Collects and Post Communions in Contemporary Language

   Lesser Festivals May
     
     
    2 May Athanasius
White
   
Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher of the Faith, 373
  
     
    Collect
     
    Ever-living God,
whose servant Athanasius testified
      to the mystery of the Word made flesh for our salvation:
help us, with all your saints,
to contend for the truth
and to grow into the likeness of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
     
    Post Communion
     
     
    The Post Communion of Teachers of the Faith is used.
     
    4 May English Saints and Martyrs
White
      of the Reformation Era  
     
    Collect
     
    Merciful God,
who, when your Church on earth was torn apart
      by the ravages of sin,
raised up men and women in this land
who witnessed to their faith with courage and constancy:
give to your Church that peace which is your will,
and grant that those who have been divided on earth
      may be reconciled in heaven
and share together in the vision of your glory;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
     
    Post Communion
     
    God, the source of all holiness and giver of all good things:
may we who have shared at this table
      as strangers and pilgrims here on earth
be welcomed with all your saints
      to the heavenly feast on the day of your kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
     
     
    8 May Julian of Norwich
White
   
Spiritual Writer, c.1417
  
     
    Collect
     
    Most holy God, the ground of our beseeching,
who through your servant Julian
revealed the wonders of your love:
grant that as we are created in your nature
      and restored by your grace,
our wills may be so made one with yours
that we may come to see you face to face
and gaze on you for ever;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
     
    Post Communion
     
    The Post Communion of Members of Religious Communities is used.
     
     
    19 May Dunstan
White
   
Archbishop of Canterbury, Restorer of Monastic Life, 988
  
     
    Collect
     
    Almighty God,
who raised up Dunstan to be a true shepherd of the flock,
a restorer of monastic life
and a faithful counsellor to those in authority:
give to all pastors the same gifts of your Holy Spirit
that they may be true servants of Christ and of all his people;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
     
    Post Communion
     
    The Post Communion of Bishops is used.
     
     
    20 May Alcuin of York
White
   
Deacon, Abbot of Tours, 804
  
     
    Collect
     
    God of wisdom, eternal light,
who shone in the heart of your servant Alcuin,
revealing to him your power and pity:
scatter the darkness of our ignorance
that, with all our heart and mind and strength,
we may seek your face
and be brought with all your saints
      to your holy presence;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
     
    Post Communion
     
    The Post Communion of Members of Religious Communities is used.
     
     
    24 May John and Charles Wesley
White
   
Evangelists, Hymn Writers, 1791 and 1788
  
     
    Collect
     
    God of mercy,
who inspired John and Charles Wesley with zeal for your gospel:
grant to all people boldness to proclaim your word
and a heart ever to rejoice in singing your praises;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
     
    Post Communion
     
    The Post Communion of Pastors is used.
     
     
    25 May The Venerable Bede
White
   
Monk at Jarrow, Scholar, Historian, 735
  
     
    Collect
     
    God our maker,
whose Son Jesus Christ gave to your servant Bede
grace to drink in with joy the word
      that leads us to know you and to love you:
in your goodness
grant that we also may come at length to you,
the source of all wisdom,
and stand before your face;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
     
    Post Communion
     
    The Post Communion of Members of Religious Communities is used.
     
     
     26 May Augustine of Canterbury
White
   
First Archbishop of Canterbury, 605
  
     
    Collect
     
    Almighty God,
whose servant Augustine was sent as the apostle
      of the English people:
grant that as he laboured in the Spirit
      to preach Christ's gospel in this land,
so all who hear the good news
may strive to make your truth known in all the world;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
     
    Post Communion
     
    The Post Communion of Bishops is used.
     
     
    30 May Josephine Butler
White
   
Social Reformer, 1906
  
     
    Collect
     
    God of compassion and love,
by whose grace your servant Josephine Butler
followed in the way of your Son
in caring for those in need:
help us like her to work with strength
for the restoration of all to the dignity
      and freedom of those created in your image;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
     
    Post Communion
     
    God our redeemer,
who inspired Josephine Butler to witness to your love
and to work for the coming of your kingdom:
may we, who in this sacrament share the bread of heaven,
be fired by your Spirit to proclaim the gospel in our daily living
and never to rest content until your kingdom come,
on earth as it is in heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
     
    Or another Post Communion of 'Any Saint' is used.