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.