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  Lesser Festivals September
     
     
    3 September Gregory the Great
White
   
Bishop of Rome, Teacher of the Faith, 604
 
     
    Collect
     
    Merciful Father,
who chose your bishop Gregory
to be a servant of the servants of God:
grant that, like him, we may ever long to serve you
by proclaiming your gospel to the nations,
and may ever rejoice to sing your praises;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
     
    Post Communion
     
    The Post Communion of Teachers of the Faith is used.
     
     
    8 September The Birth of the
White
                                                           Blessed Virgin Mary  
     
    Collect
     
    Almighty and everlasting God,
who stooped to raise fallen humanity
through the child-bearing of blessed Mary:
grant that we, who have seen your glory
      revealed in our human nature
and your love made perfect in our weakness,
may daily be renewed in your image
and conformed to the pattern of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
     
    Post Communion
     
    God most high,
whose handmaid bore the Word made flesh:
we thank you that in this sacrament of our redemption
you visit us with your Holy Spirit
and overshadow us by your power;
strengthen us to walk with Mary the joyful path of obedience
and so to bring forth the fruits of holiness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
     
     
    13 September John Chrysostom
White
   
Bishop of Constantinople, Teacher of the Faith, 407
 
     
    Collect
     
    God of truth and love,
who gave to your servant John Chrysostom
eloquence to declare your righteousness in the great congregation
and courage to bear reproach for the honour of your name:
mercifully grant to those who minister your word
such excellence in preaching,
that all people may share with them
in the glory that shall be revealed;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
     
    Post Communion
     
    The Post Communion of Teachers of the Faith is used.
     
     
    15 September Cyprian
Red
   
Bishop of Carthage, Martyr, 258
 
     
    Collect
     
    Holy God,who brought Cyprian to faith in Christ,
made him a bishop in the Church
and crowned his witness with a martyr's death:
grant that, after his example,
we may love the Church and her teachings,
find your forgiveness within her fellowship
and so come to share the heavenly banquet
      you have prepared for us;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
     
    Post Communion
     
    One of the Post Communions of Martyrs is used.
     
     
    16 September Ninian
White
   
Bishop of Galloway, Apostle of the Picts, c.432
 
     
    Collect
     
    Almighty and everlasting God,
who called your servant Ninian to preach the gospel
      to the people of northern Britain:
raise up in this and every land
heralds and evangelists of your kingdom,
that your Church may make known the immeasurable riches
      of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
     
    Post Communion
     
    The Post Communion of Missionaries is used.
     
     
    17 September Hildegard
White
   
Abbess of Bingen, Visionary, 1179
 
     
    Collect
     
    Most glorious and holy God,
whose servant Hildegard, strong in the faith,
was caught up in the vision of your heavenly courts:
by the breath of your Spirit
open our eyes to glimpse your glory
and our lips to sing your praises with all the angels;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
     
    Post Communion
     
    The Post Communion of Members of Religious Communities is used.
     
     
    20 September John Coleridge Patteson
Red
   
First Bishop of Melanesia,
 
   
and his Companions, Martyrs, 1871
 
     
    Collect
     
    God of all tribes and peoples and tongues,
who called your servant John Coleridge Patteson
to witness in life and death to the gospel of Christ
amongst the peoples of Melanesia:
grant us to hear your call to service
and to respond trustfully and joyfully
to Jesus Christ our redeemer,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
     
    Post Communion
     
    One of the Post Communions of Martyrs is used.
     
     
    25 September Lancelot Andrewes
White
   
Bishop of Winchester, Spiritual Writer, 1626
 
     
    Collect
     
    Lord God,
who gave to Lancelot Andrewes many gifts of your Holy Spirit,
making him a man of prayer and a pastor of your people:
perfect in us that which is lacking in your gifts,
      of faith, to increase it,
      of hope, to establish it,
      of love, to kindle it,
that we may live in the light of your grace and glory;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
     
    Post Communion
     
    The Post Communion of Bishops is used.
     
     
    27 September Vincent de Paul
White
   
Founder of the Congregation of the Mission (Lazarists), 1660
 
     
    Collect
     
    Merciful God,
whose servant Vincent de Paul,
by his ministry of preaching and pastoral care,
brought your love to the sick and the poor:
give to all your people a heart of compassion
that by word and action they may serve you
      in serving others in their need;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
     
    Post Communion
     
    The Post Communion of Members of Religious Communities is used.
     
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