Sarum Breviary: the Litany (in Lent) (Sarum Use, printed breviaries c. 1475–1557)

Rubrics and Invocations

Antiphon. Remember not, O Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers, neither take thou vengeance of our sins.

It is not said further when it is said in the Choir.

Spare, O Lord, spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood; be not angry with us for ever; and give not up thine heritage to perdition: be not forgetful of us for ever!

THE GREATER LITANY.

It is to be noted that on every weekday throughout the whole of Quadragesima the Litany is to be said as on the Monday, up to the order of the Martyrs, Be favourable unto us, and so on to the end. And whatever the Priest says of the Litany, let the Choir repeat the same fully and entirely up to the passage That thou wouldest grant us peace. Then let the Choir reply We beseech thee hear us only: and in each case so respectively until Son of God, we beseech thee hear us. Then let the Choir respond the same; and so in each case respectively up to the second Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy, as above.

ON MONDAY, THE LITANY.

If there be a Procession after Mass, let two Clerks of the Second Form, without changing their vestments, say this Litany, and let them finish it on the Step of the Choir with its proper Chant.

Lord, have mercy.

O Christ, hear us.

O Father of Heaven, God: Have mercy upon us.

O Son, Redeemer of the world, God: Have mercy upon us.

O Holy Spirit, God: Have mercy upon us.

Holy Trinity, One God: Have mercy upon us.

Holy Mary: Pray for us.

Here let the Procession proceed, and let the aforesaid Clerks follow, with all the orders, so many as may suffice, up to the pronouncing of this clause, All ye holy Virgins.

Holy Mother of God: Pray for us.

Holy Virgin of virgins: Pray for us.

Holy Michael: Pray for us.

Holy Gabriel: Pray for us.

Holy Raphael: Pray for us.

All ye holy Angels and Archangels of God: Pray for us.

All ye holy orders of blessed Spirits: Pray for us.

Holy John Baptist: Pray for us.

All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets: Pray for us.

Holy Peter: Pray for us.

Holy Paul: Pray for us.

Holy Andrew: Pray for us.

Holy John: Pray for us.

Holy James: Pray for us.

Holy Thomas: Pray for us.

Holy Philip: Pray for us.

Holy James: Pray for us.

Holy Matthew: Pray for us.

Holy Bartholomew: Pray for us.

Holy Simon: Pray for us.

Holy Thaddeus: Pray for us.

Holy Matthias: Pray for us.

Holy Barnabas: Pray for us.

Holy Mark: Pray for us.

Holy Luke: Pray for us.

All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists: Pray for us.

All ye holy disciples of the Lord and Innocents: Pray for us.

So far is said in every Litany.

The Saints for Monday in Quadragesima

On the First Monday in Quadragesima.

Holy Stephen: Pray for us.

Holy Linus: Pray for us.

Holy Cletus: Pray for us.

Holy Clemens: Pray for us.

Holy Fabian: Pray for us.

Holy Sebastian: Pray for us.

Holy Cosma: Pray for us.

Holy Damian: Pray for us.

Holy Primus: Pray for us.

Holy Felicianus: Pray for us.

Holy Dionysius, with thy companions: Pray for us.

Holy Victor, with thy companions: Pray for us.

All ye holy Martyrs: Pray for us.

Holy Sylvester: Pray for us.

Holy Leo: Pray for us.

Holy Hierome: Pray for us.

Holy Augustine: Pray for us.

Holy Isidore: Pray for us.

Holy Julian: Pray for us.

Holy Gildardus: Pray for us.

Holy Medardus: Pray for us.

Holy Albinus: Pray for us.

Holy Eusebius: Pray for us.

Holy Swithun: Pray for us.

Holy Birinus: Pray for us.

All ye holy Confessors: Pray for us.

All ye holy Monks and Hermits: Pray for us.

Holy Mary Magdalene: Pray for us.

Holy Mary of Egypt: Pray for us.

Holy Margaret: Pray for us.

Holy Scholastica: Pray for us.

Holy Petronilla: Pray for us.

Holy Genoveva: Pray for us.

Holy Praxedis: Pray for us.

Holy Soteris: Pray for us.

Holy Prisca: Pray for us.

Holy Thecla: Pray for us.

Holy Afra: Pray for us.

Holy Editha: Pray for us.

All ye holy Virgins: Pray for us.

All ye Saints: Pray for us.

The Deprecations and Obsecrations

Then forthwith follows:

Be favourable: Spare us, O Lord.

The Choir of the Clergy the same.

From all evil: Deliver us, O Lord.

The Choir the same; and so on in each until pronouncing this clause Sinners we.

From the snares of the Devil: Deliver us, O Lord.

From everlasting damnation: Deliver us, O Lord.

From the perils of our sins which threaten us: Deliver us, O Lord.

From the assaults of evil spirits: Deliver us, O Lord.

From the spirit of fornication: Deliver us, O Lord.

From the appetite of vain glory: Deliver us, O Lord.

From all impurity of mind and body: Deliver us, O Lord.

From anger and hatred, and all ill will: Deliver us, O Lord.

From unclean thoughts: Deliver us, O Lord.

From blindness of heart: Deliver us, O Lord.

From sudden and unforeseen death: Deliver us, O Lord.

By the mystery of thy Holy Incarnation: Deliver us, O Lord.

By thy Nativity: Deliver us, O Lord.

By thy Holy Circumcision: Deliver us, O Lord.

By thy Baptism: Deliver us, O Lord.

By thy Fasting: Deliver us, O Lord.

By thy Cross and Passion: Deliver us, O Lord.

By thy precious Death: Deliver us, O Lord.

By thy glorious Resurrection: Deliver us, O Lord.

By thy wonderful Ascension: Deliver us, O Lord.

By the grace of the Holy Ghost the Comforter: Deliver us, O Lord.

In the hour of death: Succour us, O Lord.

In the Day of Judgement: Deliver us, O Lord.

The Suffrages

Sinners, we beseech thee hear us.

The Choir of the Clergy the same.

That thou wouldest grant us peace:

Let the Choir reply thus. We beseech thee hear us.

And so in each up to the Petition Son of God.

That thy mercy and goodness may keep us: We beseech thee hear us.

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to govern and defend thy Church: We beseech thee hear us.

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to preserve our Apostolic Lord, and all orders of the Church in thy Holy Religion: We beseech thee hear us.

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to preserve our Bishop and prelates, and us the congregations committed to them, in holy religion: We beseech thee hear us.

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to bestow upon our king and princes peace and true concord and victory: We beseech thee hear us.

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to preserve the congregations of all thy Saints in thy service: We beseech thee hear us.

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to preserve all Christian people redeemed by thy precious Blood: We beseech thee hear us.

That thou wouldest render to all our benefactors everlasting benefits: We beseech thee hear us.

That thou wouldest deliver our souls and the souls of our forefathers from eternal condemnation: We beseech thee hear us.

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to give and preserve the fruits of the earth: We beseech thee hear us.

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to cast the eyes of thy mercy upon us: We beseech thee hear us.

That thou wouldest make reasonable the obedience of our service: We beseech thee hear us.

That thou wouldest exalt our minds to heavenly desires: We beseech thee hear us.

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to regard and relieve the miseries of the poor and captives: We beseech thee hear us.

That thou wouldest grant to all the faithful departed eternal rest: We beseech thee hear us.

That thou wouldest vouchsafe to hearken unto us: We beseech thee hear us.

Son of God, Lamb of God, Kyrie

Son of God, we beseech thee hear us.

The Choir of the Clergy the same.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: Hear us, O Lord.

The Choir the same, and so of the two succeeding Lamb of God and Lord have mercy and Christ have mercy.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world: Have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Let the Clerks with the whole Choir say the last:

Lord, have mercy.

The Lord's Prayer and the Preces

Our Father (secretly).

And lead us not into temptation.

But deliver us from evil.

O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us.

And grant us thy salvation.

O Lord, let thy mercy come upon us.

Even thy salvation according to thy word.

We have sinned with our fathers.

We have done amiss and dealt wickedly.

O Lord, deal not with us according to our sins.

Neither recompense us according to our iniquities.

Let us pray for every degree of the Church.

May thy Priests be clothed with righteousness, and let thy Saints rejoice.

For our Brethren and Sisters.

O my God, save thy servants and handmaidens who put their trust in thee.

For all Christian people.

Save thy people, O Lord, and bless thine inheritance: and govern them and lift them up even for evermore.

O Lord, let there be peace in thy strength.

And abundance in thy towers.

May the souls of thy servants and handmaidens rest in peace. Amen.

O Lord, hear my prayer,

And let my crying come unto thee.

The Lord be with you.

And with thy spirit.

The Orisons

Let us pray.

O God, whose property it is ever to have mercy and to spare, receive our entreaty: so that those whom the chain of their sins doth bind, the pitifulness of thy goodness may absolve, through Christ our Lord.

Orison. Almighty and everlasting God, who alone doest great wonders: send forth upon thy servants the Bishops, and upon all the congregations committed to them, the Spirit of thy saving grace; and that they may please thee in very truth, pour into them the continual dew of thy blessing.

Orison. O God, of whom are all holy desires, all right counsels, and all just works: give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and we being freed from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in quietness under thy protection.

Orison. O Lord, we beseech thee, of thy clemency shew us thine unspeakable mercy: and both rid us of all our sins, and mercifully deliver us from the punishments which we deserve for them.

Orison. O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful: grant remission of all their sins to the souls of all the faithful departed: so that the pardon which they have ever desired, by our pious supplications they may obtain.

Orison. O Lord, we beseech thee of thy goodness loose the chains of all our sins: and the blessed and glorious ever Virgin Mother of God, Mary, interceding for us together with all thy Saints, keep us thy servants and all Catholic people in all sanctity; and all who are conjoined to us by consanguinity, friendship, or profession, as well as all Christian people, do thou purge from sin and enlighten with virtues; bestow on us peace and health: banish our enemies, visible and invisible: drive away pestilence, give charity to our friends and our enemies: and to all the faithful, living and departed, grant life and eternal rest in the land of the living, through the same our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Saints for Tuesday in Quadragesima

On Tuesday in Quadragesima. The Order of Martyrs.

Holy Thomas: Pray for us.

Holy Sixtus: Pray for us.

Holy Cornelius: Pray for us.

Holy Cyprian: Pray for us.

Holy John: Pray for us.

Holy Paul: Pray for us.

Holy Marcellinus: Pray for us.

Holy Peter: Pray for us.

Holy Vitus: Pray for us.

Holy Modestus: Pray for us.

Holy Adrian: Pray for us.

Holy Nicasius, with thy companions: Pray for us.

Holy Eustachius, with thy companions: Pray for us.

All ye holy Martyrs: Pray for us.

Holy Gregory: Pray for us.

Holy Augustine: Pray for us.

Holy Ambrose: Pray for us.

Holy Remigius: Pray for us.

Holy Donatianus: Pray for us.

Holy Eligius: Pray for us.

Holy Audomarus: Pray for us.

Holy Sulpicius: Pray for us.

Holy Paternus: Pray for us.

Holy Patrick: Pray for us.

Holy Dunstan: Pray for us.

Holy Grimbald: Pray for us.

All ye holy Confessors: Pray for us.

Holy Felicitas: Pray for us.

Holy Perpetua: Pray for us.

Holy Columba: Pray for us.

Holy Christina: Pray for us.

Holy Eulalia: Pray for us.

Holy Euphemia: Pray for us.

Holy Eugenia: Pray for us.

Holy Gertrude: Pray for us.

Holy Ragenflede: Pray for us.

Holy Batildis: Pray for us.

Holy Anastasia: Pray for us.

Holy Etheldreda: Pray for us.

All ye holy Virgins: Pray for us.

All ye Saints: Pray for us.

Be favourable: Spare us, O Lord.

From all evil: Deliver us, O Lord.

From the snares of the Devil: Deliver us, O Lord.

From everlasting damnation: Deliver us, O Lord.

From the dangers of our sins which threaten us: and the rest.