Go to the Mass of the Catechumens
Go to the Solemn Collects
Go to the Veneration of the Cross
Go to the Mass of the Presanctified
§ in Quire, the Office being ended, the Priest and Ministers in black vestments, and without candles and incense, shall go unto the Altar; and prostrating themselves before it, shall pray for a while. And meanwhile the Acolytes shall spread one cloth and no more upon the Altar. His prayer being finished, the Priest, with the Ministers, shall go up to the Altar, and kiss it in the midst: and thereafter the Reader, going to the place where the Epistle is read, shall read the Prophecy, beginning it without any announcement:
THE PROPHECY
Hosea 6.1--6
THUS saith the Lord: In their affliction they will seek me early: Come, and
let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us: he hath
smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the
third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall
we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the
morning, and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain
unto the earth. O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what
shall I do unto thee? For your goodness is as a morning cloud: and as the
early dew it goeth away. Therefore I have hewed them by the Prophets, I
have slain them by the words of my mouth: and they judgements are as the light
that goeth forth. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice, and the
knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Thanks be to God shall not be said here, nor after the
Epistle following.
TRACT
Habakkuk 3
O Lord, I have heard thy speech and was afraid:
O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years.
In the midst of the two beasts, be thou acknowledged:
In the midst of the years, make thyself known.
In the time to come, be thou manifest:
In the time of the confusion of my soul in wrath, remember mercy.
God came from Libanus:
And the Holy One from the thick darkness of the wooded mountain.
His glory covered the heavens:
And the earth was full of his praise.
§ The Tract being ended, the Priest at the Epistle horn
shall say: Let us pray. Then shall the
Deacon say: Let us bow the knee. And the Subdeacon: Arise.
THE COLLECTS
ALMIGHTY God, we beseech thee graciously to behold this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. R. Arise.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified; Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before thee for all estates of men in thy holy Church, that every member of the same, in his vocation and ministry, may truly and godly serve thee; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Let us pray. Let us bow the knee. R. Arise.
MERCIFUL God, who hast made all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made,
nor desirest the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and
live; Have mercy upon all who know thee not as thou art revealed in the Gospel
of thy Son. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy
Word; and so fetch them home, blessed Lord, to thy fold, that they may be made
one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth
with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
Then shall the subdeacon, without any announcement, sing the EPISTLE following.
THE EPISTLE
Hebrews 10.1-25
THE law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices, which they offered year by year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: in burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt-offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God: he taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; then saith he, And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
TRACT
Psalm 140
Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man:
And preserve me from the wicked man.
Who imagine mischief in their hearts:
And stir up strife all the day long.
They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent:
Adder’s poison is under their lips.
Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the ungodly:
And preserve me from the wicked men.
Who are purposed to overthrow my goings:
The proud have laid a snare for me.
And spread a net abroad with cords:
Yea, and set traps in my way.
I said unto the Lord: Thou art my God:
Hear the voice of my prayers, O Lord.
O Lord God, thou strength of my health:
Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
Let not the ungodly have his desire, O Lord:
Let not his mischievous imagination prosper: lest they be too proud.
Let the mischief of their own lips fall upon the head of them:
That compass me about.
The righteous also shall give thanks unto thy Name:
And the just shall continue in thy sight.
§ The Tract ended, the Passion is sung from a bare desk: and the Celebrant shall read it also at the Epistle horn of the Altar with the subdued voice.
THE PASSION
St. John 19.1-38
PILATE therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, and said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; and went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king, speaketh against Caesar. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment-seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King ! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city; and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son ! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
(Here genuflect and pause awhile.)
The rest is sung in the tone of the Gospel: Cleanse my heart is said, but the blessing is not asked, nor are lights carried nor incense, and at the end the Celebrant does not kiss the book.
The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should
not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day, (for that Sabbath day was an high
day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be
taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the
other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he
was dead already, they brake not his legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear
pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw
it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that
ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be
fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith,
They shall look on him whom they pierced.
The Solemn Collects
Then the Priest, standing at the Epistle horn of the Altar,
shall begin immediately with joined hands.
Dearly beloved brethren, let us pray for the holy Church of God: that the Lord our God may vouchsafe to preserve it throughout all the world in unity, peace, and safety: making subject unto it all Principalities and Powers: and that he may grant unto us to dwell in such quiet and tranquillity that we may duly shew forth the glory of God the Father Almighty.
Let us pray. (Deacon:) Let us bow the knee. (Sub-deacon:) Arise.
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast in Christ made manifest thy glory unto all mankind: we beseech thee that thou wouldest preserve those things which of thy mercy thou hast created; that thy Church being spread abroad through all the world may steadfastly abide in the confession of thy holy Name. Through the same. R. Amen.
Let us pray likewise for N. the Chief Bishop: that like as the Lord our God hath appointed him to the office of a bishopric, so he may preserve him in all peace and safety for the governance of God's holy people.
Let us pray. (Deacon:) Let us bow the knee. (Sub-deacon:) Arise.
Almighty and everlasting God, whose judgement upholdeth all things both in heaven and earth: we beseech thee mercifully to have respect unto our prayers, that like as thou hast appointed this thy servant to be our Bishop so thou wouldest of thy mercy defend him against all adversities; and that all Christian peoples, acknowledging thee along to be their author and governour, may so prosper by his care that they may duly increase in bringing forth the fruits of their profession. Through. R. Amen.
Let us pray likewise for all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons; for all Subdeacons, Acolytes, Exorcists, Readers, Doorkeepers, Confessors, Virgins, and Widows: and for all God's holy People.
Let us pray. (Deacon:) Let us bow the knee. (Sub-deacon:) Arise.
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before thee for all estates of men in thy holy Church; that every member of the same in his vocation and ministry may truly and godly serve thee. Through. R. Amen.
Let us pray likewise for N. the President of the United States, and all in Civil Authority; that they, knowing whose ministers they are, may above all things seek thy honour and glory: and that we and all the People, duly considering whose authority they bear, may faithfully and obediently honour them.
Let us pray. (Deacon:) Let us bow the knee. (Sub-deacon:) Arise.
Almighty and everlasting God, our Governour, whose glory is in all the world: we commend this nation to thy merciful care, that being guided by thy Providence, we may dwell secure in thy peace. Grant to The President of the United States, and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness; and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in thy fear. Through. R. Amen.
Let us pray likewise for all them that are catechumens: that the Lord our God may open the ears of their hearts that they may enter in at the gate of his mercy; that by the washing of regeneration they may obtain the remission of all their sins, and be found faithful servants of our Lord Christ Jesus.
Let us pray. (Deacon:) Let us bow the knee. (Sub-deacon:) Arise.
Almighty and everlasting God, who dost ever increase thy Church with the abundance of a new generation: we beseech thee that thou wouldest multiply in faith and understanding them that are being taught in thy holy word; that being renewed in the water of Baptism they may be numbered among the sons of thine adoption. R. Amen.
Dearly beloved brethren, let us pray likewise to God the Father Almighty, that he would vouchsafe to cleanse the world from all false doctrine: to deliver it from pestilence and famine: to open all prisons: and to set free them that are in captivity: granting unto pilgrims a safe return: to the sick healing: and to them that travel by sea to attain unto the haven that they desire.
Let us pray. (Deacon:) Let us bow the knee. (Sub-deacon:) Arise.
Almighty and everlasting God, the comforter of them that mourn, the strength of them that travail: we beseech thee to hear the prayers of them that in any necessity make their supplications unto thee; that in all their troubles and adversities they may rejoice in the present succour of thy loving-kindness. Through. R. Amen.
Let us pray likewise for all them that are in heresy and schism: that the Lord our God may deliver them from all false doctrines, and vouchsafe to restore them to their holy Mother the Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Let us pray. (Deacon:) Let us bow the knee. (Sub-deacon:) Arise.
Almighty and everlasting God, who wouldest not that any should perish, but rather that they should be saved: we beseech thee mercifully to look upon them that are deceived by the crafts of the devil; that the hearts of them which have gone astray may be delivered from their perversities and restored to the way of truth and to the unity of thy holy Church. Through. R. Amen.
Let us pray. (Deacon:) Let us bow the knee. (Sub-deacon:) Arise.
Let us pray likewise for the Jews: that the Lord our God may remove from their hearts the veil of unbelief; and that they may come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Almighty and everlasting God, who extendest to the unbelieving of the Jews the abundance of thy mercy: graciously hear our prayers for this people whose hearts are blinded; that they may come to know Christ Jesus to be the Light of thy truth, and in him find the way out of the darkness of their misunderstandings. Through. R. Amen.
Let us pray. (Deacon:) Let us bow the knee. (Sub-deacon:) Arise.
Let us pray likewise for the heathen: that God Almighty may take away the iniquity of their hearts; that they may turn away from their idols to the true and living God, and to his only begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord and God.
Let us pray. (Deacon:) Let us bow the knee. (Sub-deacon:) Arise.
Almighty and everlasting God, who desirest not the death of a sinner but
rather that he should turn from his wickedness and live: mercifully accept our
prayers; that all who know thee not as thou art revealed in the Gospel of thy
Son may be delivered from the worship of their idols, and by the confession of
the true faith be united to thy holy Church to the honour and glory of thy
Name. Through the same. R. Amen.
Having finished the Prayers, the Priest lays aside his Chasuble and goes to the Epistle horn of the Altar, where, standing at the back corner, he takes from the Deacon a CROSS which has been previously made ready on the Altar. [Or, if he celebrate without a Deacon or Subdeacon, the Priest himself removes the Cross from the Altar, genuflecting before ascending the steps.] Turning towards the People, he partly UNCOVERS it from the top, and begins alone the Antiphon Behold the wood of the Cross, after which the Ministers join in singing the rest as far as O come, let us worship. And when the Choir sings, O come, let us worship, all kneel except the Celebrant. And all this is done twice again, except that the third time the Cross is uncovered entirely.
Behold the Wood of the Cross, whereon was hung the world's
Salvation.
O come, let us worship.
And afterward THE CROSS IS CARRIED by the Priest alone to the place made ready for it before the Holy Table, and, kneeling there, he sets it in place: next he lays aside his shoes, and approaches to venerate the Cross, thrice making a double genuflection before he kisses it. Which done, he returns and takes again his shoes and the Chasuble. Afterward the Ministers at the Altar and then in order the rest of the Clerics and Laics, two by two proceed to VENERATE THE CROSS, making double genuflections thrice, as is noted above. Meanwhile, the REPROACHES are sung, and the rest that follows, either all or in part, according to the many or few that come to venerate the Cross.
Celebrant: O my people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein
have I wearied thee? Testify against me. Because I brought thee
forth from the land of Egypt: thou hast prepared a Cross for thy Saviour.
Deacon: Agios o Theos.
Subdeacon: Holy God.
Deacon: Agios ischyros.
Subdeacon: Holy mighty.
Deacon: Agios athanatos, eleison imas.
Subdeacon: Holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.
Celebrant: Because I led thee through the desert forty years, and
fed thee with manna, and brought thee into a land exceeding good: thou hast
prepared a Cross for thy Saviour.
Deacon: Agios o Theos.
Subdeacon: Holy God.
Deacon: Agios ischyros.
Subdeacon: Holy mighty.
Deacon: Agios athanatos, eleison imas.
Subdeacon: Holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.
Celebrant: What more could I have done unto thee that I have not
done? I indeed did plant thee, O my vineyard, with exceeding fair fruit:
and thou art become very bitter unto me: for vinegar, mingled with gall, thou
gavest me when thirsty: and hast pierced with a spear the side of thy Saviour.
Deacon: Agios o Theos.
Subdeacon: Holy God.
Deacon: Agios ischyros.
Subdeacon: Holy mighty.
Deacon: Agios athanatos, eleison imas.
Subdeacon: Holy and immortal, have mercy upon us.
Celebrant: I did scourge Egypt with her first-born for thy sake: and
thou hast scourged me and delivered me up.
Deacon & Subdeacon: O my people, what have I done unto thee, or
wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
Celebrant: I led thee forth out of Egypt, drowning Pharaoh in the
Red Sea: and thou hast delivered me up unto the chief priests.
Deacon & Subdeacon: O my people, what have I done unto thee, or
wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
Celebrant: I did open the sea before thee: and thou hast opened my
side with a spear.
Deacon & Subdeacon: O my people, what have I done unto thee, or
wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
Celebrant: I did go before thee in the pillar of the cloud: and thou
hast stricken me with blows and scourges.
Deacon & Subdeacon: O my people, what have I done unto thee, or
wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
Celebrant: I did give thee to drink the water of life from the rock:
and thou hast given me to drink but gall and vinegar.
Deacon & Subdeacon: O my people, what have I done unto thee, or
wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
Celebrant: I did smite the kings of the Canaanites for thy sake: and
thou hast smitten my head with a reed.
Deacon & Subdeacon: O my people, what have I done unto thee, or
wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
Celebrant: I did give thee a royal sceptre: and thou hast given unto
my head a crown of thorns.
Deacon & Subdeacon: O my people, what have I done unto thee, or
wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
Celebrant: I did raise thee on high with great power: and thou hast
hanged me upon the gibbet of the Cross.
Deacon & Subdeacon: O my people, what have I done unto thee, or
wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me.
Celebrant: We venerate thy Cross, O Lord: and praise and glorify thy
holy Resurrection: for by virtue of the Cross joy hath come to the whole
world. (Psalm 67) God be merciful unto us and bless us:
Deacon & Subdeacon: And shew us the light of his countenance, and be
merciful unto us.
Celebrant: We venerate thy Cross, O Lord: and praise and glorify thy
holy Resurrection: for by virtue of the Cross joy hath come to the whole world.
Deacon & Subdeacon: Faithful Cross, above all other, one and only
noble Tree: none in foliage, none in blossom, none in fruit thy peer may
be. Sweetest wood, and sweetest iron, sweetest weight is hung on thee.
Celebrant: HYMN Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle, sing the
ending of the fray; now above the Cross, the trophy, sound the loud triumphant
lay: tell how Christ the world's Redeemer, as a Victim won the day.
Deacon & Subdeacon: Faithful Cross, above all other, one and only
noble Tree: none in foliage, none in blossom, none in fruit thy peer may be.
Celebrant: God in pity saw man fallen, shamed and sunk in misery, when he
fell on death by tasting fruit of the forbidden tree: then another Tree was
chosen which the world from death should free.
Deacon & Subdeacon: Sweetest wood, and sweetest iron, sweetest weight
is hung on thee.
Celebrant: Thus the scheme of our salvation was of old in order laid: that
the manifold deceiver's art by art might be outweighed: and the lure the foe put
forward into means of healing made.
Deacon & Subdeacon: Faithful Cross, above all other, one and only
noble Tree: none in foliage, none in blossom, none in fruit thy peer may be.
Celebrant: Therefore when the appointed fullness of the holy time was
come, he was sent, who maketh all things, forth from God's eternal home: thus he
came to earth, incarnate, offspring of a maiden's womb.
Deacon & Subdeacon: Sweetest wood, and sweetest iron, sweetest weight
is hung on thee.
Celebrant: Lo! He lies an infant weeping, where the narrow manger
stands: while the Mother-maid his members wraps in mean and lowly bands: and the
swaddling clothes is winding round his helpless feet and hands.
Deacon & Subdeacon: Faithful Cross, above all other, one and only
noble Tree: none in foliage, none in blossom, none in fruit thy peer may be.
Celebrant: Thirty years among us dwelling, his appointed time fulfilled,
born for this, he meets his passion, for that this he freely willed; on the
Cross the lamb is lifted where his life-Blood shall be spilled.
Deacon & Subdeacon: Sweetest wood, and sweetest iron, sweetest weight
is hung on thee.
Celebrant: He endured the nails, the spitting, vinegar, and spear, and
reed; from that holy Body broken Blood and Water forth proceed: earth, and
stars, and sky, and ocean by that flood from stain are freed.
Deacon & Subdeacon: Faithful Cross, above all other, one and only
noble Tree: none in foliage, none in blossom, none in fruit thy peer may be.
Celebrant: Bend thy boughs, O Tree of glory; thy relaxing sinews bend; for
a while the ancient rigour that thy birth bestowed, suspend: and the King of
heavenly beauty on thy bosom gently tend.
Deacon & Subdeacon: Sweetest wood, and sweetest iron, sweetest weight
is hung on thee.
Celebrant: Thou alone wast counted worthy this world's ransom to uphold:
for a shipwrecked race preparing harbour, like the Ark of old: with the sacred
Blood anointed from the smitten Lamb that rolled.
Deacon & Subdeacon: Faithful Cross, above all other, one and only
noble Tree: none in foliage, none in blossom, none in fruit thy peer may be.
Celebrant: To the Trinity be glory everlasting, as is meet: equal to the
Father, equal to the Son, and Paraclete: Trinal Unity, whose praises all created
things repeat. Amen.
Deacon & Subdeacon: Sweetest wood, and sweetest iron, sweetest weight
is hung on thee.
§ Toward the end of the Worship of the Cross the Altar is made ready, and a PROCESSION is made to the place where the Sacrament was laid yesterday, and honour is paid to the Most Holy, with incense and lights, wherewith the Procession returns, whilst there is sung:
HYMN Vexilla Regis prodeunt.
The royal banners forward go:
The Cross shines forth in mystic glow,
Where he in flesh, our flesh who made,
Our sentence bore, our ransom paid.
Where deep for us the spear was dyed,
Life's torrent rushing from his side,
To wash us in that precious flood,
Where mingled Water flowed and Blood.
Fulfilled is all that David told,
In true prophetic song of old:
Amidst the nations, God, saith he,
Hath reigned and triumphed from the Tree.
O Tree of beauty, Tree of light,
O Tree with royal purple dight,
Elect on whose triumphal breast
Those holy limbs should find their rest.
On whose dear arms so widely flung
The weight of this world's ransom hung,
The price of humankind to pay,
And spoil the spoiler of his prey.
§ The following verse is sung kneeling.
O Cross, our one reliance hail,
So may thy power with us avail
To give new virtue to the saint
And pardon to the penitent.
To thee, eternal Three in One,
Let homage meet by all be done,
Whom by the Cross thou dost restore
Preserve and govern evermore. Amen.
§ When the Priest has come to the Altar. he places the Chalice upon it, and kneeling again censes the Sacrament: then going up to the Altar he places the Host from the Chalice on the Paten and then makes the Offertory as prescribed for Good Friday.
Then turning towards the People, on the Gospel side, he says in the customary way:
Brethren, pray: that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father Almighty.
Omitting all else, he immediately sings:
Let us pray.
And now, as our Saviour Christ hath taught us, we are bold to say: Our Father, who art in heaven: Hallowed be thy Name: Thy kingdom come: They will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation. R. But deliver us from evil.
Then the Priest shall say with the low voice Amen, and afterward, like as he said Our Father, immediately and without Let us pray, he shall begin this prayer following:
Deliver us, we beseech thee, O Lord, from all evils, past, present, and to come, etc.
§ Then the Priest genuflects, slides the Paten beneath the Sacrament, and taking the Host in his right hand, lifts it up so that it may be seen by the and immediately dividing it into three parts over the Chalice, he shall place the last part into the Chalice in the usual way, but saying nothing. The Peace of the Lord is not said, nor O Lamb of God, nor is the Kiss of Peace given. And afterward, having omitted the first two Prayers, he shall say this one only:
O Lord Jesus Christ, I, thine unworthy servant, do presume to take thy Body etc.
Then shall he genuflect, and take the Paten with Christ's Body: and with great reverence and humility say:
I will receive the bread of heaven, and call upon the Name of the Lord.
Then he smites his breast as he thrice says:
Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof; but speak the word only and my soul shall be healed.
And he reverently receives the Body.
Then omitting all else which is wont to be said before taking the Sacrament of the precious Blood, he forthwith consumes with reverence the Particle of the Host with the wine. Then he washes his fingers in the accustomed manner; and takes the purification. Afterward, bowing down in the midst of the Altar, he says with hands joined:
Grant that what we have received with the mouth, O Lord, we may keep with a pure heart, etc.
And nothing further is said: and EVENSONG
is said without chant: and the Altar is laid bare.

If there is a set of Propers from the Anglican Missal which you would like to
see available here,
Or if you have any comments or suggestions regarding this website,
Please contact Fr. Richard L. B. Sutter,
SSM

