The Holy Eucharist according to the Official Rite of the Holy Celtic Order of the Temple
being essentially the Liberal Catholic Rite with some substitutions and additions
The Invocation of the Archangels
The Celebrant lights one at a time the four Archangelic Votive lights, which are evenly placed along the back of the altar in the following sequence- yellow, red, blue, and green. With each candle the Celebrant intones the particular Archangelic invocation:
C: By rites ancient and powerful do we prepare this place and ourselves. Now, therefore, by ancient calling do we summon the great Archangelic hosts.
Yellow: In the name of Light arising, do we invoke Raphael, the Healer, guardian of Air and Wind and Tempest, to guard this company and bear witness to this rite. Come mighty Raphael, and grace us with thy presence.
Red: In the name of Light increasing, we invoke Michael, the Defender, Lord of Fire and Prince of the Legions of Heaven. May he guard this company and bear witness to this rite. Come, mighty Michael, and grace us with thy presence.
Blue: In the name of Light descending, we likewise invoke Gabriel, Lord of Water, and Heavenly Herald, who didst bring glad tidings to Our Blessed Lady. May this company be guarded and our rite here witnessed. Come mighty Gabriel, and grace us with thy presence.
Green: In the name of Light returning, we also invoke Uriel, Dark Lord of Earth, who bringest all at last unto the Nether Shore, Companion of all who offer up their lives in the defense of others, guard this company and bear witness to this rite. Come, mighty Uriel, and grace us with thy presence.
C: Beloved Lord our Almighty Heavenly Father, You have established in heaven the orders and hosts of angels and archangels to minister to Your glory. Grant that the holy angels may enter with us, that together we may serve and glorify Your goodness. For to You belongs all glory, honor, and worship, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
A: We gather together outside time, in a place not of earth. As our ancestors before us bade, we join together and are One of purpose. By Thy Blessed Apostles, by all Thy Holy Angels; by all Powers of Light and Shadow, we call Thee to guard and defend us from all perils, O Most High. Thus it is and ever has been, thus it will be for all times to come. PER OMNIA SAECULA SAECULORUM.
The celebrant lights the central pillar candle or Pascal Candle.
C: O Holy Jesus, Thou who art all Love and Compassion, we Thy children, dedicated to Thy service, approach Thee in faith and the power of the Holy Spirit, the unseen companion of the heart.
Prepare us, O Lord, to drink of the living waters of life, soon to be made manifest to us; open our eyes that we may see, and our hearts that we may understand. Make the way plain, O Lord, that we fail not in Thy service. May we be a channel whereby Thy Holy Ones may approach the World. May we be a centre of radiation of Thy power.
Teach us to travel light as do all who travel upon the path; to give ourselves entirely to Thy service; to attune ourselves to Thy will; to suffer gladly for Thy sake; to lay down the small personal life in the great cosmic life, and to love with the love of God.
THE INVOCATION
All stand.
Celebrant. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. R/. Amen.
CONFITEOR - All sit or kneel.
O Lord, Thou hast created us to be immortal and made us to be an image of Thine own eternity; yet often we forget the glory of our heritage and wander from the path which leads to righteousness. But Thou, O Lord, hast made us for Thyself and our hearts are ever restless till they find their rest in Thee. Look with the eyes of Thy love upon our manifold imperfections and pardon all our shortcomings, that we may be filled with the brightness of the everlasting light and become the unspotted mirror of Thy power and the image of Thy goodness; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE ABSOLUTION
C. God the Father, God the + Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve and sanctify you; the Lord in his loving kindness look down upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord absolve you from all your sins and grant you the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. R/. Amen.
THE ASPERGES - All present are sprinkled with Holy Water
THE CENSING
All are seated. The thurible is brought to the celebrant who puts incense into it and blesses it saying:
Con. Be thou + blessed by him in whose honour thou shalt be burned.
The censing of the altar completed, the celebrant is censed. Thereafter all stand.
C. The Lord be with you.
A. And with thy spirit.
INTROIT
A. Blessed be the Holy Trinity, the undivided Unity, eternal, immortal, invisible, to whom be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. O Lord our God, how excellent is thy name in all the world. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Blessed be the Holy Trinity, the undivided Unity, eternal, immortal, invisible, to whom be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
KYRIE
A. Kyrie eleison Kyrie eleison Kyrie eleison
Christe eleison Christe eleison Christe eleison
Kyrie eleison Kyrie eleison Kyrie eleison.
GLORIA IN EXCELSIS
All stand.
A. Glory be to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of goodwill. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee; we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty. O Lord Christ, alone-born of the Father; O Lord God, indwelling light, Son of the Father, whose wisdom mightily and sweetly ordereth all things, pour forth thy love; thou whose strength upholdeth and sustaineth all creation, receive our prayer; thou whose beauty shineth through the whole universe, unveil thy glory. For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
C. The Lord be with you.
A: And with thy spirit.
COLLECTS – all sit or kneel
C. Let us pray:
Grant, O God, Thy protection;
And in protection, strength;
And in strength, understanding;
And in understanding, knowledge;
And in knowledge, the knowledge of justice;
And in the knowledge of justice, the love of it;
And in that love, the love of all existences;
And in the love of all existences, the love of God.
God and all goodness. Amen.
The COLLECT OF THE DAY shall here be said.
One or more of the following collects may also be said:
O Lord Christ, who for her wondrous humility and purity hast exalted Our Lady St Mary, among the hosts of heaven; grant that we, Thy people, may so follow that, her most noble example, that we may at the latter end be found worthy to serve thee, even as do thy holy angels; thou who livest and reignest in glory for evermore. Amen.
(KSJA) O GOD, who for giving sepulture to the Body of Jesus, didst reward blessed Joseph with courage to be a stalwart Confessor of the Faith : deliver us from that respect of persons whereby this thy servant, for fear of the Jews, was at first hindered from serving his Master except in secret ; and make us brave by filling us with holy fear. Through the same Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
(DSMM) Almighty God, whose blessed Son restored Mary Magdalene to health of body and mind, and called her to be a witness to his resurrection: Mercifully grant that by your grace we may be healed from all our infirmities and know you in the power of his unending life; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(KSJB/DSJB) O Christ our Lord, who sent forth Thy servant John the Baptist to prepare the way before Thee; accept us now, we pray Thee, unworthy though we be, as heralds of thy glorious coming, that by devotion, steadfastness, and gentleness; in preaching and ministering to Thy people, we too may win men's hearts to thee, whom we confess as Lord and Master, now and evermore. Amen.
EPISTLE
Reader: The epistle (or Lesson) is taken from …............
After which the congregation respond : Thanks be to God.
THE GRADUAL
C: He that loveth wisdom loveth life:
All: --and they that seek her early shall be filled with joy. Teach me, 0 Lord, the way of thy statutes: and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding and I shall keep thy law: yea I shall keep it with our whole heart. The path of the just is as the shining light: shining more and more unto the perfect day.
THE GOSPEL
D: The Lord be with you.
A: And with Thy Spirit.
The Holy Gospel according to ….....
As soon as the Gospel is announced all make the sign of the cross on the forehead, lips and breast with the right thumb whilst saying:
Glory be to Thee O Lord
The Gospel being ended all say: Praise be to Thee O Christ.
C. The Lord be with you.
A. And with thy spirit.
THE ACT OF FAITH
We place our trust in God, the holy and all-glorious Trinity, who dwelleth in the Spirit of man.
We place our trust in Christ, the Lord of love and wisdom, first among many brethren, who leadeth us to the glory of the Father, and is Himself the Way, the Truth and the Life.
We place our trust in the Law of Good which rules the world; we strive towards the ancient narrow Path that leads to life eternal; we know that we serve our Master best when we serve our fellow man. So shall His power rest upon us and + peace for evermore. Amen.
THE BIDDING PRAYERS
Let us make our needs known to God, and place ourselves unreservedly in His hands.
Silent meditation, followed by prayers varying according to the occasion.
O Beloved Jesus, we bring to Thy compassion and wisdom all those, our friends, who are sick or in trouble. May Thine infinite love meet all their needs.
May Thy help comfort any for whom our prayers have been asked. ……
Let us also remember those dear to us who have entered into the Light. ….
O Thou Most Holy and Powerful Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God Most High, we invoke Thy Most Potent Name and Sign, in the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Celebrant lights one at a time the four Archangelic Votive lights, which are evenly placed along the back of the altar in the following sequence- yellow, red, blue, and green. With each candle the Celebrant intones the particular Archangelic invocation:
C: By rites ancient and powerful do we prepare this place and ourselves. Now, therefore, by ancient calling do we summon the great Archangelic hosts.
Yellow: In the name of Light arising, do we invoke Raphael, the Healer, guardian of Air and Wind and Tempest, to guard this company and bear witness to this rite. Come mighty Raphael, and grace us with thy presence.
Red: In the name of Light increasing, we invoke Michael, the Defender, Lord of Fire and Prince of the Legions of Heaven. May he guard this company and bear witness to this rite. Come, mighty Michael, and grace us with thy presence.
Blue: In the name of Light descending, we likewise invoke Gabriel, Lord of Water, and Heavenly Herald, who didst bring glad tidings to Our Blessed Lady. May this company be guarded and our rite here witnessed. Come mighty Gabriel, and grace us with thy presence.
Green: In the name of Light returning, we also invoke Uriel, Dark Lord of Earth, who bringest all at last unto the Nether Shore, Companion of all who offer up their lives in the defense of others, guard this company and bear witness to this rite. Come, mighty Uriel, and grace us with thy presence.
C: Beloved Lord our Almighty Heavenly Father, You have established in heaven the orders and hosts of angels and archangels to minister to Your glory. Grant that the holy angels may enter with us, that together we may serve and glorify Your goodness. For to You belongs all glory, honor, and worship, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
A: We gather together outside time, in a place not of earth. As our ancestors before us bade, we join together and are One of purpose. By Thy Blessed Apostles, by all Thy Holy Angels; by all Powers of Light and Shadow, we call Thee to guard and defend us from all perils, O Most High. Thus it is and ever has been, thus it will be for all times to come. PER OMNIA SAECULA SAECULORUM.
The celebrant lights the central pillar candle or Pascal Candle.
C: O Holy Jesus, Thou who art all Love and Compassion, we Thy children, dedicated to Thy service, approach Thee in faith and the power of the Holy Spirit, the unseen companion of the heart.
Prepare us, O Lord, to drink of the living waters of life, soon to be made manifest to us; open our eyes that we may see, and our hearts that we may understand. Make the way plain, O Lord, that we fail not in Thy service. May we be a channel whereby Thy Holy Ones may approach the World. May we be a centre of radiation of Thy power.
Teach us to travel light as do all who travel upon the path; to give ourselves entirely to Thy service; to attune ourselves to Thy will; to suffer gladly for Thy sake; to lay down the small personal life in the great cosmic life, and to love with the love of God.
THE INVOCATION
All stand.
Celebrant. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. R/. Amen.
CONFITEOR - All sit or kneel.
O Lord, Thou hast created us to be immortal and made us to be an image of Thine own eternity; yet often we forget the glory of our heritage and wander from the path which leads to righteousness. But Thou, O Lord, hast made us for Thyself and our hearts are ever restless till they find their rest in Thee. Look with the eyes of Thy love upon our manifold imperfections and pardon all our shortcomings, that we may be filled with the brightness of the everlasting light and become the unspotted mirror of Thy power and the image of Thy goodness; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE ABSOLUTION
C. God the Father, God the + Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve and sanctify you; the Lord in his loving kindness look down upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord absolve you from all your sins and grant you the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. R/. Amen.
THE ASPERGES - All present are sprinkled with Holy Water
THE CENSING
All are seated. The thurible is brought to the celebrant who puts incense into it and blesses it saying:
Con. Be thou + blessed by him in whose honour thou shalt be burned.
The censing of the altar completed, the celebrant is censed. Thereafter all stand.
C. The Lord be with you.
A. And with thy spirit.
INTROIT
A. Blessed be the Holy Trinity, the undivided Unity, eternal, immortal, invisible, to whom be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. O Lord our God, how excellent is thy name in all the world. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Blessed be the Holy Trinity, the undivided Unity, eternal, immortal, invisible, to whom be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
KYRIE
A. Kyrie eleison Kyrie eleison Kyrie eleison
Christe eleison Christe eleison Christe eleison
Kyrie eleison Kyrie eleison Kyrie eleison.
GLORIA IN EXCELSIS
All stand.
A. Glory be to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of goodwill. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee; we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty. O Lord Christ, alone-born of the Father; O Lord God, indwelling light, Son of the Father, whose wisdom mightily and sweetly ordereth all things, pour forth thy love; thou whose strength upholdeth and sustaineth all creation, receive our prayer; thou whose beauty shineth through the whole universe, unveil thy glory. For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
C. The Lord be with you.
A: And with thy spirit.
COLLECTS – all sit or kneel
C. Let us pray:
Grant, O God, Thy protection;
And in protection, strength;
And in strength, understanding;
And in understanding, knowledge;
And in knowledge, the knowledge of justice;
And in the knowledge of justice, the love of it;
And in that love, the love of all existences;
And in the love of all existences, the love of God.
God and all goodness. Amen.
The COLLECT OF THE DAY shall here be said.
One or more of the following collects may also be said:
O Lord Christ, who for her wondrous humility and purity hast exalted Our Lady St Mary, among the hosts of heaven; grant that we, Thy people, may so follow that, her most noble example, that we may at the latter end be found worthy to serve thee, even as do thy holy angels; thou who livest and reignest in glory for evermore. Amen.
(KSJA) O GOD, who for giving sepulture to the Body of Jesus, didst reward blessed Joseph with courage to be a stalwart Confessor of the Faith : deliver us from that respect of persons whereby this thy servant, for fear of the Jews, was at first hindered from serving his Master except in secret ; and make us brave by filling us with holy fear. Through the same Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
(DSMM) Almighty God, whose blessed Son restored Mary Magdalene to health of body and mind, and called her to be a witness to his resurrection: Mercifully grant that by your grace we may be healed from all our infirmities and know you in the power of his unending life; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(KSJB/DSJB) O Christ our Lord, who sent forth Thy servant John the Baptist to prepare the way before Thee; accept us now, we pray Thee, unworthy though we be, as heralds of thy glorious coming, that by devotion, steadfastness, and gentleness; in preaching and ministering to Thy people, we too may win men's hearts to thee, whom we confess as Lord and Master, now and evermore. Amen.
EPISTLE
Reader: The epistle (or Lesson) is taken from …............
After which the congregation respond : Thanks be to God.
THE GRADUAL
C: He that loveth wisdom loveth life:
All: --and they that seek her early shall be filled with joy. Teach me, 0 Lord, the way of thy statutes: and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding and I shall keep thy law: yea I shall keep it with our whole heart. The path of the just is as the shining light: shining more and more unto the perfect day.
THE GOSPEL
D: The Lord be with you.
A: And with Thy Spirit.
The Holy Gospel according to ….....
As soon as the Gospel is announced all make the sign of the cross on the forehead, lips and breast with the right thumb whilst saying:
Glory be to Thee O Lord
The Gospel being ended all say: Praise be to Thee O Christ.
C. The Lord be with you.
A. And with thy spirit.
THE ACT OF FAITH
We place our trust in God, the holy and all-glorious Trinity, who dwelleth in the Spirit of man.
We place our trust in Christ, the Lord of love and wisdom, first among many brethren, who leadeth us to the glory of the Father, and is Himself the Way, the Truth and the Life.
We place our trust in the Law of Good which rules the world; we strive towards the ancient narrow Path that leads to life eternal; we know that we serve our Master best when we serve our fellow man. So shall His power rest upon us and + peace for evermore. Amen.
THE BIDDING PRAYERS
Let us make our needs known to God, and place ourselves unreservedly in His hands.
Silent meditation, followed by prayers varying according to the occasion.
O Beloved Jesus, we bring to Thy compassion and wisdom all those, our friends, who are sick or in trouble. May Thine infinite love meet all their needs.
May Thy help comfort any for whom our prayers have been asked. ……
Let us also remember those dear to us who have entered into the Light. ….
O Thou Most Holy and Powerful Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God Most High, we invoke Thy Most Potent Name and Sign, in the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
THE HEALING HYMN - may be sung
Gracious Spirit of thy goodness
Hear our anxious prayer
Take our loved ones who are suffering
'neath thy tender care
Loving father hear us, hear us
Gracious Spirit may thy presence
Shed a healing ray
Turning all their nights of darkness
Into glorious day
Loving father hear us, hear us
Gracious Spirit should'st thou claim them
Be their light and guide
Lead them to the heavenly kingdom
Safely by thy side
Loving father hear us, hear us.
OFFERTORIUM All are seated.
Offering of the Host
C: We adore thee, O God, who art the source of all life and goodness and with true and thankful hearts we offer unto thee this token of thine own life-giving gifts bestowed upon us, thou who art the + giver of all.
Mixing of water and wine
According to immemorial custom, we now mix water with this wine, praying thee, O Lord, that we may evermore abide in Christ and he in us.
Offering of the Chalice
We offer unto thee, O Lord, this chalice with joy and gladness; may the worship which we offer ascend before thy divine majesty as a sacrifice, + pure and acceptable in thy sight; through Christ our Lord. R/. Amen.
THE SECOND CENSING
The celebrant blesses incense saying:
C: Be thou + blessed by him in whose honour thou shalt be burned.
The elements and altar are censed, then the celebrant is censed, after which any clergy and people are censed. When the congregation is censed, all stand. Thurible is returned to the Celebrant:
C: As this incense rises before thee, O Lord, so let our prayer be set forth in thy sight. Let thy holy angels encompass thy people and breathe forth upon them the spirit of thy blessing. May the Lord enkindle within us the fire of his love and the flame of everlasting charity.
LAVABO – The priest washes his hands with an appropriate prayer
ORATE FRATRES
C: Pray, brethren: that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father almighty.
A. May the Lord receive the sacrifice at thy hands and sanctify our lives in his service.
C: We lay before Thee, O Lord, these Thy creatures of bread and wine, in + token of our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; for here we offer and present unto Thee ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a holy and continual sacrifice unto Thee, that we, who are very members incorporate in the mystical body of Thy Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people, may hear that His most joyful voice: 'Come unto Me, O ye that be blessed of My Father, and possess the kingdom which is prepared for you from the beginning of the world,' through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God throughout all ages of ages.
THE CANON
C: The Lord be with you.
A. And with thy spirit.
SURSUM CORDA
C: Lift up your hearts.
A. We lift them up unto the Lord.
C: Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
A. It is meet and right so to do.
PREFACE
C. It is very meet, right and our bounden duty, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty everlasting God.
A proper preface from the Liberal Catholic Liturgy may be used or this Common Preface: ….....
Therefore, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers, with Cherubim and Seraphim and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising thee and saying:
SANCTUS AND BENEDICTUS QUI VENIT.
A. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory; glory be to thee, O Lord most high. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
THE PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
C: Wherefore, O most loving Father, we Thy servants do pray Thee, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, to + receive, to + purify and to + hallow this oblation which we make unto Thee. We desire to offer this holy Sacrifice first for Thy holy catholic Church; that it may please Thee to grant her peace, to watch over her, to bring her to unity and to guide her throughout the world; likewise that it may please Thee to bless and keep all Thy people, to give them increase of grace to bring forth the fruits of the spirit, to guide all nations into unity, peace and concord, and to endue their rulers with wisdom and understanding, especially do we pray for N* and all that are put in authority under him/her. We do also pray for N. our Presiding Bishop, N. our Bishop, (or if the celebrant is himself a bishop he says “me thine unworthy servant”) for all our bishops, clergy and faithful, and for all here present, whose faith and devotion are known unto Thee. We do also call to mind all who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity. Likewise do we offer it for all those thy children whom it hath pleased thee to deliver from the burden of the flesh, that freed from earthly toil and care, they may enjoy the felicity of thy presence, evermore praising thee in word and deed, O God everlasting, living and true.
Epiclesis
Wherefore, O holy Lord, Father Almighty, we pray Thee to look down on and accept these offerings, which we Thy servants and Thy whole household do make unto Thee, in obedience to the command of Thy most blessed Son, our Lord Jesus Christ; Which offerings do Thou, O Father, deign with Thy Holy Spirit and Word to + bless, +approve and +ratify, that they may become for us His most precious +Body and +Blood.
Words of Institution
Who the day before he suffered took bread into his holy and venerable hands and, with his eyes lifted up to heaven unto thee, God, his almighty Father, giving thanks to thee, he + blessed, brake and gave it to his disciples, saying:
TAKE AND EAT YE ALL OF THIS, FOR
THIS IS MY BODY
Genuflect or Profound Bow for the Elevation of the Host
In like manner, after he had supped, taking also this noble grail into his holy and venerable hands, again giving thanks to thee, he + blessed it and gave it to his disciples, saying:
TAKE AND DRINK YE ALL OF THIS, FOR
THIS IS MY BLOOD
AS OFT AS YE SHALL DO THESE THINGS, YE SHALL
DO THEM IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.
Genuflect or Profound Bow for the Elevation of the Chalice
C: Wherefore, O Lord and heavenly Father, we Thy humble servants, bearing in mind the ineffable sacrifice of Thy Son, the mystery of His wondrous incarnation, His blessed passion, His mighty resurrection, and His triumphant ascension, do here make before Thy Divine Majesty the memorial which our Lord hath willed us to make, and we do offer unto Thee this, the most precious gift which Thou hast bestowed upon us: this + pure Host, this + holy Host, this + glorious Host, the + holy Bread of life everlasting, and the +Chalice of eternal salvation.
This do we present before Thee in token of our love and of the perfect devotion and sacrifice of our minds and hearts to Thee; and we pray that Thou wouldst command Thy holy Angel to bear our oblation to Thine altar on high, there to be offered by Him who, as the eternal High Priest, for ever offers Himself as the eternal Sacrifice.
And as He hath ordained that the heavenly Sacrifice shall be mirrored here on earth through the ministry of mortal men, to the end that Thy holy people may be knit more closely into fellowship with Thee, we do pray for Thy servant(s) who minister(s) at this altar, that, meetly celebrating the mysteries of the most holy + Body and + Blood of Thy Son, he (they) may be filled with Thy mighty power and + blessing.
Likewise we pray thee to sanctify thy people here present with these thy heavenly gifts and through these mysteries do thou + hallow, + quicken and + bless them, that both in their hearts and in their lives they may show forth thy praise and glorify thy holy name.
All these things do we ask, O Father, in the name and through the mediation of thy most blessed Son, for we acknowledge and confess with our hearts and lips that + by him were all things made, yea, all things both in heaven and earth, + with him as the indwelling life do all things exist and + in him as the transcendent glory all things live and move and have their being: To whom with thee, O mighty + Father, in the unity of the Holy + Spirit, be ascribed all honour and glory, throughout the ages of ages. R/. Amen.
Instructed by the words of sacred scripture and following the tradition of holy church from of old we now say: PATER NOSTER … Our Father etc. ….....
THE COMMEMORATION OF THE SAINTS
C: Here do we give unto thee, O Lord, most high praise and heartfelt thanks for the wonderful grace and virtue declared in the holy Lady Mary, (in St Jospeh of Arimathea, St Mary Magdalene, St John the Baptist) {in St …... (saint of the day or patron of the oratory)} and in all thy glorious saints from the beginning of the world who have been the choice vessels of thy grace and a shining light unto many generations. And we + join with them in worship before thy great white throne, whence flow all love and light and blessing through all the worlds which thou hast made.
O Son of God, who showest thyself this day upon a thousand altars and yet art one and indivisible, in token of thy great sacrifice we break this thy Body, praying that by this action, ordained from of old, thy + strength, thy + peace and thy + blessing, which thou dost give us in this holy sacrament, may be spread abroad upon thy world; and as thou, O Lord Christ, wast made known to thy disciples in the breaking of bread, so may thy many children know themselves to be one in thee, even as thou art one with the Father. R/. Amen.
THE SALUTATION OF PEACE
C: The peace of the Lord be always with you always.
A. And with thy spirit.
C: O thou who in this adorable sacrament hast left us a living memorial and pledge of thy marvellous love for mankind and dost therein graciously draw us into wondrous and mystic communion with thee, grant us so to receive the sacred mysteries of thy Body and Blood that our souls may be lifted into the immensity of thy love and that, being filled with a high endeavour, we may ever be mindful of thine indwelling presence and breathe forth the fragrance of a holy life. R/. Amen.
The priest here makes his communion along with any concelebrants
C: +Ye that desire to partake of the body of the Lord, draw nigh and receive this most holy sacrament.
C: The Body [and Blood] of our Lord Christ keep thee unto life eternal.
C: Let us pray.
Under the veil of earthly things now have we communion with our Lord Jesus Christ; soon with open face shall we behold him and, rejoicing in his glory, be made like unto him. Then shall his true disciples be brought by him with exceeding joy before the presence of his Father’s glory.
A: We who have been refreshed with thy heavenly gifts do pray thee O Lord, that thy grace may so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that it may continually be made manifest in our lives. Through Christ our Lord. R./ Amen.
C: The Lord be with you.
A. And with thy spirit.
THE BENEDICTION
C: The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son, Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the +Father, the Son and the + Holy Spirit, be amongst you and remain with you always. R/. Amen.
May the Holy Ones, whose pupils you aspire to become, show you the light you seek, give you the strong aid of their compassion and their wisdom. There is a peace that passeth understanding; it abides in the hearts of those who live in the eternal; there is a power that maketh all things new; it lives and moves in those who know the self as one. May that peace brood over you, that power uplift you, till you stand where the One Initiator is invoked, till you see his + star shine forth. R/. Amen.
An anthem of Our Lady normally follows.
DISMISSAL
The Priest then goes to the altar and extinguishes the votive Archangelic Candles, in the same order in which they were lit, saying:
Yellow: Hail, mighty Raphael, Archangel of the Air, Healer and Guardian of Wind and Tempest. We thank thee for thine attendance and protection here, and before thou departest for thine airy realms, we bid Thee hail and farewell.
Red: Hail, mighty Michael, the Defender, Lord of Fire and Prince of the Legions of Heaven. We thank thee for thine attendance and protection here, and before thou departest for thine fiery realms, we bid Thee hail and farewell.
Blue: Hail, mighty Gabriel, Lord of Water, and Heavenly Herald, who didst bring glad tidings to Our Blessed Lady. We thank thee for thine attendance and protection here, and before thou departest for thine watery realms, we bid Thee hail and farewell.
Green: Hail, mighty Uriel, Dark Lord of Earth, who bringest all at last unto the Nether Shore, Companion of all who offer up their lives in the defense of others. We thank thee for thine attendance and protection here, and before thou departest for thine earthy realms, we bid Thee hail and farewell.
The Priest extinguishes the Centre or Pascal Candle, faces the congregation with hands joined and says:
Priest: The Mass is ended, go in Peace to love and serve the Lord, and each other. All: Thanks be to God.
Gracious Spirit of thy goodness
Hear our anxious prayer
Take our loved ones who are suffering
'neath thy tender care
Loving father hear us, hear us
Gracious Spirit may thy presence
Shed a healing ray
Turning all their nights of darkness
Into glorious day
Loving father hear us, hear us
Gracious Spirit should'st thou claim them
Be their light and guide
Lead them to the heavenly kingdom
Safely by thy side
Loving father hear us, hear us.
OFFERTORIUM All are seated.
Offering of the Host
C: We adore thee, O God, who art the source of all life and goodness and with true and thankful hearts we offer unto thee this token of thine own life-giving gifts bestowed upon us, thou who art the + giver of all.
Mixing of water and wine
According to immemorial custom, we now mix water with this wine, praying thee, O Lord, that we may evermore abide in Christ and he in us.
Offering of the Chalice
We offer unto thee, O Lord, this chalice with joy and gladness; may the worship which we offer ascend before thy divine majesty as a sacrifice, + pure and acceptable in thy sight; through Christ our Lord. R/. Amen.
THE SECOND CENSING
The celebrant blesses incense saying:
C: Be thou + blessed by him in whose honour thou shalt be burned.
The elements and altar are censed, then the celebrant is censed, after which any clergy and people are censed. When the congregation is censed, all stand. Thurible is returned to the Celebrant:
C: As this incense rises before thee, O Lord, so let our prayer be set forth in thy sight. Let thy holy angels encompass thy people and breathe forth upon them the spirit of thy blessing. May the Lord enkindle within us the fire of his love and the flame of everlasting charity.
LAVABO – The priest washes his hands with an appropriate prayer
ORATE FRATRES
C: Pray, brethren: that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father almighty.
A. May the Lord receive the sacrifice at thy hands and sanctify our lives in his service.
C: We lay before Thee, O Lord, these Thy creatures of bread and wine, in + token of our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; for here we offer and present unto Thee ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a holy and continual sacrifice unto Thee, that we, who are very members incorporate in the mystical body of Thy Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people, may hear that His most joyful voice: 'Come unto Me, O ye that be blessed of My Father, and possess the kingdom which is prepared for you from the beginning of the world,' through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God throughout all ages of ages.
THE CANON
C: The Lord be with you.
A. And with thy spirit.
SURSUM CORDA
C: Lift up your hearts.
A. We lift them up unto the Lord.
C: Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
A. It is meet and right so to do.
PREFACE
C. It is very meet, right and our bounden duty, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty everlasting God.
A proper preface from the Liberal Catholic Liturgy may be used or this Common Preface: ….....
Therefore, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers, with Cherubim and Seraphim and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising thee and saying:
SANCTUS AND BENEDICTUS QUI VENIT.
A. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory; glory be to thee, O Lord most high. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
THE PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
C: Wherefore, O most loving Father, we Thy servants do pray Thee, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, to + receive, to + purify and to + hallow this oblation which we make unto Thee. We desire to offer this holy Sacrifice first for Thy holy catholic Church; that it may please Thee to grant her peace, to watch over her, to bring her to unity and to guide her throughout the world; likewise that it may please Thee to bless and keep all Thy people, to give them increase of grace to bring forth the fruits of the spirit, to guide all nations into unity, peace and concord, and to endue their rulers with wisdom and understanding, especially do we pray for N* and all that are put in authority under him/her. We do also pray for N. our Presiding Bishop, N. our Bishop, (or if the celebrant is himself a bishop he says “me thine unworthy servant”) for all our bishops, clergy and faithful, and for all here present, whose faith and devotion are known unto Thee. We do also call to mind all who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity. Likewise do we offer it for all those thy children whom it hath pleased thee to deliver from the burden of the flesh, that freed from earthly toil and care, they may enjoy the felicity of thy presence, evermore praising thee in word and deed, O God everlasting, living and true.
Epiclesis
Wherefore, O holy Lord, Father Almighty, we pray Thee to look down on and accept these offerings, which we Thy servants and Thy whole household do make unto Thee, in obedience to the command of Thy most blessed Son, our Lord Jesus Christ; Which offerings do Thou, O Father, deign with Thy Holy Spirit and Word to + bless, +approve and +ratify, that they may become for us His most precious +Body and +Blood.
Words of Institution
Who the day before he suffered took bread into his holy and venerable hands and, with his eyes lifted up to heaven unto thee, God, his almighty Father, giving thanks to thee, he + blessed, brake and gave it to his disciples, saying:
TAKE AND EAT YE ALL OF THIS, FOR
THIS IS MY BODY
Genuflect or Profound Bow for the Elevation of the Host
In like manner, after he had supped, taking also this noble grail into his holy and venerable hands, again giving thanks to thee, he + blessed it and gave it to his disciples, saying:
TAKE AND DRINK YE ALL OF THIS, FOR
THIS IS MY BLOOD
AS OFT AS YE SHALL DO THESE THINGS, YE SHALL
DO THEM IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.
Genuflect or Profound Bow for the Elevation of the Chalice
C: Wherefore, O Lord and heavenly Father, we Thy humble servants, bearing in mind the ineffable sacrifice of Thy Son, the mystery of His wondrous incarnation, His blessed passion, His mighty resurrection, and His triumphant ascension, do here make before Thy Divine Majesty the memorial which our Lord hath willed us to make, and we do offer unto Thee this, the most precious gift which Thou hast bestowed upon us: this + pure Host, this + holy Host, this + glorious Host, the + holy Bread of life everlasting, and the +Chalice of eternal salvation.
This do we present before Thee in token of our love and of the perfect devotion and sacrifice of our minds and hearts to Thee; and we pray that Thou wouldst command Thy holy Angel to bear our oblation to Thine altar on high, there to be offered by Him who, as the eternal High Priest, for ever offers Himself as the eternal Sacrifice.
And as He hath ordained that the heavenly Sacrifice shall be mirrored here on earth through the ministry of mortal men, to the end that Thy holy people may be knit more closely into fellowship with Thee, we do pray for Thy servant(s) who minister(s) at this altar, that, meetly celebrating the mysteries of the most holy + Body and + Blood of Thy Son, he (they) may be filled with Thy mighty power and + blessing.
Likewise we pray thee to sanctify thy people here present with these thy heavenly gifts and through these mysteries do thou + hallow, + quicken and + bless them, that both in their hearts and in their lives they may show forth thy praise and glorify thy holy name.
All these things do we ask, O Father, in the name and through the mediation of thy most blessed Son, for we acknowledge and confess with our hearts and lips that + by him were all things made, yea, all things both in heaven and earth, + with him as the indwelling life do all things exist and + in him as the transcendent glory all things live and move and have their being: To whom with thee, O mighty + Father, in the unity of the Holy + Spirit, be ascribed all honour and glory, throughout the ages of ages. R/. Amen.
Instructed by the words of sacred scripture and following the tradition of holy church from of old we now say: PATER NOSTER … Our Father etc. ….....
THE COMMEMORATION OF THE SAINTS
C: Here do we give unto thee, O Lord, most high praise and heartfelt thanks for the wonderful grace and virtue declared in the holy Lady Mary, (in St Jospeh of Arimathea, St Mary Magdalene, St John the Baptist) {in St …... (saint of the day or patron of the oratory)} and in all thy glorious saints from the beginning of the world who have been the choice vessels of thy grace and a shining light unto many generations. And we + join with them in worship before thy great white throne, whence flow all love and light and blessing through all the worlds which thou hast made.
O Son of God, who showest thyself this day upon a thousand altars and yet art one and indivisible, in token of thy great sacrifice we break this thy Body, praying that by this action, ordained from of old, thy + strength, thy + peace and thy + blessing, which thou dost give us in this holy sacrament, may be spread abroad upon thy world; and as thou, O Lord Christ, wast made known to thy disciples in the breaking of bread, so may thy many children know themselves to be one in thee, even as thou art one with the Father. R/. Amen.
THE SALUTATION OF PEACE
C: The peace of the Lord be always with you always.
A. And with thy spirit.
C: O thou who in this adorable sacrament hast left us a living memorial and pledge of thy marvellous love for mankind and dost therein graciously draw us into wondrous and mystic communion with thee, grant us so to receive the sacred mysteries of thy Body and Blood that our souls may be lifted into the immensity of thy love and that, being filled with a high endeavour, we may ever be mindful of thine indwelling presence and breathe forth the fragrance of a holy life. R/. Amen.
The priest here makes his communion along with any concelebrants
C: +Ye that desire to partake of the body of the Lord, draw nigh and receive this most holy sacrament.
C: The Body [and Blood] of our Lord Christ keep thee unto life eternal.
C: Let us pray.
Under the veil of earthly things now have we communion with our Lord Jesus Christ; soon with open face shall we behold him and, rejoicing in his glory, be made like unto him. Then shall his true disciples be brought by him with exceeding joy before the presence of his Father’s glory.
A: We who have been refreshed with thy heavenly gifts do pray thee O Lord, that thy grace may so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that it may continually be made manifest in our lives. Through Christ our Lord. R./ Amen.
C: The Lord be with you.
A. And with thy spirit.
THE BENEDICTION
C: The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son, Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the +Father, the Son and the + Holy Spirit, be amongst you and remain with you always. R/. Amen.
May the Holy Ones, whose pupils you aspire to become, show you the light you seek, give you the strong aid of their compassion and their wisdom. There is a peace that passeth understanding; it abides in the hearts of those who live in the eternal; there is a power that maketh all things new; it lives and moves in those who know the self as one. May that peace brood over you, that power uplift you, till you stand where the One Initiator is invoked, till you see his + star shine forth. R/. Amen.
An anthem of Our Lady normally follows.
DISMISSAL
The Priest then goes to the altar and extinguishes the votive Archangelic Candles, in the same order in which they were lit, saying:
Yellow: Hail, mighty Raphael, Archangel of the Air, Healer and Guardian of Wind and Tempest. We thank thee for thine attendance and protection here, and before thou departest for thine airy realms, we bid Thee hail and farewell.
Red: Hail, mighty Michael, the Defender, Lord of Fire and Prince of the Legions of Heaven. We thank thee for thine attendance and protection here, and before thou departest for thine fiery realms, we bid Thee hail and farewell.
Blue: Hail, mighty Gabriel, Lord of Water, and Heavenly Herald, who didst bring glad tidings to Our Blessed Lady. We thank thee for thine attendance and protection here, and before thou departest for thine watery realms, we bid Thee hail and farewell.
Green: Hail, mighty Uriel, Dark Lord of Earth, who bringest all at last unto the Nether Shore, Companion of all who offer up their lives in the defense of others. We thank thee for thine attendance and protection here, and before thou departest for thine earthy realms, we bid Thee hail and farewell.
The Priest extinguishes the Centre or Pascal Candle, faces the congregation with hands joined and says:
Priest: The Mass is ended, go in Peace to love and serve the Lord, and each other. All: Thanks be to God.
Days of Special Significance to the Chivalric Orders
27th Dec. - St John the Evangelist
13th Mar. - James Ingall Wedgwood, Bp.
16th Mar. - Montségur Day
18th Mar. - St Jacques De Molay, M.
23rd Apr. - St George, M.
24th Jun. - Nativity of St John the Baptist
22nd Jul. - St Mary Magdalene
31st Jul. - St Joseph of Arimathea
29th Aug. - Beheading of St John the Baptist
8th Sept. - Our Lady of Glastonbury
29th Sept. - St Michael and All Angels
13th Oct. - All Saints and Martyrs of the Temple
21st Nov. - Presentation of Our Lady in the Temple
Most of the Proper Collects and Readings will be found in the Book of Common Prayer, the Liberal Catholic Liturgy or the English Missal. Others are printed below.
Appendix
James Ingall Wedgwood, Bp. (March 13)
THE COLLECT
O Lord Christ who hast filled thy servant James Ingall Wedgwood with that everlasting light which he so ardently desired, grant that we too, by the help of his prayers, may receive that same light and become the mirror of thy power and the image of thy goodness; thou who livest and reignest in the unity of the Father and of the Holy Ghost, one God, throughout all ages of ages. Amen.
LESSON & GOSPEL from the Common of a Bishop
Montségur Day (March 16)
THE COLLECT
Remember them, O Lord in Thy kingdom. The faithful who did not adore the Beast and whom the Beast has slain. The faithful who served Thee because they could do no other, who lived in an age when the right to seek Thee was bought with their lives. Remember those who gave more than they could, more indeed than they possessed; more than they ever should have given. They could do no other. Mercy, Lord on all the burned ones of this world. Mercy on all who loved beyond this world. On all who have loved. On all who have had some true thing to love. Amen.
THE LESSON
The lesson is taken from the sacred texts of the Cathars:
Holy Father, Thou just God of all good souls, Thou who art never deceived, who dost never lie or doubt, grant us to know what Thou knowest, to love what Thou dost love; for we are not of this world, and this world is not of us, and we fear lest we meet death in this realm of an alien god. Pharisees, seducers, you who sit at the gates of the Kingdom; you who hold back others who would enter, yet will not go in yourselves; and because of this I pray to the Holy Father of all good souls, who has the power of salvation, and through the merit of the saved causes our souls to germinate and flourish, and for the sake of the virtuous grants life to those in iniquity; the Holy Father who will continue to do so as long as there are good men in the world, till none of my little children are left. For all those that acknowledged the mastery of Lucifer, and fell from Paradise, and come from the seven kingdoms, they rose up on a sky of glass, and for every one that rose aloft, another fell and was lost; and for this cause God came down from heaven with the twelve apostles and took a phantom shape in Holy Mary.
THE GOSPEL
The gospel is taken from the Gospel according to the Cathars:
A certain woman came to the Son of God and said that her daughter was frenzied; and the Son of God placed his hand on her daughter‘s head and healed her — which healing is nothing else than this; that the soul of the daughter went out of her body and that he healed the soul. For the Son of God did not free them from bodily infirmities but only from sins which are the infirmities of the soul. And this is why the Son of God was a good healer, because he drew souls to liberation. For the Son of God was none other than one of the heavenly spirits who knowing the dreadful sorrows and penalties which one needs suffer who should desire to come among men and uplift the human race, nevertheless told the Father that he himself desired to be his son, and to fulfill all things which were written in the Father‘s book, however grievous they might be. Then he descended from heaven and appeared as a newly born babe in Bethlehem.
St Jacques de Molay, M. (March 18)
THE COLLECT
O God, Who didst raise up St Jacques de Molay in the defence of his Order and Christendom, grant to us who honour his brave martyrdom, by his intercession to overcome the snares of the enemy and rejoice in perpetual peace. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
THE LESSON
Wisdom guided the righteous in right paths, and shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of holy things, made him rich in his travails, and multiplied the fruit of his labours. In the covetousness of such as oppressed him she stood by him, and made him rich. She defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those that lay in wait, and in a sore conflict she gave him the victory; that he might know that godliness is stronger than all. When the righteous was sold, she forsook him not: she went down with him into the pit, and left him not in bonds, till she brought him the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: as for them that had accused him, she shewed them to be liars, and gave him perpetual glory.
THE GOSPEL St. Matt. x: 34
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples, Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life fore my sake shall find it. He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
St Mary Magdalene (July 22)
THE COLLECT
Almighty God, whose blessed Son restored Mary Magdalene to health of body and mind, and called her to be a witness to his resurrection: Mercifully grant that by your grace we may be healed from all our infirmities and know you in the power of his unending life; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
THE LESSON
The lesson is taken from the Book of the Perfect Mind:
I was sent by the Power and came to those who thought of me. I was found by those who sought me. Behold me, ye who thought of me. And ye who wanted to hear me, listen to me. And ye who expected me, accept me. And do not drive me away from before your eyes. And let not your voice or your ear hate me. Do not ignore me anywhere or at any time. Be careful, do not ignore me, for I am the first and the last. I am the honored one and the despised one. I am the harlot and I am the saint. I am the woman and I am the virgin. I am the mother and I am the daughter. I am barren and I have many children. I have many husbands and I am unmarried. I am the physician who heals and I am the one who wounds. I am the bride and I am the bridegroom. I am the mother of my husband and my husband is my father. I am the daughter of my husband, and my husband is my son. I am the sister of my husband and my husband is my brother. I am the slave of my father and I am the mistress of my son.
THE GOSPEL
The gospel is taken from the the Gospel of St. Luke and the Gospel according to St. Philip:
And behold a woman in the city, which was a harlot, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisees house brought an alabaster box of ointment. And she stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself: This man if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him; for she is a harlot. And Jesus turned to the woman, and said unto Simon the Pharisee: Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet; but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss; but this woman hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.
The Sophia whom they call barren is the mother of the angels. And the consort of Christ is Mary Magdalen. The Lord loved Mary more than all the disciples and kissed her on her mouth often. The others said to him: ‘Why do you love her more than all of us?’ The Saviour answered and said to them: ‘Why do I not love you like her?’ There were three who walked with the Lord at all times, Mary his mother, and her sister and Magdalene, whom they called his consort. For Mary was his sister and his mother and his consort.
St Joseph of Arimathea - (July 31)
THE COLLECT
O Merciful God, by whose servant Joseph the body of our Lord and Saviour was committed to the grave with reverence and godly fear: Grant, we beseech thee, to thy faithful people grace and courage to serve and love Jesus with unfeigned devotion all the days of their life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
LESSON - Proverbs 4:10-18.
GOSPEL - St. Luke 23:50-56.
Our Lady of Glastonbury - (Sept. 8)
THE COLLECT
0 Lord Jesus Christ whose glorious Mother was honoured for so many centuries under the title of Our Lady Saint Mary of Glastonbury, grant that through her intercession together with that of St Joseph of Arimathea and St Mary Magdalene we may be faithful and true Knights and Dames, continually growing in love and knowledge of Thee and so give Thee worthy service. Amen.
COLLECT, LESSON & GOSPEL for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Commemoration of the Arrest of the Holy Templars (October 13)
THE COLLECT
Remember them O Lord, in Thy kingdom, Thy faithful servants the glorious martyrs of the Order of the Templars, who have shone as brilliant lights of the eternal Gnosis in their days. Thou who art ever the comforter of the oppressed and the repose of those who suffer for the sake of the truth, grant them peace, refreshment, glory and the splendour of Thy Gnosis. Grant that we, following the example of Thy Holy Martyrs, may with them bear witness to the Gnosis of Love, Liberty and Light forever. Not to us, not to us O Lord, but to Thy name be the Glory; now and for evermore.
THE LESSON
The lesson is taken from the writings of the Gnostic Fathers:
The seeds of God, ‘tis true, are few, but vast and fair and good; virtue and self-control, and devotion. Devotion is God-Gnosis; and he who knoweth God, being filled with all good things, thinks only godly thoughts, and not thoughts like the many think. For this cause, they who Gnostic are, please not the many, nor the many them. They are thought mad and laughed at; they are hated and despised, and sometimes even put to death.
THE GOSPEL
The gospel is taken from the Gospel according to St. Thomas:
Jesus said: I have cast fire upon the world, and see, I guard it until the world is afire. Jesus said: Men possibly think that I have come to throw peace upon the world, and they do not know that I have come to throw divisions upon the earth, fire, sword, war. For there shall be five in a house: three shall be against two and two against three, the father against the son and the son against the father, and they will stand alone. Jesus said: Whoever does not hate his father and mother will not be able to be a disciple to me, and whoever does not hate his brethren and sisters and does not take up his cross in my way will not be worthy of me. Jesus said: Blessed are those who have been persecuted in their heart; these are they who have known the Father in truth.
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple (Nov. 21)
THE COLLECT
O God, who didst will that blessed Mary, ever Virgin, the tabernacle of the Holy Ghost, should be presented in the temple: grant, we beseech thee, at her intercession, that we may be counted worthy to be presented in the dwelling-place of thy glory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
LESSON & GOSPEL from the Common of the B.V.M.
THE COLLECT
O Lord Christ who hast filled thy servant James Ingall Wedgwood with that everlasting light which he so ardently desired, grant that we too, by the help of his prayers, may receive that same light and become the mirror of thy power and the image of thy goodness; thou who livest and reignest in the unity of the Father and of the Holy Ghost, one God, throughout all ages of ages. Amen.
LESSON & GOSPEL from the Common of a Bishop
Montségur Day (March 16)
THE COLLECT
Remember them, O Lord in Thy kingdom. The faithful who did not adore the Beast and whom the Beast has slain. The faithful who served Thee because they could do no other, who lived in an age when the right to seek Thee was bought with their lives. Remember those who gave more than they could, more indeed than they possessed; more than they ever should have given. They could do no other. Mercy, Lord on all the burned ones of this world. Mercy on all who loved beyond this world. On all who have loved. On all who have had some true thing to love. Amen.
THE LESSON
The lesson is taken from the sacred texts of the Cathars:
Holy Father, Thou just God of all good souls, Thou who art never deceived, who dost never lie or doubt, grant us to know what Thou knowest, to love what Thou dost love; for we are not of this world, and this world is not of us, and we fear lest we meet death in this realm of an alien god. Pharisees, seducers, you who sit at the gates of the Kingdom; you who hold back others who would enter, yet will not go in yourselves; and because of this I pray to the Holy Father of all good souls, who has the power of salvation, and through the merit of the saved causes our souls to germinate and flourish, and for the sake of the virtuous grants life to those in iniquity; the Holy Father who will continue to do so as long as there are good men in the world, till none of my little children are left. For all those that acknowledged the mastery of Lucifer, and fell from Paradise, and come from the seven kingdoms, they rose up on a sky of glass, and for every one that rose aloft, another fell and was lost; and for this cause God came down from heaven with the twelve apostles and took a phantom shape in Holy Mary.
THE GOSPEL
The gospel is taken from the Gospel according to the Cathars:
A certain woman came to the Son of God and said that her daughter was frenzied; and the Son of God placed his hand on her daughter‘s head and healed her — which healing is nothing else than this; that the soul of the daughter went out of her body and that he healed the soul. For the Son of God did not free them from bodily infirmities but only from sins which are the infirmities of the soul. And this is why the Son of God was a good healer, because he drew souls to liberation. For the Son of God was none other than one of the heavenly spirits who knowing the dreadful sorrows and penalties which one needs suffer who should desire to come among men and uplift the human race, nevertheless told the Father that he himself desired to be his son, and to fulfill all things which were written in the Father‘s book, however grievous they might be. Then he descended from heaven and appeared as a newly born babe in Bethlehem.
St Jacques de Molay, M. (March 18)
THE COLLECT
O God, Who didst raise up St Jacques de Molay in the defence of his Order and Christendom, grant to us who honour his brave martyrdom, by his intercession to overcome the snares of the enemy and rejoice in perpetual peace. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
THE LESSON
Wisdom guided the righteous in right paths, and shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of holy things, made him rich in his travails, and multiplied the fruit of his labours. In the covetousness of such as oppressed him she stood by him, and made him rich. She defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those that lay in wait, and in a sore conflict she gave him the victory; that he might know that godliness is stronger than all. When the righteous was sold, she forsook him not: she went down with him into the pit, and left him not in bonds, till she brought him the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: as for them that had accused him, she shewed them to be liars, and gave him perpetual glory.
THE GOSPEL St. Matt. x: 34
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples, Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life fore my sake shall find it. He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
St Mary Magdalene (July 22)
THE COLLECT
Almighty God, whose blessed Son restored Mary Magdalene to health of body and mind, and called her to be a witness to his resurrection: Mercifully grant that by your grace we may be healed from all our infirmities and know you in the power of his unending life; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
THE LESSON
The lesson is taken from the Book of the Perfect Mind:
I was sent by the Power and came to those who thought of me. I was found by those who sought me. Behold me, ye who thought of me. And ye who wanted to hear me, listen to me. And ye who expected me, accept me. And do not drive me away from before your eyes. And let not your voice or your ear hate me. Do not ignore me anywhere or at any time. Be careful, do not ignore me, for I am the first and the last. I am the honored one and the despised one. I am the harlot and I am the saint. I am the woman and I am the virgin. I am the mother and I am the daughter. I am barren and I have many children. I have many husbands and I am unmarried. I am the physician who heals and I am the one who wounds. I am the bride and I am the bridegroom. I am the mother of my husband and my husband is my father. I am the daughter of my husband, and my husband is my son. I am the sister of my husband and my husband is my brother. I am the slave of my father and I am the mistress of my son.
THE GOSPEL
The gospel is taken from the the Gospel of St. Luke and the Gospel according to St. Philip:
And behold a woman in the city, which was a harlot, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisees house brought an alabaster box of ointment. And she stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself: This man if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him; for she is a harlot. And Jesus turned to the woman, and said unto Simon the Pharisee: Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet; but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss; but this woman hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.
The Sophia whom they call barren is the mother of the angels. And the consort of Christ is Mary Magdalen. The Lord loved Mary more than all the disciples and kissed her on her mouth often. The others said to him: ‘Why do you love her more than all of us?’ The Saviour answered and said to them: ‘Why do I not love you like her?’ There were three who walked with the Lord at all times, Mary his mother, and her sister and Magdalene, whom they called his consort. For Mary was his sister and his mother and his consort.
St Joseph of Arimathea - (July 31)
THE COLLECT
O Merciful God, by whose servant Joseph the body of our Lord and Saviour was committed to the grave with reverence and godly fear: Grant, we beseech thee, to thy faithful people grace and courage to serve and love Jesus with unfeigned devotion all the days of their life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
LESSON - Proverbs 4:10-18.
GOSPEL - St. Luke 23:50-56.
Our Lady of Glastonbury - (Sept. 8)
THE COLLECT
0 Lord Jesus Christ whose glorious Mother was honoured for so many centuries under the title of Our Lady Saint Mary of Glastonbury, grant that through her intercession together with that of St Joseph of Arimathea and St Mary Magdalene we may be faithful and true Knights and Dames, continually growing in love and knowledge of Thee and so give Thee worthy service. Amen.
COLLECT, LESSON & GOSPEL for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Commemoration of the Arrest of the Holy Templars (October 13)
THE COLLECT
Remember them O Lord, in Thy kingdom, Thy faithful servants the glorious martyrs of the Order of the Templars, who have shone as brilliant lights of the eternal Gnosis in their days. Thou who art ever the comforter of the oppressed and the repose of those who suffer for the sake of the truth, grant them peace, refreshment, glory and the splendour of Thy Gnosis. Grant that we, following the example of Thy Holy Martyrs, may with them bear witness to the Gnosis of Love, Liberty and Light forever. Not to us, not to us O Lord, but to Thy name be the Glory; now and for evermore.
THE LESSON
The lesson is taken from the writings of the Gnostic Fathers:
The seeds of God, ‘tis true, are few, but vast and fair and good; virtue and self-control, and devotion. Devotion is God-Gnosis; and he who knoweth God, being filled with all good things, thinks only godly thoughts, and not thoughts like the many think. For this cause, they who Gnostic are, please not the many, nor the many them. They are thought mad and laughed at; they are hated and despised, and sometimes even put to death.
THE GOSPEL
The gospel is taken from the Gospel according to St. Thomas:
Jesus said: I have cast fire upon the world, and see, I guard it until the world is afire. Jesus said: Men possibly think that I have come to throw peace upon the world, and they do not know that I have come to throw divisions upon the earth, fire, sword, war. For there shall be five in a house: three shall be against two and two against three, the father against the son and the son against the father, and they will stand alone. Jesus said: Whoever does not hate his father and mother will not be able to be a disciple to me, and whoever does not hate his brethren and sisters and does not take up his cross in my way will not be worthy of me. Jesus said: Blessed are those who have been persecuted in their heart; these are they who have known the Father in truth.
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple (Nov. 21)
THE COLLECT
O God, who didst will that blessed Mary, ever Virgin, the tabernacle of the Holy Ghost, should be presented in the temple: grant, we beseech thee, at her intercession, that we may be counted worthy to be presented in the dwelling-place of thy glory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
LESSON & GOSPEL from the Common of the B.V.M.
Altar at St Gall's Retreat arranged for the Temple Mass
