Category: Prayers and liturgy

The collect for today, the commemoration of William Wilberforce (1759-1833), English MP, Social Reformer, Abolitionist (source):

Let thy continual mercy, O Lord, enkindle in thy Church the never-failing gift of charity, that, following the example of thy servant William Wilberforce, we may have grace to defend the children of the poor, and maintain the cause of those who have no helper; for the sake of him who gave his life for us, thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever.

The Epistle: Galatians 3:23-29
The Gospel: St. Matthew 25:31-40

Artwork: Samuel Joseph, William Wilberforce, 1840. Westminster Abbey, London.

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The collect for today, the Feast of Saint Olaf (c. 995-1030), Patron Saint of Norway (source):

Almighty God, Who didst enable Thy faithful soldier and servant Olaf to play the man and upon sea and land to endure hardness and to fight the good fight of the faith: Grant unto us whom Thou hast called to serve under Thy banner a single heart to spend and be spent for Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle: 1 St Peter 4:12-19
The Gospel: St Matthew 16:24-27

Saint Olaf of Norway, also known as Olaf II Haraldsson, was one of the most important figures in Norwegian history. Born around 995, he came from royal Viking stock and spent part of his youth as a raider and warrior across northern Europe. His life changed dramatically around 1013 during a visit to Normandy, where he encountered Christianity and was baptised in Rouen.

In 1015, Olaf returned to Norway and claimed the throne, determined to unite the country under one Christian kingdom. He worked hard to spread Christianity by building churches, supporting missionaries, and encouraging his people to adopt the new faith. He also introduced laws based on Christian principles, promoting justice and order throughout the kingdom. His religious code of 1024 marked Norway’s first national legislation. Although many local chieftains opposed his reforms, Olaf remained determined to strengthen both the monarchy and the Christian Church.

Political conflicts eventually forced Olaf into exile. In 1030, he returned to Norway in an attempt to regain his throne but was defeated and killed at the Battle of Stiklestad. Soon after his death, many people believed that miracles occurred at his burial site. These reports led to his canonization in 1031, and he was honored as Saint Olaf, patron saint of Norway.

Artwork: Unknown sculptor, Saint Olaf, c. 1470. Museum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte de Hansestadt (St. Anne’s Museum), Lübeck, Germany.

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The collect for today, the Eighth Sunday after Trinity, from The Book of Common Prayer (Canadian, 1962):

O God, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth: We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which be profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle: Romans 8:12-17
The Gospel: St. Matthew 7:15-21

Artwork: Fortunino Matania (1881-1963), Sermon on the Mount, Private collection.

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The collect for today, the Feast of St. James the Apostle, from The Book of Common Prayer (Canadian, 1962):

GRANT, O merciful God, that as thine holy Apostle Saint James, leaving his father and all that he had, without delay was obedient unto the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed him; so we, forsaking all worldly and carnal affections, may be evermore ready to follow thy holy commandments; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lesson: Acts 11:27-12:3a
The Gospel: St. Mark 10:32-40

Saint James the Greater was one of the Twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus Christ and is remembered as a devoted disciple, missionary, and the first apostle to die for the Christian faith. He and the Apostle John were sons of Zebedee, a fisherman. James was among the first disciples called by Jesus when the latter encountered the brothers at the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 4:21). Jesus saw them mending nets in their boat, and “immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him” (Mark 1:19–20).

Jesus nicknamed James and John the “Sons of Thunder” (Boanerges, Mark 3:17), apparently reflecting their passionate and impetuous temperament. On one occasion, they asked Jesus to command fire from heaven upon a Samaritan village that refused them hospitality (Luke 9:54). They also requested places of honour for them in Jesus’ kingdom—one at his right and one at his left—prompting a lesson on servant leadership (Mark 10:35–40).

James belonged to Jesus’ innermost circle, alongside Peter and John. He witnessed key moments of Christ’s ministry unseen by the other apostles: the raising of Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:37), the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1), and the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:33). These experiences underscore the profound trust Jesus placed in him.

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The collect for today, the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, from The Book of Common Prayer (Canadian, 1962):

ALMIGHTY God, whose blessed Son did sanctify Mary Magdalene, and call her to be a witness to his resurrection: Mercifully grant that by thy grace we may be healed of all our infirmities, and always serve thee in the power of his endless life; who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.

The Lesson: Acts 13:27-31
The Gospel: St John 20:11-18

Artwork: Giuseppe Maria Crespi, Noli me tangere, c. 1688. Oil on canvas, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.

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The collect for today, the Feast of Saint Swithun (d. 862), Bishop of Winchester (source):

Almighty God,
by whose grace we celebrate again
the feast of thy servant Swithun:
grant that, as he governed with gentleness
the people committed to his care,
so we, rejoicing in our inheritance in Christ,
may ever seek to build up thy Church in unity and love;
through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord,
who liveth and reigneth with thee,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

With the Epistle and Gospel for a Bishop or Archbishop, from The Book of Common Prayer (Canadian, 1962):

The Epistle: 1 Timothy 6:11-16
The Gospel: St. Luke 12:37-43

Saint Swithun was a respected ninth-century bishop and is one of England’s best-known early saints. Although little is known about his early life, he became Bishop of Winchester around 852 during the reign of King Ethelwulf of Wessex.

As bishop, Swithun gained a reputation for piety and learning. He is credited with restoring and expanding Winchester Cathedral and played a significant role in the spiritual life of Wessex during a period of Viking incursions and religious renewal. Medieval hagiographies portray him as a humble, charitable leader devoted to monastic reform and pastoral care.

Before his death in 863, he asked to be buried outside the cathedral where rain would fall upon his grave and people could walk over it, believing that he deserved no special honour. In 971, however, his remains were transferred inside the cathedral to a magnificent shrine. According to folklore, this disruption of his wishes provoked a violent rainstorm that lasted for forty days. This legend birthed the famous British weather lore: whatever the weather on Saint Swithun’s Day (July 15), it will persist for the subsequent forty days.

After his death, miracles were attributed to his intercession, particularly healing miracles associated with his shrine at Winchester. This led to his widespread veneration as a saint.

Artwork: Saint Swithun, stained glass, Winchester Cathedral, Winchester, England.

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The collect for today, the Sixth Sunday after Trinity, from The Book of Common Prayer (Canadian, 1962):

O God, who hast preparest for them that love thee such good things as pass man’s understanding: Pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle: Romans 6:3-11
The Gospel: St Luke 6:27-36

Artwork: Rudolf Yelin, Sermon on the Mount in the Black Forest, c. 1912. Oil on canvas, Reinerzau Protestant Church, Reinerzau, Germany.

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The collect for a Bishop or Archbishop, on the Commemoration of Stephen Langton (c. 1150-1228), Archbishop of Canterbury from 1207, from The Book of Common Prayer (Canadian, 1962):

O GOD, our heavenly Father, who didst raise up thy faithful servant Stephen Langton to be a Bishop in thy Church and to feed thy flock: We beseech thee to send down upon all thy Bishops, the Pastors of thy Church, the abundant gift of thy Holy Spirit, that they, being endued with power from on high, and ever walking in the footsteps of thy holy Apostles, may minister before thee in thy household as true servants of Christ and stewards of thy divine mysteries; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

The Epistle: 1 Timothy 6:11-16
The Gospel: St. Luke 12:37-43

Stephen Langton was one of the most distinguished churchmen, scholars, and statesmen of medieval England. Born in Lincolnshire, he studied theology at the University of Paris, where he became a renowned biblical scholar and teacher.

In 1206, Pope Innocent III consecrated Langton as Archbishop of Canterbury. This appointment triggered a bitter, eight-year dispute with King John, who refused to recognise Langton and barred him from England. Langton remained in exile in France until John finally capitulated under papal interdict in 1213.

Langton’s leadership helped secure Magna Carta in 1215, whose first clause famously declared “the English Church shall be free.” Though briefly suspended by the Pope for supporting the barons, Langton later returned, guided the regency of Henry III, and secured the 1225 reissue of Magna Carta.

Stephen Langton also made a lasting contribution to biblical scholarship. He is traditionally credited with dividing the books of the Latin Bible into the chapter system that is still used today, greatly improving the organisation and study of Scripture. His work as a theologian, church leader, and defender of justice earned him lasting respect. Langton remained Archbishop of Canterbury until his death in 1228, leaving a legacy that influenced both the Church and English constitutional history.

Langton died on 9 July 1228 at Slindon, Sussex, and was buried in Canterbury Cathedral. A scholar-primate who prioritized justice and ecclesiastical liberty, he helped embed the principle that even kings are subject to law—an enduring legacy in Western constitutional thought.

Artwork: Stephen Langton, stained glass, Southwark Cathedral, London. Photograph taken by admin, 20 October 2014.

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