August The Tenth

O SOVEREIGN and Almighty Lord, bless all Thy people, and all Thy flock. Give Thy peace, Thy help, Thy love unto us Thy servants, the sheep of Thy fold, that we may be united in the bond of peace and love, one body the bond of peace and love, one body and one spirit, in one hope of our calling, in Thy divine and boundless love - Amen.

-- LITURGY OF ST. MARK (175-254?)

Flock of sheep under an olive tree in Italy. Life magazine archive photo, taken in 1947 by photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt.

May The Thirty-First

WE GIVE Thee thanks, yea, more than thanks, O Lord our God, for all Thy goodness at all times and in all places, because Thou hast shielded, rescued, helped, and guided us all the days of our lives, and brought us unto this hour. We pray and beseech Thee, merciful God, to grant in Thy goodness that we may spend this day, and all the time of our lives, without sin, in fullness of joy, holiness, and reverence of Thee. But drive away from us, O Lord, all envy, all fear, and all temptations. Bestow upon us what is good and meet. Whatever sin we commit in thought, word, or deed, do Thou in Thy goodness and mercy be pleased to pardon. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, through the grace, mercy, and love of Thine only begotten Son - Amen.

- LITURGY OF ST. MARK (175-254?)

April The Twenty-Fourth

WE MOST earnestly beseech Thee, O Thou Lover of mankind, to bless all Thy people, the flocks of Thy fold. Send down into our hearts the peace of heaven, and grant us also the peace of this life. Give life to the souls of all of us, and let no deadly sin prevail against us, or any of Thy people. Deliver all who are in trouble, for Thou art our God, who settest the captives free; who givest hope to the hopeless, and help to the helpless; who liftest up the fallen; and who art the Haven of the shipwrecked. Give Thy pity, pardon, and refreshment to every Christian soul, whether in affliction or error. Preserve us, in our pilgrimage through this life from hurt and danger, and grant that we may end our lives as Christians (Editor note: or believe in a higher power), well-pleasing to Thee and free from sin, and that we may have our portion and lot with all Thy saints. - Amen.

- LITURGY OF ST. MARK (175-254?)