The Complete Manual of Catholic Piety / Containing a Selection of Fervent Prayers, Pious Reflection, and Solid Instructions, Adapted to Every State of Life. To Which is Annexed a Supplement, Containing Excellent and Approved Devotions, With the Epistles and Gospels for All the Sundays and Festivals of the Year.

by William Gahan

P. Dominus vobiscum:

P. The Lord be with you:

R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

R. And with thy spirit.

Going to the book, he reads the Collects, which being different every day, may be supplied by the following prayer:

Almighty and eternal God, we humbly beseech thee to look down from thy heavenly sanctuary upon this congregation, and graciously hear these prayers which thy Church addresses to thee for us by the ministry of this thy priest. Grant us, in thy infinite mercy, pardon of our sins, health of mind and body, peace in our days, unity and increase of Catholic faith, fervent charity, sincere devotion, patience in suffering, and every thing else conducive to thy glory and our own salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

At the end of the Collects, the Clerk answers, Amen. Whilst the Priest reads the Epistle for the day,* the following prayer may be said.

O eternal God, who never ceasest to excite us to the worship and love of thy holy name, or to arm us against the attacks of the world, the flesh, and the devil, by the public ministry of thy church, by the doctrine of thy prophets and apostles, and by many other holy admonitions; grant we may faithfully attend to these lessons of salvation, that thus our knowledge of thy law may never rise in judgment against us, but guide us securely to thee: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

* See Gospels and Epistles for all Sundays and festivals, p. 388 to 481.