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The following comes from The Liturgy for Africa (1964). It was crafted by Englishmen for Africans, and consequently never enjoyed wide use. However, its ideas proved very fruitful for the next generation of African Anglican liturgies. No one really liked the Liturgy for Africa because it tried to satisfy both high church and low church dioceses, and as a consequence no one was very pleased with the result.
Today different typography and text setting would have made it more appealing. Regardless of its appeal, it produced some marvellous prayers and ideas. For example, the three forms of Confession that follow -- all at the beginning of the Liturgy -- could be used for a Low Mass, a High Mass, and a weekday Mass or the parish priest could simply choose what was appropriate for his congregation and the occasion:
* Then the Minister exhorts the people in these or like words:
You who truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead the new life, following the commandments of God and walking from henceforth in his holy ways, make your humble confession to Almighty God, that you may be reconciled anew to him to one another through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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After a short silence the Minister and people say:
Heavenly Father, we confess that we have sinned against thee and our neighbour. We have walked in darkness rather than light; we have named the name of Christ, but have not followed him. Have mercy upon us, we beseech thee; for the sake of Jesus Christ forgive us all our sins; bring us to true repentance; cleanse our hearts and consciences by thy Holy Spirit: that we may receive power to forgive others and to serve thee in newness of life, to the glory of thy holy name. Amen.
Then the Minister says:
Hear the gracious word of God to all who truly turn to him in penitence and faith:
Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
If anyone sins, 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.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
| or | After a short silence the Minister says:
I confess to God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, before the whole company of heaven and you all, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through my own grievous fault; wherefore I pray God to have mercy upon me and you to pray for me.
And the people say:
Almighty God have mercy upon you, forgive you all your sins, and bring you to eternal life.
Then the people make confession:
We confess to God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, before the whole company of heaven and you, that we have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through our own grievous fault: wherefore we pray God to have mercy upon us and you to pray for us.
And the Minister says:
Almighty God have mercy upon you, forgive you all your sins, and bring you to eternal life. Amen.
| or | After a short silence the Minister and people say:
We confess to God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, before the whole company of heaven that we have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through our own grievous fault: wherefore we pray God to have mercy upon us.
And the Minister says:
Almighty God have mercy upon us, forgive us all our sins, and preserve us in eternal life. Amen. |
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If a Priest is present, he says:
The Almighty and Merciful Lord grant unto you pardon, absolution, and remission of all your sins. Amen. |
+Gloria tibi, Domine
