A Time of Waiting
- Written by Chris McDonnell
Chris McDonnell CT February 16th 2018
The cycle of liturgical seasons continues and now we find ourselves a few days into Lent this year, days of reflection and remaking, a time to pause.
Through the coming weeks we will still have the daily chores, work to do, shopping at the supermarket and all the general concerns of family life. Day in, day out, the effort of being who we are continues unabated.
First Sunday of Lent
- Written by Alex Walker
Grant, almighty God,
through the yearly observances of holy Lent,
that we may grow in understanding
of the riches hidden in Christ
and by worthy conduct pursue their effects.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Prayer over the Offerings
Give us the right dispositions, O Lord, we pray,
to make these offerings,
for with them we celebrate the beginning
of this venerable and sacred time.
Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Renewed now with heavenly bread,
by which faith is nourished, hope increased,
and charity strengthened,
we pray, O Lord,
that we may learn to hunger for Christ,
the true and living Bread,
and strive to live by every word
which proceeds from your mouth.
Through Christ our Lord.
Grant us, almighty God,
that through this yearly observance of Lent
we may enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ
and draw upon its power in the conduct of our lives.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord,
at the beginning of this holy season refashion our hearts
and make them one with the sacrifice we are about to offer.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord,
you have renewed us with the heavenly bread
that enlivens our faith, inspires our hope,
and strengthens our charity.
Teach us to hunger for Christ, the true and living bread,
and to live by every word that proceeds from your mouth.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lent with Joseph O'Hanlon, Nottingham Priest
- Written by Alex Walker
Joseph is a native of Cavan, a retired priest of Nottingham Diocese and a member of ACTA from its
inception. He studied at Maynooth, Nottingham University and the Biblicum in Rome. He was
Director of the International Franciscan Study Centre in Canterbury and taught at Allen Hall in
London as well as Upholland and Oscott. His books include The Jesus Who Was, The Jesus Who Is,
The Dance of the Merrymaker, Mark My Word, Beginning the Bible and Walk One Hour. He has
contributed to many journals and periodicals. Joseph has a lifetime experience of teaching the Bible
and an infectious passion for communicating scholarship to adult Christians. We are very grateful to
him for sharing some reflections with us in the season of Lent and beyond, which will appear on this
web site. You are free to use them as you see fit.
Ash Wednesday
- Written by Alex Walker
Collect
Grant, O Lord, that we may begin with holy fasting
this campaign of Christian service,
so that, as we take up battle against spiritual evils,
we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Prayer over the Offerings
As we solemnly offer
the annual sacrifice for the beginning of Lent,
we entreat you, O Lord,
that, through works of penance and charity,
we may turn away from harmful pleasures
and, cleansed from our sins, may become worthy
to celebrate devoutly the Passion of your Son.
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Prayer after Communion
May the Sacrament we have received sustain us, O Lord,
that our Lenten fast may be pleasing to you
and be for us a healing remedy.
Through Christ our Lord.
Opening Prayer
Grant us, Lord, the grace
to begin this time of Christian service with a holy fast,
that, as we struggle against the spirit of evil,
we may be strengthened by the practice of self-discipline.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord God,
as Lent begins we offer you this solemn sacrifice,
begging that through our works of charity and penance
we may turn away from sin and harmful pleasures
and unite ourselves more closely to the passion of your Son,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Prayer after Communion
Lord,
may the sacrament we have received in faith
sustain and strengthen us,
so that our Lenten fast may win favour in your sight
and help to remedy our human weakness.
Grant this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.
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