The Epiphany Proclamation — Noveritis

The Noveritis, also known as the Epiphany Proclamation, is a listing of liturgical dates of moveable feasts in the year ahead. Noveritis is the first word of a refrain when the text is sung.

According to ancient custom, the date of Easter was announced on the feast of Epiphany. This tradition dated from a time when calendars were not readily available, and the church needed to publicize the date of Easter, since many celebrations of the liturgical year depend on it. (Wikipedia)

The proclamation may be read or sung, either after the reading of the Gospel or after the postcommunion prayer.

Dear brothers and sisters,
the glory of the Lord is dawning upon us,
and will always shine on us
until the day of his return.

We will celebrate the mysteries of our salvation
in the course of the coming year:

Ash Wednesday will be on the _____ of _____, the beginning of the season of Lent.

We will celebrate Resurrection of our Lord on the _____ of _____, with Easter joy.

The Ascension of our Lord will be on the _____ of _____.

The Day of Pentecost will be on the _____ of _____.

The First Sunday of Advent will be on the _____ of _____.

To Jesus Christ, who is, who was, and who is coming,
the Lord of all time and history,
be endless praise, forever and ever.
Amen.

Source: Adapted from http://www.standrewsemporia.org/epiphany.html.https://www.english.op.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/noveritis-2023-with-translation.pdf

See also: https://chasingchurches.com/2019/01/11/epiphany-proclamation-easter/

For 2024

Dear brothers and sisters,
the glory of the Lord is dawning upon us,
and will always shine on us
until the day of his return.

We will celebrate the mysteries of our salvation
in the course of the coming year:

Ash Wednesday will be on the 14th of February,
the beginning of the season of Lent.

We will celebrate Resurrection of our Lord on the 31st of March,
with Easter joy.

The Ascension of our Lord will be on the 9th of May.

The Day of Pentecost will be on the 19th of May.

The First Sunday of Advent will be on the 1st of December.

To Jesus Christ, who is, who was, and who is coming,
the Lord of all time and history,
be endless praise, forever and ever.
Amen.

For 2025

Dear brothers and sisters,
the glory of the Lord is dawning upon us,
and will always shine on us
until the day of his return.

We will celebrate the mysteries of our salvation
in the course of the coming year:

Ash Wednesday will be on the 5th of March,
the beginning of the season of Lent.

We will celebrate Resurrection of our Lord on the 20th of April,
with Easter joy.

The Ascension of our Lord will be on the 29th of May.

The Day of Pentecost will be on the 8th of June.

The First Sunday of Advent will be on the 30th of November.

To Jesus Christ, who is, who was, and who is coming,
the Lord of all time and history,
be endless praise, forever and ever.
Amen.

For 2026

Dear brothers and sisters,
the glory of the Lord is dawning upon us,
and will always shine on us
until the day of his return.

We will celebrate the mysteries of our salvation
in the course of the coming year:

Ash Wednesday will be on the 18th of February,
the beginning of the season of Lent.

We will celebrate Resurrection of our Lord on the 5th of April,
with Easter joy.

The Ascension of our Lord will be on the 14th of May.

The Day of Pentecost will be on the 24th of May.

The First Sunday of Advent will be on the 29th of November.

To Jesus Christ, who is, who was, and who is coming,
the Lord of all time and history,
be endless praise, forever and ever.
Amen.

A shorter form, based on the Latin text:

Dear brothers and sisters,
as we have rejoiced in the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ,
so by God’s mercy we announce to you
the joy of our Savior’s resurrection.

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, will occur on the _____ of _____.

The Resurrection of our Lord will occur on the _____ of _____.

The Ascension of the Lord will be commemorated on the _____ of _____.

Pentecost, the conclusion of the season of Easter, will be celebrated on the _____ of _____.

Thus the First Sunday of the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ will be the _____ of _____.

To him honor and glory, forever and ever.
Amen.

Latin text from http://www.liturgialatina.org/pontificale/084.htm

A Collection of Prayers Annual Report, June 18, 2023

I haven’t posted many new prayers in the last year–only a few Lenten, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday litanies from some newly found resources.

Searches and hits on “Sanctus / Holy, Holy, Holy” remains the top item, with Luther’s Evening Prayer, Kyrie, Eleison / Lord, Have Mercy, Go Forth into the World, In the Midst of Life We Are in Death, and Agnus Dei / Lamb of God all in the top hits and searches.

With Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei as some of the top hits, I see a pattern of interest in the history of the Western Rite. Perhaps that could be a subject for a series of posts, or maybe even a book!

The chief views continue to be from English speaking countries (U.S., U. K., Canada and Australia), but there is growing usage from the Philippines, India and South Africa. There are very few countries that haven’t viewed A Collection of Prayers. 

Links to A Collection of Prayers

WordPress lets me see referrers, that is, other websites that have a link to A Collection of Prayers. The biggest referrers are a liturgy website (www.liturgies.net), Christian spirituality websites (www.christianity.com, www.crosswalk.com) followed by individual ministries, churches, and even denominational websites.

The past year was more significant for the production and sales of books than for the database of prayers on the website.

The sale of books pays for the website and supports research. Prayers from the Ancient Celtic Church and The Antiphonary of Bangor remain the top sellers.

In 2023 I published Prayers through the Centuries, a revision of Prayers of the Early Church and Prayers of the Middle Ages by J. Manning Potts, now in public domain. This book had been finished several years ago, and the entire contents of those books is on http://www.acollectionofprayers.com. The time seemed right to publish those in print as a single volume.

I also published a revision of Paul Zeller Strodach’s Oremus, now titled Oremus–Let Us Pray.

I moved all my books from Lulu to Amazon KDP. Lulu’s system brought minimal returns for royalties when books were purchased through other retailers. Amazon KDP also sells through multiple retailers with a better return. Because many people use Amazon, using Amazon KDP makes my books easier to find. The whole Praying with the Readings series has been moved to Amazon KDP, and is getting more exposure. Now and Forever: Contemporary Collects was also re-edited to be a part of the Praying with the Readings series, now including the collects arranged for use with the Historic Lectionary.

Beyond This Website, Books and Products

Various denominational and devotional publishers have contacted me about using A Collection of Prayers as a source. I am always happy to share my work. People who share free worship materials on their websites have contacted me for permission to use and share–which is what A Collection of Prayers is all about.

May God be glorified and our neighbors edified!

Good Friday Kyrie

Let us all cry with one voice,
Lord, have mercy.

You were led like a sheep to be crucified,
Lord, have mercy.

From the cross you looked on your mother and your disciple. Look on us from heaven with pity,
Lord, have mercy.

By the shedding of your blood you redeemed the world.
Lord, have mercy.

You commended your spirit to your Father,
Lord, have mercy.

By your cross grant us forgiveness,
Lord, have mercy.

Source: Mozarabic Breviary, 480, 482. Freely modified from Devotions from Ancient and Medieval Sources (Western), ed. Rev. Charles Plummer, 1916.

NEW: Prayers through the Centuries

Based on Prayers of the Early Church and Prayers of the Middle Ages, originally edited by James Manning Potts, now in the public domain. Both of Potts’ books are presented here in one volume with the language revised and refreshed for modern use. The chapters correspond to the centuries of the early and medieval church.

In his preface to Prayers of the Early Church, Potts wrote, “This book of prayers is published with the hope and prayer that it may have wide use.” This revision is published also with the hope and prayer that these resources may have an even wider use.

In paperback and for Kindle.

Good Friday Litany

Lord, hear the prayers of your people,
and forgive our sins, for you are kind.

Lord, Creator of the world, you judge righteously, deliver us from evil by your Right Hand,
and forgive our sins, for you are kind.

By your Cross you purchased for yourself a people from the nations, graciously blot out the sins of all, O Christ,
and forgive our sins, for you are kind.

You called on the Father, and asked him to forgive. Forgive our debts, and loosen our bonds,
and forgive our sins, for you are kind.

You promised the rest of Paradise to the thief. Help the penitents who are bound,
and forgive our sins, for you are kind.

Mozarabic Breviary, 574. Freely modified from Devotions from Ancient and Medieval Sources (Western), ed. Rev. Charles Plummer, 1916.

Good Friday Response (2)

My enemies lie in wait for me without a cause.
Holy Father, have mercy and deliver me.

I was led as a lamb to the slaughter, caught by my enemies like a bird in a snare without a cause.
Holy Father, have mercy and deliver me.

Evil people opened their mouths against me, they gnashed their teeth, seeking to devour me. They hissed and shouted and shook their heads, bringing false witness against me without a cause.
Holy Father, have mercy and deliver me.

They condemned and nailed me to the cross with nails of iron. Judas sold me for thirty pieces of silver. They pierced my side with a spear, and there flowed out water with innocent blood without a cause.
Holy Father, have mercy and deliver me.

They surrounded me, even when I was buried in the tomb. They put a seal on the stone without a cause.
Holy Father, have mercy and deliver me.

Look, merciful Father, and help the wretched, for whom I suffer such bitter punishments without a cause.
Holy Father, have mercy and deliver me.

Source: Gallican Sacramentary, 842. Freely modified from Devotions from Ancient and Medieval Sources (Western), ed. Rev. Charles Plummer, 1916.

Good Friday Response

O Lord, behold my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed! (Lamentations 1:9)

Have mercy, righteous Father, and forgive us all.

Sent from the Father, I came to seek the lost and to redeem with my blood those who were carried captive by the enemy. A cruel people rejected me.

Have mercy, righteous Father, and forgive us all.

Foretold by the prophets, I was born of a virgin, I took on myself the nature of a servant to gather those who were scattered. The hunters took me.

Have mercy, righteous Father, and forgive us all.

They rewarded me much evil for good. They devised wicked plans against me. They sold me for money.

Have mercy, righteous Father, and forgive us all.

They put a crown of thorns on my head. They spit on me. They mocked my affliction.

Have mercy, righteous Father, and forgive us all.

They hung me on the cross with evil thieves. They fed me with gall, and to punish me they gave me vinegar to drink.

Have mercy, righteous Father, and forgive us all.

Those I came to deliver accused me. They beat me with scourges and crucified me. They pierced me with a spear.

Have mercy, righteous Father, and forgive us all.

I was laid in the tomb. I broke the gates of hell. I brought out the captives and led them on high. I displayed them in triumph.

Have mercy, righteous Father, and forgive us all.

Most merciful Father, forgive all their evil deeds. Blot out their sins and absolve the crimes of those who did not know what they were doing.

Have mercy, righteous Father, and forgive us all.

You pardoned the crimes of the repentant thief. Loosen our chains and absolve our guilt. Save us by your cross.

Have mercy, righteous Father, and forgive us all.

Source: Mozarabic Manual, 354; cf. Gallican Sacramentary, 843. Freely modified from Devotions from Ancient and Medieval Sources (Western), ed. Rev. Charles Plummer, 1916.

…And Forgive Us

We cry to you, Lord, have mercy on us,
and forgive us.

King of Heaven and eternal Lord, receive the prayer we pour out before you,
and forgive us.

Visit the sick, release the captives, help the widow and the orphan,
and forgive us.

We have sinned and have turned from you. Redeemer of all, save us,
and forgive us.

Have mercy on the penitent, and wash away the stains of sin,
and forgive us.

Source: Mozarabic Breviary, 166. Freely modified from Devotions from Ancient and Medieval Sources (Western), ed. Rev. Charles Plummer, 1916.

Litany of Repentance

Christ, pitying Redeemer of souls, listen to the sighing of those who mourn,
and have mercy.

Lord, hear to your Church, and grant forgiveness to all we pray for,
and have mercy.

Remember that we are but dust and will return again to the earth. Refashion us for good,
and have mercy.

Forgive the sinner, restore captives to their country, and answer the prayers of all,
and have mercy.

Forgive our guilt, forgive our sins, forgive the debts of all, to all grant pardon,
and have mercy.

Source: Mozarabic Breviary, 418, Freely modified from Devotions from Ancient and Medieval Sources (Western), ed. Rev. Charles Plummer, 1916.

Ash Wednesday Collect

Lord Jesus Christ,
because of your love for humanity
you took on yourself the form of a servant,
although you are our Lord.
You walk like a wounded man,
although you are our Physician.
Raise us from our falls,
enlighten our blindness,
and loosen the chains of sins that have bound us;
you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

Source: Leofric Missal, 182, shortened. Freely modified from Devotions from Ancient and Medieval Sources (Western), ed. Rev. Charles Plummer, 1916.