SHORT OFFICE BEFORE ENTERING THE SANCTUARY

In the Name of the Father…
The Psalm, after which is to be said: Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Psalms 84, 86, 130, 43.
Lord have mercy upon us. Christ have mercy upon us. Lord have mercy upon us.
Our Father, Who art in Heaven.
I said, O Lord, be merciful unto me.
Heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee,
Turn Thee again, O Lord, at the last.
And be gracious unto, Thy servants.
Let Thy priests be clothed with righteous ness.
And let Thy saints shout for joy.
Cleanse me, O Lord, from secret faults.
And keep back Thy servant from pre- sumptuous sins.
O Lord, hear my prayer. And let my cry come unto Thee.
(Collects as above. p. 127ff.)
(Oremus, 1925, p.134-135).

Collect for Beginning of Lent

O Gracious God, Who retainest not Thine anger forever, but delightest in mercy and pardonest iniquity, Who wouldst be gracious to Thy people rather than pour out Thy wrath upon sinners, we beseech Thee, forgive us all our sins, and enable us by Thy Holy Spirit to go and sin no more; for the sake of the bitter sufferings and death of Thy beloved Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.  Amen.

As Occasion Permits 4.

GOD, Who didst teach the hearts of the faithful by the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit: Give to us, in the same Spirit, to think rightly, and through His consolation, to rejoice always; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.  (Oremus, 1925, p.132).

As Occasion Permits 3.

LET the Paraclete, Who proceedeth from Thee, illuminate our minds, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and may He lead us into all truth, as Thy Son hath promised; through the Same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. (Oremus, 1925, p.132).

Before the Altar 2.

FORGIVE O Lord, I most humbly implore Thee, my many sins, and be gracious to my great unworthiness, granting me Thy blessing and grace so to come before Thee as will wholly show forth Thy praise and be to the good of souls: through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.  (Oremus, 1925, p.136, adapted for lay use).

On Going to the Altar.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.  I will go unto the altar of God, even unto the God of my joy and gladness.  In the multitude of Thy mercies, O Lord, I go unto Thine altar. O save and deliver me for Thy mercies’ sake. Amen. (Oremus, 1925, p.136).

For Choirs 2.

O GOD, to Whom the Cherubim and Seraphim adoringly sing, Holy, Holy, Holy: Grant that as our voices are uplifted in this service to Thy praise, so we may continually sing and make melody in our hearts unto Thee; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.  (Oremus, 1925, p.133).

As Occasion Permits 2.

O GOD, to Whom every heart is open, every desire known, from Whom no secret is hid: Purify the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that we may love Thee perfectly and praise Thee worthily; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.  (Oremus, 1925, p.132).

In the Sacristy 9.

CLEANSE me, O Lord, and purify my heart, that washed in the blood of the Lamb, I may attain everlasting joys; through the Same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. (Oremus, 1925, p.131).

Sacristy 5

LORD our God, great, eternal, wonderful, in glory, Who keepest covenant and promises for those that love Thee with their whole heart; Who art the life of all, the Help of those that flee unto Thee, the Hope of those who cry unto Thee: Cleanse me from my sin, secret and open, and from every thought displeasing to Thy goodness; cleanse my body and soul, my heart and conscience, that with a pure heart and a clean soul, with perfect love and calm hope, I may venture confidently and fearlessly, to come before Thee, and pray unto Thee; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.  (Oremus, 1925, p.129-130, adapted for lay use).