The Parish Churches of St James the Great Hanslopeand Ss Simon & Jude, Castlethorpe

Mass on the Feastof St George

Patron of England

A bell rings and the first hymn is said

When a knight won his spurs, in the stories of old,He was gentle and brave, he was gallant and bold;With a shield on his arm and a lance in his hand,For God and for valour he rode through the land.

No charger have I, and no sword by my side,Yet still to adventure and battle I ride,Though back into storyland giants have fled,And the knights are no more and the dragons are dead.

Let faith be my shield and let joy be my steed‘gainst the dragons of anger, the ogres of greed;And let me set free with the sword of my youth,From the castle of darkness, the power of the truth

Lyrics Copyright Oxford University Press

Entrance Antiphon Cf. Mt 25:34Rejoice, you Saints, in the presence of the Lamb; a kingdom has been prepared for you from the foundation of the world, Alleluia.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! ALLELUIA!

CONFESSION AND GOD’S ASSURANCE OF SINS FORGIVEN

The saints were faithful unto death and now dwell in the heavenly kingdom for ever. As we celebrate their joy,let us bring to the Lord our sins and weaknesses, and ask for his mercy.Silence is kept for personal reflection.

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We are often slow to follow the example of Christ.Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.We often fail to be known as Christ’s disciples.Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.We often fail to walk the way of the cross.Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

May Almighty God have mercy upon you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS

Glory to God in the highest,and peace to his people on earth.Lord God, heavenly King,almighty God and Father,we worship you, we give you thanks,we praise you for your glory.Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,Lord God, Lamb of God,you take away the sin of the world:have mercy on us;you are seated at the right hand of the Father:receive our prayer.For you alone are the Holy One,you alone are the Lord,you alone are the Most High,Jesus Christ,with the Holy Spirit,in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

The COLLECT (THE PRAYER FOR THE DAY) and the Priest introduces a short period of silent prayer with the words “Let us pray”

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God of hosts, who so kindled the fire of charity in the heart of Saint George your martyr, that he bore witness to the risen Lord both by his life and by his death; grant us through his intercession, we pray, the same faith and power of love, that we who rejoice in his triumph may be led to share with him in the fullness of the resurrection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever. Amen

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

FIRST READING Revelation 12:10-12

This is the Word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 126What marvels the Lord worked for us. Indeed we were glad.

SECOND READING Romans 5:1-5

This is the Word of the Lord Thanks be to God

GOSPEL

Gospel Acclamation Jm 1:12Alleluia, alleluia!Happy the man who stands firm, for he has proved himself,and will win the crown of life. Alleluia!

The Lord be with you and also with you

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John Glory to you, O Lord.John 15:18

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At the end: This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.THE PRAYERS

We pray for strength to follow Jesus.Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer

Jesus said: ‘Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant.’Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer

Jesus said: ‘Unless you change and become humble like little children,you can never enter the kingdom of heaven.’Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer

Jesus said: ‘Happy are the humble;they will receive what God has promised.’Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer

Jesus said: ‘Be merciful as your Father is merciful;love your enemies and do good to them.’Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer

Jesus said: ‘Love one another, as I love you;there is no greater love than this,to lay down your life for your friends.’Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer

Jesus said: ‘Go to people everywhere and make them my disciples,and I will be with you always, to the end of time.’Lord in your mercy: hear our prayer

The following may be added:We join our prayers with those of Our Lady, Consoler of the Afflicted, Mother of the resurrection Christ as we greet her and say:Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God,

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pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.The Prayers end:

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE PEACE

Once we were far off, but now in union with Christ Jesus we have been brought near through the shedding of Christ’s blood, for he is our peace.

The peace of the Lord be always with you and also with you.

THE MINISTRY OF THE SACRAMENTLeader now on earth no longer,soldier of the eternal king,victor in the fight for heaven,we thy loving praises sing. Chorus: Great Saint George, our patron, help us, In the conflict be thou nigh; Help us in that daily battle, Where each one must win or die.

Praise him who in deadly battleNever shrank from foe or sword,Proof against all earthly weapon,Gave his life for Christ the Lord.

Who, when earthly war was over,Fought, but not for earth’s renown;Fought, and won a nobler glory,Won the martyr’s purple crown.

Help us when temptation presses,We have still our crown to win,Help us when our soul is weary

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Fighting with the powers of sin.Clothe us in thy shining armour,Place thy good sword in our hand;Teach us how to wield it, fightingOnward towards the heavenly land.

Onward, till, our striving over,On life’s battlefield we fall,Resting then, but ever ready,Waiting for the angel’s call.

Words: J.W. Reeks (1849-1900).) Tune: Blaenwern

OFFERTORY PRAYERS

Pray my brothers and sisters that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father;May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of His Name, for our good, and the good of all His Church.

Receive, we pray, O Lord, the sacrifice of conciliation and praise, which we offer to your majesty in commemoration of the blessed Martyr Saint George, that it may lead us to forgiveness and confirm us in constant thanksgiving. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

The Lord be with you and also with you.Lift up your hearts.We lift them to the Lord.Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

All kneel7

It is indeed right and good, our duty and our salvation,always and everywhere to give you thanks,holy Father, almighty and eternal God.For following the example of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ,your holy martyr George shed his blood for the glory of your name.His death reveals your power made perfect in our human frailty.You choose the weak and make them strong in bearing witness to youthrough Jesus Christ our Lord.With joyful hearts we echo on earththe song of the angels in heavenas they praise your glory without end:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,heaven and earth are full of your glory.Hosanna in the highest.Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.Hosanna in the highest.Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness; grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit, and according to your holy will, these gifts of bread and winemay become the body and bloodof our Lord Jesus Christ;who in the same night that he was betrayed,took bread and gave you thanks;

he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying:

TAKE, EAT; THIS IS MY BODY WHICH IS GIVEN FOR YOU; DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying:

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DRINK THIS, ALL OF YOU; THIS IS MY BLOOD OF THE NEW COVENANT, WHICH IS SHED FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THEFORGIVENESS OF SINS. DO THIS, AS OFTEN AS YOU DRINK IT, IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.Great is the mystery of Faith:All sayChrist has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again

And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross, his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world; rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming in glory, we celebrate this memorial of our redemption.

As we bring before you this bread and this cup, we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving and we thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you.

Lord, may this sacrifice,which has made our peace with you,advance the peace and salvation of all the world.Strengthen in faith your pilgrim Church on earth;your servant n our bishop, and all the bishops.

Welcome into your kingdom our departedbrothers and sisters, and all who have left this world in your friendship.

Send the Holy Spirit on your people and gather into one in your kingdom all who share this one bread and one cup, so that we, in the company of Mary,

the virgin Mother of God, of James, Simon & Jude, and all the saints,

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may praise and glorify you for ever,

through Jesus Christ our Lord;by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

All say Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name;thy kingdom come; thy will be done;on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom,the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

BREAKING OF THE BREAD

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.Though we are many, we are one body,because we all share in one bread.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace.

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THE INVITATIONBehold the Lamb of God, behold Him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those who are called to his supper.Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,but only say the word and I shall be healed.

Christ our Passover has been sacrificed, alleluia; therefore, let us keep the feast with the unleavened bread of purity and truth, alleluia, alleluia.

Communion Antiphon Cf. 2 Tim 2:11-12If we have died with Christ, we shall also live with him; if we persevere, we shall also reign with him, Alleluia.

A POST-COMMUNION PRAYER Rejoicing on this festival day, O Lord, we have received your heavenly gifts; grant, we pray, that we who in this divine banquet proclaim the death of your Son may merit with Saint George to be partakers in his resurrection and glory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE BLESSING AND DISMISSAL

The Lord be with you and also with you

God give you grace to follow St George and all the saintsin faith and love and steadfastnessAnd the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.Go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia!!Thanks be to God. ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!!All turn to face the Lady Chapel PRAYER OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM

O Mary, recall the solemn moment when Jesus, your divine son, dying on the cross,

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confided us to your maternal care. You are our mother, we desire ever to remain your devout children. Let us therefore feel the effects of your powerful intercession with Jesus Christ. Make your name again glorious in this place, once renowned throughout our land by your visits, favours and many miracles.

Pray, O holy mother of God, for the conversion of England, restoration of the sick, consolation for the afflicted, repentance of sinners, peace to the departed. O blessed Mary, Mother of God, Our Lady of Walsingham,intercede for us. Amen.

THE REGINA CAELIaddressed to Our Lord’s Mother in thanksgiving for the Resurrection

Joy to thee, O Queen of Heaven, alleluia.He whom thou wast meet to bear, alleluia.As he promised, hath arisen, alleluia.Pour for us to him thy prayer, alleluia.Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. For the Lord has risen indeed, alleluia.O God, by the Resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, you have brought joy to the whole world: grant that, by the help of his mother, the Virgin Mary, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life; through Christ the Lord. Amen.

Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England (2000) (including the Psalter as published with Common Worship); The Christian Year: Calendar, Lectionary and Collects (1997, 1998, 1999); material from which is included in this service, are copyright © The Archbishops’ Council. The text of the copyright hymns in this Mass are reproduced under CCLI licence number 1072483i

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