THE NEW LITURGY

The Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper

THE CELEBRATION OF HOLY EUCHARIST
AND MINISTRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION

Morehouse-Barlow Co.
NEW YORK

 
THE MINISTERS OF THE LITURGY

    At celebrations of the Holy Eucharist, it is fitting that the officiating Minister, whether a Bishop or Priest, be assisted by other clergymen and laymen, in accordance with the Canons and customs of the Church.
    When the Bishop is present, it is his prerogative to preside as officiant at the Lord’s Table and to preach the Gospel.
    When Priests other than the officiant are present, it is appropriate that they stand with the officiant at the Holy Table as fellow ministers of the Sacrament, and join in the Offering and Consecration of the gifts at the altar, in the Breaking of the Bread, and in the ministering of the Communion.
    A Deacon, if present, should read the Gospel and lead the Prayer of Intercession. Deacons should also assist the officiant in preparing the elements of bread and wine at the Offertory, and in the ministration of the Sacrament to the people. In the absence of a Deacon, his duties may be performed by an assisting Priest.
    Lay Persons from the congregation, appointed by the Priest, should normally be assigned the reading of the Old Testament Lesson and the Epistle. And in the absence of a Deacon, they may lead the Prayer of Intercession.

NOTE

In this edition, intended for study and congregational use as authorized, the General Rubrics have been inserted at the appropriate places in the service, as have the Te Deum Laudamus and the Offertory Sentences.
 

The Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper

THE CELEBRATION OF HOLY EUCHARIST
AND MINISTRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION
 

[The Holy Table shall be spread with a fair white cloth during the celebration.]

[The officiant shall begin the service, standing before the Holy Table or at some other suitable place.]

A Psalm or Hymn may be sung during the Entrance of the Ministers.

The Priest or Minister appointed shall say,

Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People

And blessed be his Kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

Priest

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Priest or Deacon

Our Lord Jesus Christ says,

The first commandment is this:
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.”

The second is like it,
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

There is no other commandment greater than these. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.

Then this Hymn may be sung or said,

Kyrie eleison.
    Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.

or,

Lord, have mercy upon us.
    Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

or this,

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal,
Have mercy upon us.

[The Kyrie eleison may be sung or said in threefold, sixfold, or ninefold form. The Trisagion may be said or sung three times.]
 

Here, when appointed, shall be sung or said the Hymn,

Gloria in excelsis

Glory be to God on High:
    and on earth peace, good will towards men.
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, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ:
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
    who takest away the sin of the world,
    have mercy upon us.
Thou who takest away the sin of the world,
    receive our prayer.
Thou who sittest at the right hand of God the Father,
    have mercy upon us.

For thou only art holy,
Thou only art the Lord.
Thou only, O Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

or the Hymn,

Te Deum laudamus

We praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud; the Heavens, and all the Powers therein;
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee;
The Father, of an infinite Majesty;
Thine adorable, true, and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.

Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, thou didst humble thyself to be born of a Virgin.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints, in glory everlasting.

O Lord, save thy people, and bless thine heritage.
Govern them, and lift them up for ever.
Day by day we magnify thee;
And we worship thy Name ever, world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy be upon us, as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted; let me never be confounded.

[The Gloria in excelsis or the Te Deum Laudamus shall be sung or said on all Sundays and other festivals, except the Sundays in Advent, Pre-Lent, and Lent, and may be omitted on the Sundays after Trinity.]

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

Then the Priest shall say,

The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Let us pray.

The Collect

[The Collect of the Season or of the Octave, if any is appointed, shall be said first, and after that the Collect of the Day.]

The People shall be seated for the following Lessons.

The Old Testament Lesson

[A Lesson from the Old Testament may be read after the Collect and before the Epistle, according to the Table of “Psalms and Lessons for the Christian Year.”]

The Epistle

The person who reads the Lesson (if there be one appointed) and the Epistle shall stand in a pulpit or some other suitable place, and face the People, first saying,

The Word of God, written in the Book of ________

or,

written in the Epistle ________

[At the end of the Lesson or of the Epistle, the reader shall say, “Here ends the Lesson,” or “Here ends the Epistle.”]

After the Lesson and after the Epistle, a Psalm or Hymn may be sung.

The Gospel

Then, all the People standing, the Deacon (or a Priest) shall face the People and read the Gospel from a pulpit or some other suitable place, first saying,

The Holy Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, according to Saint _______

And the People shall say,
Glory be to thee, O Lord.

After the Gospel, the People shall say,
Praise be to thee, O Christ.

[Before the Sermon, or after the Nicene Creed, notice shall be given of what Holy Days in the week following are to be observed, of the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist, of the Banns of Matrimony, and other proper matters to be published. And prayers set forth by authority may be used.]

    Then follows

THE SERMON
 

On all Sundays and festivals, there follows, the People standing,

THE NICENE CREED

We believe in one God
    the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,
    and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
    the only-begotten Son of God,
    begotten of the Father before all worlds:
God, of God: Light, of Light: Very God, of very God:
    begotten, not made,
    being of one substance with the Father,
    and through whom all things were made:
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven,
    and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary,
    and was made man:
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate;
    he suffered and was buried:
And the third day he rose again
    in accordance with the Scriptures:
And ascended into heaven,
    and is seated at the right hand of the Father:
And he shall come again, with glory,
    to judge both the living and the dead;
    his kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord:
The Giver of Life,
    proceeding from the Father:
Who with the Father and the Son together
    is worshipped and glorified;
    who spoke by the Prophets.
And we believe in one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church:
We acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins:
And we look for the resurrection of the dead,
    and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Here on occasions, and as appointed, follows

THE PENITENTIAL ORDER
(see pages 25-26)

Then the Priest and People shall exchange one with another

THE PEACE

The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
And with your spirit.

After which, the Deacon or Priest, or some other person appointed, shall lead the People in
 

THE PRAYER OF INTERCESSION

In peace, let us pray to the Lord:

For the peace from above, for the salvation of mankind: that righteousness, mercy, and truth may prevail among all peoples and nations,

Hear us, good Lord.

For the well-being of thy holy Catholic Church in every place: that thou wilt confirm it in the truth of thy holy Word, and grant to all Christians to live in unity, love, and concord,

Hear us, good Lord.

For Bishops and other Ministers, especially for N., our Presiding Bishop, N (N)., our Bishop(s), and those who serve thee in this place: that both by their life and teaching, they may set forth thy true and life-giving Word, and faithfully administer thy holy Sacraments,

Hear us, good Lord.

For all who bear authority in this and every land, and especially for the President of the United States [or, of this Nation]: that in thy holy fear they may govern the peoples in wisdom, justice, and peace.

Hear us, good Lord.

For all who spread the Gospel among the nations, and who minister to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy: that they may have strength and courage to fulfill thy holy will,

Hear us, good Lord.

For all who labor in commerce and industry, especially those whose work is dangerous or burdensome; for all who are engaged in the arts and sciences, and those who teach and study in schools of good learning; for all who keep house and train children: that they may be worthy of their calling to serve thee and their fellow men,

Hear us, good Lord.

For those who farm the fields and tend the woods; for all who gather the harvest of the lands and of the waters; and for our faithful use of thy creative bounty: that mankind, being delivered from famine and disaster, may acknowledge thy glory in all thy works,

Hear us, good Lord.

[Here may be inserted any particular bidding, according to times and occasions, or at the special request of the Congregation.

For ____________, and more especially ____________: that they may ____________, according to thy will,

Hear us, good Lord.

For all who in this transitory life are in danger, trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity [and especially for thy servants NN.]: that they may have comfort and relief according to their necessities,

Hear us, good Lord.

For all thy people, and especially those who worship in this place: that with faith, reverence, and godly fear, they may serve thee with a glad mind and ready will all the days of their life,

Hear us, good Lord.

Have mercy upon us, most merciful Lord, and deliver us from all affliction, strife, and catastrophe: in thy compassion forgive us all our sins and failures, known and unknown, things done and left undone: and so uphold us by thy Spirit, that we may end our days in peace, trusting in thy mercy at the day of judgment,

Hear us, good Lord.

We commend to thy keeping all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear [and especially thy servant(s), N (N).]: that thou wilt grant them mercy, light and peace. May we with all thy saints [and especially N., whose faith and devotion we commemorate this day], be partakers of thine everlasting kingdom: through the mercies and merits of thy Son, Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate.

To thee be honor, glory, and dominion, now and forever. Amen.

If there is no Communion, all that is appointed through the Prayer of Intercession may be said, concluding with The Lord’s Prayer and The Grace. [For reasonable cause, a Deacon, or a Lay Reader specially licensed by the Bishop, may say all that is appointed through the Prayer of Intercession, except the Absolution in the Penitential Order.]

THE OFFERTORY

The Priest shall go to the Holy Table and begin The Offertory as follows, the People standing.

Let us with gladness present the offerings and oblations of our life and labor unto the Lord.

The Priest may read one or more of the Offertory Sentences.
 

OFFERTORY SENTENCES

To be used at The Offertory of the Holy Eucharist, and on other occasions of public worship when the offerings of the People are to be received.

Give to the Lord the glory due his Name; bring an offering and come into his courts. [Psalm 96:8.]
    Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God. [Ephesians 5:2.]
    I pray you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. [Romans 12:1.]
    If you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. [St. Matthew 5:23-24.]
    Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” [Acts 20:35.]
    As we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. [Galatians 6:10.]
    God is just; he will not overlook your work and the love which you have showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do serve. [Hebrews 6:10.]
    If any one has the goods of this world and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? [I John 3:17.]
    The King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” [St. Matthew 25:40.]
    How are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent? [Romans 10:14.]
    Jesus said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” [St. Luke 10:2.]

Representatives of the Congregation shall receive the alms and other offerings of the People. Both the alms and the oblations of bread and wine shall be brought to the Deacon or Priest. The Priest shall present and offer the alms and oblations, and place them upon the Holy Table, the People standing.

[During the Offertory, and also at the time of the ministration of the Communion, Hymns or Anthems may be sung.]

One of the following Sentences may be said or sung at

THE PRESENTATION

Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty:
    For all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine.
Thine is the kingdom, O Lord,
    And thou art exalted as head above all.

or this,

All things come of thee, O Lord:
    And of thine own have we given thee.

or this,

Worthy art thou, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power,
    For thou hast created all things, and by thy will they exist and were created.
 

THE CONSECRATION

The Priest shall face the People, still standing, and shall sing or say,

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

It is truly 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:

on Sundays

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life:

Or the Proper Preface, as appointed (pages 27-30):

Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name, evermore praising thee and saying,

Priest and People

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts: Heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most high.

Here the People may kneel; and the Priest shall continue,

All glory be to thee, Almighty God, Holy Father, Creator of heaven and earth, who didst make us in thine own image. And when we had fallen into sin, thou of thy tender mercy didst give thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, to take our nature upon him, and to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption: Who made there, by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full and perfect sacrifice for the whole world: And instituted and commanded us to continue this perpetual memorial of his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again.
    For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took bread; and when he had given thanks to thee, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” [Here the Priest is to lay his hands upon all the bread]
    In the same way also, after supper, he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink this, all of you: For this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is poured out for you and many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” [Here he is to lay his hand upon every vessel of wine to be blessed.]

Wherefore, O Lord and holy Father, we thy people do celebrate here before thy Divine Majesty, with these thy holy Gifts, which we offer unto thee, the memorial of the blessed Passion and precious Death of thy dear Son, his mighty Resurrection and glorious Ascension, looking for his Coming again in power and great glory. And herewith we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, which is our bounden duty and service. And we entirely desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept, through the eternal mediation of our Saviour Jesus Christ, this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.

We pray thee, gracious Father, of thine almighty power, to bless and sanctify us and these holy Mysteries with thy Life-giving Word and Holy Spirit. Fill with thy grace all who partake of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Make us one Body, that he may dwell in us and we in him. And grant that with boldness we may confess thy Name in constancy of faith, and at the last Day enter with all thy saints into the joy of thine eternal kingdom:
    Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end.

AMEN.

As our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are now bold to say:

Priest and People

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
 

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

Here the Priest shall break the consecrated Bread, and silence shall be kept for a space.

Then shall be said or sung the following Anthem, or some other proper Hymn. From Easter Day to Trinity Sunday,

Alleluia

may be sung or said before and after the Anthem.

Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
Therefore let us keep the feast.
    Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Then the Priest shall face the People and say,

Holy things for the People of God: Take them in remembrance that Christ gives himself for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

The Minister who delivers the Bread shall say,

The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you unto everlasting life.

The Minister who delivers the Cup shall say,

The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you unto everlasting life.

Opportunity shall always be given to every communicant to receive the consecrated Bread and Wine separately. But the Sacrament may be received in both kinds simultaneously, in such manner as is authorized by the Ordinary, in which case the Minister shall say,

The Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you unto everlasting life.

When all have communicated, the Priest shall say,

Let us give thanks to the Lord.

Priest and People

Almighty and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee, That thou dost feed us in these holy Mysteries, With the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ, Assuring us thereby of thy favor and goodness towards us; And that we are truly members incorporate in the mystical Body of thy Son, The blessed company of all faithful people; And heirs, through hope, of thine everlasting kingdom. And we humbly pray thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us by thy Holy Spirit, That we may continue in that holy fellowship, And do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, To whom, with thee and the same Spirit, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

Then shall the Priest or Deacon dismiss the People as follows. But if the Bishop is present, he shall dismiss the People and give them his blessing.

Go forth into the world in peace. Be strong and of good courage. Hold fast that which is good. Love and serve the Lord with gladness and singleness of heart, rejoicing in the power of his Spirit. Amen.
 

THE ORDER FOR CELEBRATION
OF HOLY EUCHARIST

[Certain of the following rubrics, enclosed in square brackets, have been inserted, also, in appropriate places in the text.]

The Holy Table shall be spread with a fair white cloth during the celebration.
    The officiant shall begin the service, standing before the Holy Table or at some other suitable place.
    A Psalm or Canticle may always be sung in place of a Hymn.
    The Kyrie eleison may be sung or said in threefold, sixfold, or ninefold form. The Trisagion may be said or sung three times.
    The Gloria in excelsis or the Te Deum Laudamus shall be sung or said on all Sundays and other festivals, except the Sundays in Advent, Pre-Lent, and Lent, and may be omitted on the Sundays after Trinity.
    The Collect of the Season or of the Octave, if any is appointed, shall be said first, and after that the Collect of the Day.
    A Lesson from the Old Testament may be read after the Collect and before the Epistle, according to the Table of “Psalms and Lessons for the Christian Year.”
    At the end of the Lesson or of the Epistle, the reader shall say, “Here ends the Lesson,” or “Here ends the Epistle.”
    Before the Sermon, or after the Nicene Creed, notice shall be given of what Holy Days in the week following are to be observed, of the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist, of the Banns of Matrimony, and other proper matters to be published. And prayers set forth by authority may be used.
    The Nicene Creed may be omitted, except on Sundays and festivals.
    The Penitential Order shall be said on the First Sunday in Advent, Ash Wednesday, the First Sunday in Lent, Passion Sunday, and the First Sunday after Trinity, and at other times at the discretion of the Priest. Where desired, the Order may be said before the Liturgy, or after the Summary of the Law.
    If there is no Communion, all that is appointed through the Prayer of Intercession may be said, concluding with The Lord’s Prayer and The Grace. For reasonable cause, a Deacon, or a Lay Reader specially licensed by the Bishop, may say all that is appointed through the Prayer of Intercession, except the Absolution in the Penitential Order.
    During the Offertory, and also at the time of ministration of the Communion, Hymns or Anthems may be sung.
    While the People are coming forward to receive the Holy Communion, the Priest shall first receive the Sacrament in both kinds himself. Then the same shall be delivered into the hands of the Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, assisting at the Holy Table; and after that to the People.
    When the officiant is assisted by a Deacon or another Priest, it is customary for the officiant to minister the consecrated Bread, and the assistant to minister the Chalice. When several Deacons or Priests are present, some may minister the Bread, others the Wine, as the officiant may direct.
    If the consecrated Bread or Wine be spent before all have communicated, the Priest is to consecrate more of either, or both, saying,

Hear us, O heavenly Father, and with thy Word and Holy Spirit bless and sanctify this Bread (or, Wine) that it also may be the Sacrament of the precious Body (or, Blood) of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    If any of the consecrated Bread or Wine remain, apart from any which may be required for the Communion of the Sick, or of others who for weighty cause could not be present at the celebration, the Priest (or Deacon) and other communicants shall reverently eat and drink the same, either immediately after the Communion of the People or after the Dismissal.
 

THE PENITENTIAL ORDER

[The Penitential Order shall be said on the First Sunday in Advent, Ash Wednesday, the First Sunday in Lent, Passion Sunday, and the First Sunday after Trinity, and at other times at the discretion of the Priest. Where desired, the Order may be said before the Liturgy, or after the Summary of the Law.]

The People standing, a Deacon or Priest shall say this Invitation:

You that truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking hereafter in his holy ways: Draw near with faith to receive the holy Sacrament, and make your humble confession to Almighty God, in the presence of his Church, devoutly kneeling.

Here silence may be kept for a space.

Then this General Confession shall be led by the Deacon, or a Priest, and repeated with him by all who intend to receive the Holy Communion, humbly kneeling.

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men:
    We acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we have committed against thy Divine Majesty, by thought, word, and deed. We do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings.
    Have mercy on us, Have mercy on us, most merciful Father: For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, Forgive us our sins and offenses. And grant that we may ever hereafter, Serve and please thee in newness of life:
    To the honor and glory of thy Name; Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Here the Priest, standing up and facing the People, may say,

Hear the Word of God to all who truly turn to him:

Come unto me, all who travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. [St. Matthew 11:28.]
    God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. [St. John 3:16.]
    Faithful is the saying and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. [I Timothy 1:15.]
    If any one sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the expiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. [I John 2:1-2.]

Then shall the Bishop, if he is present, or the Priest, say this Absolution:

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins to all those who turn to him with true repentance and sincere faith: Have mercy upon you. Pardon and deliver you from all your sins. Confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

PROPER PREFACES

ADVENT

From the First Sunday in Advent until Christmas Day, except on Ember Days and Saints’ Days.

BECAUSE thou didst send thy well-beloved Son to redeem us from sin and death, and to make us sons and heirs in him of everlasting life: that when he shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold his appearing:

CHRISTMAS

From Christmas Day until the Epiphany.

Because thou didst give Jesus Christ, thine only Son, to be born as at this time for us; who, by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, was made perfect Man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother: that we, being delivered from the bondage of sin, might receive power to become the sons of God:

EPIPHANY

From the Epiphany until Septuagesima, except on Saints’ Days.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who, in the substance of our mortal nature, manifested forth his glory: that he might bring us out of darkness into his own marvelous light:

THE INCARNATION

Upon the Feasts of the Presentation, Annunciation, Visitation, and Transfiguration.

Because in the Mystery of the Word made flesh, thou hast caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of thy glory in the face of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord:

LENT

From Ash Wednesday until Passion Sunday, except upon Ember Days, the Annunciation, and major Saints’ Days.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who knows our infirmities, for he was in every way tempted as we are, yet did not sin; by whose grace we are able to triumph over every evil, and to live no longer unto ourselves, but unto him who died for us and rose again:

PASSIONTIDE

From Passion Sunday through Maundy Thursday, except on the Annunciation. This Preface may also be used on the Feast of the Holy Cross.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who for our sins was lifted up on the Cross, that he might draw all men to himself; who, although a Son, learned obedience through his sufferings; and, being perfected, became the Author of eternal salvation to all who obey him:

EASTER

From Easter Day until Ascension Day, except on major Holy Days.

But chiefly are we bound to praise thee for the glorious Resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the Paschal Lamb, who was offered for us, and has taken away the sin of the world; who by his death has overcome death, and by his rising to life again has given to us everlasting life:

ASCENSION

From Ascension Day until Whitsunday.

Through thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who, after his most glorious Resurrection, openly appeared to all his Apostles, and in their sight was taken into heaven, to prepare a place for us: that where he is, thither we might also ascend, and reign with him in glory:

WHITSUNTIDE

On Whitsunday and six days after. The Preface (without the words “at this time”) may be used on Feasts of the Apostles.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord; according to whose true promise, the Holy Spirit came down at this time from heaven upon the disciples, to teach them and to lead them into all truth; giving them boldness with fervent zeal constantly to preach the Gospel to all nations:

TRINITY SUNDAY

Whom with thy co-eternal Son and Holy Spirit we worship as one God and one Lord, in Trinity of Persons and in Unity of Being; and we celebrate the one and equal glory of thee, O Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:

ALL SAINTS

On All Saints’ Day and seven days after; and upon other Saints’ Days, except those of Apostles and those in Christmastide and Ascensiontide.

Who, in the multitude of thy saints, hast compassed us about with so great a cloud of witnesses: that we, rejoicing in their fellowship, may run with patience the race that is set before us; and, together with them, may receive the crown of glory that never fades away:

APOSTLES AND ORDINATIONS

To be used on Feasts of the Apostles, the Ember Days, and at the time of conferring Holy Orders: except the days from Christmas through the Epiphany, from Ascension Day through Trinity Sunday, and in the Octave of All Saints.

Through the great Shepherd of thy flock, Jesus Christ our Lord; who after his Resurrection sent forth his Apostles to preach the Gospel, and to teach all nations; and did promise to be with them always, even unto the end of the ages:

COMMEMORATION OF THE DEPARTED

Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who has brought to light the living hope of a blessed resurrection: that we may not grieve because of mortal death, but may rejoice in full assurance of our change into the likeness of his glory; for when our earthly habitation is dissolved, he has prepared for us a dwelling place eternal in the heavens:

CONCLUSION

After any of the Proper Prefaces, the Priest shall conclude, saying,

Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name, evermore praising thee and saying,

Priest and People

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts: Heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord most high.