Sermons & Letters 188 part 9/15

Through, etc. It is truly meet. Who therefore hast willed that, the fruits of the earth being gathered, we should render thee thanks through abstinence, that from the very kind of that devotion we might learn that we have received these things not for bodily superabundance, but for the sufficiency of our frailty; and that what we should take of them more sparingly might profit for the nourishment of the needy, so that both a salutary chastisement might mitigate the insolence of mortality, and thy loving-kindness might make us imitators of thy goodness; and that we might so use temporal gifts as to learn to long for the everlasting. Through, etc. May the mysteries we have received profit us, O Lord, we beseech thee, and both strip us of sins and lift us up by the supports of thy propitiation. Through, etc.

Regard, O Lord, the prayers of thy household, and bestow help on him who suppliantly implores; that with fitting supports he may persevere in the confession of thy name. Through, etc. Likewise another. Compose our manners, O Lord, we beseech thee, by thy loving-kindness, that adversities may neither have dominion over us, and salutary things may all not be lacking. Through, etc. That thou mayst cherish us, O Lord, with all helps, graciously fit us for thy disciplines. Through, etc. We bring a sacrifice from the reception of thy bestowals, O Lord, that we may more securely and more abundantly take the things to be received. Through, etc. It is truly meet. And at once, both for the general gift by which we live, and for each several help, to proclaim thy munificence;

Lest, having received benefits, we be found ungrateful, and be proved unworthy of those yet to be conferred, and be rather aided—as we deserve—by the consolations of passing things, if only, with our senses purged by the holy fast, we seek after abiding goods no less earnestly. Through, etc. Grant, O Lord, we beseech Thee, that we be not left destitute of temporal aids, whom Thou dost feed with eternal nourishment. Through, etc. Succour, O Lord, we beseech Thee, Thy suppliant people, and in Thy kindness bestow Thy help upon the sick, that, sincerely devoted to Thee, they may rejoice in the remedies both of the present life and of the life to come. Through, etc. XIV. Likewise another. — Turn our hearts to Thee, O eternal Father, for they shall want for nothing needful whom Thou hast granted to be subject to Thy worship. Through, etc.

O God, who so dost chastise Thy people when they sin that Thou dost not forsake them with kindly consolation, grant, we beseech Thee, that the indignation owed to the guilty may be turned into pardon for those who pray. Through, etc. Look mercifully, O Lord, we beseech Thee, upon our prayers, that they who serve at the sacred altars may be both grounded in the truth of the faith and conspicuous for purity of mind. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Thou who by the blessed Passion of Thy Christ dost restore us, preserve in us the work of Thy mercy, that in the celebration of this mystery we may live in perpetual devotion. Through, etc. Hear, O Lord, the prayers of Thy suppliants, that what is to be performed by our ministry may rather be confirmed (var. accomplished) by Thy power. Through, etc.

Receive, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the gifts of this Thy servant, and in Thy mercy guard Thy gifts within him. Through, etc. This oblation therefore, which we offer to Thee for this Thy servant whom Thou hast vouchsafed to advance to the glory of the episcopate, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to accept with favour, that what he has obtained by the divine gift he may carry out with divine effects. Through, etc. Be present, O merciful God, that what has been done by the office of our ministry may be confirmed by Thy blessing. Through, etc. Be favourable, O Lord, to our supplications, and upon these Thy servants pour out the power of Thy blessing with the horn of priestly grace. Through, etc.

O God of all honours, O God of all dignities which serve Thy glory in their consecrated orders; O God, who instructing Moses Thy servant, by the address of familiar converse, among the other lessons of heavenly discipline, concerning the fashion of the priestly vestment also, didst bid Aaron Thy chosen one to be clothed in a mystic robe amid the sacred rites; that the generation to come might grasp the meaning of understanding from the examples of those before them, lest the instruction of Thy teaching should be wanting to any age; since among the ancients the very appearance of the significations held reverence, and among us the proofs of realities are more certain than the enigmas of figures.

For the habit of that former priesthood is the adornment of our mind, and pontifical glory now commends us not by the honour of vestments but by the splendour of souls: because even those things which then charmed the fleshly gaze called rather for those things which were to be understood in them. And therefore to these Thy servants, whom Thou hast chosen for the ministry of the highest priesthood, bestow, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this grace, that whatsoever those veils signified in the gleam of gold, in the brightness of gems, in the variety of manifold workmanship, may shine forth in the character and deeds of these men. Complete in Thy priests the fulness of Thy mystery, and, having equipped them with the ornaments of all glorification, sanctify them with the flowing of the heavenly ointment.

Let this, O Lord, flow abundantly upon their head; let this run down upon the parts below the mouth; let this descend to the extremities of the whole body; that the power of Thy Spirit may both fill their inward parts and cover their outward. Let there abound in these constancy of faith, purity of love, sincerity of peace. Grant them the episcopal chair for the governing of Thy Church and the whole people. Be Thou to them authority, be Thou to them power, be Thou to them firmness. Multiply upon them Thy blessing and Thy grace, that, ever fitted by Thy gift to implore Thy mercy, they may by Thy grace be able to be devout. Through, etc.

O Lord God, in Thy clemency hear our prayers, that what is to be performed by our ministry Thou mayest in Thy kindness attend with Thy help, and those whom, according to our understanding, we believe should be presented for the discharge of sacred ministries, Thou mayest justify by Thy own choice rather. Through, etc. Let us pray, dearly beloved, to God the Father Almighty, that upon these His servants, whom He vouchsafes to call to the office of the diaconate, He may in His clemency pour out the blessing of His grace, and mercifully preserve the gifts of the consecration granted them. Through, etc.

O God, magnificent consoler of the sacred dignities, we beseech Thee that Thou grant these Thy servants, whom Thou vouchsafest to call to the office of Levites, to fulfil the ministry of the holy altar sufficiently, and, overflowing with all the gifts of grace, both to acquire for themselves confidence of Thy majesty and to afford to others an example of perfect devotion. Through, etc. Be present, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, giver of honours, distributor of orders, and disposer of offices; who, abiding in Thyself, dost make all things new, and, ordering all things through Thy Word, Power, and Wisdom, Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord, dost by everlasting providence prepare, and for each several season dost dispense what is fitting to be applied.

Whose body, Thy Church, adorned with the variety of heavenly graces and knit together by the distinction of her members, united by the wondrous law of the whole frame, Thou grantest to grow and be enlarged unto the increase of Thy temple; appointing the service of the sacred office in three grades of ministers to serve for Thy name, having chosen from the beginning the sons of Levi, who, abiding in faithful watches at the mystic operations of Thy house, should possess by perpetual lot the inheritance of the eternal blessing. Upon these Thy servants also, we beseech Thee, O Lord, look favourably, whom, to serve at Thy sanctuaries, we humbly dedicate to the office of the diaconate.

And we indeed, as men, ignorant of the divine sense and of the highest reason, estimate the life of these men as far as we can. But from Thee, O Lord, the things unknown to us do not pass away, from Thee hidden things do not escape. Thou art the knower of sins, Thou art the searcher of souls, Thou art able truly to bring heavenly judgement upon them, and even to the unworthy to grant what we ask. Send into them, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the Holy Spirit, by whom they may be strengthened, unto faithfully discharging the work of the ministry, by the sevenfold gift of Thy grace. Let there abound in them the pattern of every virtue: modest authority, constant modesty, purity of innocence, and spiritual observance of discipline.

Let Thy precepts shine forth in their character, that by the example of their own chastity they may win the imitation of the holy people, and, presenting a good testimony of conscience, may persevere firm and stable in Christ, and by worthy advancements from the lower grade may through Thy grace deserve to attain to the higher. Through, etc. Let us pray, dearly beloved, to God the Father Almighty, that upon these His servants, whom He has chosen for the office of the presbyterate, He may multiply heavenly gifts, whereby what by His condescension they receive, by His help they may carry out. Through, etc.

Hear us, O God our Saviour, and upon these Thy servants pour out the blessing of the Holy Spirit and the power of priestly grace, that those whom we present to the sight of Thy loving-kindness to be consecrated, Thou mayest attend with the perpetual bounty of Thy gift. Through, etc. O holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God, distributor of all honours and of all dignities which serve Thee, through whom all things advance, through whom all things are made firm, the increments of rational nature ever enlarged for the better being disposed by an order of fitting reason. Whence the priestly grades and the offices of the Levites, instituted by mystic sacraments,

grew and increased, so that, when Thou hadst set the chief pontiffs over the governing of the peoples, Thou didst choose, for the help of their fellowship and labour, men of the following order and of the second dignity. So in the wilderness Thou didst propagate the spirit of Moses through the minds of seventy prudent men, by whom, using them as helpers among the people, he easily governed innumerable multitudes. So in Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron, Thou didst transfuse the abundance of their father's fulness, that the merit of the priests might suffice for the salutary victims and the sacraments of the more frequent office. By this providence, O Lord, Thou didst add to the apostles of Thy Son companions as teachers of the faith, with whom they filled the whole world with helping preachers. Wherefore to our weakness also,

O Lord, we beseech Thee, bestow these helps, for the more frail we are, the more we need these many. Give, we beseech Thee, O Father, upon these Thy servants the dignity of the presbyterate. Renew within their inward parts the spirit of holiness. May they obtain the office of the second merit received from Thee, O God, and by the example of their own conduct instil a discipline of morals. May they be upright fellow-workers of our order. Let the pattern of all righteousness shine forth in them, that, being about to render a good account of the stewardship committed to them, they may attain the rewards of eternal blessedness. Through, etc. I.

O God, initiator and keeper of Thy own work, mercifully receive our thanksgiving, in that, as the year's course returns, we devoutly recall the beginnings of the dignity we have received, so that what was instituted by Thy first-fruits may be governed, increased, by Thy protections. Through, etc. Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we may render to Thy faithful an ordered affection, and in Thy kindness pour into us likewise the spirit of loving them, that in Thy faith, hope, and sincere charity a sacrifice pleasing to Thee may be offered both of the people and of the prelate. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

And to entreat Thee the more earnestly, that in me, whom Thou hast promoted to the priestly ministry endowed with no support of sanctity but by the mere condescension of grace, Thou mayest perfect Thy gifts by carrying them forward, and with the advance of time mayest grant me rather the increase of good works. For this shall be the true festivity of pontifical glory, this the certain gladness, if through a reasonable rule of presiding, Thy people... and the number, and the care of those who govern, and the increase and health of the flock, is the joy and crown of the pastors. Through, etc.

This oblation therefore, which I Thy servant and priest offer to Thee, for this that Thou hast granted me—trusting in no righteousness at all, but by the bounty of ineffable mercy—to undertake the priestly service, we beseech Thee to accept with favour, and by Thy loving-kindness to confirm what Thou hast wrought in us, and to dispose my days by Thy most clement governance. Through, etc. By this oblation of the whole Church rejoicing together with me, be Thou, O God, in all. O Almighty and merciful God, who hast granted us to come to the celebration of this day, grant, we beseech Thee, that by the reception of Thy sacrament there may come to us both the security we have desired (var. that shall profit us) and the integrity of religion. Through, etc.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to Thy family, to have peace with its rulers, that, as they rejoice together in their honour, they may rejoice in their holy conduct, and by Thy grace there may be granted both the moderation of those who govern and the obedience of those who are subject. Through, etc. II. Likewise another. — O God, who dost work great things exceedingly and things wondrous out of trials, exercise in Thy favour the gifts of Thy mercy in me, that where no merits worthy of Thee are in my conscience, Thy grace alone may ever be my defence of Thy loving-kindness. Through, etc. O holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God, who dost vouchsafe to regard the lowly and dost not despise the abject, lift up those whom Thou dost raise, and govern those whom Thou dost set upright. Give to me Thy servant sufficiency for the governance committed to me.

Give peace to Thy Church, over which Thou hast willed me to preside, that in one and the same spirit the devotion both of the people and of the prelate may be pleasing to Thee. Through, etc. O God, creator and ruler of the world, be favourably attentive to the prayers of my humility, and make me Thy servant—whom by no supporting merits, but by the vast bounty of Thy clemency, Thou hast granted to serve at the heavenly mysteries—a worthy minister for the sacred altars, that what is to be celebrated by my voice may rather be confirmed by Thy sanctification. Through, etc. O Almighty everlasting God, shatter, we beseech Thee, the arms of the enemy, that with untroubled minds we may be able to perform Thy holy things. Through, etc.

Grant us, Almighty God, that, withdrawing from wicked wills, we may follow after the rectitude of Thy precepts, and, Thou who grantest even to those who go astray the things desired, bestow better things upon the corrected. Through, etc. Let all human depravity, we beseech Thee, O Lord, depart from us, Thou expiating it, that with pure senses and minds we may celebrate Thy mysteries. Through, etc. It is truly meet. To entreat Thy majesty with all our senses, that we, occupied with our own pleasures, may not strive either to neglect the family committed to us or to vex the subject flock; but, as the tenor of the Gospel shows, ministering rations to our fellow-servants at the fitting time, we may be found ready at the Lord's coming.

and that we may be zealous to correct Thy servants with love, and to love them with necessary censure, and, discharging in reasonable manner the whole service committed to us, may not incur guilt for the neglected increase of the Lord's talents, but that a multiplied dispensation of the divine talents may accrue to us. Through, etc. O God, who dost not cease to feed us with Thy sacraments, grant, we beseech Thee, that the refreshment granted us of them may confer eternal life. Through, etc. Look mercifully, O Lord, upon Thy family, and bestow perpetual mercy on Thy suppliant, that, without which it can of itself accomplish nothing at all worthy, through it he may deserve to fulfil Thy saving precepts (var. what Thou commandest). Through, etc. III. Likewise another. — O God, who hast taught Thy Church...

...in the love of Thy Divinity and of one's neighbour to keep all the heavenly commandments, give us the spirit of peace and grace, that Thy whole family may be both devoted to Thee with the whole heart, and may agree together with a pure will. Through, etc. O holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God, grant us to be increased by the grace of Thy condescension, and, being fearful with the consciousness of our mortality, confirm us by the instruction of loving-kindness, that, while Thou dost work all in all, the progress of Thy flock may be the pattern of the pastor. Through, etc.

O holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God, carry forward in us the gifts of Thy grace, and what the frailty of human nature does not possess, in Thy compassion bestow by Thy Spirit, that they who serve at the sacred altars may be both grounded in the integrity of faith and conspicuous for the clarity of mind. Through, etc. O God, who by the power of Thy majesty dost dispense the numbers of our days and the measures of the times, look favourably upon the service of our humility, that our times may be heaped up with the abundance of Thy peace. Through, etc.

O God, who hast promised that Thou wilt not fail Thy Church even to the consummation of the world, nor shall the gates of hell prevail against the apostolic confession, perfect in Thy favour Thy power also in our weakness, and, while Thou vouchsafest to be present even in Thy lowliest, show forth the effect of the divine promise. For we perceive Thy presence without doubt, since Thou both at each several season fittingly dispensest the things to be desired, and dost guard us by continual protection from the assault of all adversity. Through, etc.

Remember, O Lord, what Thou hast wrought in us, and regard not what we deserve, but the grace of Thy bestowed gift, that, as Thy condescension has bidden me to serve at the sacred altars in the pontifical office, so it may render me worthy also in merit. Through, etc. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that we may turn aside harmful appetites and reject the desires that bring us into guilt, for then shall we be able to overcome our outward enemies, if we conquer the inward. Through, etc. Grant us, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that, by Thy grace presenting ourselves as is worthy of Thee, we may minister to Thy faithful the example of upright conduct. And let the everlasting salvation of Thy people be the reward of the priest. Through, etc.

Purify us, O merciful God, that the prayers of Thy Church, which are acceptable to Thee, offering sacred (var. holy) gifts, may become more acceptable through minds that have been expiated. Through, etc. It is truly meet. And to magnify Thee for Thy own gifts. For who could be worthy of this office, unless, prevented by the grace of Thy compassion, he be fitted for it? Since therefore it is of Thy gift, not of our merit, it will nonetheless belong to Thy governance, that there be not to the negligent perpetual punishment, but rather to those who fittingly discharge it, it may become a cause of eternal reward. Through, etc. Rejoicing, O Lord, in the bounty of Thy gifts, we suppliantly beseech Thee that to those to whom Thou hast given the faculty of this ministry, Thou mayest grant sufficient grace of ministering. Through, etc.

Let Thy people rejoice, O Lord, we beseech Thee, ever confident in Thy blessing, and let them profit by the frequenting of heavenly things, that they may be both aided by temporal benefits and instructed by eternal ones. Through, etc. IV. Likewise another. — Give us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the governance of holy discipline, that through Thy grace there may come both the moderation of those who govern and the obedience of those subject. Through, etc. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to Thy faithful, that they may be fittingly adapted to the paschal fasts, and that the bodily chastisement solemnly undertaken may pass into fruit for all souls. Through, etc. Take away from us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, our iniquities, that with pure senses we may deserve to enter into the holy of holies. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

Who at each several season dost dispense the things fittingly to be applied. For more suitably and more becomingly in these days do we celebrate the received beginnings of the episcopal office, in which both the devout observance of the whole Church concurs, and the birthday of the sacrament of him to whom the priestly ministry has been assigned is kept. And while, living more strictly and more chastely, we are, by our advancing, transferred into members of the chief pontiff, we hope that this honour, temporally attained, may rather become eternal. Through, etc. Grant, O Lord, we beseech Thee, that we may rejoice both in the increase of our advancement and in the fitting service of the paschal sacrament. Through, etc.

Kindly heap up Thy blessing, O Lord, upon Thy suppliant people, that they may ever exult in the good conduct of their prelate and rejoice in the celebration of the sacred festival. Through, etc. V. Likewise another. — O Lord God, Father of glory, fount of good things, who, although Thou dost not cease to enrich with the bounty of Thy gifts Thy Church spread throughout the whole earth, yet regardest the see of Thy blessed apostle Peter the more attentively, the more sublime Thou hast willed it to be; grant to me Thy servant fittingly to fulfil the office in the dispositions of this Thy providence, being assured that Thou wilt confer upon all the Churches whatsoever Thou shalt bestow on that one, to which all things look. Through, etc.

O holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God, grant us to be increased by the condescension of Thy grace, etc. O holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God, who hast granted me—endowed with no confidence of merits—by the gift of ineffable grace to preside over Thy family, lift up those whom Thou dost raise, and govern those whom Thou dost set upright, that of those whose good things Thou art the author, Thou mayest Thyself be the perfecter. Through, etc. O God, whose way is universally mercy always and truth, carry forward the gifts of Thy work, and what the frailty of human nature does not possess, bestow by Thy benefits, that they who serve the heavenly mysteries may be both grounded in the integrity of faith and shine conspicuous with purity of mind. Through, etc. O Lord God, Father of glory, fount of good things, etc.

O Almighty and merciful God, who dost ever work kindly, that we may be able to fulfil what Thou commandest, be present to the pastor of the sheep beloved by Thee, for it is of Thy gift and of Thy power that the obedient are able both to be governed and to be approved rulers. Through, etc. O merciful God, eternal King, give to our service a prosperous course, and that we may in all things please in the devotion of Thy people, do Thou preside over the holy flock, and to the observance of Thy commandments direct the wills of all Thine. Through, etc. O God, by whose decree the order of all the ages runs its course, look favourably upon the season of our age, and, that our service may please Thee, preserve Thy gifts in us undiminished. Through, etc.

O God, mighty and kindly moderator of our days and times, be favourable to the gifts conferred on me by Thy grace, and direct into this affection the heart of both people and prelate, that neither may the obedience of the flock be wanting to the pastor, nor the care of the pastor to the flock. Through, etc. VI. Likewise another. — O God, who, for the disposing of the governance of Thy Church, hast so exalted her princes that Thou dost not forsake even the least, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may follow, even from afar, the footsteps of the apostolic faith and teaching, by imitating those things which, though with feeble office, we accompany. Through, etc. Unto the glory, O Lord, of Thy name.

Repeating the annual feasts of our priestly beginning, we offer to Thee a victim of praise, suppliantly entreating that, in whose ministry's stead we, unworthy, serve Thee, by his suffrages we may be rendered acceptable. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Trembling with exultation, and rejoicing with fear. For as we give thanks for Thy gift, so we fear because of our frailty. And as much as we dread on account of the excesses of the human condition, so much do we trust in Thy grace, which perfects strength in weakness; entreating the more earnestly that him whom Thou hast adorned with the honour of so great a see, Thou mayest not suffer to prove unworthy in character, and that of whose pattern Thou hast granted him to be the successor in name, Thou mayest grant him to become the follower by whatever striving after good conduct. Through, etc.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, with the advance of the times, an increase of upright governance, that what we bear before us in dignity, we may carry out in just actions. Through, etc. Multiply, O Lord, we beseech Thee, in Thy Church the spirit of grace which Thou hast given, that through the worthy institution of the pontiff, the holy devotion of Thy faithful may increase. Through, etc. VII. Likewise another. — O Almighty everlasting God, origin and perfection of all virtues, grant us, we beseech Thee, both to exercise the things that are right and to preach the things that are true, that we may afford the instruction of Thy grace to Thy faithful both by doing and by teaching. Through, etc.

Receive, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the oblations and prayers which we suppliants present both for the paschal reverence, and offer for the solemnity of the priestly beginning to be recalled, that by their intercession they may be prosperous to us, whom Thou hast appointed for us both as teachers and patrons of this office. Through, etc. It is truly meet. And to implore Thee the more profusely, that what is now to us a pious burden may be of perpetual honour. And let not the prerogative of eminence delight us more than the fitting action of dignity, and, according to the blessed apostle Paul teaching: 'He that desireth the episcopate desireth a good work,' let the effect of a holy conduct in us show forth the truth of the sacred name.

And let us, who by place preside over the rest, be subject to all with reasonable affection. Let no harmful elation of power exalt us, but rather let the lawful administration of charity make us modest. Through, etc. O God, who both dost kindly begin all good things and dost perfect them, grant us, as we glory in the beginnings of Thy grace, so to rejoice in their perfection. Through, etc. Let the hearts of Thy faithful, O Lord, we beseech Thee, be filled with Thy consolations, and let them alike bring back votive joys both from the advancement of the prelates of the Church and from their own, and, stirred by temporal solaces, let them the more readily desire eternal things. Through, etc. VIII. Likewise another.

O God, who, although Thou dost dispose the whole human race by heavenly law, yet governest Thy Church by a special dispensation, mercifully grant us both to present to Thee a worthy ministry, and, through Thy grace, to offer worthy ministers. Through, etc. Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that what we supply by frail office may rather be perfected by Thine own effect. Through, etc. Look mercifully, O Lord, we beseech Thee, upon the sacrifices of us all, that both what has been done through the service appointed, and the prayers of the faithful peoples, may rather be confirmed by Thy condescension. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Suppliantly imploring that Thou wouldest perfect a service well-pleasing to Thee, ours alike and that of those whom by the bounty of our office we substitute as chief bishops to the sacred family.