Antiphonary of Bangor: the Common Prayer of the Brethren (Irish) (written at Bangor, Co. Down, c. 680–691)

The Common Prayer of the Brethren

The Common Prayer of the Brethren. Each intention has an anthem (a verse of a psalm) followed by a short collect, ending "Who reignest, etc."

[40.] Anthem. O remember not our old sins, but have mercy upon us, and that soon; for we are come to great misery. [Ps. 79:8]

Prayer. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy Name; O Lord, deliver us, and be merciful unto our sins, for thy Name's sake. Deliver not unto the beasts the soul that confesseth thee; forget not the souls of thy poor for ever. Look upon thy covenant, O Lord. Who reignest, etc.

For our Sins

[40*.] Anthem. O God, make speed to save me. O Lord, make haste to help me.

Prayer. Make haste, O Lord, to deliver us from all our sins. Who reignest, etc.

The Intercessions

[41.] For the baptized. Anthem. O Lord, save thy people, and bless thine heritage; govern them, and lift them up for ever.

Prayer. Have mercy, O Lord, on thy catholic Church, which thou hast redeemed with thy holy blood. Who reignest, etc.

[41*.] For the priests. Anthem. Arise, O Lord, into thy resting place, thou and the ark of thy holiness. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness, and let thy saints rejoice.

Prayer. Let all thy saints rejoice in thee, O Lord, who hope in thee in all truth. Who reignest, etc.

[42.] For the abbot. Anthem. The Lord preserve him, and keep him alive, and make him blessed upon the earth. The Lord preserve thee from all evil; the Lord preserve thy soul. The Lord preserve thy going out and thy coming in, from this time forth for evermore.

[43.] For the brethren. Anthem. Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of an eye; hide us under the shadow of thy wings.

Prayer. Vouchsafe, almighty God, to protect and sanctify all. Who reignest, etc.

[44.] For the brotherhood. Anthem. Thou, O Lord, shalt keep us, and preserve us from this generation for ever.

Prayer. Hear our prayers for our brethren, that thou, O God, mayest have mercy on them. Who reignest, etc.

[45.] For the peace of peoples and kings. Anthem. The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.

Prayer. Vouchsafe, almighty God, to grant peace to all. Who reignest, etc.

[46.] For blasphemers. Anthem. Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever; despise not the works of thine own hands.

Prayer. O Lord God of hosts, lay not this sin to their charge. Who reignest, etc.

[47.] For the impious. Anthem. Judge them, O God; let them fall from their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their ungodliness, for they have rebelled against thee, O Lord.

Prayer. Let them be confounded who trust in themselves, and not we, O Lord, who trust in thee. Who reignest, etc.

[48.] For those that journey. Anthem. O Lord, save now; O Lord, send now prosperity.

Prayer. Grant a prosperous journey to thy servants. Who reignest, etc.

[49.] For those that give thanks. Anthem. All thy works praise thee, O Lord, and thy saints give thanks unto thee.

Prayer. Our souls give thanks to thee, O Lord, for thy numberless benefits. Who reignest, etc.

[50.] For almsgivers. Anthem. He hath dispersed abroad, and given to the poor; his righteousness remaineth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.

Prayer. Reward, O Lord, in thy holy kingdom those who give alms in this world. Who reignest, etc.

[51.] For the sick. Anthem. And they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distress.

Prayer. Grant, O Lord, to thy servants health of mind and body. Who reignest, etc.

[51*.] For captives. Anthem. Arise, O Lord, help us, and redeem us for thy Name's sake. Our help is in the Name of the Lord.

Prayer. Vouchsafe to save us through the calling upon of thy holy Name. Who reignest, etc.

[52.] Of the martyrs. O God, who didst give the crown of martyrdom to thy holy and elect, we pray thee, O Lord, that by their merits we may obtain pardon, who deserve not so great glory. Who reignest, etc.

[53.] For the troubled. Anthem. Unto thee will I cry, O Lord; my God, be not silent to me. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Prayer. Our helper, God of Jacob, have mercy upon us, O Lord. Who reignest, etc.

The Collects

[54.] Collect. Holy among the holy, Lamb without spot, glorious in heaven, wonderful on earth: grant us, O Lord, according to thy great mercy, O God, the things which we ask and pray of thee. Who reignest, etc.

[55.] To the martyrs. We pray the eternal Name of thy power, almighty God, that thou wouldest make us companions of the martyrs and of all thy saints in merit, equal in faith, strong in devotion, like them in suffering, and equal with the blessed in the resurrection. Who reignest, etc.

[56.] For penitents. Anthem. Have mercy upon me, O God, after thy great mercy.

Prayer. Grant, O Lord, pardon to those who ask thee in faith, according to thy great mercy, O God. Who reignest, etc.