The Sunday called Septuagesima

The Sunday called Septuagesima
the third Sunday before Lent

O LORD, we beseech thee favourably to hear the prayers of thy people; that we, who are justly punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered by thy goodness, for the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

Source: Sacramentary of Bishop Gregory of Rome [600 AD]. The collect shows the great stress that Gregory knew from all sorts of calamities and threats - often perceived directly as a result of the sin of the nation. Septuageesima is the pre-Lent Sunday approximately 70 days before Easter. It comes from the Middle Ages

Joshua i:1   Psalm xx   1 Corinthians ix. 24   &   St. Matthew xx. 1

Homiles

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