Prelent / Lent

 THE INTROIT:Psalm 44

Arise, O Lord, wherefor sleepest thou? awaken, and cast us not away for ever : wherefore hidest thou thy countenance, and forgettest our adversity and misery? our belly cleaveth unto the ground ; arise, and save us, O Lord, our helper, and our deliverer. Ps. Ibid. O God, we have heard with our ears : our fathers have told us. GLORY BE…

THE COLLECT: 

O LORD God, who seest that we put not our trust in any thing that we do; Mercifully grant that by thy power we may be defended against all adversity. Through 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.

O God, who by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary hast bestowed upon mankind the reward of eternal salvation : grant, we beseech thee, that we may know the help of her intercession, through whom we have been accounted worthy to receive the Author of our Life, Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord.

We humbly beseech thee, O Lord, favorably to receive the prayers of thy Church : that all adversity and error being done away, she may serve thee in untroubled freedom. Through 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.

THE EPISTLE: II Corinthians 11:19

Brethren: Ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit, whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

THE GRADUAL: Psalm 83

Let the nations know that thou, whose Name is Jehovah : art only the Most Highest over all the earth. O my God, make them like unto a wheel : and as the stubble before the wind.

TRACT Psalm 60

Thou has moved the land, O Lord : and divided it. Heal the sores thereof : for it shaketh. That they may triumph because of the truth : that thy beloved may be delivered.

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Saint Luke 8:4

At that time ; When much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

THE OFFERTORY: Psalm 17

O hold thou up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not ; incline thine ear to me, and hearken unto my words : show thy marvellous loving-kindness, O Lord, thou that art the Saviour of them that put their trust in thee.

THE COMMUNION: Psalm 43

I will go unto the altar of God : even unto the God of my joy and gladness.

THE POST-COMMUNION: 

We humbly beseech thee, Almighty God : that we, whom thou dost refresh with thy holy Sacraments, may continually serve thee in all virtuous and godly living. Through 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.

May this Communion, O Lord, cleanse us from all stain of sin : and at the intercession of blessed Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, make us partakers with her of everlasting salvation.

Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord our God : that we, whom thou hast made partakers of thy heavenly gladness, may by thee be defended from all earthly perils. Through 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.

Exaudi nos 

Hear us, O Lord, for thy loving-kindness is comfortable; according to the multitude of thy mercies, turn thee unto us, O Lord.

Psalm 69. 

Save me, O God, for the waters are come in, * even unto my soul .

V: Glory be to the Father . . . — Hear us, O Lord, for thy loving-kindness is comfortable. . .

Then the celebrant at the Epistle corner, without turning to the people or disjoining his hands ( which rule of joined hands holds the prayers of all benedictions), says:

V: The Lord be with you.
R: And with thy spirit.

V: Let us pray. 

Almighty and everlasting God, we beseech thee to spare those who are penitent, be merciful to those who implore Thee. Vouchsafe to send thy holy Angel from heaven, to bless + and sanc+tify these ashes, that they may be a wholesome medicine to all who devoutly call upon thy holy Name, whose consciences by sin are accused, and who will bewail their sins in the light of thine divine compassion humbly and earnestly imploring thy bountiful loving-kindness. And grant that by calling on thy most holy Name, all who are sprinkled therewith for the remission of their sins may receive both healing of body and protection of soul. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us pray. O God, who desirest not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from his sin and be saved: mercifully, but the repentance of sinners, look upon the frailty of our human nature; and of thy goodness vouchsafe to bless + these ashes now to be set upon our heads in token of our humility and to obtain thy pardon; that we knowing we are dust, and that for our unworthiness unto dust shall we return, may through thy mercy be found meet to receive forgiveness of all our sins, and those good things which thou hast promised to the penitent. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us pray.

O God, who dust turn unto those who humble themselves and acceptest those who offer atonement; incline thy merciful ear to our prayers; and graciously pour forth upon the heads of thy servants now to be sprinkled with these ashes the grace of thy heavenly benediction. Fill them with the spirit of contrition, and grant that those things which they have faithfully asked may be effectually obtained, that whatsoever thou hast bestowed may remain constant and unchanged in us for ever. Through Christ our Lord Amen.
Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who didst bestow the healing of thy pardon upon the people of Nineveh when they repented in sackcloth and ashes: grant that we, using their signs of penance, may likewise obtain the pardon which we humbly seek. Through thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee, in the unity of thy Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth God, world without end. Amen.

The Celebrant, after putting incense into the thurible and blessing it as usual, will thrice sprinke, the ashes with Holy Water, saying as he does so.

Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I Shall be clean: Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

He then thrice censes the ashes, saying nothing. The Senior Priest present approaches and puts ashes on the head of the Celebrant, who does not kneel. If there be no Pries in Choir, the Celebrant , puts ashes upon his own head, standing facing the Altar, and saying nothing. As soon as the Celebrant has received the ashes the Choir will sing the Antiphons:

Let us change our garments for sackcloth and ashes: let us fast and weep before the Lord, for our God is rich in mercy, and he will forgive us our sins.

Another Ant. Let the Priests, Ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, let them say: Spare thy people, O Lord, spare thy people: and destroy not the mouths of them that praise thee, O Lord.
The Responsorial follows.

Let us amend ourselves in that wherein we have sinned through ignorance; lest suddenly overtaken by the day if death, we seek to obtain a place of penitence, and can in nowise find it.

Give ear, O Lord, and have mercy upon us: for we have sinned against thee. V: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. Give ear, O Lord, and have mercy upon us: for we have sinned against thee. While the Antiphon and Responsory are being sung, the celebrant with uncovered head first puts ashes on the senior Priest from whom he has received them. Clergy and acolytes receive the ashes kneeling at the footpace, the people kneel at the Altar Rail In giving the ashes it is customary for the Priest, dipping his thumb in the ashes, to make the sign of the cross on the people’s foreheads, saying.

REMEMBER, O man, that dust thou aret, and unto dust shalt thou return.

When all have received the ashes, The Priest washes his hands. Standing at the Epistle side of the Altar he says.

V: The Lord be with you 

R: And with thy spirit. 

V: Let us pray. 

Grant us, O Lord, to begin with holy fasts the campaign of our Christian warfare: that, as we do battle with the spirits of evil, we may be protected by the help of self-denial. Through Christ our Lord. Having said this prayer the Priest changes his cope for the maniple and chasuble and begins the Mass. 

The Mass

THE INTROIT: Misereris omnium

Thou hast mercy on all things, O Lord, and hatest nothing that thou hast created: and winkest at men’s iniquities, because they should amend, and sparest all men : for they are thine, O Lord, thou lover of souls. 

Psalm 57. 

Be merciful unto me, O GOd, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusted in thee. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me: for my soul trusteth in Thee. V. Glory be to the Father . . . — Thou hast mercy upon all, O Lord . . .

THE COLLECT: 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness. may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE EPISTLE: Joel 2. 12-19 

Lesson from the Prophet Joel. TURN ye even to me, saith the Lord, with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? Have mercy on me, O Lord, have mercy on me: for my soul trusteth in Thee. V.: He hath sent from heaven and delivered me: He hath made them a reproach that trod upon me.

THE GRADUAL: 

Be merciful into me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee. He shall send from heaven: and save me from the reproof of him that would eat me up. Then following Tract is said from today on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, up to Monday in the Holy Week, except when a proper Tract is appointed.

TRACT:

O Lord , deal not with us after our sins: neither reward us after our iniquities. 

V: O Lord, remember not our old sins, but have mercy upon us, so that V. (Genuflect). Help us , O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy Name: O deliver us, and be merciful unto our sins for thy Name’s sake.

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Matth. 6. 16-21 

The continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew

WHEN ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

THE OFFERTORY: Ps. 29. 2 

I will magnify thee, O Lord, for Thou hast set me up and hast not made my foes to triumph over me: O Lord, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

Secret: Makes us, we beseech thee, O Lord, duly and fitly to offer up these gifts, by which we celebrate the institution of this adorable Sacrament. Through…

Graciously hear, O God, our Saviour: and by the virtue of this Sacrament defend us from all enemies of body and soul, granting us in this world the help of thy grace, and in the world to come life everlasting.

O God, who alone knowest the number of thine elect: grant, we beseech thee, that by the intercession of all thy Saints, the names of all who have been commended to our prayers, as well as of all the faithful, may ever remain written in the book of life… Through.

Fit us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to offer worthily these gifts, by which we celebrate the opening of this venerable Mystery. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost . . .

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God; Who by this bodily fast, dost curb our vices, dost lift up our minds and bestow on us strength and rewards; through Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with these we entreat Thee that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted while we say with lowly praise:

THE COMMUNION:

He that shall meditate on the law of the Lord day and night, shall bring forth his fruit in due season.

THE POST-COMMUNION: 

Assist us, O Lord, by the Sacrament which we have received: that this our fast may be acceptable unto thee, and profitable unto us for the healing of our souls. Through…

We beseech thee, O Lord: that the gifts now offered in this heavenly Sacrament may cleanse and defend us; that at the intercession of blessed Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, of blessed N… and aof all thy Saints, they may render us free from iniquity and safe from adversity.

Make us, Almighty and merciful God, to be purified by this Sacrament: and at the intercession of all thy Saints, grant that it may not be to us a cause of punishment, but an efficacious appeal for pardon; may it be the washing away of guilt, the strength of the weak, a sure defense against all the perils of this world, and to all the faithfully, living and departed, remission of all their sins. Through…

Prayer over the People

Where this ancient feature of the Lenten Liturgy is used, immediately after the last Post-communion, the Priest, remaining at the Missal, says or sings the Bidding and Prayer without turning to the people. The prayer is given the full ending. Then the Priest goes to the midst for the Dismissal Verses, and Mass is ended as usual. Let us pray: Humble your heads before God. Look favorably, O Lord, on those who bow themselves before thy Majesty; that those who have been refreshed with the divine gift may ever be sustained by they ehavely aid. Through…. May the Sacraments we have received afford us help, O Lord, that our fasts may be pleasing unto Thee, and profitable unto us for healing. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth . .

THE INTROIT: Reminiscere. Psalm 25

CALL to remembrance thy tender compassion and mercy, O Lord, and thy loving-kindnesses towards us, which have been ever of old: neither suffer our enemies to triumph against us; deliver us, O God of Israel, out of all our misery and trouble. Ps. Ibid. Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul: my God, in thee have I trusted, let me not be confounded. GLORY BE…

THE COLLECT: 

ALMIGHTY God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul. Through 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.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, Lord alike of the quick and the dead, who showest mercy upon all whom thou foreknowest to be thine in faith and works: we humbly beseech thee, that all for whom we would now pour forth our prayer, both those whom this present world yet holdeth in the flesh, and those whom the world to come hath already received set free from the body, may obtain, at the intercession of thy Saints, the pardon of all their sins, through the pitifulness of thy great mercy. Through 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.

THE EPISTLE: 1 Thessalonians4:1ff

WE beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

THE GRADUAL: Psalm 25

The sorrows of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my troubles, O Lord. Look upon my adversity and misery: and forgive me all my sin.

TRACT Psalm 106

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious: and his mercy endureth for ever. Who can express the noble acts of the Lord: or show forth all his praise? Blessed are they that always keep judgment: and do righteousness. Remember me, O Lord, according to the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation.

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Saint Matthew 15:21ff

JESUS went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

THE OFFERTORY: Psalm 119

My delight shall be in thy commandments, which I have loved exceedingly: my hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved.

THE COMMUNION: Psalm 5

Consider my meditation; hearken thou unto the voice of my calling, my King and my God: for unto thee will I make my prayer.

THE POST-COMMUNION: 

WE humbly beseech thee, Almighty God: that we whom thou renewest with thy Sacraments, may worthily live according to thy will. Through 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.

ASSIST us, O Lord, by the Sacrament which we have received: that this our fast may be acceptable unto thee, and profitable unto us for the healing of our souls.
MAKE us, almighty and merciful God, to be purified by this Sacrament: and at the intercession of all thy Saints, grant that it may not be to us a cause of punishment, but an efficacious appeal for pardon; may it be the washing away of guilt, the strength of the weak, a sure defense against all the perils of this world, and to all the faithful, living and departed, remission of all their sins. Through 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.

Customs & Traditions of Lent

The Stations of the Cross

Traditionally, Lenten devotions in parish churches have drawn attention to the suffering and death of Jesus. The most popular one is known as the Stations of the Cross. During the time of the (1095-127O), it became popular for pilgrims to the Holy Land to walk in the footsteps of Jesus to Calvary. In the next two centuries, after the Moslems recaptured the Holy Land, pilgrimages were too dangerous. A substitute pilgrimage, the Stations of the cross, became a popular outdoor devotion throughout Europe during the middle Ages. They represented critical events from Scripture or tradition of Jesus’ journey to Calvary and varied in number from five to 20 until the 18th century when Pope Clement XII fixed the number at 14. In the mid-18th century, Stations were allowed inside churches. The stations became a familiar feature in Catholic Churches. In the 1960s, it became popular to add a fifteenth Station representing the end of the journey: the resurrection.

THREE LENTEN DUTIES

The three great Lenten duties are prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. These are meant to discipline and improve us in relation to God (prayer), others (almsgiving), and ourselves (fasting). While the three duties are co-ordinated, they are not the same. Each requires something different. In relation to God we need more and better prayers, and in particular more adoration. Prayer is the root of our spiritual life, without which everything else that matters will wither. In relation to others we need more generosity and service. If we do not have money to give, ten we can give our time or talents. If God has so confined us that we have neither money nor direct contact to give, then we can at least give others our support with intercessory prayer for them. In relation to ourselves we need self-discipline and self-control. If we cannot control our physical appetites in a small way, then we will never have much hope of controlling our tempers, our pride, our envy, and the other spiritual failings that so often beset us. God calls us to fast (St. Matthew 9:15), and to pray (I Thessalonians 5:17), and to almsgiving (St. Luke 11:41). He calls us to keep a good and holy Lent. The Lord is in His Holy Temple, let all the earth keep silence before Him!

THE INTROIT: Laetare. Isaiah 66

REJOICE ye with Jerusalem; and be ye glad for her, all ye that delight in her: exult and sing for joy with her, all ye that in sadness mourn for her; that ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations. Ps. Psalm 122. I was glad when they said unto me: We will go into the house of the Lord…

THE COLLECT:

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds; do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of thy grace may mercifully be relieved. Through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, Lord alike of the quick and the dead, who showest mercy upon all whom thou foreknowest to be thine in faith and works: we humbly beseech thee, that all for whom we would now pour forth our prayer, both those whom this present world yet holdeth in the flesh, and those whom the world to come hath already received set free from the body, may, at the intercession of thy Saints, the pardon of all their sins, through the pitifulness of thy great mercy. Through 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.

THE EPISTLE: Galatians 4:21ff

TELL me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not: break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

TRACT Psalm 125

They that put their trust in the Lord shall be even as the mount Sion: which may not be removed, but standeth fast for ever. The hills stand about Jerusalem: even so standeth the Lord round about his people, from this time forth for evermore.

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Saint John6:1ff

JESUS went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

THE OFFERTORY: Psalm 135

O praise the Lord, for the Lord is gracious; O sing praises unto his Name, for it is lovely: whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven and in earth.

THE COMMUNION: Psalm 122

JERUSALEM is built as a city as a city that is at unity in itself: for thither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord, to give thanks unto the Name of the Lord.

THE POST-COMMUNION: 

GRANT, we beseech thee, merciful God: that we may celebrate with sincere worship the mysteries which are our daily food, and ever receive them with faithful hearts. Through 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.
ASSIST us, O Lord, by the Sacrament which we have received: that this our fast may be acceptable unto thee, and profitable unto us for the healing of our souls.
MAKE us, Almighty and merciful God, to be purified by this Sacrament: and at the intercession of all thy Saints, grant that it may not be to us a cause of punishment, but an efficacious appeal for pardon; may it be the washing away of guilt, the strength of the weak, a sure defense against all the perils of thus world, and to all the faithful, living and departed, remission of all their sins. Through 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.

Customs & Traditions of Lent

The Stations of the Cross

Traditionally, Lenten devotions in parish churches have drawn attention to the suffering and death of Jesus. The most popular one is known as the Stations of the Cross. During the time of the (1095-127O), it became popular for pilgrims to the Holy Land to walk in the footsteps of Jesus to Calvary. In the next two centuries, after the Moslems recaptured the Holy Land, pilgrimages were too dangerous. A substitute pilgrimage, the Stations of the cross, became a popular outdoor devotion throughout Europe during the middle Ages. They represented critical events from Scripture or tradition of Jesus’ journey to Calvary and varied in number from five to 20 until the 18th century when Pope Clement XII fixed the number at 14. In the mid-18th century, Stations were allowed inside churches. The stations became a familiar feature in Catholic Churches. In the 1960s, it became popular to add a fifteenth Station representing the end of the journey: the resurrection.

THREE LENTEN DUTIES

The three great Lenten duties are prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. These are meant to discipline and improve us in relation to God (prayer), others (almsgiving), and ourselves (fasting). While the three duties are co-ordinated, they are not the same. Each requires something different. In relation to God we need more and better prayers, and in particular more adoration. Prayer is the root of our spiritual life, without which everything else that matters will wither. In relation to others we need more generosity and service. If we do not have money to give, ten we can give our time or talents. If God has so confined us that we have neither money nor direct contact to give, then we can at least give others our support with intercessory prayer for them. In relation to ourselves we need self-discipline and self-control. If we cannot control our physical appetites in a small way, then we will never have much hope of controlling our tempers, our pride, our envy, and the other spiritual failings that so often beset us. God calls us to fast (St. Matthew 9:15), and to pray (I Thessalonians 5:17), and to almsgiving (St. Luke 11:41). He calls us to keep a good and holy Lent. The Lord is in His Holy Temple, let all the earth keep silence before Him!

LITURGY OF THE PALMS

I. Scriptural Lesson

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: Behold thy King cometh unto thee, lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass. Priest: The Lord be with you People: And with thy Spirit Priest: Let us pray. Assist us mercifully with thy help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the meditation of those mighty acts, whereby thou hast given unto us life and immortality, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Gospel: St. Matthew 21:1ff 

And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

People: Praise be to Thee, O Christ.

II. The Blessing of the Palms

Increase O God, the faith of them that put their trust in thee, and graciously hear the prayers of thy servants who call upon thee: Let thy manifold mercies come down upon us, and thy bless +ing upon these palm and olive branches; and as in a figure of the Church, thou didst bless and multiply Noah going out of the ark and Moses when he came forth from Egypt with the children of Israel; so may we, bearing these palm and olive branches, go forth with good works to meet Christ, and through him enter into everlasting joy,Who with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth God,world without end.

Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: : And with thy spirit.
Priest: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up unto the Lord.
Priest: Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
People: It is meet and right so to do.

It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should praise thee, bless thee, and worship thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God; Who art glorious in the assembly of thy saints. For creatures serve thee, because they acknowledge thee alone as their God and their Creator; and all that thou hast made doth praise thee, and thy saints also bless the: Because they confess, with willing voices, before the kings and rulers of this present world, that great Name of thine only begotten Son; Before whom stand Angels and Archangels, Thrones and Dominations; and with all the multitude of the heavenly host, they sing together the hymn of thy glory, ever more praising thee, and saying.

People: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts, Heaven and earth are full of thy glory; Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High. Amen. Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

III. Distribution of the Palms

Priest: The children of the Hebrews, bearing branches, went out to meet the Lord, crying out and saying: Hosanna in the highest.
All: Hosanna to the Son of David: blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Here the Palms are distributed and the following Psalm is said.

Psalm 122 Laetatus sum 

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. 2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: 4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. 5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. 7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. 8 For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. 9 Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.

Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with thy spirit.
Priest: Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, who didst ordain that Jesus Christ our Lord should ride upon a colt, the foal of an ass and didst teach the multitudes to straw in his way their raiment and branches of trees, and likewise to sing Hosanna in his praise: grant, we beseech thee; that we may by thee be enabled to follow them in all innocency of life, and be made like unto them in rendering unto thee our true and worthy service. Through the same Christ our Lord.

IV. The Procession of Palms

Before the procession is formed, the following shall be said Priest: The multitudes with branches go forth to meet their Redeemer and give worthy homage to the triumphant Conqueror.

People: The Gentiles with their lips proclaim the Son of God: and in their praise of Christ, the Redeemer King, their voices thunder through the sky: Hosanna in the highest.

The entire congregation is solemnly invited by the priest at the altar to take part in the procession in this manner, Priest: Let us go forth in peace.

People: In the Name of Christ.

THE INTROIT: Domine ne longe. Psalm 22

BE not thou far from me, O Lord: thou art my succour, haste thee to help me. Save me from the lion’s mouth: thou hast heard me also from among the horns of the unicorns. 

Psalm 22. 

My God, my God, look upon me; why hast: thou forsaken me: and art so far from my health, and from the words of my complaint? Be not…

THE COLLECT:

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. This Collect only is said. This Collect is to be said every day, after the Collect appointed for the day, until Good Friday.

THE EPISTLE: Phippians 2:5ff

LET this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (here genuflect) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

GRADUAL Psalm 73

Thou hast holden me by my right hand; thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and after that receive me with glory. Truly God is loving unto Israel, even unto such as are of a clean heart. Nevertheless, my feet were almost gone, my treadings had well nigh slipt:. and why? I was grieved at the wicked, I do also see the ungodly in such prosperity.

TRACT Psalm 129

My God, my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me? And art so far from my health; and from the words of my complaint? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not: and in the night season also I take no rest. And thou continuest holy: O thou worship of Israel. Our fathers hoped in thee: they trusted in thee, and thou didst deliver them. They called upon thee, and were holpen: they put their trust in thee, and were not confounded. But as for me, I am a worm, and no man: a very scorn of men, and the outcast of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads, saying, He trusted in God, that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, if he will have him. They stand staring and looking upon me: they part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. Save me from the lion’s mouth: thou hast heard me also from among the horns of the unicorns. O praise the Lord, ye that fear him: magnify him, all ye of the seed of Jacob. They shall be counted unto the Lord for a generation: they shall come, and the heavens shall declare his righteousness. Unto a peopIe that shall be born: whom the Lord hath made.

The Passion is begun immediately: Cleanse my heart is not said, nor is a blessing asked, nor are lights and incense carried. The Lord be with you is not said, nor is Glory be to thee, O Lord; the Celebrant, when he announces The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew, does not sign the book, or himself. And this order is to be observed on the other days also, when the Passion is read.

THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, ACCORDING TO SAINT MATTHEW

NARRATOR: WHEN the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: and when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver unto the chief priests and elders, saying:

Judas: I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.

NARRATOR: And they said,

ALL: What is that to us? see thou to that.

NARRATOR: And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said,

ALL: It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

NARRATOR: And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value, and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me. And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying,

Pilate: Art thou the King of the Jews?

NARRATOR: And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Jesus: Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

NARRATOR: And he answered him to never a word: insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notabIe prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them,

Pilate: Whom will ye that I release unto you? 

Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

NARRATOR: For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment-seat, his wife sent unto him, saying,
Woman: Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

NARRATOR: But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them,

Pilate: Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you?

NARRATOR: They said,

ALL: Barabbas.

NARRATOR: Pilate saith unto them,
1Pilate: What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?

NARRATOR: They all say unto him,

ALL: Let him be crucified.

NARRATOR: And the governor said,

Pilate: Why, what evil hath he done?

NARRATOR: But they cried out the more, saying,

ALL: Let him be crucified.

NARRATOR: When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying,

Pilate: I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

NARRATOR: Then answered all the people, and said,

ALL: His blood be on us, and on our children.

NARRATOR: Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying,

ALL: Hail, King of the Jews!

NARRATOR: And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; and set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, and saying,
ALL: Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

NARRATOR: Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

ALL: He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

NARRATOR: The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying,

Jesus: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
NARRATOR: Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said,

ALL: This man calleth for Elias.

NARRATOR: And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said,

ALL: Let be, let us see whether Elias wiIl come to save him.

NARRATOR: Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

Here all kneel and make a short pause.

NARRATOR: AND, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching; Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying,

ALL: Truly this was the Son of God.

Here endeth the reading of the Passion.

THE OFFERTORY: Psalm 119. Psalm 69. 

Thy rebuke hath broken my heart; I am full of heaviness: I looked for some to have pity on me, but there was no man, neither found I any to comfort me. They gave me gall to eat; and when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.

THE COMMUNION: 1Cor 11 Saint Matthew 26

O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it: thy will be done.

THE POST-COMMUNION: 

LOOK graciously upon thy faithful peopIe, we beseech thee, O Lord: that calling to mind again the beginnings of their redemption, they may abound more and more in the fruition of the gift whereby they have been refreshed. Through 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.

Customs & Traditions of Lent

The Stations of the Cross

Traditionally, Lenten devotions in parish churches have drawn attention to the suffering and death of Jesus. The most popular one is known as the Stations of the Cross. During the time of the (1095-127O), it became popular for pilgrims to the Holy Land to walk in the footsteps of Jesus to Calvary. In the next two centuries, after the Moslems recaptured the Holy Land, pilgrimages were too dangerous. A substitute pilgrimage, the Stations of the cross, became a popular outdoor devotion throughout Europe during the middle Ages. They represented critical events from Scripture or tradition of Jesus’ journey to Calvary and varied in number from five to 20 until the 18th century when Pope Clement XII fixed the number at 14. In the mid-18th century, Stations were allowed inside churches. The stations became a familiar feature in Catholic Churches. In the 1960s, it became popular to add a fifteenth Station representing the end of the journey: the resurrection.

THREE LENTEN DUTIES

The three great Lenten duties are prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. These are meant to discipline and improve us in relation to God (prayer), others (almsgiving), and ourselves (fasting). While the three duties are co-ordinated, they are not the same. Each requires something different. In relation to God we need more and better prayers, and in particular more adoration. Prayer is the root of our spiritual life, without which everything else that matters will wither. In relation to others we need more generosity and service. If we do not have money to give, ten we can give our time or talents. If God has so confined us that we have neither money nor direct contact to give, then we can at least give others our support with intercessory prayer for them. In relation to ourselves we need self-discipline and self-control. If we cannot control our physical appetites in a small way, then we will never have much hope of controlling our tempers, our pride, our envy, and the other spiritual failings that so often beset us. God calls us to fast (St. Matthew 9:15), and to pray (I Thessalonians 5:17), and to almsgiving (St. Luke 11:41). He calls us to keep a good and holy Lent. The Lord is in His Holy Temple, let all the earth keep silence before Him!