Sermons & Letters 188 part 10/15

Through, etc. This oblation therefore, which we offer to Thee of (such and such) Thy servants, on whom Thou hast conferred the highest priesthood, we beseech Thee kindly to make effectual, and to carry forward Thy gifts in them. Through, etc. Kindly illumine Thy Church, O Lord, that both the success of Thy flock may everywhere prosper, and that, under Thy governance, the pastors may become acceptable to Thy name. Through, etc. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that Thy faithful may both love their prelates and be loved by them in turn, and, that they may persevere perpetually, grant, we beseech Thee, that to both parties neither justice nor piety may be wanting. Through, etc. IX. Likewise another.

Bestow on us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the spirit of thinking the things that are good and, more readily, of doing them, that we who cannot be without Thee may be able to live according to Thee. Through, etc. Grant us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, that, truly trusting in Thy grace, we may both ask the things worthy of Thee, and continually receive the things asked. Through, etc. May we receive, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the effect of the oblation dedicated to Thee, that, cleansed from the conversation of earthly oldness, we may be renewed by the advancements of heavenly life. Through, etc. It is truly meet. That we who by Thee as author are created, may by Thee as restorer be saved, and we who easily depart from Thy rectitude may by Thy compassion be recalled to it;

nor let us be abandoned to our own excesses, but let us be subjected clemently and unceasingly to Thy will. Through, etc. Perfect kindly in us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, that what we profess in the sacred mysteries we may carry out in pious actions. Through, etc. Restore Thy people, O Lord, we beseech Thee, both inwardly and outwardly, that those whom Thou wilt not have hindered by bodily delights, Thou mayest make to flourish in spiritual purpose, and so cherish them by transitory things that Thou mayest grant them rather to cleave to things eternal. Through, etc. X. Likewise another. — O Almighty everlasting God, who dost defend us undeserving from our enemies, grant, we beseech Thee, that there may be present in us both rectitude of character and of faith, whereby we may deserve the increases of Thy loving-kindness. Through, etc.

We beseech thee, O Lord our God, that the security bestowed upon us by thy propitiation may not make us careless, but rather render us acceptable for the worship of thy name. Through, etc. Cleansed, O Lord, by these sacred mysteries, may we obtain both pardon and grace. Through, etc. Truly it is meet. Beseeching thy clemency with our whole heart, that thou who dost guard us from bodily adversities mayest also deliver us from the enemies of the mind, and that those whom thou grantest to rejoice in outward tranquillity thou mayest make inwardly at peace. Thrice, etc. Filled, O Lord, with these sacred gifts, grant, we beseech thee, that we may ever abide in the giving of thanks. Through, etc.

Govern, O Lord, we beseech thee, thy Church, being appeased, that guided by thy mighty rule it may both receive increase of liberty and persist in the integrity of religion. Through, etc. XI. Likewise another. Turn our hearts to thee, O eternal Father, for they shall lack nothing needful whom thou hast granted to be subject to thy worship. Through, etc. That thou mayest cherish us, O Lord, with all thy helps, mercifully fit us for thy discipline. Through, etc. We offer a sacrifice out of the receiving of thy bounties, O Lord, that we may take what is to be received the more securely and abundantly. Through, etc. Truly it is meet. And at the same time to proclaim thy munificence both for the general gift whereby we live, and for each several help; lest, when they are bestowed, etc.

Grant, O Lord, we beseech thee, that in temporal things, etc. Succour, O Lord, we beseech thee, thy suppliant people, etc. XII. Likewise another. Almighty and merciful God, multiply the gifts of thy propitiation, and, all our enemies being crushed by heavenly power, grant us increase of religion and of peace. Through, etc. O God of the heavenly hosts, fulfil the gift of thy promise, that the hearts of them that rebel against the truth of the Gospel may be made subject. Through, etc. Blend, we beseech thee, O Lord, with our offerings the grace of thy reconciliation, that thou mayest both guard the remedies bestowed upon us and perfect those yet to be conferred. Through, etc. Truly it is meet. Beseeching that, being appeased, thou wouldst make us follow thee with a devout heart:

for as the cause of all adversity is not to obey thy precepts, so the chief effect of prosperity is fittingly to follow the Author of all good things. Through, etc. May thy holy things cleanse us, O Lord, we beseech thee, and by their working make us at peace. Through, etc. May the affection of the people subject to thee move thy tenderness, we beseech thee, O Lord, and may the prayer of the faithful obtain thy mercy, that what it presumes not upon by its merits it may receive by the bounty of thy indulgence. Through, etc. XIII. Likewise another. Absolve our sins, O Lord, being propitious, and in thy mercy turn away whatever we deserve for our sins. Through, etc.

Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that running in thy way with devout mind, we may escape the snares of the sins that lie in wait. Through, etc. May the heavenly working of this sacrament purify us, O Lord, and ever form us by divine effects to receive thy magnificence. Through, etc. Truly it is meet. That we who subsist by thee as our Author may by thee be governed as our Dispenser. Let us not be left to our own perceptions, but ever brought back to the path of thy truth, let us strive to do those things which thou commandest, that we may be able to receive the gifts which thou promisest. Through, etc. May the perpetual protection of the sacrifice we have received not forsake us, O Lord, and ever drive far from us all that is harmful. Through, etc.

Be present, O Lord, to thy faithful, and to those who celebrate thy holy things increase the effect of devotion, that they may both ever render thee their due service, and continually advance toward eternal remedies. Through, etc. XIV. Likewise another. Look upon us, O God, Creator and Ruler of all things, and that we may feel the effect of thy propitiation, grant us to serve thee with our whole heart. Through, etc. To obtain thy benefits confidently, O Lord, we beseech thee that thou grant us both to will and to be able to do the things that are pleasing to thee. Through, etc. O God, Author of sincere devotion and of peace, grant, we beseech thee, that we may both fittingly venerate thy majesty by this gift, and by partaking of the sacred mystery be faithfully united in our senses. Through, etc. Truly it is meet.

Who therefore didst graciously will us to exist as thine image, that we might likewise imitate the tenor of the highest justice and piety, which we shall be able to fulfil in brief compass, if by thy grace it be granted us both to strive to love thee our Maker, and truly and freely to love ourselves whom thou hast made. Through, etc. Pour into us, O Lord, the Spirit of thy charity, that those whom thou hast satisfied with one heavenly bread thou mayest make concordant in one piety. Through, etc. Strengthen, O Lord, we beseech thee, the hearts of thy children, and fortify them with the power of thy grace, that they may be both devout in supplication to thee and sincere in mutual love. Through, etc. XV. Likewise another.

We beseech thee, almighty God, that thou regard not the multitude of our wickedness, but draw us frail ones away from sins, and direct the wills of thy people to those things which are right. Through, etc. Repay us not, we beseech thee, O Lord, according to that which we merit by our evil works, but protect by thy mercy, corrected, those whom thou justly reprovest as having strayed from the truth. Through, etc. May the mysteries oft frequented profit us, O Lord, which free us from earthly desires and teach us to love heavenly things. Through, etc. Truly it is meet. That, ever following after the divine grace, we may by a better manner of life appease thy justice, which we ceaselessly offend by our transgressions; and that to the perverse, to whom penalty is justly due, indulgence may be granted when they cease from iniquity. Through, etc.

May the sacraments which we have received cleanse us, O Lord, we beseech thee, from all error, and pour into our minds the sweetness of thy graciousness. Through, etc. Give to thy people, O Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit of piety and of peace, that they may both know thee with their whole mind, and, following with their whole heart the things that please thee, may ever enjoy the gift of thy good things. Through, etc. XVI. Likewise another. O God, Protector of them that hope in thee, grant, we beseech thee, that we may praise thy majesty without ceasing, and, that we may continually serve thee, bestow upon us health of mind and body. Through, etc. May our frailty be sustained, we beseech thee, O Lord, by the remedies of thy mercy, that what fails by its own condition may be restored by thy quickening. Through, etc.

We beseech thee, O Lord our God, that these mysteries may confer upon us health both inwardly and outwardly, whereby thou hast willed to grant thy servants a help in both. Through, etc. Truly it is meet. Thou who dost therefore chastise thy servants bodily, that they may profit in mind, powerfully showing how excellent is the salvation of thy tenderness, while thou grantest that even infirmity itself may work a medicine for us. Through, etc. O God, who in loving dost chastise, and in chastising dost refresh us, grant that we may ever be able to render thee thanks for both. Through, etc. Guard, O Lord, thy people, and cleanse them mercifully from all sins, for no adversity shall harm them if no iniquity have dominion. Through, etc. XVII.

Likewise another. Deliver us, O Lord, we beseech thee, from those things which are contrary to the divine will. And since all that we live is of thy working, grant that we thy servants may be able to please thee. Through, etc. We beseech thee, O Lord, that thou suffer us not to be such as adversities may justly have dominion over; but rather grant us to be made such as may not perpetually be judged unworthy of thy benefits. Through, etc. May the effect of the sacrifice offered, O Lord, we beseech thee, so avail that we may be fittingly conformed to it. Through, etc. Truly it is meet. Imploring thy majesty with devout minds, that as from thee we have that we are, so by thy grace we may receive both to will well and the good power for that which we will. Through, etc.

Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that by the power of the holy mysteries our life may be strengthened. Through, etc. May thy people, O Lord, purified by heavenly sacraments, understand what they receive, apprehend in their conduct what they taste, and by thy mercy obtain what they seek in righteous prayers. Through, etc. XVIII. Likewise another. We magnify, O Lord, thy clemency, who grantest both pardon to sinners and help to the wretched. Through, etc. Give glory to thy name, we beseech thee, O eternal God, since thou ceasest not to do good even to the undeserving. Through, etc. Truly it is meet. Rendering thanks and praying that, making us pleasing to thee, thou wouldst succour us in our unworthiness and be propitious to us when accepted. Through, etc.

How can we sufficiently proclaim thee, O Lord, who alike grantest joy out of sorrow to the undeserving. Through, etc. Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that thy people be converted to thee with their whole heart: for those whom thou defendest even while they transgress, thou guardest with greater tenderness when they are sincerely devoted to thee in mind. Through, etc. XIX. Likewise another. Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that amid the innumerable errors of this present life we may ever be directed by thy governance. Through, etc. Make us, we beseech thee, O Lord, to follow after those things which are right, ever to love integrity of conscience and of good repute. Through, etc. May we be both cleansed by the effects of thy saving sacrifice, O Lord, and, we trust, obtain thy remedies. Through, etc. Truly it is meet.

Thou who, since thou art the supreme Reason and hast made us rational, hast made it certain that we depart from thy fellowship precisely so far as we deviate from the path of equity, and remain in thy likeness precisely so far as we are not torn away from the order of truth. Through, etc. May thy holy things, O Lord, we beseech thee, both renew us by quickening, and quicken us by renewing. Through, etc. May the desired blessing confirm thy faithful, O Lord, which may both make them never to differ from thy will, and ever grant them to rejoice in thy benefits. Through, etc. XX. Likewise another. Grant, O Lord, we beseech thee, that we may not heed the revilings of reprobate minds, but, that same depravity being trampled underfoot, may reasonably carry out those things which befit thy house. Through, etc.

We beseech thee, O God of the heavenly hosts, that, despising the falsehoods of the ungodly, we may follow after those things profitable to our conscience and good name. Through, etc. Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that the effect of this oblation may both refuse to us the things not pleasing to thee, and grant us to love those things which are right. Through, etc. Truly it is meet. That thou wouldst graciously deliver us from the workers of iniquity, and neither suffer us to become guilty by our own excess, nor to give consent to the impieties of others. But so order our conduct by moderation, that both in ourselves and in others we may cherish those things which are just. Through, etc. Cleanse us from our hidden faults, O Lord, and graciously absolve us from the depravities of others, that we may receive thy holy things with a pure mind. Through, etc.

Look round upon thy household, O Lord, thy majesty being appeased, that it be neither infected with its own vices nor bound by the sins of others, but, free and purged from both, may ever serve thee. Through, etc. XXI. Likewise another. Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that they may serve thee with their whole heart, for no hostility shall prevail against us if in thee, O Lord, we truly trust. Through, etc. Succour us, O Lord, we beseech thee, by the appeasement of this sacrifice, by whose remedies thou dost deign to absolve sinners. Through, etc. Truly it is meet. Because, while thou bestowest thy benefits upon the unworthy, thou dost with great tenderness admonish us that we shall receive still greater gifts if we advance both by the instructions of thy precepts and by deeds. Through, etc.

Thy majesty, O Lord, we suppliants beseech, that thou cease not both to purify us by heavenly mysteries and to cherish us with perpetual protections. Through, etc. Turn thy family, O Lord, we beseech thee, favourably, and her whom thou dost not forsake by thy kindly defence, render more ready in submission to thee, that she may the more abundantly receive with devotion thy grace, which she receives undeserved. Through, etc. XXII. Likewise another. O God, who lovest justice and condemnest injustice, grant us, we beseech thee, both to love the things that are right and to shun the perverse. Through, etc. O God, Author of truth and of mercy, who willest us neither to be sluggish in solicitude nor to harm anyone, grant, we beseech thee, that we may desire to inflict harm on none, and beware the assaults of those who plot to trouble us.

Through, etc. May thy holy things purify us, O Lord, from our hidden faults, and defend us by perpetual power from external errors. Through, etc. Truly it is meet. Beseeching thy mercy, O Lord, that thou grant us to be zealous for divine things in truth, nor suffer us under the guise of religion to assail sacred effects. For they are in every way enemies to themselves who strive to be contrary to thy will, working rather the destruction of their own salvation than able to harm thy dispositions with hostile mind. Through, etc. May the receiving of the divine gift, we beseech thee, O Lord, both ever remove our sins from us and drive away external evils. Through, etc.

Possess thy people, O Lord, we beseech thee, by heavenly institutions, that, shunning all things which are evil and following after all good things, they may obtain not thy indignation but continually thy mercy. Through, etc. XXIII. Likewise another. Grant, almighty God, that we may both attain the fullness of thy joy, and be the more ready in devotion to thy majesty. Through, etc. We offer thee, O Lord, praises and gifts, rendering thanks for benefits granted, and humbly beseeching for those to be granted. Through, etc. Truly it is meet. Who alone doest great wonders, and not only repayest us not for our sins according to what we deserve, but moreover dost even bestow upon the undeserving the gifts of thy consolation;

drawing us rather to the worship of thy name by a loving gift than compelling us by deserved chastisement, and mercifully granting that servile fear may pass over into the affection of sons. Through, etc. Prostrate before thee, O Lord, with our whole heart, we suppliants entreat thy goodness that thou cease not to cherish us with temporal helps, nor omit to instruct us for things eternal. Through, etc. May thy people, O Lord, we beseech thee, rejoice, lifted up by thy right hand, and breathing again from tribulation, be protected by continual helps, and, advancing in religious manner of life, rejoice both in present goods and in those to come. Through, etc. We pray, almighty God, that, being propitious, thou remove from us all depravities, and graciously drive away all wickedness. Through, etc.

Look mercifully, O Lord, upon these thy handmaids, that the purpose of holy virginity, which by thy inspiration they undertake, they may by thy governance keep. Through, etc. O God, the kindly indweller of chaste bodies, and the God who lovest uncorrupted souls; O God, who dost so repair in thy Word, by whom all things were made, the human substance vitiated in the first men by diabolical fraud, that thou dost not only recall it to the innocence of its first origin, but also lead it forward to the experience of certain good things which are to be had in the new age, and dost advance to the likeness of angels those still bound by the condition of mortals:

look, O Lord, upon these thy handmaids, who, placing in thy hand the purpose of their continence, offer their devotion to him from whom they received their very vows. For when would the soul, encompassed by mortal flesh, overcome the law of nature, the liberty of licence, the force of custom, and the goads of youth, unless thou didst mercifully kindle this flame, thou kindly nourish this desire, thou minister the fortitude? For thy grace being poured out upon all nations, out of every nation which is under heaven, when the heirs of the new Testament were adopted into the innumerable number of the stars, among the other virtues which thou hast implanted in thy children, born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, but begotten of thy Spirit:

this gift also flowed forth into certain minds from the fountain of thy bounty, that, though no prohibitions had lessened the honour of marriage, and the initial blessing remained upon holy wedlock, there should yet exist loftier souls who in the union of man and woman would disdain the wedlock but desire the mystery, nor imitate what is done in marriage, but love what is prefigured by marriage. Blessed virginity acknowledged its Author, and, emulous of angelic integrity, devoted itself to the bridal-chamber, to the chamber of him who is the Spouse of perpetual virginity, even as he is the Son of perpetual virginity.

To those therefore imploring thy help, O Lord, and desiring to be confirmed by the consecration of thy blessing, give the defence and governance of thy protection, lest the ancient enemy, who assails the more excellent endeavours with subtler snares, to obscure the palm of perfect knowledge, creep in through some carelessness of mind, and seize from the purpose of virgins that which even in the conduct of married women is fitting. Let there be in them, O Lord, through the gift of thy Spirit, prudent modesty, wise kindness, grave gentleness, chaste liberty. Let them be fervent in charity, and love nothing outside thee; let them live praiseworthily, and not seek to be praised. Let them glorify thee in holiness of body, thee in purity of soul. In love let them fear thee, in love let them serve thee.

Be thou their honour, thou their joy, thou their will. Be thou their comfort in sorrow, their counsel in doubt, their defence in injury, their patience in tribulation, their abundance in poverty, their food in fasting, their medicine in sickness. In thee may I have all things, whom I have chosen above all things. Through, etc. Hear us, almighty and merciful God, that what is ministered by our office may rather be fulfilled by thy blessing. Through, etc. Receive, O Lord, we beseech thee, the gift offered for the sacred law of marriage, and be thou the Disposer of the work of which thou art the Creator. Through, etc. This oblation therefore of thy handmaid (such a one), which we offer to thee for thy handmaid (such a one), we beseech thee, O Lord, that thou look upon being appeased.

For her we suppliants entreat thy majesty, that as thou hast granted her to attain to the age suitable for marriage, so, joined to a marriage-partner by thy gift, thou wouldst grant her to rejoice in the offspring she desires, and graciously advance her, with her husband, to the wished-for course of years. Through, etc. We beseech thee, almighty God, accompany with thy loving favour the institutions of thy providence; and preserve in long-enduring peace those whom thou dost bind together in lawful fellowship. Through, etc. Be present, O Lord, to our supplications, and graciously assist thy institutions whereby thou hast ordained the propagation of the human race, that what is joined by thee as Author may be preserved by thy help. Through, etc.

Father, Founder of the world, Begetter of them that are born, Institutor of the origin to be multiplied, who to Adam didst add a companion by thine own hands, whose bones, growing from his bones, should signify by admirable diversity a like form, and hence, for the increase of the whole multitude, the commanded fellowships of the marriage-bed knit together the covenants of the human race, whereby they might bind the whole age together among themselves. For so it pleased thee of necessity, that, because that which was made like to man was far weaker than that which was made like to thee, O God, the weaker sex being added to the stronger, one being should be wrought from two, and mingled offspring flow forth from an equal pledge;

while an ordered posterity flowed on in succession, and the former were followed by those to come, nor had it any end for itself within so brief a term, although the posterity was perishable. To these beginnings, therefore, O Father, of this thy handmaid soon to come, add thy sanctification, that in a good and prosperous fellowship of partnership she may keep the ordinances of the eternal law. And let her remember, O Lord, that she is entrusted not so much to conjugal licence as to the observance of God and to the keeping of holy pledges. Faithful and chaste, let her marry in Christ, and remain an imitatrix of holy women. Let her be lovely to her husband, as Rachel; wise, as Rebecca; long-lived and faithful, as Sara. Let that author of prevarication usurp nothing from her; let her remain, stayed upon faith and the commandments.

Let her fortify her weakness by the strength of discipline. Joined to one marriage-bed, let her flee unlawful contacts of life. Let her be grave in modesty, venerable in chastity, learned in heavenly doctrines. Let her be fruitful in offspring; let her be proven and innocent; and let her attain to the rest of the blessed and to the heavenly kingdoms. Through, etc. O God, in whom we live and move and have our being, grant us a fitting way, that, sufficiently aided by present helps, we may the more confidently seek after things everlasting. Through, etc. Inhabit thy house, O Lord, we beseech thee, being appeased, and purify the hearts of the faithful subject to thee, that, cleaving to the things well-pleasing to thee, they may merit to receive all things that are good. Through, etc.

Hear us, O Lord our God, and by thy merciful governance direct thy Church, tossed amid the whirlwinds of the world, that with tranquil course she may find the harbour of perpetual security. Through, etc. Look, we beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully upon our service, that what we offer may be to thee an acceptable gift, and to our frailty a help. Through, etc. Truly it is meet. To whose boundless glory it belongs that thou didst not only succour mortals by thy Godhead, but of our very mortality didst provide a remedy for us, and dost save the lost from the very source whence they had perished. Through, etc. We beseech thee, almighty God, that we may be numbered among the members of him in whose Body and Blood we share. Through, etc.

May thy right hand, O Lord, perpetually surround thy family with help, and, defended from all depravity, accompany it with heavenly gifts, and lead it to the rewards of good things by the bounty of thy grace. Through, etc. II. Likewise another. Almighty and everlasting God, look mercifully upon our senses, that, abstaining from earthly delights, we may the more earnestly meditate on heavenly things. Through, etc. Grant, O Lord, we beseech thee, that by these things which are to be done in these oblations we may be saved. Through, etc. Truly it is meet. Imploring thy clemency with abundant prayers, that, regarding the resource of the human condition, thou grant to those for whom thou hast provided such great remedies, that by thy grace they may be capable of them. Through, etc.

May the working of thy power, O Lord, we beseech thee, pour into our minds and bodies, that what we have received by partaking we may grasp in full redemption. Through, etc. May thy faithful people advance, we beseech thee, O Lord, by the instinct of thy tenderness, and, devout with wholesome compunction, gladly carry out what thou commandest, that they may receive what thou promisest. Through, etc. III. Likewise another. Grant us, O Lord, pardon of our sins, that we may work out the paschal ordinances with senses pleasing to thee. Through, etc. Our gifts and prayers being received, O Lord, both cleanse us by heavenly mysteries and mercifully hear us. Through, etc. Truly it is meet.

Humbly beseeching that thou wouldst grant us both security of times and increase of religion, whereby we may celebrate the great mystery of thy tenderness with minds both tranquil and devout. Through, etc. Filled by the bounty of the divine gift, we beseech thee, O Lord our God, that we may ever live in the partaking of this. Through, etc. Preserve, O Lord, we beseech thee, thy family, and purify her graciously by the abundance of thy blessings, that she may be multiplied both by thy instructions and by thy gifts. Through, etc. IV. Likewise another. Be propitious, O Lord, to the peoples that trust in thee, and stretch forth the right hand of thy protection for the guarding of the Roman name, that the realm devoted to thy majesty may ever be defended by thy power. Through, etc.

Receive, O Lord, we beseech thee, the sacrifices of minds devoted to thy name, by which thou hast granted us both to be cleansed from earthly defilements and to draw near to heavenly fellowships. Through, etc. Truly it is meet. Whose ineffable grace toward us is this singular mystery, that we who were lately lost and cast down should now return to that glory whereby, through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, we are called a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people of acquisition and a holy nation. Through, etc. May this thy sacrament, O Lord, we beseech thee, be to us the abolition of sins, the strength of human frailty, a firm defence against the perils of the world. May this communion cleanse us from guilt, and grant us to be sharers of heavenly joy.