Book of Common Prayer · Commination (1662) · All versions
Missal of Robert of Jumièges: the Blessing of the Ashes and Prayers over a Penitent (English) (written in England c. 1020; given to Jumièges by Robert, Archbishop of Canterbury (1051–1052))
English translation by AnglicanGuide from the Latin. Read the Latin edition. Words in [brackets] are supplied or summarise omitted matter.
Two blessings of the ashes, the collects of the day, and the four prayers over a penitent "Wednesday at the Beginning of the Fast". Translated by AnglicanGuide.
Source: H. A. Wilson (ed.), The Missal of Robert of Jumièges, HBS 11 (1896), pp. 61 and 270–271 (Internet Archive). Public domain (translation © AnglicanGuide).
A Commination, or Denouncing of God's Anger and Judgements against Sinners
The Blessing of the Ashes
At the Beginning of the Fast. Wednesday. The blessing of the ashes.
Almighty, everlasting God, spare them that fear, be merciful to them that pray, and vouchsafe to send thy holy angel from heaven to bless and sanctify these ashes, that they may be a remedy and healthful to all that humbly call upon thy name, and accuse themselves in the conscience of their offences, and bewail their crimes in the sight of thy divine clemency, or earnestly and instantly entreat thy most serene goodness; grant, we beseech thee, by the calling upon thy most holy name, that whosoever shall sprinkle them upon themselves for the redemption of their sins may receive health of body and protection of soul. Through our Lord.
Another.
O God, who art moved by humiliation and appeased by satisfaction, incline the ear of thy goodness to our prayers, and pour out upon the heads of thy servants, with this pouring of ashes, the grace of thy blessing; that thou mayest both fill them with the spirit of compunction, and effectually grant what they have justly asked, and ordain that what is granted remain for ever established. Through our Lord.
The Collects of the Day
Wednesday.
Grant us, O Lord, to begin with holy fasts the defences of the Christian warfare; that, as we go to fight against spiritual wickedness, we may be fortified by the aids of self-denial. Through [our Lord].
Another.
Grant, O Lord, to thy faithful people, that they may both undertake the venerable solemnities of the fast with fitting devotion, and run through them with untroubled devotion. Through [our Lord].
Prayer over a Penitent confessing his Sins
[From the orders at the end of the book:] A prayer over a penitent confessing his sins. Wednesday at the Beginning of the Fast.
Hear, O Lord, our prayers, and spare the sins of them that confess unto thee; that those whom the guilt of conscience accuseth, the pardon of thy mercy may absolve. Through our Lord.
Another.
Let thy mercy, we beseech thee, O Lord, go before this thy servant, that all his iniquities may be blotted out by speedy pardon. Through our Lord.
Another.
Be present, O Lord, to our supplications, and let not the compassion of thy clemency be far from this thy servant: heal his wounds and forgive his sins, that, separated from thee by no iniquities, he may ever cleave to thee his Lord. Through our Lord.
Another.
O Lord our God, who art not overcome by our offence, but art appeased by satisfaction, look, we beseech thee, upon this thy servant, who confesseth that he hath grievously sinned against thee. Thine it is to give the washing away of crimes and to grant pardon to sinners, who hast said that thou wouldest rather the repentance of sinners than their death. Grant therefore, O Lord, that he may keep unto thee the watches of penance, and, his deeds being amended, may rejoice that everlasting joys are bestowed on him by thee. Through our Lord.