OFFICE FOR THE BLESSING OF CANDLES. TO BE USED ON THE FEAST OF THE PURIFICATION. Before the Procession, let the Priest | the people that sat in darkness. and his ministers vest as for the Eucharist. Which done, let him bless the candles in this wise. 515. O LORD, Holy FATHER, Almighty, Everlasting GOD, Who didst create all things out of nothing, and hast willed that by the labour of bees this fluid should be brought to the perfection of wax; and who on this day didst fulfil the desire of righteous Simeon; vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, to bl+ess and sanc+tify these candles, fashioned for the service of men; and mercifully hear from heaven Thy dwelling-place the voice of this Thy congregation who desire reverently to bear them in their hands to the praise and exaltation of Thy Name; and show mercy to all that call upon Thee, whom Thou hast redeemed with the precious Blood of Thy dear SON. Who with Thee. . Lift up your hearts. R. We lift them up unto the LORD. V. Let us give thanks unto our LORD GOD. Ry. It is meet and right so to do. 516. It is very 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, Fountain and Source of light, Who hast enlightened the world with the beams of Thy brightness, by sending to us from the womb of a pure Virgin Thy Only-begotten SON our LORD. Him Whom of old Thou didst promise by the mouth of Thy holy prophets Thou hast sent in these last days, a Light to We pray Thee, therefore, O LORD, to hal+low with Thy blessing these candles prepared for the honour of Thy Name, Who hast translated us from darkness into light; and Who hast fulfilled the desire of holy Simeon, that he should not see death before his eyes had seen incarnate the same CHRIST Thy SON, the light and salvation of the whole world; and so fill us with the brightness of Thy light that all clouds of error and unbelief may be driven away. And as on this day Thou didst let Thy servant depart in peace, even so vouchsafe to guide us in the peace of Thy holy Church, that we may come to the haven of everlasting rest; so shall the true Light pour its beams upon us, and in the last day with angels and archangels we shall joyfully behold the face of the Sun that never goeth down, even JESUS CHRIST. Who with Thee. Here let the candles be sprinkled and censed, and let fire be blessed as follows: V. The LORD be with you. Ry. And with thy spirit. V. Let us pray. 517. O Holy LORD, Almighty FATHER, unfailing Light, and Maker of all light, bless this light to be borne by Thy people to the honour of Thy Name, that, being sanctified by Thee and blessed by the brightness of Thy light, we may be kindled and illuminated: and as Thou didst cause the face of Thy servant Moses to shine therewith, so illumine also our hearts and senses that we may be found meet to attain to the vision of eternal brightness. Through. Let the ashes be placed in suitable vessels, and let the Priest say, . Our help is in the Name of the LORD. R. Who hath made heaven and earth. V. The LORD be with you. Ry. And with thy spirit. V. Let us pray. 519. Almighty and everlasting GOD, Who hast compassion upon all men, and hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of them that are penitent; Who also succourest them that are in need; vouchsafe to bl+ess and sanctify these ashes, which after the manner of the Ninevites, Thy people bear upon their heads in token of repentance: and grant that all they that shall so bear them for the entreating of Thy mercy, may be accounted worthy to receive from Thee pardon of all their sins, and may so begin this day their holy fast that with pure minds they may be admitted to the Paschal feast, and at length may receive everlasting life. Through. Here let the ashes be sprinkled with Holy Water. . The LORD be with you. R. And with thy spirit. . Let us pray. 520. O GOD, Who desirest not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live; graciously look upon the frailty of our condition, and of Thy lovingkindness vouchsafe to bless and sanc+tify these ashes which, in token of humility and contrition, we place on our heads; that we whom Thou hast taught that we are but dust and ashes, and who know that by reason of our depravity we shall return unto dust, may mercifully be thought worthy to obtain the pardon of all our sins, and the rewards promised to them that unfeignedly repent. Through. Then the Officiant, having been signed with the Ashes on his forehead by the Priest next in dignity, shall proceed to sign the rest of the clergy, and then the laity in order, as they shall present themselves. When he signs any one he shall say, Remember, O man, that thou art dust, and unto dust shalt thou return. In the Name, &c. During the signing the Choir shall sing the following Antiphons. Let us change our garments for sackcloth and ashes; let us fast and weep before the LORD, for our GOD is ever merciful to put away our sins. Let the Priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare, O LORD, spare Thy people, and turn not away the faces of those who cry unto Thee. Let us amend the sins which we have committed through ignorance, lest, being suddenly overtaken by the day of our death, we seek a place of repentance, and be not able to find it. they repented in sackcloth and Ant. Remember not, LORD, our offences. Ps. 6. O LORD, rebuke me not, &c. Ant. Remember not, LORD, our offences, neither take Thou vengeance on our sins. LORD, have mercy, &c. Thine handmaids. Ry. Who put Hear us, O LORD, for Thy loving- help from the sanctuary. R. And kindness is comfortable; turn Thee strengthen them out of Sion. . Let the enemy have no advantage unto us according to the multitude over them. R. Nor the son of of Thy mercies. wickedness approach to hurt them. Save me, O GOD, for the waters. Be unto them, O LORD, a tower are come in, even unto my soul. Glory, &c. As it was, &c. . The LORD be with you. Ry. And with, &c. . Let us pray. 521. O GOD, Who, when we of strength. R. From the face of the enemy. Y. Turn us again, O LORD GOD of hosts. R. Show the light of Thy countenance, and we shall be whole. V. LORD, hear, &c. Ry. And with, &c. V. Let us pray. 523. Be present, O LORD, to our prayers, and let not Thy mercy be far from Thy servants, heal their wounds, and take away their sins, that freed from all iniquity they may evermore cleave unto Thee. Through. humble ourselves before Thee, dost. And let, &c. . The LORD, &c. turn towards us, and Who art appeased when we make satisfaction for our sins; incline the ear of Thy mercy to our prayers, and pour upon the heads of Thy servants, covered with these ashes, the grace of Thy blessing, that Thou mayest fill them with the spirit of compunction, grant them the things which they shall ask aright, and make them to abide steadfastly in those things which Thou dost grant. Through. 522. Almighty, everlasting GOD, Who forgavest the Ninevites when R Other penitential prayers may follow. Benediction. JESUS CHRIST, Who endured temptation, so clothe you with the armour of spiritual power, that you may overcome all the assaults of the enemy. OFFICE FOR THE BLESSING OF PALMS AND FLOWERS. TO BE USED BFFORE THE PROCESSION ON THE SIXTH SUNDAY IN LENT. Let the Palms for the Clergy be placed by themselves, and those for the people by themselves, and let the Priest stand where he may conveniently minister. Let us pray. 524. Almighty and everlasting GOD, Who in the flood didst announce to Thy servant Noah the restoration of peace to the earth by the means of a dove bearing an olive branch in her mouth; we humbly beseech Thee to sanctify these flowers and palm branches (or boughs of trees) which we offer to Thy divine Majesty; that Thy faithful people bearing them in their hands may obtain the grace of Thy heavenly benediction. Through. sanna in the highest; so we also, Here let the flowers and leaves Let us pray. 526. O LORD JESU CHRIST, SON of the living GOD, Maker and Redeemer of the world, Who for us men and for our salvation wast pleased to come down from heaven, to take our flesh, and to undergo Thy Passion; and Who of Thine own will when approaching the place of that Thy Passion didst deign to be blessed and praised, and to be hailed a King blessed coming in the Name of the LORD; receive now the service of our praises, and vouchsafe to bl+ess and sanctify these branches of palms and other trees and flowers, that whosoever shall carry anything hence in honour of Thy power, may be sanctified by Thy heavenly benediction, and be counted worthy to attain the remission of sins and the rewards of everlasting life; through Thee, O SAVIOUR JESU CHRIST, Who with the FATHER and the HOLY GHOST livest and reignest, ever one GOD, 525. O God, Whose SON for the salvation of mankind came down from heaven, and when the hour of His Passion was at hand willed to enter into Jerusalem riding upon an ass, and to be hailed as King by the multitude; increase the faith of them that trust in Thee, and mercifully hear the prayers of Thy suppliants. Let Thy blessing come upon us; and vouchsafe to bl+ess these branches of palms and other trees, that all who carry them may be fulfilled with Thy benediction. And grant that as the Hebrew children met the same Thy SON our LORD JESUS CHRIST with branches of palms in their hands, crying, Ho-world without end. Amen. OFFICE FOR THE WASHING OF THE ALTAR, TO BE PERFORMED AFTER EVENSONG ON THE THURSDAY BEFORE EASTER. After Evensong, let the Altar be stripped, and water having been blessed in the usual manner privately outside the choir, let two Priests of highest rank, with deacon and subdeacon (one ministering wine, the other water) and taper-bearer, all in albs and amices, approach the Altar and wash it, pouring on it wine and water: the choir meanwhile standing before the Altar and singing this responsory with its verse, and without Gloria Patri. Resp. On the Mount of Olives I prayed to the FATHER: FATHER, if it be possible, let this Cup pass from Me; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Thy will be done. V. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt. Thy will be done. Let the Priest of highest rank then say in a low voice the Collect of that Saint in whose honour the Church is dedicated, without The LORD be with you, but with Let us pray. Resp. II. My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death: tarry ye here and watch with Me: now shall ye see the multitude that shall compass Me about. Ye shall flee, but I go to be sacrificed for you. . Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man shall be delivered into the hands of sinners: ye shall flee, but I go to be sacrificed for you. Resp. III. Lo, we have seen He hath no form nor comeliness; there is no beauty in Him; He hath borne our sins, and carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our iniquities, and by His stripes we are healed. . Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. And by His stripes we are healed. When the Altar or Altars have been washed, let the choir sing this Responsory. Resp. Lying men compassed me about; they scourged me without a cause; but Thou, O LORD my defender, avenge my cause. y. For trouble is hard at hand, and there is none to help. But Thou, O LORD my defender, avenge my cause. Let the Deacon read the Gospel (S. John xii. 1-15), and a sermon may follow. OFFICE FOR THE BENEDICTION OF A LIFE-BOAT. |