eternal salvation: grant, we beseech thee, that we may experience her intercession, by whom we received the Author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who liveth. The Epistle. Tit. ii. 11. 15. Dearly beloved: The grace of God our Saviour hath appeared to all men. Instructing us, that denying ungodliness, and worldly desires, we should live soberly, and justly, and godly, in this world, looking for the blessed hope, and coming of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and might cleanse to himself a people acceptable, a pursuer of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. The Gospel. Luke ii. 21. At that time: After eight days were accomplished that the child should be circumcised: his name was called Jesus, which was called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. The Epiphany, or Manifestation of Christ to the The Collect. O God, who by the direction of a star didst this day manifest thy only Son to the Gentiles; Church acting upon the same principle, wishes to preserve to the faithful, a distinct recollection of such events as were most remarkable in the work of our redemption, and the establishment of religion: and has for this purpose appointed particular days in the year, for their commemoration. These are stiled festivals, and the Church always Beeking the edification of her children, has regulated the degree of solemnity, with which they are to be observed. The solemnization of festivals in particular countries always bears some reference to the benefit derived by the community from the objects of them, mercifully grant that we, who now know thee by faith, may come at length to see the glory of thy Majesty. Thro' the same. For the Epistle. Isaias. ix. 1. 9. ARISE, be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For behold darkness shall cover the earth, and a mist the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall walk in thy light, and kings in the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thy eyes round about and see: all these are gathered together, they are come to thee, thy sons shall come from afar, and thy daughters shall rise up at thy side. Then shalt thou see and abound, and thy heart shall wonder and be enlarged; when the multitude of the sea shall be converted to thee, the strength of the Gentiles shall come to thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Madian and Epha : all they from Saba shall come, bringing gold and frankincense, and shewing forth praise to the Lord. The Gospel. Matt. ii. 1. 12. WHEN Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying: Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to adore him. And Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he enquired of them where Christ should be born. But they said to him, in Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet: "And thou, Bethlehem, the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda; for out of thee shall come forth the ruler that shall rule my people Israel." Then Herod privately calling the wise men, enquired of them diligently the time of the star's appearing to them; and sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go, and search diligently after the child: and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come and adore him. And when they had heard the king, they went their way; and behold the star which they had seen in the east went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was. And seeing the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him : and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their own country. The first Sunday after the Epiphany. ACCORDING to thy divine mercy, O Lord, receive the vows of thy people, who pour forth their prayers to thee; that they may know what their duty requireth of them, and be able to comply with what they know. Thro'. The Epistle. Rom. xii. 1. 5. : Brethren I beseech you, by the mercy of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye reformed in the newness of your mind: that you may prove what is the good, and the acceptable, and the perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace that is given me, to all that are among you, not to be more wise than it behoveth F to be wise, but to be wise unto sobriety, and according as God hath divided to every one, the measure of faith. For as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same office so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members of one another in Jesus Christ our Lord. The Gospel. Luke ii. 42. 52. WHEN Jesus was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. And after they had fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and his parents knew it not. And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him, were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? Did not you know that I must be about my father's business? And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth: and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and man. The second Sunday after the Epiphany. O God, who didst appoint thy only begotten Son the Saviour of mankind, and commandest that his name should be called JESUS ; mercifully grant, that we who venerate his holy name on earth, may also enjoy his sight in heaven. Thro'. For the Epistle. Acts iv. 8. 12. In those days: Peter being filled with the Holy Ghost said to them: Ye rulers of the people and ancients, hear: if we this day are examined concerning the good deed done to the infirm man, by what means he hath been made whole; be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom you crucified, whom God hath raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. "This is the stone which was rejected by you the builders, which is become the head of the corner: neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men whereby we must be saved." The Gospel. John ii. 1. 11. At that time: There was a marriage in Cana in Galilee and the mother of JESUS was there. And JESUS also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of JESUS saith to him: They have no wine. And JESUS saith to her: Woman, what is it to me and to thee? my hour is not yet come. His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye. Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures a piece. JESUS saith to them: Fill the water-pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And JESUS saith to them: Draw out now, and carry to the chief steward of the feast. And they carried it. And when the chief |