Saint Michael and all Angels [Sep 29]

 

Saint Michael and all Angels
[September 29]

O EVERLASTING God, who hast ordained and constituted the services of Angels and men in a wonderful order; Mercifully grant that, as thy holy Angels always do thee service in heaven, so, by thy appointment, they may succour and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daniel xii. 1, Revelation xii. 7   &   St. Matthew xviii. 1
Homilies

 

There was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon;
and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not

Meditating on the Word

To Meditate on Holy Scripture is one of the Rules of the Order. 

 

In the latest edition in the "Mandate," published by the Prayer Book Society, the Editor Dr. Peter Toon is dedicated to Christian traditions and techniques for Scriptural meditation. You must have a PDF reader installed on your computer to use these (5 or higher recommended)

 

Here are the contents concerning of this edition concerning meditation: see links to pages below.

 

Meditating—                      "The Christian Way, not the Eastern"

The Christian Way    

Page 3

 

Holy Communion as           Entitled True Liturgy. - "liturgical worship is impersonal

Supra- Personal                 because it is Supra-personal"

Page 4

 

Meditating—                      To acquaint ourselves with that form of meditation which is  

The Biblical Way                described and commended in the Bible

Pages 5–6

 

Meditating before               lectio continua - the continuous reading of Scripture

the Lord                            lectio divina - meditation that leads to communion with God

 

Page 7–8

 

Meditating with Heart,         some scriptural exhortations

Soul, Mind and Strength

Page 9–10

 

Meditating—                      Ignatian Method: Prepare, Picture, Ponder, Pray, Practice

Using a Simple Method

Page 11–12

 

Meditating and                  Contemplation... Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross,

Contemplating                  Sulpician Method

Page 13–14

 

 

(These are large files and require a PDF Reader.)

http://www.episcopalian.org/pbs1928/Mandate/2005-09-10-Mandate_Web_pp01-04.pdf

http://www.episcopalian.org/pbs1928/Mandate/2005-09-10-Mandate_Web_pp05-08.pdf

http://www.episcopalian.org/pbs1928/Mandate/2005-09-10-Mandate_Web_pp09-12.pdf

http://www.episcopalian.org/pbs1928/Mandate/2005-09-10-Mandate_Web_pp13-16.pdf

 

 

Rembrant - Philosopher Reading

The Passion of St. Callistratus 27 Sep

The ancient history says the ggrandfather of this soldier of Christ witnessed the crucifixion and saw the risen Christ.

http://www.ucc.ie/milmart/BHO185.html

The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

Announcements below

 

The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

LORD, we beseech thee, grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil; and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source Bishop Gelasians Sacrmentary [494] where appointed for the Sunday before Ember Days in the Autum. Ember days were for penitence, fasting, and the Saturday for ordinations in Rome. The 1662 added temptations of the world, the flesh One is reminded of the Lord's prayer and of 2 Perter 2:9

Amos viii. 4, Psalm 62, 1 Corinthians i. 4.   &   St. Matthew xxii. 34
Homilies Featuring Chrysostom on the Gospel

 

And no man was able to answer him a word,
neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

 

 

 

Announcements for the week beginning 25 September 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 hold all centurions in your prayers this week. You may like to use this Centurion's Daily Litany
Last call for Labarum Guard

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

Callistratus - September 27th

Michael, Archangel Militant, and all angels - September 29th
Also the dedication of the Order and Chapel 29 September

Ursus and Victory, Soldier of Theban Legion, Martyrs - September 30th

Bulletin Insert -- pdf reader updated weekly by Religion.com
publication problems, maybe last week's?

BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Survivors & Support Operations -- Hurricane Katrina & Rita
Centurions in harms way,
Centurions in special training (OCS)
Peace in the Mideast

Maurice and Theban Legion [Sep 22]

See a short version of the story of Maurice and the Theban Legion's matrydom here.

http://www.roca.org/OA/63/63f.htm#Saint%20Maurice%20and%20the%20Theban%20Legion

Maurice,  Exuperus, Victor and Candidus (a senator), and the Legion

 

Greco

OrderofCenturions testCenturions Forum This came from Blog This on the web

Eustachius, General, Martyr - September 20th [188]

Placidus; Christian name Eustachius, General of Rome under Emperor Trajan.  According to tradition, his epiphany came while on a hunting trip when he saw the cross in the antlers of a stag, and received a prophesy that he would suffer for Christ. He converted, was discredited, and lost family and his property and thus was a pauper. Trajan recalled him to active duty, because of his great military skill, to fight against barbarian raiders, and he was reunited with his family. After defeating the barbarians, Eustachius refused to make the obligatory victory sacrifice to the Roman gods and was imprisoned and executed with others who refused. See painting below:

"O LORD GOD of hosts, stretch forth, we pray thee, thine almighty arm to strengthen and protect the warriors of thy kingdom in the Church Militant. Support them in the day and hour of battle, and, during slow times, keep them safe from evils and temptations. Endue them with courage and loyalty to God's Word like thy servant now departed, General Eustachius. Grant that we may always serve thee without cowardice, ignorance or fear in the face of men, through Christ our only Rock, Defender, and Savior, whom with thee, the Father, and thee, the Holy Spirit, we worship and adore as the One True and Living God, now and forever. Amen."

Hymn: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/f/a/fallthes.htm

For all the saints, who from their labors rest, Who Thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed. Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might; Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight; Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light. O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold, Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old, And win with them the victor’s crown of gold. And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long, Steals on the ear the distant triumph song, And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong. Alleluia, Alleluia!

 

For All the Saints... Wm. How, Bishop of Wakefield

As we remember "centurions" who passed before us and witnessed the Faith - a fellow centurion offers this hymn for reflection on the saints. A beautiful hymn and a fitting salute: Click the link to hear the beautiful melody... one that always touched this centurion's heart over the years. http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/f/a/fallthes.htm 

 

 For all the saints, who from their labors rest, Who Thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed. Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might; Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight; Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light. O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold, Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old, And win with them the victor’s crown of gold. And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long, Steals on the ear the distant triumph song, And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong. Alleluia, Alleluia!

 

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/f/a/fallthes.htm  William Walsham How 1864, Bishop of Wakefield

 

I hope to post this great hymn on our Centurions' Arch, and before our list of martyrs on the History page... and at the bottom of our email commemorations.

 

Thanks to centurion Phil in North Carolina for this great hymn. 

 

Another by How is "From All Thy Saints in Warfare, 1864" http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/f/r/fromallt.htm

 

in hoc fido scudemus  "in this faith we are shielded"  (centurion David of Boston)

 

The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity

 

The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity
Trinity 17 Home

LORD, we pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Bishop Gregory [595]. "Pevent" meaning to come before from the verb prevenient. This calls to my mind Patrick's Breastplate Christ behind me, Christ before me... and Psalm 139 Thou hast beset me before and behind...

Jereniah xiii. 15, Psalm 25, Ephesians iv. 1   &   St. Luke xiv. 1
Homilies

whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased;
and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

There is one body, and one Spirit, ...one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all

---

 Announcements for the week beginning 18 September 05

Please hold 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

Eustachius - September 20th

Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist -- September 21st

Maurice, Centurion, & Theban Legion - September 22nd

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

BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Survivors & rescue operations -- Hurricane Katrina
Centurions in harms way,
Centurions in special training (OCS)
Peace in the Mideast

Holy Cross Day 14 Sep

O GOD, who dost gladden us upon this day by the festival of the Holy Cross : grant that we who have acknowledged the mystery of redemption here on earth, may rejoice in the everlasting fruits therof in heaven. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

 

Numbers xxi. 4, Gal vi.ll, Psalm 143, John xii. 31.
Homilies History of Feast

Ember Days Wed Fri Sat

Ember Days
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at the Four Seasons

O ALMIGHTY God, who hast committed to the hands of men the ministry of reconciliation; We humbly beseech thee, by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, to put it into the hearts of many to offer themselves for this ministry; that thereby mankind may be drawn to thy blessed kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Isaiah lxi. 1, Acts xiii. 44   &   St. Luke iv. 16
History & Meaning
Homilies

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me

4th Century Mosiac - S. Pudenziana Church

All Centurions, Primus Pilus, Greetings

 

I thought you might appreciate this interesting mosaic. I have placed it on the Order's Seminary page as it conveys a sense of the disciples learning at the Master's feet. I recall reading that some re-fabrication in later centuries caused two of the disciples to be taken out. Note the four gospel symbols above, the Dove below.

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

 

Apsidial Mosaic of S. Pudenziana, Rome, Fourth Century

 

The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity - 11 September

O LORD, we beseech thee, let thy continual pity cleanse and defend thy Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without thy succour, preserve it evermore by thy help and goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source of Collect - Bishop Gelasius' Sacrementary [494AD].One is reminded of Psalm 51 purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean and Rev 7:14, washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb

Isaiah xii, Psalm 116, Ephesians iii. 13   &   St. Luke vii. 11

Homilies

Young man, I say unto thee, Arise

 

Announcements for the week beginning 11 September 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

We welcome our newest registered centurions: John of Ohio
Please hold 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

Holy Cross Day -- September 14th
Wed, Friday, and Saturday Ember Days

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

BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Survivors & rescue operations -- Hurricane Katrina
Centurions in harms way,
Centurions in special training (OCS)
Peace in the Mideast

Adrain, Roman Court Officer, Martyr [ 4 March 304]

Adrian was an officer at the court at Nicomedia. He confessed his faith in Christ after witnessing the courage of the martyrs. He was never baptized. He was arrested and ultimately executed. He died on 4 March 304. In the West he is traditionally remembered on 8 September, and in the East on 26 August.

 

Almighty God, who strengthens and comforts thy chosen people to be witnesses to the world, inspire us, as thou did Adrian of Nicomedia, to follow thee, fearing no earthly power, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Ghost, lives and reigns now and evermore.

Amen

General Eudoxiux and Companions [6 Sep, 285-305]

Eudoxius, Comitus Hegemon (general),
with
Zeno, Macarius, & Companions - Martyrs
September 6th (285-305)

Leaders of a group of Christian soldiers killed for the faith at Melitene, Armenia, under Constantius I. They are said to have numbered more than one thousand (Benedictines).

"O LORD GOD of hosts, stretch forth, we pray thee, thine almighty arm to strengthen and protect the warriors of thy kingdom in the Church Militant. Support them in the day and hour of battle, and, during slow times, keep them safe from evils and temptations. Endue them with courage and loyalty to God's Word like thy servants now departed, Eudoxius and his companions. Grant that we may always serve thee without cowardice, ignorance or fear of the face of men, through Christ our only Rock, Defender, and Savior, whom with thee, the Father, and thee, the Holy Spirit, we worship and adore as the One True and Living God, now and forever. Amen."

Christ's "Warriors" Prayer on Commemorations

Centurions, Primus Pilus, Greetings

 

I commend this prayer composed by a fellow centurion that I borrowed from one of his posts.

 

"O LORD GOD of hosts, stretch forth, we pray thee, thine almighty arm to strengthen and protect the warriors of thy kingdom in the Church Militant. Support them in the day and hour of battle, and, during slow times, keep them safe from evils and temptations. Endue them with courage and loyalty to God's Word like thy servant now departed, [Name of Christian]. Grant that we may always serve thee without cowardice, ignorance or fear in the face of men, through Christ our only Rock, Defender, and Savior, whom with thee, the Father, and thee, the Holy Spirit, we worship and adore as the One True and Living God, now and forever. Amen."

 

Appropriate for corporate prayers and individual devotion. You might place it in your  Church bulletin so that members of the congregation can use it at home. It is readily adaptable to all Christian "warriors" . It may be used on the commemoration of a departed Christian as well.  I've placed the [NAME OF CHRISTIAN] in italics as it may vary with the names of those who have displayed courage and loyalty to God's Word (i.e.,, John Chrysostom, Paul of Tarsus, Stephen the Deacon, etc.]  It is also readily adaptable for any of the martyrs [witnesses who have suffered for Christ] that we remember, or from those you remember from your own religious tradition. Look for it in the future as we remember the martrys of the Church.

 

Thanks to Phil, a centurion of North Carolina!

 

Mark

 

The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity

Announcements for the week beginning 4 September 05 below.  NOTE that the main page on the webstite is pointing to an old page.  the page

http://www.orderofcenturions.org/index.html will work. Problem is under investigation by the ISP

KEEP, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy Church with thy perpetual mercy; and, because the frailty of man without thee cannot but fall, keep us ever by thy help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Bishop Gelasius [494]. Jesus promised us the help of the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us [Jn 14:26]. In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul tells us it is charity that is profitable. [Barbee & Zahl]

Deuteronomy vii. 6-13, Psalm 103, Galatians vi. 11   &   St. Matthew vi. 24

Homilies

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these

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 hold 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

Eudoxius, Comitus Hegemon (general), Zeno, Macarius, & Companions - Martyrs -- September 6th (285-305)

Romillus, Preposit of the Imperial Court - September 6th (98-117)

Adrian - September 8th

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

BIDDINGS

Please pray for
Survivors & rescue operations -- Hurricane Katrina
Centurions in harms way,
Centurions in special training (OCS)
Peace in the Mideast