions, distribute to the poor, and then follow him: Make us mindful in this time of plenty, that salvation lieth not in the accumulation of material goods; but rather that by feeding the poor, giving drink to the thirsty, taking in . . . → Read More: For Black Friday / Cyber Monday

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving feast

O most merciful Father, who hast blessed the labours of the husbandman in the returns of the fruits of the earth: We give thee humble and hearty thanks for this thy bounty; beseeching thee to continue thy loving–kindness to us, that our land may still yield her increase, to thy glory and our comfort; . . . → Read More: Thanksgiving Day

On the Kalendar: Isaac Watts, Hymn Writer

November from Les Petites Heures d'Anne de Bretagne

Isaac Watts was a Congregational minister and a prolific and popular hymn writer. He is credited with over 750 hymn texts; the 1940 Hymnal contains eleven of his hymns. He is often called the “Godfather of English Hymnody”.

“November”, kalendar page from Les Petites Heures d’Anne de Bretagne (The Little Hours of . . . → Read More: On the Kalendar: Isaac Watts, Hymn Writer

Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Martyr

The Martyrdom of St Catherine of Alexandria

The Martyrdom of St Catherine of alexandria, Altarpiece in the Cesi chapel, Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, by Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta (1521–c. 1580). From Wikipedia.

O God, who didst endue blessed Catherine, thy Virgin, with grace to witness a good confession, and to suffer gladly for thy name: Grant us, . . . → Read More: Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Martyr

The Sunday next before Advent

Trinity (celtic knot)

Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Victims of the Holodmor

The Massacre of the Innocents

For the Victims of Genocide

The Massacre of the Innocentsby Pieter Brueghel the Elder (1525?–1569)

Almighty God, gracious Father: we remember before thee this day all those who have perished in genocides, especially those who died in the Holodomor. Vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to sear into our memories the story of their peril, . . . → Read More: For the Victims of the Holodmor

Saint Clement, Bishop of Rome and Martyr

Martyrdom of St Clement

Martyrdom of St Clement, by Bernardino Fungai (1460–1516).

O Lord, who in every age dost write names in thy Book of Life, and dost lead the meek of the earth to be followers of the Lamb of God: Raise up to us teachers like thy servant Clement, the disciple of thy first Apostles, . . . → Read More: Saint Clement, Bishop of Rome and Martyr

On the Kalendar: Saint Cecilia

November from Les Petites Heures d'Anne de Bretagne

Cecilia may or may not have been real, and the stories about her and her companions are certainly fictional, but she has remained securely ensconced on the kalendar since the fourth century.

“November”, kalendar page from Les Petites Heures d’Anne de Bretagne (The Little Hours of Queen Anne of Bretagne), by the . . . → Read More: On the Kalendar: Saint Cecilia