Note.—This Missionary Office was first used by the Associate Mission, consisting of Candidates for Holy Orders in the General Theological Seminary, in the year 1840, with the approval of the Bishop of New-York and the Dean of the Seminary. It was afterwards used at the Nashotah Mission, Wisconsin; subsequently by the Missions established at St. Paul, St. Columba, and Faribault, Minnesota, and now is in use in the new Missions on the Pacific Coast.

The Brethren being assembled, let one of the Clergy begin the Service by saying,

LET US PRAY.

Prevent, we beseech Thee, O Lord, all our doings with Thy most gracious inspirations, and further them with Thy continual help, that every prayer and work of ours may begin always from Thee and by Thee be happily ended, and more especially the Service we are now entering upon, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then the Reader shall say:

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Ans. Blessed be the Holy and Undivided Trinity, now and for evermore. Amen.

Then shall be said this Confession, the Reader first saying:

Let us make, with a pure heart and humble voice, our confession to Almighty God, devoutly saying:

Most Gracious God, the Fountain of all mercy, Who desirest not the death of a sinner, nor despisest the tears of the penitent, we, miserable sinners, humbly prostrate our souls and bodies before Thy most adorable Majesty, and with a true and hearty sorrow accuse and condemn ourselves. We confess, O Lord God, that we have grievously sinned against Thee in thought* word,* and deed* through our fault, through our great fault, through our exceeding great fault. But have Thou mercy on us, O most merciful Father, for Thy Son’s sake Jesus Christ, our Lord and only Advocate. Amen.

* Here let the Reader make a short pause.

Then shall the Reader continue as followeth, all uniting in the responses, and in the petition, “O Holy” etc.

O God, the Father, Creator of the World;
Have mercy on us.

O God, the Son, Redeemer of mankind;
Have mercy on us.

O God, the Holy Ghost, Perfecter of the Faithful;
Have mercy on us.

O Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts,
have mercy on us, and save us for Thy Name’s sake. Amen.

Then the Reader shall say this Prayer:

Grant to us, Lord, we beseech Thee, pardon and peace, that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve Thee with a quiet mind, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall be said:

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil: For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

And afterwards shall he said these Versicles and Responses.

Versicle. Our help is in the Name of the Lord;
Response. Who hath made Heaven and Earth.
Versicle. Convert us, O God our Saviour;
Response. And turn away Thine anger from us.
Versicle. O God, make speed to save us;
Response. O Lord, make haste to help us.
Versicle. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
Response. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Here all standing up, the Reader shall say this

INVITATORY.

Come, let us arise and go to our Father, let us turn to the Lord our God, that He may turn to us and bless us.
Response. Come let us arise and go to our Father.

Then shall be said or sung the Veni Creator Spiritus.

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire:

Thou the Anointing Spirit art,
Who dost Thy seven-fold gifts impart:

Thy Blessed unction from above,
Is Comfort, Life, and Fire of Love:

Enable with perpetual Light,
The dulness of our blinded sight:

Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of Thy Grace:

Keep far our foes, give peace at home,
Where Thou art Guide, no ill can come:

Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And Thee of both to be but One:

That through the ages all along
This may be our endless song;

Praise to Thy Eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then shall follow the Antiphon, which may be said alternately with every verse of the Psalm, or may be said only at the beginning and the end of the, Psalm, in which case the Reader shall begin as followeth.

ANTIPHON.

Trust in the Lord.

PSALM.

1. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him:
Yea, all such as call upon Him faithfully.

2. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him:
He also will hear their cry, and will help them.

3. Them that are meek shall He guide in judgement:
And such as are gentle, them shall He learn His way.

4. What man is he that feareth the Lord:
Him shall He teach in the way that He shall choose.

5. Put thy trust in the Lord, and be doing good:
Dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

6. Delight thou in the Lord:
And He shall give thee thy hearts desire.

7. Commit thy way unto the Lord:
Put thy trust wilt, and He will bring it to pass.

8. I will look up unto the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation:
My God will hear me.

9. Oh! send out Thy Light and Thy Truth;
That they may lead me.

10. Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel:
And after that receive me with glory.

11. I know that the way of man is not in himself:
It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

12. For Thou hast said, “I will inform thee and teach thee in the way wherein thou shalt go:
And I will guide thee with Mine eye.”

13. Lead me, O Lord, in Thy Righteousness because of mine enemies:
Make Thy way plain before my face.

14. Thou shalt make room enough under me for to go:
That my footsteps shall not slide.

15. Hold thou still in the Lord:
And abide patiently upon Him.

16. It is good for me to hold fast by God, to put my trust in the Lord God:
And to speak of all Thy works in the gates of the Daughter of Zion.

17. It is better to trust in the Lord:
Than to put any confidence in man.

18. It is better to trust in the Lord:
Than to put any confidence in Princes.

19. Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses:
But we will remember the Name of the Lord our God.

20. It is the Lord’s doing:
And it is marvellous in our eyes.

21. If God be for us:
Who can be against us?

Versicle. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
Response. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

ANTIPHON.

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put any confidence in man.

After which the Reader shall say:

Brethren, Listen to the first Instruction:

Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways think upon Him, and He will direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own conceit, and depart from evil. Seek not the things that are too high for thee, nor search into those above thy strength, but the thing that God has commanded thee, that do thou, and in many of His ways be not thou curious, since it is not necessary for thee to see with thine eyes those things that are hidden. Lay up thy treasure according to the commandment of the Most High, and it shall profit thee more than gold. Give to the Highest according to what He has given thee, and with a good eye, give according to the ability of thy hands, for the Lord is thy Rewarder, and He will repay thee seven times as much. When a man’s ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. The heart of man deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps. He that is patient is better than he that is strong, and he that rules his own mind, than he who conquers cities. There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against the Lord.

Here all rising: two of the lay brethren [Candidates for Holy Orders, if any be present] in succession shall make the first and second responses, all joining in the third.

Response I. Well may we give Thee, O Lord, some part of what, we have, since we have received from Thee all we have; well may we give with gladness to Thee, since Thy bounty rewards us with so great advantage.

Response II. O make us still mistrust ourselves, and with humble confidence rely on Thee. Without Thy blessing, our labour is vain: and against Thy decrees no policy can succeed; but if we humbly submit to Thee, Thou wilt direct us; if we keep Thy commandments, Thou wilt defend us

Response III. O make us still mistrust ourselves, and with humble confidence rely on Thee.

Then shall the Reader say:

Brethren, Listen to the second Instruction: When thou comest to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation, cleave unto Him, and depart not away, that thou mayest be increased at thy last end. “Whatever is brought upon thee take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art brought to a low estate, for gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity. Believe in God, and He will help thee; order thy way aright, and trust in Him. Woe to the fearful hearts and faint hands, and the sinner that goeth two ways. Woe to them that are faint-hearted, who believe not God, and therefore shall not be defended.

Response I. Teach us, O Gracious Lord, to begin our works with fear, and to go on with obedience, and finish them with love, and after all sit humbly down in hope, and With a cheerful countenance look up to Thee.

Response II. Whose promises are faithful and whose rewards infinite: all this we may do for men, and yet they fail us: we may serve, and they forget our service: we may love, and they neglect our affections: only Thou, Whom we no way can benefit, dost every way oblige us, O Lord our God.

Response III. Whose promises are faithful and whose rewards are infinite.

Then shall the Reader say:

Listen, Brethren, to the Lesson selected from the 10th chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew:

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying: Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass, in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves, for the workman is worthy of his meat.

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. The disciple is not above his Master, nor the servant above his Lord; it is enough for the disciple that he be as his Master, and the servant as his Lord: if they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household. Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul, but rather fear Him Who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not, therefore; ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever, therefore, shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in Heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father Which is in Heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me, and he that taketh not his cross and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me; he that findeth his life shall lose it, and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it.

Response I. Blessed, O our God, be Thy Goodness for ever, which so plentifully furnishes us with rules of conduct, and so safely guides all who choose to be led by Thee.

Response II. As Thou wilt show us the way, so, O Lord, give us strength to walk in it, and grant to us, O Lord, grant to us in the end, eternal rest. Thou art our example, Who wast faithful to Him: who appointed Thee, as Moses also was faithful, and therefore

Response III. Shew us the way, O Lord, and give us strength to walk in it.

Versicle. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
Response. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Then shall the Reader commence the following

LITANY.

Let us pray.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

O God, who hast prepared a glorious inheritance for those who love Thee and keep Thy commandments, Who art Thyself that Glorious Inheritance, and the end and expectation of all our labours;
Have mercy upon us.

O God, the only rest of wearied souls, the only joy of time and of eternity, Who art all that we can desire;
Have mercy upon us.

From all manner of evil, but especially from sin, and from the particular temptations to which, by time, place, or temper, we are most exposed,
Deliver us, O Lord.

In all our doubts, in all our necessities; throughout our lives, and at the hour of our death,
Deliver us, O Lord.

We sinners beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord God, and that it may please Thee in all our dangers, trials, and temptations, to strengthen and relieve us,
We beseech Thee to hear us, Good Lord.

That seeing our daily imperfections, we may quicken our diligence, humble our thoughts, and learn to depend wholly on Thee.
We beseech Thee to hear us, Good Lord.

That believing Thou governest the world by Thy Providence, we may humbly and thankfully accept of any condition of life Thou assignest us therein, and not murmur at the part Thou givest us to act, but strive to act it well.
We beseech Thee to hear us Good Lord.

That we may religiously observe the rules and duties of our several places, and contentedly submit to the meanest works of our condition.
We beseech Thee to hear us, Good Lord.

That we may live in peace and charity with all the world, and especially, since it hath pleased Thee to unite us in one family, that we may patiently forbear, freely forgive, and readily assist one another.
We beseech Thee to hear us, Good Lord.

Son of God, we beseech Thee to hear us.
Son of God, we beseech Thee to hear us.
O Lamb of God, That takest away the sins of the world:
Grant us Thy peace.
O Lamb of God, That takest away the sins of the world.
Have mercy upon us.

Let us Pray.

GOD,

Who grants the prayers of His servants one for another, to remember for good all those whom we should remember in our prayers: those who have ministered to us of their labour, their wealth, their good countenance, their prayers, whether young or old, male or female, Clergy or Laity; whether known to us or unknown; all who have a claim on us from benefits conferred in aiding us to establish this House to the Glory of God’s great Name.

O Merciful Lord; make them a. plentiful recompense for the good they have conveyed to us. Pour out upon all, Thy rich pity, to all performing their requests for salvation. And since we cannot make mention of each of them, through ignorance, forgetfulness, or number of names, remember Thou them, O God, Who knowest the stature and appellation of each, and every degree of their several necessity. Continue to us their good will, and in the multitude of Thy Pity remember them and us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Furthermore, we commend to Thy favour, O God, the endeavour here made by Thy unworthy servants to extend the Kingdom of Thy dear Son upon earth. Confirm and promote its usefulness. Replenish with the truth of Thy Doctrine the Clergy here collected, and endue them with innocency of life. Visit with Thy love and favour all the members of this Household, increasing in them true religion, and nourishing them with all goodness. Enlighten the minds of the people more and more with the light of the everlasting Gospel. And according to Thine infinite Wisdom, O God, prepare occasions of doing good, and give us grace to make use of them. Enlarge in Thine own time and way Thy manifold gifts to us, both temporal and spiritual. Send forth labourers into this Thy Harvest—and whoever plants, whoever waters, strengthen their faith in Thee, Who alone canst give the increase, O Gracious Lord of the Harvest, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Versicle. Bless, O Lord, Thy Spouse, the Holy Catholic Church:
Response. And evermore mightily defend Her.
Versicle. Deliver Her from strange doctrines, heresies, and schisms:
Response. And bless Her with Truth, Unity, and Concord.
Versicle. Deliver Her when She is in danger:
Response. And restore Her where She is laid waste.
Versicle. Bring back those that have wandered from Her Fold:
Response. And may all the kingdoms of the world become the Kingdom of our Lord and His Christ.

Let us Pray.

O Eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to receive us into the Ark of Christ’s Church, we render Thee most humble thanks for Thy great goodness, whereby alone we enjoy the comfort of a firm and settled belief, free from the inconstancy of those who, having no support but their own fancies, float up and down awhile and sink at last into the gulf of infidelity. Make us duly sensible of this Thy mercy, that as we know Thee by a sure faith, we may love Thee with a perfect charity, and fixing our hopes on Heaven and Heavenly things, may patiently suffer what Thou permittest here, and still press on to what Thou promisest hereafter, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty and most Merciful Father, give us, we beseech Thee, that grace that we may duly examine the inmost of our hearts and our most secret thoughts, how we stand before Thee, that we may persevere in all good purposes and in Thy Holy service unto our lives’ end. Lord, Thou knowest what is best for us to do according to Thy will! Give us, we beseech Thee, what Thou wilt, as much as Thou wilt, and when Thou wilt. Lo! we are Thy servants, ready to do all things that Thou commandest us, for we desire not to live unto ourselves, but to Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Versicle. O Lord, hear our Prayer:
Response. And let our cry now come unto Thee.
Versicle. Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion:
Response. And build Thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Versicle. Give to all Thy Faithful eternal rest:
Response. And enlighten them when they sit in darkness.

Let us Pray.

O Almighty God, Who hast knit together Thine elect in one Communion and Fellowship, in the mystical Body of Thy Son, Christ our Lord: grant us grace so to follow Thy Blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys which Thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Versicle. Bless we our Lord.
Response. Thanks be to God.
Versicle. Praised be the Lord, Who hath helped us:
Response. The God Who hath poured out His benefits upon us.
Versicle. He hath brought us to great honor:
Response. And comforted us on every side.
Versicle. Lord, Thou hast made us glad through Thy works.
Response. And we will rejoice in giving praise for the operations of Thy hands.
Versicle. May the Divine assistance remain with us for ever.
Response. Amen.

Then shall follow the Blessing, to be given by the Priest alone.

In case no Priest is present, the Service shall conclude with the previous Versicle and Response, and the silent Prayer.

Priest. The Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, descend upon us, and remain in our hearts for ever.
Response. Amen.

Then let the Office conclude with a short prayer, said silently.