The Collects: Traditional – Holy Days
Saint Andrew November 30
Almighty God, who didst give such grace to thine apostle
Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of thy Son Jesus
Christ, and brought his brother with him: Give unto us, who
are called by thy Word, grace to follow him without delay,
and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who
liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
Preface of Apostles
Saint Thomas December 21
Everliving God, who didst strengthen thine apostle Thomas
with firm and certain faith in thy Son’s resurrection: Grant us
so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our
Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting
in thy sight; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Preface of Apostles
Collects: Contemporary 185
Saint Stephen December 26
We give the thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the
first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed
for his persecutors to thy Son Jesus Christ, who standeth at
thy right hand; where he liveth and reigneth with thee and
the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Preface of the Incarnation
Saint John December 27
Shed upon thy Church, we beseech thee, O Lord, the
brightness of thy light; that we, being illumined by the
teaching of thine apostle and evangelist John, may so walk
in the light of thy truth, that at length we may attain to the
fullness of life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Preface of the Incarnation
The Holy Innocents December 28
We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy
innocents of Bethlehem by the order of King Herod. Receive,
we beseech thee, into the arms of thy mercy all innocent
victims; and by thy great might frustrate the designs of evil
tyrants and establish thy rule of justice, love, and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with
thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,, one God, for ever and
ever. Amen.
Preface of the Incarnation
186 Collects: Traditional
Confession of Saint Peter January 18
Almighty Father, who didst inspired Simon Peter, first among
the apostles, to confess Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living
God: Keep thy Church steadfast upon the rock of this faith,
so that in unity and peace we may proclaim the one truth and
follow the one Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ; who liveth and
reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. Amen.
Preface of Apostles
Conversion of Saint Paul January 25
O God, who, by the preaching of thine apostle Paul, hast
caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world:
Grant, we beseech thee, that we, having his wonderful
conversion in remembrance, may show forth our thankfulness
unto thee for the same by following the holy doctrine which
he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and
reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
Preface of Apostles
The Presentation February 2
Almighty and everliving God, we humbly beseech thee that,
as thy only-begotten Son was this day presented in the
temple, so we may be presented unto thee with pure and
clean hearts by the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who
liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
Preface of the Epiphany
Collects: Contemporary 187
Saint Matthias February 24
O Almighty God, who into the place of Judas didst choose thy
faithful servant Matthias to be of the number of the Twelve:
Grant that thy Church, being delivered from false apostles,
may always be ordered and guided by faithful and true pastors;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with
thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. Amen.
Preface of Apostles
Saint Joseph March 19
O God, who from the family of thy servant David didst raise
up Joseph to be the guardian of thy incarnate Son and the
spouse of his virgin mother: Give us grace to imitate his
uprightness of life and his obedience to thy commands;
through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth
and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.
Preface of the Epiphany
The Annunciation March 25
We beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts, that
we who have known the incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ,
announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross
and passion be brought unto the glory of his resurrection;
who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Preface of the Epiphany
Saint Mark April 25
Almighty God, who by the hand of Mark the evangelist hast
given to thy Church the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of
188 Collects: Traditional
God: We thank thee for this witness, and pray that we may
be firmly grounded in its truth; 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 All Saints
Saint Philip and Saint James May 1
Almighty God, who didst give to thine apostles Philip and
James grace and strength to bear witness to the truth: Grant
that we, being mindful of their victory of faith, may glorify in
life and death the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ; who liveth
and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now
and for ever. Amen.
Preface of Apostles
The Visitation May 31
Father in heaven, by whose grace the virgin mother of thy
incarnate Son was blessed in bearing him, but still more blessed
in keeping thy word: Grant us who honor the exaltation of her
lowliness to follow the example of her devotion to thy will;
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 the Epiphany
Saint Barnabas June 11
Grant, O God, that we may follow the example of thy
faithful servant Barnabas, who, seeking not his own renown
but the well-being of thy Church, gave generously of his life
and substance for the relief of the poor and the spread of the
Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and
reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and
ever. Amen.
Preface of Apostles
Collects: Contemporary 189
The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist June 24
Almighty God, by whose providence thy servant John the
Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of
thy Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to
follow his doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent
according to his preaching; and, after his example, constantly
speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for
the truth’s sake; through the same Jesus Christ thy Son our
Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Preface of Advent
Saint Peter and Saint Paul June 29
Almighty God, whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul
glorified thee by their martyrdom: Grant that thy Church,
instructed by their teaching and example, and knit together
in unity by thy Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one
foundation, which is Jesus Christ our Lord; who liveth and
reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Preface of Apostles
Independence Day July 4
Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this
country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the
torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant, we beseech
thee, that we and all the people of this land may have grace
to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with
thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Collect “For the Nation,” page 207, may be used instead.
Preface of Trinity Sunday
190 Collects: Traditional
Saint Mary Magdalene July 22
Almighty God, whose blessed Son restored Mary Magdalene
to health of body and mind, and called her to be a witness of
his resurrection: Mercifully grant that by thy grace we may
be healed of all our infirmities and know thee in the power of
his endless life; who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and
reigneth, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Preface of All Saints
Saint James July 25
O gracious God, we remember before thee this day thy
servant and apostle James, first among the Twelve to suffer
martyrdom for the Name of Jesus Christ; and we pray that
thou wilt pour out upon the leaders of thy Church that spirit
of self-denying service by which alone they may have true
authority among thy people; through the same Jesus Christ
our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Preface of the Apostles
The Transfiguration August 6
O God, who on the holy mount didst reveal to chosen
witnesses thy well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in
raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being
delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith
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.
Preface of the Epiphany
Collects: Contemporary 191
Saint Mary the Virgin August 15
O God, who hast taken to thyself the blessed Virgin Mary,
mother of thy incarnate Son: Grant that we, who have been
redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of thine
eternal kingdom; 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.
Preface of the Incarnation
Saint Bartholomew August 24
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 what
he believed and to preach what he taught; through Jesus
Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Preface of the Apostles
Holy Cross Day September 14
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted
high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world unto
himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery
of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and
follow him; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy
Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Preface of Holy Week
Saint Matthew September 21
We thank thee, heavenly Father, for the witness of thine
apostle and evangelist Matthew to the Gospel of thy Son our
Savior; and we pray that, after his example, we may with
192 Collects: Traditional
ready wills and hearts obey the calling of our Lord to follow
him; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth
with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Preface of the Apostles
Saint Michael and All Angels September 29
O Everlasting God, who hast ordained and constituted the
ministries of angels and men in a wonderful order: Mercifully
grant that, as thy holy angels always serve and worship thee in
heaven, so by thy appointment they may help and defend us
on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and
reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.
Preface of Trinity Sunday
Saint Luke October 18
Almighty God, who didst inspire thy servant Luke the
physician to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing
power of thy Son: Graciously continue in thy Church the like
love and power to heal, to the praise and glory of thy Name;
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.
Preface of All Saints
Saint James of Jerusalem October 23
Grant, we beseech thee, O God, that after the example of thy
servant James the Just, brother of our Lord, thy Church may
give itself continually to prayer and to the reconciliation of
all who are at variance and enmity; through the same our
Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Preface of All Saints
Collects: Contemporary 193
Saint Simon and Saint Jude October 28
O God, we thank thee for the glorious company of the
apostles, and especially on this day for Simon and Jude; and
we pray that, as they were faithful and zealous in their
mission, so we may with ardent devotion make known the
love and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who
liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Preface of the Apostles
All Saint’s Day November 1
Almighty God, who hast knit together thine elect in one
communion and fellowship in the mystical body of thy Son
Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow thy blessed
saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to
those ineffable joys that thou hast prepared for those who
unfeignedly love thee; through the same Jesus Christ our
Lord, who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth,
one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Preface of All Saints
Thanksgiving Day
Almighty and gracious Father, we give thee thanks for the
fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those
who harvest them. Make us, we beseech thee, faithful stewards
of thy great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and
the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of thy Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with
thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For the Prayers of the People, the Litany of Thanksgiving on page 836
may be used.
Preface of Trinity Sunday
194 Collects: Traditional