King Oswald and Abbot Aidan - 31 August

King Oswald of Northumbria who was martyred in the year 642. His normal feast day is August 5th. Oswald is counted a saint for his evangelcal efforts to restore Christianity to Northern England. His story is intertwined with that of the Abbot Aidan, whom he recruited from Iona where he was a monk, and where Oswald had accepted Christ as Saviour. Aidan is remembered by the Church on August 31.

Almighty God, we remember this day thy Servant Oswald, who restored the Christian faith in Northumbria, restored places of worhsip, and served his Bishop-Abbot Aidan as an evangelist and interpreter. Grant that our bishops and civil authorities might follow the good example of Aidan and Oswald, in humbling themselves to better serve thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns in unity with you and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.

http://www.britannia.com/bios/saints/oswald.html

An Homily: Today's centurion martyr is Oswald, who we remember with his bishop Aidan

Abbot Aidan - 31 August, 651 Linisfarne & Oswald, Northumbria 642

O loving God, who didst call thy servant Aidan from the Peace of a cloister to re-establish the Christian mission in northern England, and didst endow him with gentleness, simplicity, and strength: Grant, we beseech thee, that we, following his example, may use what thou hast given us for the relief of human need, and may persevere in commending the saving Gospel of our Redeemer Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever.

Is 61 , St. Matthew 19:17-30 Psalm 85:8-13

Today the Church remembers Adian - Abbot and Bishop of Lindisfarne in Northern England, and we also remember his King and companion, Oswald. Bede said of Aidans missionary work: "many Northumbrians, both noble and simple, laid aside their weapons, preferring to take monastic vows rather than study the art of war."

We begin our story in 627, when Bishop Paulinus of York led a mission from Canterbury to Northern England and converted King Edwin of Northumbria. Then just five years later, Edwin died in battle and the pagans took over. Oswald, who was Edwin's nephew, went in to exile in the Columba's monastery of Iona and there was baptized.

Oswald returned to Northumbria and regained the Kingdom. He set about to evangelize the kingdom. The first attempt failed, the missionary saying the Northumbrians were too barbaric. A young monk named Aidan, hearing the missionary complain, said "Perhaps you were too harsh with them, and they might have responded better to a gentler approach." He was thereupon selected for the job.

Aidan was an austere monk. He operated out of Lindendfarn - an island off the northeast coast of England , now often called Holy Isle. He was successful, with the help of King Oswald, in restoring Christianity.

Aidan died on 31 August, 651. The historian Bede said of him:

"He neither sought nor loved anything of this world, but delighted in distributing immediately to the poor whatever was given him by kings or rich men of the world. He traversed both town and country on foot, never on horseback, unless compelled by some urgent necessity. Wherever on his way he saw any, either rich or poor, he invited them, if pagans, to embrace the mystery of the faith; or if they were believers, he sought to strengthen them in their faith and stir them up by words and actions to alms and good works."

Bede says that Aidan was once given a horse by King Oswald, the legend goes that when he then turned about and gave it to a poor peasant, Oswald rebuked him. Bede reports: Aidan turned on the king: "is the son of a mare is more important to you than a son of God?" The king then set aside his sword and prostrated himself at the bishop's feet and begged forgiveness. This alarmed Aidan: "I know this king will not live long", he said privately to a colleague, "for I never before saw a humble king."

Remember our Gospel today. Jesus, perceiving that the young man loved his wealth more than anything else said to him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

I presume he could not bring himself to do so, but left the presence of our master.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

the disciples then asked Who then can be saved?

Jesus, looking upon them with compassion, comforted them saying: With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Peter, just a bit concerned at this point, let Jesus know that they had all forsaken their possessions to follow him, and Jesus assured them they would be enthroned in heaven and eat at his board.

Consider now, if you will, the story of Aidan in 650 and some of the religous figures in our time that have enriched themselves. Does Jesus still speak to us today, is his message still valid when he says " every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

Let us pray:

Almighty God, whose servant Aidan, following our Saviour's example, abased himself to better serve thee and his King Oswald in restoring Christianity to Northern England; grant that we may put aside all manner of worldly cares, and seek thy will in all we do; through Jesus Christ

The Reverend Mark Carroll, 2005

Julian, Retired Army Officer, Martyr 28 Aug

St Julian of Brioude in the Auvergne, Retired Roman Officer, Martyr

 

Almighty God, our Refuge from tyranny, whose servant Julian of Brioude in the Auvergne, a retired Roman army Officer, did confess thy Holy name in the face of certain death; grant us the courage to acknowledge thee as the only true God before all men, knowing that we should fear no man; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Holy Ghost, one God, now and forever. 

 

http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintjda.htm

 

The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity

Announcements below

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source of Collect: Very earliest of the Sacramentaries [440]. 1 Corinthans 13:13 "now abideth faith, hope, and charity... There are two petitions, to give us increase, and secondly to make us to love reminds us of Romans 6:17... being "obdeient from the heart" [Barbee and Zahl]

Micah vi. 1, Psalm 19, Galatians v. 16   &  St. Luke xvii. 11

Homilies

Master, have mercy on us

 

Announcements for the week beginning 28 August 05

Feasts and Fasts
Julian, Centurion of Brioude (Auvergne), Martyr - August 29th [Transferred]

Bulletin Insert -- pdf reader updated weekly by Religion.com

BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Centurions in harms way,
Centurions in special training (OCS)
Peace in the Mideast

Saint Bartholomew the Apostle 24 August

 Saint Bartholomew the Apostle
24 August

O ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who didst give to thine Apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach thy Word; Grant, we beseech thee, unto thy Church, to love that Word which he believed, and both to preach and receive the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Anglican Breviary says this is the same Apostle as Nathaniel, whom is associated with Philip in the Gospel of John of whom Jesus said, "Behold, and Isrealite indeed, in whom is no guile" Ancient tradition has it that Bartholomew "Son of Tolmai" was flayed alive at Albanopolis in Armenia. Eusebius reported that when Pantaenus of Alexandria visited India between 150 and 200 he found there Matthew's Gospel that had been left by Bartholomew. His relics were translated to Rome on August 24th by Emporer Otho III.

Acts v. 12   &  St. Luke xxii. 24

Homilies

Centurion Luxurius, with Camerinus and Cisellus, Martyrs 21 Aug Transferred

A good and ancient history at the link of these three martyrs,  who refused to sacrifice under Diocletian persecution of the Church and were tortured and beheaded. Luxiurius was likely and Optio or Centurion from reading the history. The others were neophyte youths: 

http://www.ucc.ie/milmart/Luxurius.html 

 

The Psalm 85, referred to in the history that opened Luxurius' eyes and heart, is Psalm 86 by our reckoning.. here is a link

http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Psalm+86

 

O Almighty God, by whose grace and power thy holy martyrs
Luxurius, Camerinus and Cisellus triumphed over suffering and were faithful even unto
death: Grant us, who now remember them with thanksgiving,
to be so faithful in our witness to thee in this world, that we
may receive with them the crown of life; through Jesus Christ
our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy
Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Mark

 

 

 

The Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

 ALMIGHTY and merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service; Grant, we beseech thee, that we may so faithfully serve thee in this life, that we fail not finally to attain thy heavenly promises; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source of Collect: Bishop Leo I [440-461] Sacrementary. Archbishop Cranmer added "only", and the original aspiration phrase read, "that we may so run to thy heavenly promises, that we fail not finally to attain the same, through Christ our Lord"

Announcements for the week beginning 21 August 05

Weekly Collect, Scripture and Homily
May be used throughout the week following the apppointed Sunday unless another set is appointed for a special day

Please all centurions in your prayers this week. You may like to use this Centurion's Daily Litany

Feasts and Fasts
The Early Church fasted Wednesdays and Fridays except Christmas to Epiphany and Easter to Pentecost

Luxurius, Camerinus, and Cisellus, Legionaries - August 21th

Bartholomew the Apostle -- August 24th

Bulletin Insert -- pdf reader updated weekly by Religion.com

BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Centurions in harms way,
Centurions in special training (OCS)
Peace in the Mideast

Deuteronomy xxiv. 10 Galatians iii. 16   &  St. Luke x. 23

Homilies

Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself ...
this do, and thou shalt live

Evgeny of Chechnya, Soldier, Martyr 20 Aug 2002

O Almighty God, by whose grace and power thy holy martyr Evgeny of Chechnya triumphed over suffering and was faithful even unto death: Grant us, who now remember him with thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to thee in this world, that we may receive with himthe crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Captured, threatened, killed for his faith by his captors, the Checnens

http://www.orderofcenturions.org/evgeny.html

William P Dubose, Theologian, Soldier, Presbyter 18 August

In preparing a Wednesday Evening homily this week, I discovered this latter-day "centurion" on the Episcopal Church calendar, who is known as the Greatest Theologian the American Episcopal Church has produced.

Almighty God, who didst give to thy servant William Porcher DuBose special gifts as both a Christian soldier and a theologian: Grant, we beseech thee, that we may follow his example of service to thee, and be transformed into the image of Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

1 Cor ii. 1, Psalm 27, St. Luke ix. 28 ,bio and Homily of DuBose

The Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we to pray, and art wont to give more than either we desire or deserve; Pour down upon us the abundance of thy mercy; forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

Source of Collect: Leo [460], revised by Gelasius [494]. 1662 revision by Bishop Cosin added and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. [Barbee and Zahl] The Collect compliments the mercies shown by our Lord in our Gospel story today wherein all recognized his work saying, "He had done all things well"

Isaiah xxix. 18, Psalm 32, 2 Corinthians iii. 4   &  St. Mark vii. 31
Homilies

He hath done all things well

Florence Nightingale, Nurse, 13 Aug

Florence Nightingale, Nurse, 12 May 1820 - 13 Aug 1910

 

She provided nursing care in the Crimean war, and was a most important part of the Army medical staff team. She revolutionized nursing. She was later to influence the Army and the Crown to start a Medical Staff Corps to administer health care expressly so as to improve it. She was loved by the soldiers she nursed.  See her most amazing story here

http://elvis.rowan.edu/~kilroy/JEK/05/18.html

 

Life-giving God, who alone hast power over life and death, over health and sickness: Give power, wisdom, and gentleness to those who follow the example of thy servant Florence Nightingale, that they, bearing with them thy Presence, may not only heal but bless, and shine as lanterns of hope in the darkest hours of pain and fear; through Jesus Christ, the healer of body and soul, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

Litany History & Centurion's Daily Litany

centurionum, primus pilus salutem

 

This is a historical note on litanies showing that centurions of the Early Church would have used the litany prayer  forms,  and a reflection on the Centurion's Daily Litany that was prepared by one of our members and published recently.

 

From Everyman's History of the Prayer Book by Percy Dearmer: [1912]

 

Litanies existed in the 4th century, or earlier, petitions, that is to say, followed by the Greek words, Kyrie eleison ("Lord have mercy"), and afterwards by other responses also. Before it came to be used as a separate service, this type of Litany was already in the Byzantine rite a prominent part of the Holy Communion Service: it still is so, and indeed what strikes the traveller most about the celebration of the Liturgy in Greece or Russia is the deep-voiced deacon, chanting the litanies on the foot-pace in front of the altar-screen, while the choir and people respond.

 

If you used our Centurion's Daily Litany for  prayer, you'll of course notice the similarities between our form and the ancient form described above:

 

1. The Centurion's Daily Litany begins with petitions for our daily walk with God, and is actually intended for corporate worship as there are responses and the pronoun "us" is used.  I, and others, use it daily and so you can be assured that "us" is proper -- in saying it you will be in the "company" of other saints.

 

2. The Centurion's Daily Litany moves then to intercessions for specifically named "saints" of the living church, the Church Militant, who are in the Order (I've used saints here in the same way that it was first used and is found in scripture... all those who are in Christ. [Rom 8-27, Eph 16:18] and a general intercession for peace.

 

3.  The Centurion's Daily Litany has the ancient Kyrie eleison  "Lord have mercy upon us, Christ have mercy upon us, Lord have mercy upon us.

 

4. The Centurion's Daily Litany has concluding prayers, for all centurions, and for ourselves as centurions - the Prayer of the Order.

 

I encourage you to use the Centurion's Daily Litany for the named centurions each week and others centurions, by name, for whom we have requested your prayers. You need not stop there, the litany may be expanded to include others.  For instance, I have three friends in Iraq now that I include in my recitation of the daily litany.

 

You may even wish to make up you own litany. The Centurion's Daily Litany provides a good example, and so does this Litany of Prayers, or a General Supplication adopted for the Order.

 

vale

 

Mark

Links used in this paper.

http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/litany.html

http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/centurions_litany.html

http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/everyman_history/

 

Pool of Siloam Discovered

THE WORLD
Biblical Pool Uncovered in Jerusalem
The reservoir served as a gathering place for Jews making pilgrimages and is said in the Gospel of John to be the site where Jesus cured a blind man.
By Thomas H. Maugh II
Times Staff Writer (LA Times)

August 9, 2005

Workers repairing a sewage pipe in the Old City of Jerusalem have
discovered the biblical Pool of Siloam, a freshwater reservoir that
was a major gathering place for ancient Jews making religious
pilgrimages to the city and the reputed site where Jesus cured a man
blind from birth, according to the Gospel of John.


"Scholars have said that there wasn't a Pool of Siloam and that John
was using a religious conceit" to illustrate a point, said New
Testament scholar James H. Charlesworth of the Princeton Theological
Seminary. "Now we have found the Pool of Siloam exactly where John
said it was."

for rest of article see here
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-sci-siloam9aug09,1,1584700.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

A PRAYER BOOK FOR SOLDIERS AND SAILORS

A PRAYER BOOK FOR SOLDIERS AND SAILORS

 

I found this interesting publication, issued by the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America during World War II for those in the Armed Forces. I commend especially the prayer chapter, for there are many there that I've not seen before. One example, a Collect for Loyalty, is shown below the link. If you have loved ones or comrades who are serving in a hostile environment, they might appreciate some of these.

 

http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/1928/S&S_index.htm

 

Almighty God, grant us thy gift of loyalty. For our homes, give us love and obedience; for our country, sacrifice and service; for our Church, reverence and devotion; and in everything make us true to thee; through thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

11the Sunday after Trinity

The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity
Announcements Below

O GOD, who declarest thy almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity; Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace, that we, running the way of thy commandments, may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Gelasius [492-496]. Orignially Cranmer translated it faithfully, but it was altered in the 1662 update by adding the phrase " running the way of thy commandments, may obtain ". This has been seen to diminish the emphasis on God's grace and shift it to obedience of the Law. The Collect's emphasis on Grace, compliments the story of the Pharisee and the Publican praying in today's Gospel story from Luke.  [Barbee and Zahl: The Collects of Thomas Cranmer]

Isaiah xxvi. 12, Psalm 125, 1 Corinthians xv. 1   &  St. Luke xviii. 9

Homily of John Chrysostom on Corinthians' Lesson

Announcements for the week beginning 7 July 05



Please hold these and all centurions in your prayers this week. You may like to use this Centurion's Daily Litany

Feasts and Fasts

Florence Nightingale, Nurse to Combatants - August 13

Bulletin Insert -- pdf reader updated weekly by Religion.com

BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Centurions in harms way,
Centurions in special training,
Peace in the Mideast
Members traveling home from the Bishop's Meeting in Arkansas

The Transfiguration of Christ [6 August]

The Transfiguration of Christ

O GOD, who on the mount didst reveal to chosen witnesses thine only-begotten Son wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistering; Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may be permitted to behold the King in his beauty, who with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.

Exodus xxxiv. 29; Psalm 27, 2 St. Peter i. 13    St. Luke ix. 28

Homilies

Latin and other Language Courses/Texts On the Web

Centurions  salutem dicit Primus Pilus

 

I wanted to share this website with you that lists free language courses on line. I am particularly interested in picking up the Latin,  and I'll list them individually

 

The entire list of all languages is here: http://www.word2word.com/coursead.html#latin

 

An 1888 Book on Latin is here http://www.hhhh.org/perseant/libellus/aides/allgre/

 

STUDY GUIDE TO WHEELOCK LATIN is here http://www.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/Lexis/Wheelock-Latin/  (this is the most widely used Latin textbook used on college campuses said the author in 92. His guide helps you with the Wheelock textbook)

 

Latin - Virtual School of Languages http://www.learnlatin.tk/

 

Textbook 1908 - New Latin Grammar http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/PG/Bennett/bennett.htm

 

Latin - the easy was the way the Romans learned it.  small site   http://www.cherryh.com/www/latin_language.htm

 

finis

 

curate ut valeatis

The Marine and the Spider

During World War II, a US marine was separated from his unit on a Pacific island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades.


Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed.


As he waited, he prayed, "Lord, if it be your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen."

 

After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw close.  He thought, "Well, I guess the Lord isn't going to help me out of this one." Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave.

As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave.

Hah, he thought. "What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor."

As the enemy drew closer he watched from the darkness of his hideout and could see them searching one cave after another. As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand. To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on. Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance, his cave looked as if no one had entered for quite a while. "Lord, forgive me," prayed the young man. "I had forgotten that in you a spider's web is stronger than a brick wall."

Amen