THE HOLY INNOCENTS
January 7
Father, at the command of King Herod, the Innocents of Bethlehem became the first to proclaim your Son through the shedding of their blood. Shatter our complacency in the face of injustice, frustrate the designs of the wicked, and give us tenderness to come alongside all who experience pain and loss with a compassion that is born of your love. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD
January 13
Father in heaven, at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan, you proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Grant that we, your adopted sons and daughters, reborn through water and the Holy Spirit, may always be well pleasing to you, and may boldly confess him as Savior and Lord, for he lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE CONFESSION OF SAINT PETER THE APOSTLE
January 18
Almighty Father, you inspired Simon Peter to clearly confess your Son as the Messiah. Keep your Church steadfast upon the rock of his faith, so that in unity and peace we may proclaim one truth and follow one Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
SAINT TIMOTHY
January 24
Father, you filled your bishop Timothy with a deep care and love for others, and called him to preach, to teach, and to suffer – even unto death. Fill us with the strength to stand fast in the midst of every adversity, the courage to live godly and righteous lives, and a sure confidence in the new life you extend to all who are reborn through Jesus, your Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE CONVERSION OF SAINT PAUL THE APOSTLE
January 25
Eternal Father, through the preaching of your apostle Paul you have caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world. Grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by following his holy teaching. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Merciful Father, you inspired your servant Dorcas to minister through deeds rooted in generosity and love. Grant us the will to love you, open our hearts to hear you, and strengthen our hands to serve you in others for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
When the Feasts of Saint Cornelius and/or Saint Titus fall on or after Ash Wednesday,
they are to be anticipated prior to Ash Wednesday.
SAINT CORNELIUS THE CENTURION
February 4
Gracious and loving Father, through your Spirit you called Cornelius the Centurion to be the first Christian among the Gentiles. Grant to your faithful people a willingness to go where you send them and to do what you command that the prejudices that blind us might cease, and that we might welcome all who turn to you in love. We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
SAINT TITUS
February 6
Father, you filled your bishop Titus with a deep care and love for others, and called him to preach, to teach, and to suffer – even unto death. Fill us with the strength to stand fast in the midst of every adversity, the courage to live godly and righteous lives, and a sure confidence in the new life you extend to all who are reborn through Jesus, your Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE ANNUNCIATION OF OUR LORD
March 25
Loving Father, before the first spark of your creative work you willed that your Eternal Word would assume our flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary. As we celebrate today your Son’s Incarnation, unite us to him in his passion, death, and resurrection, that we may become partakers of his divine nature and so enter into the glory of your Kingdom, where he lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
When March 25 falls during Holy Week, this feast is celebrated on the Saturday before Palm Sunday.
When it falls during Easter Week, the celebration is kept on the Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter.
