Nativity of S. John Baptist

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Collects and Prayers
for the Nativity 
of Saint John the Forerunner of the Lord

Almighty God, by whose providence thy servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of thy Son our Saviour by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and, after his example, constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake; through the same Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Anglican Use

O God, who raised up Saint John the Baptist

to make ready a nation fit for Christ the Lord,

give your people, we pray,

the grace of spiritual joys

and direct the hearts of all the faithful

into the way of salvation and peace.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you 

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect for Mass

Roman Missal

Grant, we pray, almighty God,

that your family may walk in the way of salvation

and attentive to what Saint John the Precursor urged,

may come safely to the One he foretold,

our Lord Jesus Christ.

Who lives and reigns with you 

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect for the Vigil

Roman Missal

O Prophet and Forerunner of the Coming of Christ, * we who honor you with love do not know how to praise you worthily; * for through your glorious and honored birth * your mother’s barrenness and your father’s voicelessness were loosened * and the Incarnation of the Son of God * was proclaimed to the world! (Troparion - Tone 4)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Today, she who once was barren, gives birth to the Forerunner of Christ, * and he is the fulfillment of all prophecy; * for, when he, in the Jordan, laid his hand on Him Whom the prophets foretold, * he has been shown to be the Prophet, the Herald and the Forerunner of the Word of God. (Kontakion - Tone 3)

Divine Liturgy of the

Byzantine Catholic Church

Saint Elisabeth, Mother of the Forerunner of Christ, 

pray for us to the Lord.

Saint Zechariah, intercede for us.

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