St Leo the Great
ASH WEDNESDAY
2018
Saint Peter Chrysologus (c.406-450), Bishop of Ravenna, Doctor of the Church wrote:
‘My dear brethren, today we set out on the great Lenten journey.
So let us take our food and drink along in our boat, putting onto the chest the abundant mercy we shall need.
For our fasting is a hungry one, our fasting is a thirsty one if it isn’t sustained by goodness and refreshed by mercy.
Our fasting will be cold, our fasting will flag if the fleece of almsgiving doesn’t clothe it, if the garment of compassion does not wrap it around.’
Introit
He will call to me and I shall answer
With freedom and honour and length of days;
He will call to me. He will call to me.
All you sheltered by the Most High, who live in Almighty God’s shadow, say to the Lord, “my Refuge, my stronghold, my rock in whom I trust.”
He will call to me and I shall answer
With freedom and honour and length of days;
He will call to me. He will call to me.
The Liturgy of the Word
A reading from the Book of Joel 2: 12-18
Psalm 50:
Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy, O Lord, have mercy because we have sinned.
Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy, O Lord, have mercy because we have sinned.
Have mercy on me, Lord, in your kindness. In your compassion blot out my offence.
Oh wash me more and more from my guilt, Lord, and cleanse me from my sin,
Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy, O Lord, have mercy because we have sinned.
Create a clean heart in your servant. Put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not let me persist in my sin, Lord, nor deprive me of your spirit.
Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy, O Lord, have mercy because we have sinned.
Restore to me the joy of your presence. With a spirit of fervour support me.
That I my teach to transgressors your ways, Lord, so that sinners may return.
Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy, O Lord, have mercy because we have sinned.
A reading from the 2nd Letter to the Corinthians 5:20 – 6:2
Gospel Verse
Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.
Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.
Repent, says the Lord, the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.
Repent, says the Lord, the kingdom of heaven is near.
Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory
Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory
Gospel Matthew 6: 1- 6. 16-18
During the Blessing and Distribution of Ashes
Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison.
Christe . eleison . Christe . eleison. . Christe . eleison . . . . .
Kyrie, eleison . . . Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison.
From the Canticle of Ezechiel 36
Hear me my people, I will call you back home
From the nations and countries in which you now roam;
the place where I’ll lead you is where you’ll be free,
for you are my chosen; your God I shall be.
Hear me, my people, I will sprinkle you all
with fresh water to cleanse you from sin and its thrall;
each falsehood and idol I’ll teach you to see;
for you are my chosen; your God I shall be.
Hear me, my people, feel the new heart I give,
the new spirit and guidance for how you might live;
a heart made of flesh, not of stone , is the key
for you are my chosen; your God I shall be.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
During the Preparation of the Gifts
Christ was humbler yet, even to accepting death on a cross,
Christ was humbler yet,
But God raised him high, but God raised him high
and gave him the name which is above all names.
Glory to the Father, glory to the Son,
glory to the Holy Spirit now and for ever. Amen.
The Eucharistic Prayer
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,through Christ our Lord.
For by your gracious gift each yearyour faithful await the sacred paschal feasts with the joy of minds made pure,
so that, more eagerly intent on prayer and on the works of charity, and participating in the mysteries by which they have been reborn,
they may be led to the fullness of grace that you bestow on your sons and daughters.And so, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominions,
and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven, we sing the hymn of your glory as without end we acclaim:
St Andrew Sanctus: Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts……
Memorial:
When we eat this bread and drink this cup
we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again,
until you come.
Agnus Dei: Lamb of God . . .
Communion
Seek the Lord, bless the Lord, taste and see the Lord is good.
Seek the Lord, bless the Lord, taste and see the Lord is good.
Glory to the Father, glory to the Son,
glory to the Holy Spirit now and for ever. Amen.
Seek the Lord, bless the Lord, taste and see the Lord is good.
Seek the Lord, bless the Lord, taste and see the Lord is good.
Hymn (if required)
Be still and know that I am God (3).
I am the Lord that healeth thee (3)
In thee, O Lord, I put my trust (3).
After Mass:
May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all harm,
And may he lead us to eternal life.
Copyrights: Introit: words from Psalm 90 © The Grail, England. Psalm 50: words and music Noel S Donnelly © Kevin Mayhew Ltd.
Graphics © Netta Ewing. Hymns reproduced under licence: Calamus lic: 0262 and CCL lic no: 74396
