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

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

Saint Hilda, Abbess of Whitby

St Hilda memorial with ammonites

O God, the author of all virtues, by whose gift thy blessed Saint Hilda chose the heavenly vision before the fleeting glories of the world: Grant that we may learn by her example to despise the passing things of earth, and seek after the things which are eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

. . . → Read More: Saint Hilda, Abbess of Whitby

Saint Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln

Hugh of Lincoln

Altarpiece from the Carthusian monastery of Saint-Honoré, Thuison-les-Abbeville, France, depicting Saint Hugh of Lincoln with his swan.

O merciful Father, who didst endow thy servant Hugh of Lincoln with a wise and cheerful boldness, and didst teach him how to commend the discipline of holy life to kings and princes: Grant that we, . . . → Read More: Saint Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln

The Twenty–Second Sunday after Trinity

Trinity (celtic knot)

Lord, we beseech thee to keep thy household the Church in continual godliness; that through thy protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

. . . → Read More: The Twenty–Second Sunday after Trinity

Saint Margaret, Queen of Scotland

Saint Margaret of Scotland

Saint Margaret of Scotland. Detail from a medieval manuscript.

O God, who didst call thy servant Margaret to an earthly throne that she might advance thy heavenly kingdom, and didst give her zeal for thy Church and love for thy people: Mercifully grant that we who commemorate her this day may be fruitful . . . → Read More: Saint Margaret, Queen of Scotland