PROPER PREFACES

Advent
Because you sent your beloved Son to redeem us from sin and death, and to make us heirs in Him of eternal life; that when He shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold His appearing.

Christmas
Because you gave Jesus Christ, your only Son, to be born for us; who, by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, was made perfect Man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother; so that we might be delivered from the bondage of sin, and receive power to become your children.

Epiphany
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Because in coming to dwell among us as man, He revealed the radiance of His glory, and brought us out of darkness into His own marvellous light.

Lent
For you bid your faithful people cleanse their hearts, and prepare with joy for the Paschal feast; that, fervent in prayer and in works of mercy, and renewed by your Word and Sacraments, they may come to the fullness of grace which you have prepared for those who love you.

Holy Week
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. For our sins He was lifted high upon the cross, that He might draw the whole world to Himself; and, by His suffering and death, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who put their trust in Him.

Easter
But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for He is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken away the sin of the world. By His death He has destroyed death, and by His rising to life again He has won for us eternal life.

Ascension
Through your dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord. After His glorious resurrection He openly appeared to His disciples, and in their sight ascended into heaven, to prepare a place for us; that where He is, there we might also be, and reign with Him in glory.

Pentecost
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. In fulfilment of His true promise, the Holy Spirit came down (on this day) from heaven, lighting upon the disciples, to teach them and to lead them into all truth; uniting peoples of many tongues in the confession of one faith, and giving to your Church the power to serve you as a royal priesthood, and to preach the Gospel to all nations.

Trinity Sunday
For in the mystery of Your Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, You have revealed Your glory; three Persons equal in majesty, undivided in splendour, yet one Lord, one God, ever to be worshipped and glorified.

Our Lady
For in your matchless wisdom you chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of our Saviour Jesus Christ, your only begotten Son, who shares your eternal splendour; and in her, you have given your Church an example of selfless devotion to you in generous love.

Saints'Day
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. For in the saints you have given us an example of godly living; that rejoicing in their fellowship, we may run with perseverance the race that is set before us, and with them receive the crown of glory.

Harvest Festival
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, the Word active in creation, who dwelling among us Himself rejoiced in the beauty of the earth; giving thanks to you for the fruits of harvest and the fishes of the sea; and through His own work hallowing all human service.

Commemoration of the Dead
Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who rose victorious from the dead, and comforts us with the blessed hope oflife eternal. For to your faithful people, O Lord, life is changed, not ended; and when our mortal body lies in death, there is prepared for us a dwelling place eternal in the heavens.

Christian Initiation
Because in Jesus Christ our Lord you have received us as your sons and daughters, made us citizens of your kingdom, and given us the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.

Marriage
Because wife and husband, sharing together in your grace, which gives life, bear witness, through mutual love and commitment one to the other, to the bond of love between Christ and His Church.

Ordinations (and feasts of Apostles)
Through the great Shepherd of your flock, Jesus Christ our Lord; who after His resurrection sent forth His apostles to preach the Gospel and to teach all nations; and promised to be with them always, even to the end of the ages.

Dedication Festival
For your blessings on this house of prayer, where we are stirred to faithful witness, and are built by your Spirit into a temple made without hands, even the Body of your Son, Jesus Christ.

The Lord's 'Day
Because on this most glorious day, a triple light was given. On the first day of creation you brought light and life into being. On the first day, for our salvation, you raised your Son victorious over death; and on this day you gave your Holy and lifegiving Spirit to your church.

Common Preface

Of God the Father
For you are the source of light and life; you made us in your image, and called us to new life in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Of God the Son
Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who on the first day of the week overcame death and the grave, and by His glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life.

Of God the Holy Spirit
For by water and the Holy Spirit you have made us a new people in Jesus Christ our Lord, to show forth your glory in all the world.

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

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