The Collects: Traditional – Common of Saints
The festival of a saint is observed in accordance with the rules of
precedence set forth in the Calendar of the Church year.
At the discretion of the Celebrant, and as appropriate, any of the
following Collects, with one of the corresponding sets of Psalms and
Lessons, may be used
a) at the commemoration of a saint listed in the Calendar for which no
Proper is provided in this Book
b) at the patronal festival or commemoration of a saint not listed in
the Calendar.
Of a Martyr
O Almighty God, who didst give to thy servant N. boldness to
confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers
of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we
may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in
us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of the same our Lord
Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy
Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
or this
O Almighty God, by whose grace and power thy holy martyr
N. 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 him 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.
or the following
Collects: Traditional 195
Almighty and everlasting God, who didst enkindle the flame
of thy love in the heart of thy holy martyr N.: Grant to us,
thy humble servants, a like faith and power of love, that we
who rejoice in her triumph may profit by her example;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with
thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Preface of a Saint
Of a Missionary
Almighty and everlasting God, we thank thee for thy
servant N., whom thou didst call to preach the Gospel to the
people of _________ (or to the __________ people). Raise
up, we beseech thee, in this and every land evangelists and
heralds of thy kingdom, that thy Church may proclaim the
unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who liveth
and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now
and for ever. Amen.
or this
Almighty God, who willest to be glorified in thy saints, and
didst raise up thy servant N. to be a light in the world; Shine,
we pray, in our hearts, that we also in our generation
may show forth thy praise, who hast called us out of darkness
into thy marvelous light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who
liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
Preface of Pentecost
Of a Pastor
O heavenly Father, Shepherd of thy people, we give thee
thanks for thy servant N., who was faithful in the care and
nurture of thy flock; and we pray that, following his example
and the teaching of his holy life, we may by thy grace grow
196 Collects: Traditional
into the stature of the fullness of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy
Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
or this
O God, our heavenly Father, who didst raise up thy faithful
servant N., to be a [bishop and] pastor in thy Church and to
feed thy flock: Give abundantly to all pastors the gifts of thy
Holy Spirit, that they may minister in thy household as true
servants of Christ and stewards of thy divine mysteries;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and
reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and
ever. Amen.
Preface of a Saint
Of a Theologian and Teacher
O God, who by thy Holy Spirit dost give to some the word of
wisdom, to others the word of knowledge, and to others the
word of faith: We praise thy Name for the gifts of grace
manifested in thy servant N., and we pray that thy Church
may never be destitute of such gifts; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
or this
O Almighty God, who didst give to thy servant N. special
gifts of grace to understand and teach the truth as it is in
Christ Jesus: Grant, we beseech thee, that by this teaching we
may know thee, the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom
thou hast sent; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Preface of a Saint, or of Trinity Sunday
Collects: Traditional 197
Of a Monastic
O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his
poverty might be rich: Deliver us, we pray thee from an
inordinate love of this world, that, inspired by the devotion
of thy servant N., we may serve thee with singleness of heart,
and attain to the riches of the age to come; through the same
thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with
thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. Amen.
or this
O God, by whose grace thy servant N., enkindled with the
fire of thy love, became a burning and a shining light in thy
Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit
of love and discipline, and may ever walk before thee as
children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with
thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one
God, now and for ever. Amen.
Preface of a Saint
Of a Saint
O Almighty God, who hast compassed us about with so great
a cloud of witnesses: Grant that we, encouraged by the good
example of thy servant N., may persevere in running the race
that is set before us, until at length, through thy mercy, we may
with him attain to thine eternal joy; through Jesus Christ, the
author and perfecter of our faith, who liveth and reigneth
with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
or this
O God, who hast brought us near to an innumerable
company of angels and to the spirits of just men made
perfect: Grant us during our earthly pilgrimage to abide in
their fellowship, and in our heavenly country to become
198 Collects: Traditional
partakers of their joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who
liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
or this
O Almighty God, who by thy Holy Spirit hast made us one
with thy saints in heaven and on earth: Grant that in our
earthly pilgrimage we may ever be supported by this
fellowship of love and prayer, and may know ourselves
to be surrounded by their witness to thy power and mercy.
We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whom all our
intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who
liveth and reigneth for ever and ever. Amen.
Preface of a Saint
Collects: Traditional 199