May the three-fold blessing of the Triune God be upon all who visit my blog.
Pray for me, a sinner.
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Good St. Matthew, pray for me
The General Collect of The Family Uher
O MIGHTY and merciful God, who gavest thy Son Jesus Christ to be born of the Blessed Virgin Mary and to be guarded by the just, venerable, and blessed Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse: Keep the Holy Family ever before our eyes so that we may rightly order our own family to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord who with thee and the Holy Ghost art one God in glory everlasting. Amen.
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St Columba, pray for me.
Pilgrimage of Grace
Holy Wounds Banner
ETERNAL Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all of the souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, those within my house, and in my own family. Amen.
Walsingham Abbey
Ave Jesu Christe
Our Lady of the Atonement, pray for us.
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O God of unchangeable Power & eternal Light: Lookfavourably on thy whole Church, that wonderful and sacred Mystery; by the effectual working of thy Providence, carryout in tranquillity the plan of Salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being madenew, and that all things are being brought to their perfectionby Him through Whom all things were made, thy Son JesusChrist our Lord; who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unityof the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
As with Radio Walsingham's first 10 years of broadcasting, I am the volunteer chief cook and bottle washer. I find the music that we broadcast, and I prepare the basic playlists that are scheduled throughout the broadcasting day.
Click here to go to the main page for Radio Walsingham's broadcast stream. There is a blue and white 'Listen Now' button that will start the broadcast stream.
I hope you will share with others the news that RADIO WALSINGHAM has returned!
Unfortunately if you live in Germany or a few other countries outside of the USA copyright laws prohibit you from listening to our broadcast at this time. One can easily work around this by installing a VPN that allows you to make your computer appear to be located in the USA. There are several on the market, and most of them have indelicate names. I would not let that put you off if it is the means through which you can listen to music and programming in the USA or other nations.
GOD, who resistest the proud, and givest grace to the humble: grant us the virtue of true humility, whereof Thine Only-begotten showed in Himself a pattern for Thy faithful; that we may never by our pride provoke Thine anger, but rather by our meekness receive the riches of Thy grace. Amen. O GOD, who rejectest none that come unto Thee, but in loving-kindness art appeased even with the greatest sinners who repent: mercifully regard our prayers in our humiliation, and enlighten our hearts that we may be able to fulfil Thy commandments. Amen. O GOD, who justifiest the ungodly, and willest not the death of a sinner: we humbly entreat Thy Majesty to protect Thy servants, who trust in Thy mercy, with Thy heavenly assistance, and preserve them by Thy continual protection; that they may constantly serve Thee, and by no temptation be separated from Thee. Amen. ALMIGHTY and most Merciful God, who didst cause a fount of living water to spring out of a rock for Thy people in their thirst: draw forth tears of compunction from our stony hearts; that we may weep over our sins, and by Thy mercy deserve to obtain pardon for the same. Amen.
SAINT Joseph, defender and father of Virgins, unto whose faithful guardianship were committed Christ Jesus, very Innocence, and Mary, Virgin of virgins: I pray and beseech thee by Jesus and Mary, thy dearly beloved charge, that thou wouldst preserve me from all uncleanness; and make me with undefiled mind, and in purity of heart and boy, ever to serve Jesus and Mary in perfect chastity. Amen.
Through them Thou didst draw the world into Thy net.
O Lover of Man, glory to Thee!
There was a time when the Monday following was both a secular and a religious holiday throughout Europe. In England this day was (and is ) called Whit Monday. In the Orthodox nations this day is designated as "Monday of the Holy Spirit".
For the Eastern Orthodox the Monday of the Holy Spirit seems utterly unique in the liturgical calendar, but it has one notable parallel in the liturgical life of the Eastern Orthodox Churches with the Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos Maria on the 26th of December.
The celebration of the Blessed God-bearer Mary the day after Nativity expresses an attention to Saint Mary who is the very person without whom the Nativity would not have taken place. In a similar fashion the Monday of the Holy Spirit is dedicated to the very Person without whom the miraculous events of Pentecost would never have taken place that is the Holy Ghost, the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity.
If we look to the ancient Syriac Fathers of the Church, we see a relationship between the Blessed Mother and the Holy Spirit stated very explicitly. Mary gives birth to Jesus. The Holy Spirit gives birth to the Church.
By way of example, Saint Ephrem the Syrian (called the Harp of the Spirit and who is a Doctor of the Church for Roman Catholics) uses the feminine Syriac word ruha for 'Spirit' which is the same as ruah in Hebrew. St Ephrem also uses feminine pronouns and verbal forms when speaking of the Holy Spirit whereas in a much later era, long after the falling-asleep of Saint Ephrem, the Syriac Church began to speak of the Holy Spirit with masculine pronouns whilst continuing to use the feminine word ruha for Spirit.
[For further reading concerning this early Christian understanding of the feminine and maternal imagery for the Holy Spirit, please see pp. 171-179 of Letter and Spirit: The Hermeneutic of Continuity Christ, Kingdom, and Creation edited by Scott Hahn.]
On this Whit Monday I encourage us all to take time and sit with the Holy Ghost. Let us nvite the Holy Spirit to brood over us, to hover over us even as the Spirit of God hovered over the waters of Creation and still hovers over the Eucharistic Sacrifice of the Church.
I have decided to return to Galveston Island. I left after Hurricane Ike and the destruction of my home. Now it is clear I am to move back and begin anew.
As a part of that I am selling some of my more valuable books on eBay. Here is a listing for a fine edition of The Sarum Missal by Orthodox Priest Fr. Aidan Keller: LINK
At the moment only one book is listed but I will be listing an unused edition of the Haydock Douay-Rheims Holy Bible and a number of other books that should be of interest to Christians from various traditions.
I will also be selling a new book that concerns the matter of 'aerial toll-houses' in the afterlife as taught non-dogmatically by some in the Eastern Orthodox Churches. Some equate this teaching to the Roman Catholic doctrine of Purgatory, but there is no relation between the two.
O Eternal God! O Eternal Trinity! Through the union of Thy divine nature Thou hast made so precious the Blood of Thine only-begotten Son! O eternal Trinity, Thou art as deep a mystery as the sea, in whom the more I seek, the more I find; and the more I find, the more I seek. For even immersed in the depths of Thee, my soul is never satisfied, always famished and hungering for Thee, eternal Trinity, wishing and desiring to see Thee, the True Light.
O eternal Trinity, with the light of understanding I have tasted and seen the depths of Thy mystery and the beauty of Thy creation. In seeing myself in Thee, I have seen that I will become like Thee. O eternal Father, from Thy power and Thy wisdom clearly Thou hast given to me a share of that wisdom which belongs to Thine Only-begotten Son. And truly hast the Holy Spirit, who procedeth from Thee, Father and Son, given to me the desire to love Thee.
O eternal Trinity, Thou art my maker and I am Thy creation. Illuminated by Thee, I have learned that Thou hast made me a new creation through the Blood of Thine Only-begotten Son because Thou art captivated by love at the beauty of Thy creation.
O eternal Trinity, O Divinity, O unfathomable abyss, O deepest sea, what greater gift could Thou givest me then Thy very Self? Thou art a fire that burns eternally yet never consumed, a fire that consumes with Thy heat my self-love. Again and again Thou art the fire who taketh away all cold heartedness and illuminateth the mind by Thy light, the light with which Thou hast made me to know Thy truth.
By this mirrored light I know Thou are the highest good, a good above all good, a fortunate good, an incomprehensible good, an unmeasurable good, a beauty above all beauty, a wisdom above all wisdom, for Thou art wisdom itself, the the food of angels, the fire of love that Thou givest to man.
Thou art the garment covering our nakedness. Thou feedest our family with Thy sweetness, a sweetness Thou art from which there is no trace of bitterness. O Eternal Trinity! Amen.
Pentecost, Sarum Missal Deus qui hodierna die corda fidelium Sancti Spiritus illustratione docuisti : da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere, et de ejus semper consolatione gaudere.
Whitsunday, 1549 BCP God, which as upon this day hast taught the hearts of thy faithful people, by the sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgement in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end.
Pentecost, commonly called Whitsunday, second collect, 1928 USA Almighty and most merciful God, grant, we beseech thee, that by the indwelling of thy Holy Spirit, we may be enlightened and strengthened for thy service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the same Spirit ever, one God, world without end.
Monday in Whitsunday Week, 1928 USA Send, we beseech thee, Almighty God, thy Holy Spirit into our hearts, that he may direct and rule us according to thy will, comfort us in all our afflictions, defend us from all error, and lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the same Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end.
Tuesday in Whitsunday Week, 1928 USA Grant we beseech thee, merciful God, that thy Church, being gathered together in unity by thy Holy Spirit, may manifest thy power among all peoples, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the same Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Day of Pentecost, 1979 USA BCP Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit : Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you , in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Vigil of Pentecost, Pentecost Eve God our Father when your Son ascended into heaven he promised to send us the Holy Spirit : grant that we, who have not been left as orphans may abide always in that Spirit, and be loving and obedient disciples of your Son; who lives ...
An Anglican Prayer Book, CPSA, South Africa
Pentecost, First Collect, An Anglican Prayer Book, CPSA Almighty God, on the day of Pentecost you sent your Holy Spirit to the disciples with the wind from heaven and in tongues of flame : inspire our hearts and set them on fire with his joy and power and send us out as witnesses to the wonder of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives ...
Pentecost, Second Collect, Ireland Alternate Prayer Book Almighty God, who on the day of Pentecost sent the Holy Spirit to the disciples, filling them with joy and with boldness to preach the Gospel : Send us out in the power of the same Spirit to witness to your truth, and to draw all men to the fire of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Pentecost, Canada BAS Almighty and everliving God, who fulfilled the promises of Easter by sending us your Holy Spirit and opening to every race and nation the way of life eternal, keep us in the unity of your Spirit, that every tongue may tell of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives ...
Pentecost, Year B, A Prayer Book for Australia Almighty God, you sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your Church: open our hearts to the riches of your grace, that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit, in love, joy and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Pentecost, Year C, A Prayer Book for Australia O God, who in smoke and fire upon Mount Sinai gave the law to Moses, and who revealed the new covenant in the fire of the Spirit: grant, we pray, that, kindled by that same Spirit, which you poured forth upon your apostles, we may fulfil with joy your commandment of love. We ask this through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
I am very grateful that the first two verses of this hymn are included in the month of May edition of Magnificat magazine. I pray that those who make use of this hymn will be stregnthened in the very Peace of Christ and confirmed in walking His way of Peace.
Behold, how like a monarch Peace enters in to reign when all things rightly ordered proclaim Christ's true domain. God crowns each true peacemaker with blessings from above to share with friend and neighbour the treasure of God's love.
The sacrifice of Jesus, his rising from the dead, his sending of the Spirit turns this world on its head. The promise of our Saviour sings, 'Heaven is at hand. Receive the Holy Spirit. Peace to you and your land.'
Long nights we knew of warfare, of desperate people's cries. We see how nations falter destroyed by greed and lies. Christ's Cross, a contradiction "Lay down your life for friends so justice, hope, and mercy fill the world's farthest ends."
To put an end to terror we long to do what's right. To save the world from horrors, to vanquish evil's might. Unless God leads and guides us we turn Earth into hell. Christ, shepherd all the nations so all things shall be well!
Christ's peace, the Church's power, His peace, our bravest song. His sacrifice, his bleeding make peace where once was wrong. His Gospel mark our actions. Our actions be as prayers till Christ rules every nation, swords beat into ploughshares.
Creator of all nature, the Word through whom Life came, the Spirit through us moving, One God, we praise your Name. We tell out your great goodness, your tenderness and might by which you end all terror. Your peace crowns all with light.
Three verses of this hymn are especially appropriate for use on Pentecost Sunday which is also know as Whitsunday. Those verses for use on Pentecost follow below:
Behold, how like a monarch Peace enters in to reign when all things rightly ordered proclaim Christ's true domain. God crowns each true peacemaker with blessings from above to share with friend and neighbour the treasure of God's love.
The sacrifice of Jesus, his rising from the dead, his sending of the Spirit turns this world on its head. The promise of our Saviour sings, 'Heaven is at hand. Receive the Holy Spirit. Peace to you and your land.'
Creator of all nature, the Word through whom Life came, the Spirit through us moving, One God, we praise your Name. We tell out your great goodness, your tenderness and might by which you end all terror. Your peace crowns all with light.
THE VIGIL OF PENTECOST GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that the splendour of thy glory may shine forth upon us ; and that the light of thy light may, by the illumination of the Holy Spirit, strengthen the hearts of them who through thy grace are born again. Through JESUS Christ thy Son, our Lord : Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen. THE DAY OF PENTECOST, WHITSUNDAY OGOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit : grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgement in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort. Through the merits of Christ JESUS our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
ALMIGHTY and most merciful God : grant, we beseech thee ; that by the indwelling of thy Holy Spirit, we may enlightenend and strengthened for thy service. Through JESUS Christ our Lord, who liveth and and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen. MONDAY IN WHITSUN WEEK SEND, we beseech thee, Almighty God, thy Holy Spirit into our hearts : that he may direct and rule us according to thy will, comfort us in all our afflictions, defend us from all error, and lead us into all truth. Through JESUS Christ our Lord, who with thee and the same Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen. TUESDAY IN WHITSUN WEEK GRANT, we beseech thee, merciful God : that thy Church, being gathered together in unity by thy Holy Spirit ; may manifest thy power among all peoples, to the glory of thy Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. EMBER WEDNESDAY IN WHITSUN WEEK WE beseech thee, O Lord, that the Comforter which proceedeth from thee may enlighten our minds : and lead us as thy Son hath promised, into all truth. Who livest and reignest with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
GRANT, we beseech thee, almighty and merciful God : that the Holy Ghost descending on us may by his gracious indwelling render us a temple of his glory. Through JESUS Christ, thy Son, our Lord : Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. THURSDAY IN WHITSUN WEEK OGOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit : grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgement in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort. Through the merits of Christ JESUS our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. EMBER FRIDAY IN WHITSUN WEEK GRANT, we beseech thee, O merciful God : that thy Church, being knit together in the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, may not fear the assaults of any adversary. Through JESUS Christ, thy Son, our Lord : Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. EMBER SATURDAY IN WHITSUN WEEK WE beseech thee, O Lord, that thy Holy Spirit, by whose wisdom we were created, and by whose providence we are governed, may of thy mercy be poured into our hearts. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord : Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
WE beseech thee, O Lord, that thy Holy Spirit may inflame our hearts with that same fire, which our Lord JESUS Christ sent upon earth, and willed that it should be kindled exceedingly. Through the same JESUS Christ thy Son, our Lord : Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
OGOD, who for the healing of our souls hast commanded us to chasten our bodies with godly fasting : mercifully grant unto us ; that both in body and soul we may ever be devoutly given to thy service. 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.
GRANT, we beseech thee, O Lord ; that we being taught by fasting in the way of salvation, and likewise abstaining from all vices that may hurt the soul, may more readily obtain the pardon of thy loving-kindness. 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.
GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that we may in such wise abstain from carnal feasting; that we may likewise fast from all sins that beset us. 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.
OGOD, who for the deliverance of the Three Children didst assuage the flames of fire : mercifully grant that the fiery assaults of temptation may have no power upon us thy servants. 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.
OHOLY Ghost, my Lord and my God, who hast over-shadowed the Blessed Virgin Mary and formed the most holy humanity of my Saviour Jesus Christ, I adore thee, and acknowledge here in thy divine presence, that I am nothing and can do nothing without thee. Come, thou blessed Spirit of God, and dwell in this soul that longs to be thy holy temple. Heal the lurking distemper of my heart and infuse thy grace into the well-springs of my life.
O Holy Ghost, grant me the gift of wisdom and supernatural light, that I may not only know God, his infinite goodness, power, and beauty, but also taste with ardent joy of heart his infinite sweetness.
O Holy Ghost, grant me the gift of understanding and shining light, that I may know the mysteries of faith and of heavenly things, not as in darkness, but in the true light of thy wisdom filling my mind and heart.
O Holy Ghost, grant me the gift of counsel and brilliant light, that in danger and doubt I may choose what is right and good, and under thy guidance attain a happy end.
O Holy Ghost, grant me the gift of fortitude and comforting light, that I may generously overcome all difficulties in the way of salvation, resisting all temptations, and bearing patiently all the troubles and trials of this life.
O Holy Ghost, grant me the gift of knowledge and discerning light, that I may judge of all things according to their true worth, and despise what is to be despised and love what is to be loved.
O Holy Ghost, grant me the gift of godliness and heavenly light, which may penetrate my soul with a tender devotion to thee and love for thy divine service, and also cause me to find happiness in practising good works.
O Holy Ghost, grant me the gift of the fear of God and penetrating light, that I may recognise how greatly sin offends thine infinite majesty, and may fear and most carefully avoid all that is displeasing to thee. Amen.
fromSt. Augustine's Prayer Book (Anglican/Episcopalian, USA)
