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

The Holy Innocents

Rubens Massacre of the Innocents

The Massacre of the Innocents, from the workshop of Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1644). From Wikipedia.

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 . . . → Read More: The Holy Innocents

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

Saint Stephen

Peter Paul Rubens The Martyrdom of St Stephen

The Martyrdom of St Stephen, by Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640). From Wikimedia.

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 . . . → Read More: Saint Stephen

The Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Day

Pierre Nativity

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

Nativity, by Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre (1714–89). From Wikimedia.

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

Christmas Eve

Chancel decorated for Christmas, 2019

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.

. . . → Read More: Christmas Eve

O Emmanuel

23 December O Emmanuel by Philip Chircop SJ

O Emmanuel, by Philip Chircop SJ. P Antiphon for 23 December.

O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster, exspectatio Gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos, Domine, Deus noster.

O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver, the hope of the nations and their Saviour: Come and save us, O Lord our God.

From . . . → Read More: O Emmanuel

O Rex Gentium

22 December O Rex gentium by Philip Chircop SJ

O Rex gentium, by Philip Chircop SJ. O Antiphon for 22 December.

O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.

O King of the nations, and their desire, the cornerstone making both one: Come and save the human race, which you . . . → Read More: O Rex Gentium

O Oriens

21 December O Oriens by Philip Chircop SJ

O Oriens, by Philip Chircop SJ. O Antiphon for 21 December.

O Oriens, splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

O Morning Star, splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness: Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

From . . . → Read More: O Oriens