To-day, June 2, 2020, is the 67th anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey with the Crown Jewelsin the Coronation Chair as Sovereign of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon. What a very different world it was then! The British Empire still spanned the globe, with Churchill as Prime Minister; Eisenhower had just become president of the United States. Anglo-Catholicism was at its apparent peak in many ways. At any rate, in honour of the day, I present a collection of prayers: some by (or to!) various of Her Majesty’s predecessors, others praying for the conversion of various of her realms, and ending with prayers for herself.
Prayer of King Henry VI
O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast created and redeemed me and hast foreordained me unto that which now I am; thou knowest what thou wouldst do with me; do with me according to thy will, in thy mercy. Amen.
A PRAYER TO HENRY VI IN ENGLISH VERSE.
An English prayer in verse to Henry VI from a Primer of 1408 (in which it has been inserted on the flyleaf) in the Library of St Cuthbert’s College, Ushaw, was printed in the Ushaw Magazine of 1902, p. 279. I have the kind permission of the authorities to quote it here:
O blyssed king so full of vertue
The flowr of all knyghthood that never was fyled
Thou pray for us to Christe Jhesu
And to hys modyr Mary myld
In all thi warkys thu was never wyld
Bott full of grace and of charyte
Mercyfull ever to man and chylde
Now sweyt kyng Henre pray for me.
O crownyd kyng with sceptur in hand
Most nobyll conqueror I may thee call
For thou hast conqueryd I undyrstand
A hevynly kyngdome most imperyall
Hwar joye haboundeth and grace perpetuell
In presens of the holy Trenite
Off wych grace thou make me parcyall
Now swet kyng Henre praye for me.
All Apostels and Patriarchs shall thee honor
Martyrs and Confessors with all their delygens
And eke Virgynes in the hevynly towr
Ar glad and joyfull of thi presens
Angelys and Archangelys with ample(?) reverence
Schall mynystyr and ‹giftes› bryng(?) to the
The well of pety and of pacyens
Now swet kyng Henre praye for me.
Thy prayer I trust is herd in hevyn
With the Fadyr omnipotent
Now blyssyd be thy name to nemyne
[Pg 51]For ever att neyd thou art present
In trowbyll or payn wen I am schent
Or stand in warely juberte
Thy socur to me full son thu sentt
Now sweyt kyng Henre praye for me.
Thy trowblas life and grett vexacion
With pacyens that thu had therein
And thi constans in contemplacion
Has mad the hevyn for to wyne
Thy sett is ordenyd with seraphyn
As langhyght ((be)longeth) to thi regalyte
With mor melody than I can myn
Now swet kyng Henre praye for me.
O blessyd kyng so gracios and gud
Thou pray to sett this reme in rest
Unto our Saveyour that dyed on roud
And to hys modyr that madyn blessyd
That alkyn wrangys may be redressyd
To plesor of the Deyte
Thys I besech at my request
Now swet kyng Henre praye for me.
Prayer of King Richard III
“Lord Jesus Christ, deign to free me, your servant King Richard, from every tribulation, sorrow and trouble in which I am placed . . . hear me, in the name of all your goodness, for which I give thanks, and for all the gifts granted to me, because you made me from nothing and redeemed me out of your bounteous love and pity from eternal damnation to promising eternal life.”
Good Queen Mary’s prayer : which she used every
morning all her life time.
O lord my maker and Redeemer, I thank thy goodness most
humbly, y i thou hast preserved me all this night past & this day hitherto, in which time, if I have done any thing to thy pleasure, blessed be thou for it. I knowledge & confess all virtue to come of thee.
Wherefore I beseech thee to continue &: increase the same in me, & let all the laud & praise thereof be wholly given unto thee, which art the author of all goodness, and nothing imputed to me vile wretch, who of my self cannot so much as think one good thought without thy grace, humbly desiring thy goodness also, and that I may ever yield thanks to thee for all thy benefits with such strong faith, steadfast hope, pure perfect & fervent love, with such full trust and confidence in thee, as may be to thy pleasure & the health and Comfort of mine own soul.
Te Deum, &c.
And my God, wherein soever I have offended thee, either concerning my duty towards thy majesty, or want of perfect charity to my neighbour, through the occasion of the devil, the world, and the flesh, by misinformation, ignorance, negligence, by any sudden motion or passion of frailty, sickness of body, or any other way since the hour of my birth unto this time, I ask thee mercy, O God the father Almighty, for all my offences committed in thought, Desiring thee both to forgive me & to vouchsafe this day & evermore to govern & guide the same. Pater de coelis Deus, ignosce mihi; et propithis
esto mihi misere peccatrici.
I ask thee in like manner forgiveness, O God the son, for all mine offences, committed in word, beseeching thy wisdom to forgive me, & this Day & evermore to Rule & govern my tongue. Fili Redemptor mundi Deus, ignosce mihi; et propiiius esto mihi miser e peccatrici.
I desire thy goodness also of pardon, O God the Holy Ghost, for all my offences committed in my deeds, Humbly praying thee to forgive me, & both this Day & continually to order & direct the same.
Spiritus Sancte Deus, ignosce mihi; et propitius esto mihi misere
peccatrici.
So holy Trinity, iij persons & one very God, vouchsafe to forgive all mine offences, and send me such grace this day as may preserve me from all sin, with true knowledge to perceive wherein, how & in what manner I have offended the eyes of thy Majesty & let the fear of mine own death & thy general Judgements stay me from all presumption in the Discussing thereof, & on the other side, let the multitude of thy mercies with my full trust & confidence therein, keep me from vain or foolish scrupulosity in the same, so that I having the right understanding & knowledge of all mine offences may, by thy grace, take such contrition & Repentance for them, as may be to thy contentment & the salvation of mine own soul. Amen. Miserere mei
Deus &c.
O my saviour, I offer my self wholly to thee for a perpetual
sacrifice this day and evermore, that is to say my freewill, faith,
soul, body, life, death, sickness, health, my kin & friends, (especially thy servants) and enemies (if I have any) & all my servants and subjects both quick & dead, Desiring thine infinite mercy to vouchsafe to take the order & disposing of all our matters both spiritual and temporal this day & ever into thy governance & protection.
And first, sweet Jesu, concerning matters of my soul, that is to
say both my prayer & all other ghostly exercises, Grant me grace, I beseech thee, neither to omit nor to do in any point contrary to that which is most to thy pleasure, the health of mine own soul & the profit & comfort of all mine fellow Christians both quick & dead.
Secondarily touching prosperity in this world & the health of my
body, grant me grace, my most merciful saviour Jesu, when thou
doest send me either of them, both to receive them humbly with
thanksgiving accordingly, without any kind of Elation or pride, & so to use them as may best please thee & profit both my self and mine fellow Christians with as willing a mind without any manner of grudge to have them taken from me, either by thy will or sufferance, as ever I was glad to receive them. And concerning sickness & adversity, so long (good lord) as my life may do service acceptable to thee, either in the amendment of the same, or any other kind of way, Vouchsafe, my God, that I may never have power through mine own fault to abbreviate one Jot thereof. But let the virtue of thine abstinence which though didst use here in earth for example & the remembrance of the vinegar & gall, whereof thou didst taste in the time of thy most bitter passion, stay me this Day & at all times from taking too
much or too little of meats or drinks. And whensoever it shall
please thy goodness, my lord God, through thy visitation or sufferance to send me any adversity or sickness, Grant for thy sweet name Jesus sake, that all seeking of worldly consolation set a part, I may continually call for thy help, putting my full hope & confidence therein, & give me grace immediately, I humbly beseech thee, both deeply to consider what torments & passion thou my sweet saviour, being Innocence itself, didst suffer for me most sinful wretch. And send me therein some devout Contemplation, which may extinguish all worldly care in me, & all grace to remember what punishment I have & do daily deserve for mine offences, committed against thee and my neighbour, & let these considerations cause me not only patiently, but also Joyfully, to suffer all sickness & adversity with such fortitude & Magnanimity as may be most acceptable to the & best for mine own soul’s health & my neighbour’s. Most humbly beseeching thy mercy to accept the same in part of penance both for mine own sins & the offences of mine fellow Christian,and of mine enemies also. And when I shall have done all this both rightly & faithfully, Give me grace afterword temperately to use all worldly comforts & remedies & that only but in thee & for thee
Thirdly, concerning mine outward & worldly affairs, that I have
& shall take in hand either with, my superiors, equals or inferiors,
Grant (my most benign lord Jesu) that in all things I may use this
way which shall be chiefly to thy pleasure, the comfort & salvation of my soul & the profit & edifying of my neighbour. And vouchsafe that the virtue of thy power, O Almighty God the father, may give me power to leave no Jot thereof undone, & let the virtue of thy wisdom, O God the son, gyve me grace & will to do no kind of thing contrary to the same. And grant that the virtue of thy strength & comfort, O God the Holy Ghost, may never depart from me, but strengthen & comfort me both in the beginning, proceeding & finishing of my affairs.
Domine Jesu Christe qui me creasti, redemisti, et preordinasti ad hoc, quod sum; tu sets quid de me facere vis: Fac de me secundum voluntatem tuam, cum misericordia tua. Domine Jesu Christe, qui solus es sapientia, tu scis que mihi expediunt ; prout tibi placet , et sicut in oculis tue maiestatis videatur de me, ita fiat in misericordia tua. Amen.
Moreover give me grace, o Holy Trinity, I most humbly desire that these mine enemies, neither ghostly nor bodily, nor any creature may ever have power to cause me to doubt or waver in any one Jot of thy true & Catholic faith, or the circumstance thereof, But grant that I may believe & use everything pertaining thereunto in the same sort & degree, which thou hast by thy Church appointed & willed me to do, without either presumption or scrupulosity. And if ever I shall be put to examination or trial thereof, send me such strength (my most bountiful lord and God) that I may rather most gladly, quietly & willingly suffer all kind of torments, yea even Death itself, then omit or forsake any part of my said faith, which being thoroughly and perfectly grounded in my heart, Gyve me grace rightly to express the same in my outward works, behaviour, & conversation; & vouchsafe, my lord God, to set such a bridle on my tongue that I may never have power to speak any vain, Idle, or superfluous words, neither also to the hindrance of any creature, nor to trust any too much or too little, nor yet to disclose any secret matter without Just occasion, but let my words be such as may be to thy glory, mine own profit & the comfort & edifying of the hearers. And whensoever my speech may doe good, either in giving counsel or setting
forth thy truth, Grant that I may never be too importunate nor too
slow in speaking, So that mine fellow Christian may have no occasion by my words to offend thee, or to misjudge me, or any other ; but that they may perceive thy goodness to work in me, and both they & I may give the whole praise thereof to thee.
Furthermore I beseech thy goodness to send me such patience to bear my neighbour’s Infirmities, as may be most acceptable to thee; so that when any of them shall be impatient, I may give no occasion to increase the same. But whereas, by information or reformation, I may do any good, grant me grace to do it, with all modesty & temperance. And whereas nether my words nor deeds can be prevalent, vouchsafe my God, to send me such discretion, wisdom, humility, charity & patience, as may, by thy grace, move & procure them to amend their faults, after such sort as may redound to thy glory and the health of their souls. And vouchsafe, good lord, to pluck up by the roots in me all Desire of worldly praise & vainglory, so that I may neither do anything for the respect of the same, nor rejoice in the having thereof; but whensoever it shall please thy goodness to
work in me any good thing, give me grace forthwith , I humbly beseech thee, to lift up my heart to thee with all thanksgiving, & to consider how all goodness cometh of thee, & that of myself, without thee, I can do nothing but evil. Put in their minds also, that shall be then present, the like remembrance & consideration, by occasion whereof the whole praise of all good things may be attributed to thee, to whom only it is due.
Amen.
Prayers of Mary Queen of Scots
Keep us, Oh God, from pettiness; let us be large in thought, in word, in deed.
Let us be done with fault-finding and leave off self-seeking.
May we put away all pretense and meet each other, face to face, without self-pity and without prejudice.
May we never be hasty in judgement and always generous.
Let us take time for all things; make us to grow calm, serene, gentle.
Teach us to put in action our better impulses – straight forward and unafraid.
Grant that we may realize it is the little things of life that create difficulties; that in the big things of life we are as one.
Oh, Lord, let us not forget to be kind.
My Lord and my God! I have trusted in Thee;
O Jesus, my Savior belov’d, set me free:
In rigorous chains, in piteous pains,
I am longing for Thee!
In weakness appealing, in agony kneeling,
I pray, I beseech Thee, O Lord, set me free!
PRAYERS OF KING JAMES II AND VII OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, FRANCE AND IRELAND
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God! Who only workest great marvells, show the riches of Thy goodness to Thy desolate and persecuted Church, that now sits mourning in her own dust and ruins, torn by schism and stripped and spoiled by sacrilege.
And Thou, who after a long captivity didst bring back Thy people to rebuild their Temple, look upon us with the same eyes of mercy.
Restore to us once again the publick worship of Thy name, the reverent administration of Thy sacraments; raise up the King, that we may once more enter into Thy courts with praise and serve Thee with that reverence, that unity, and order, as may be acceptable in Thy sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
O MOST powerful and ever blessed Lord God! Who art glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders; we most humbly beseech Thee to look compassionately on this persecuted part of Thy Church, now driven from Thy publick altars into corners and secret closets, that Thy protection may be over us, wherever we shall be scattered, and a remnant preserved amongst us by whom Thy name may be glorified, Thy sacraments administered, and the souls of Thy servants kept up in a corrupted and corrupting generation. So we that are Thy people and sheep of Thy pasture shall give Thee thanks for ever, and will always be showing forth Thy praise from generation to generation, through Jesus Christ, our only Saviour and Redeemer. AMEN.
[Source: Donald B. Aldrich, ed., The Golden Book of Prayer, Dodd, Mead, & Co., New York 1942, pp. 224-225.]
PRAYERS FOR ENGLAND
A Devout Recommendation
I adore and glorify Thee, O blessed Trinity, God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; I offer myself to Thy divine Majesty, humbly beseeching Thee to take from me, and from all Thy Faithful, whatever displeaseth Thee, and give us that which is grateful in Thy Sight. Grant that we may here do what Thou commandest, and hereafter receive what Thou promisest.
To Thee, O Lord, I commend my Soul and Body, (my Wife and Children, my Father and Mother, my Brethren and Sisters) my Kinsfolk and Benefactors, my Friends and Familiars, all my nearest and dearest Relations, and all those for whom I am any ways bound to offer up my Prayers. To Thee I commend the Holy Catholic Church. To Thee I commend this Kingdom, [and our Gracious Sovereign]. Grant, O Lord, that all may know Thee, all may honour and reverence Thee, all may love Thee, and be loved by Thee. Reduce those that err, and bring then again into the Way; abolish Heresies, convert all to the true Faith, who as yet do not know Thee. Grant us, O Lord, Thy Grace, and keep us in Thy Peace; may Thy holy Will be done, and not ours: Comfort all those that lead their Lives in Sorrow, Misery, or Temptations, and mercifully relieve them in their Afflictions, Spiritual or Temporal. Lastly, I commend all to Thy holy Protection, that Thou wouldest vouchsafe to the Living Forgiveness of their sins, and to the Souls departed everlasting Rest. Amen.
The Litany of Intercession for England
Remember not, O Lord, our Offences, nor those of our Parents; neither take Thou Vengeance of our Sins.
Lord, have Mercy on us.
Christ, have Mercy on us.
Lord, have Mercy on us.
Jesus, receive our Prayers.
Lord Jesus, grant our Petitions,
O God the Father, Creator of the World, Have Mercy on England.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the World, Have Mercy on England.
O God the Holy Ghost, Protector of the World, Have Mercy on England.
O Sacred Trinity, three Persons and one God, Have Mercy on England.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for England (repeat).
Holy Mary, Queen of Angels, whose powerful Intercession destroys Heresies,
Holy Mary, Virgin of Virgins, whose eminent Sanctity our Lord hath honoured with so many Miracles,
St. Michael, Prince of the Church,
St. Gabriel, glorious messenger of our Saviour’s Incarnation,
St. Raphael, faithful guide of those that have lost their Way,
Holy Angel, to whose pious custody this Province is committed,
All Holy Angels, and blessed Spirits, of Heaven, who celebrate with Joy the Conversion of Sinners,
St. John Baptist, Precursor of the Messiah, and great Example of Penance,
All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, Friends of God, and Advancers of his Truth,
St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and Supreme Pastor of Christ’s Sheep,
St. Paul, Doctor of the Gentiles, who of a Persecutor became a Preacher,
St. Andrew, first Disciple of Christ, and constant Lover of the Cross,
All holy Apostles and Evangelists, chief Planters of the Christian Faith, and zealous Maintainers of Catholic Unity,
St. George, our principal Patron, whose Courage remained invincible in the midst of so many Torments,
St. Alban, our first Martyr, who, for the generous charity of harbouring a Priest, was put to Death,
St. Thomas of Canterbury, who, as a faithful Shepherd, laidst down thy Life in Defence of thy Flock,
All holy Martyrs of this Nation, who voluntarily lost your Lives here, to find them again in a joyful Eternity,
St. Gregory, most vigilant Bishop of the universal Church, whose pious Zeal sent Missionaries from Rome for the conversion of our Ancestors,
St. Augustine, peculiar Apostle of this Nation, by whom our Forefathers were reclaimed from Paganism and Infidelity,
St. Bede, most venerable Confessor, by whose religious Life, and learned Writings, the Catholic Faith was eminently propagated amongst us,
All holy Bishops and Confessors, by whose Wisdom and Sanctity this Island was once a flourishing Seminary of Religion,
St. Helen, most holy Queen, and happy Mother of the first Christian Emperor,
St. Ursula, most blessed Martyr, who died in the glorious Defence of Faith and Chastity,
St. Winifred, most admirable Virgin, even in this unbelieving Generation still miraculous,
All holy Saints of this Nation, who, amidst the innumerable Joys of Heaven, still retain a particular Charity for the Conversion of your country,
All holy Saints of all Places, who, tho’ divided here in several Regions, were united in the same Faith, and now enjoy one common Felicity, Be merciful, O Lord, and spare us.
Be merciful, O Lord, and hear us.
From the Dangers most justly threatening our Sins, Deliver England, O Lord.
From the Spirit of Pride, Rebellion, and Apostacy, Deliver England, O Lord.
From the Spirit of Hypocrisy, Prophaneness, and Sacrilege, Deliver England, O Lord.
From Schism, Heresy, and all Blindness of Heart, Deliver England, O Lord.
From Gluttony, Drunkenness, and the false Liberty of an undisciplin’d Life, Deliver England, O Lord.
We Sinners beseech Thee hear us.
That it will please Thee to hasten the Conversion of this, our miserable country, and re-unite them to the ancient Faith and Communion of Thy Church,
We Sinners beseech Thee hear us. (repeat)
That it would please Thee particularly to have Mercy on our Kinsfolks, Friends, and Benefactors, and open their Eyes to see the Beauty of Thy Truth, and embrace it,
That it would please Thee to incline the Hearts of all the Magistrates rightly to understand our Religion, and impartially consider our Sufferings; and how hardly soever they may deal with us, make us till with exact Fidelity to perform our Duties toward them,
That it would please Thee to comfort and strengthen Thy Servants who suffer for the Catholic Faith, and not permit the weakest of us, by any Temptation whatsoever, to fall away from Thee and Thy Truth,
That it would please Thee to assist with Thy special Grace those good Pastors who venture their Lives for their Flock, and daily augment in them the Fire of Thy Love, and the Zeal of gaining Souls,
That it would please Thee to preserve the Catholics of this Land from all Sin and Scandal, and to adorn our Lives with solid Piety, that our Enemy, seeing our good Works, may glorify Thee our heavenly Father,
That it would please Thee to grant us the grace of improving the Restraints and temporal Disadvantages we fall under, into an Occasion of Retiredness and Christian Severity; supplying our Want of public Assemblies by a greater diligence in private Devotions,
That it may please Thee to govern us by Thy good Spirit, that we may accept such Ease and Liberty, as Thou vouchsafest to bestow on us, with Gratitude, use it with Modesty, and give others to understand by our Behaviour, that nothing is pleasing to us, but so far as it tends to Thy Honour and our Neighbour’s Good,
That it would please Thee to illuminate the Hearts of all Schismatics, who live out of the Church, seriously to apprehend the danger of their State, and the great Importance of eternal Salvation,
That it would please Thee to look mercifully down from Heaven on the Tears of the Afflicted, and the Blood of so many Martyrs, who have spent their Lives and suffered Death to convert us to Thee, Son of God, we beseech Thee to hear us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the Sins of the World, Spare us, O Lord.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the Sins of the World, Hear us, O Lord.
O Lamb of God that takest away the Sins of the World, Have Mercy on us.
Lord have Mercy on us.
Christ, have Mercy on us.
Lord have Mercy on us.
Our Father, etc.
V.: And lead us not into Temptation.
R.: But deliver us from Evil. Amen.
V.: O Lord, hear our Prayers.
R.: And let our Supplications come unto Thee.
Let us Pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, whose Judgements are righteous, and Counsels unsearchable, who visitest the Iniquities of the Parents upon the Children, to the third and fourth generation, and yet at length rememberest Mercy: Forgive, we beseech Thee, the Sins of our Forefathers, and turn away Thy Wrath from their Posterity; deliver the Ignorant from being seduced by false Teachers, and the Learned from being abused by their Passions, and the whole Nation from the Spirit of Contradiction, Licentiousness, and Discord; that instead of many Divisions and Changes in Religion, under which they labour, they may again be restored to that Unity of Mind, Steadiness of Faith, and Tranquillity of Conscience, which is no where to be sought but in the Communion of Thy Church, nor possible to be found but by the Conduct of Thy Grace.
O eternal God, who in this great Deluge of Heresy, which wholly overflows, and almost covers the Face of this Land, hast vouchsafed to select a small Number for Thyself, and save them in Thy Holy Ark from the common Inundation; we praise and glorify Thy infinite Goodness, by which 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 sensible, O Lord, of these Thy unspeakable blessings, that as we know Thee by a sure Faith, we may love Thee with a perfect Charity; and fixing all our hopes on the joys of a future Life, patiently suffer what Thou permittest here, and still press on to what Thou promisest hereafter, thro’ Jesus Christ our Lord, and only Saviour. Amen.
A Prayer to be Said Every Day in the Time of Persecution
O My Lord Jesus Christ, true God and true Man, who sufferedst an ignominious Death on the Cross for my Redemption; I humbly offer up to Thee my Soul, my Body, my Life, my Goods, and all my Fortunes, to be wholly disposed of according to Thy most blessed Will; and if it be Thy holy Pleasure that I should lose my Life or Fortunes for the profession of Thy holy Name and the Catholick Religion, Lord, I humbly and freely submit thereunto, beseeching Thee of Thy infinite Goodness and Mercy, and by the Merits of Thy bitter Death and Passion, that Thou wilt please to forgive me my Sins; give me Strength and Patience to overcome all Temptations and Adversities; pardon all my Enemies and Persecutors, and all the Injuries they have done me in Thought, Word, or Deed, and make us all Partakers of Thy heavenly Kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth one God, World without End. Amen.
Prayer for the King
V.: O Lord, save [name] our King.
R.: And hear us in the Day that we shall call upon Thee.
Let us pray.
We beseech Thee, Almighty God, that Thy Servant [name], our King, who, thro’ Thy Mercy, hath the Government of this Realm committed to him, may likewise receive the Increase of all Virtues, wherewith being adorned, he may avoid the Enormity of Sin, and being rendered acceptable in Thy Sight, come at length to Thee, who art the Way, the Truth, and the Life: Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the Unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, World without End. Amen.
[Taken from A Manual of Prayers and Other Christian Devotions: Fitted For All Persons and Occasions, dated 1755, probably printed at Preston.]
Prayer for the Conversion of England
Priest: Let us pray.
O Jesus, Good Shepherd, look down benignly upon the great and noble English nation. Converted to Thee through the labours of St. Augustine and his companions, it was for many centuries rich in fruits of faith and sanctity. So devoted was this nation to Thy holy and Immaculate Mother that it was known throughout Christendom as the “Dowry of Mary.” When it was separated from Thee in cruel fashion, many hundreds of its people willingly shed their blood in testimony of their loyalty to Thee and Thy Church. O Loving Shepherd of souls, recall this great nation once more to the unity of Thy Church, and grant peace of soul to all those now separated from Thy flock.
People: Amen.
Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Priest and People: O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and our own most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon England, thy Dowry, and upon us all who greatly hope and
trust in thee. Through thee it was that Jesus our Savior and our Hope was given unto the world; and He has given thee to us that we might hope still more. Plead for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the Cross, O sorrowful Mother. Intercede for our separated English brethren, that they may be united with us in the One True Fold. Pray for us all, dear
Mother, that by faith fruitful in good works we may all deserve to see and praise God together with Thee in our heavenly home. Amen.
Priest: Our Lady of the Atonement intercede for us.
People:That there may be fulfilled the prayer of thy Divine Son, “That all may be one.”
Prayer to the English Martyrs
Priest: O Glorious Martyrs of England, Saint Thomas More, Saint John Fisher and thy companions, who, to sustain the voice of the Supreme Head of the True Church against the decrees of your rulers, didst willingly and courageously suffer death, pray now that the great nation to which thou didst belong may once more return to the bosom of the Church from which it was so cruelly wrested. People: Amen
A Prayer for Wales
O Almighty God,
Who in Thine infinite goodness
has sent Thine only-begotten Son into this world
to open once more the gates of heaven,
and to teach us how to know, love and serve Thee,
have mercy on Thy people Who dwell in Wales.
Grant to them the precious gift of faith,
and unite them in the one true Church
founded by Thy Divine Son; that,
acknowledging her authority and obeying her voice,
they may serve Thee, love Thee, and worship Thee
as Thou desirest in this world,
and obtain for themselves everlasting happiness
in the world to come.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
Our Lady, Help of Christians,
pray for Wales.
Saint David,
pray for Wales.
Saint Winefride,
pray for Wales.
Prayers for the Conversion of Scotland
Lord, our nation once sent missionaries throughout the world to proclaim the Good News.
We now pray for a fresh outpouring of Your Holy Spirit.
Rekindle that zeal in us to spread your Word and to renew our hearts with Your Holy Fire.
St. Michael the Archangel defend us with the heavenly armies to protect us from all evil and remove the darkness which covers this land.
St Andrew intercede so that we will become a people who will shine the light of Christ
once more to every nation.
Our Lady of Aberdeen, pray for us.
Amen
O my Jesus, through the intercession of Saint Andrew our glorious patron, restore Scotland once more to the True Faith. Guide and strengthen those lost souls who have abandoned our Holy Mother the Church that they may return to the One Fold and One Shepherd. We, Thy loving children, ask Thee Eternal Father to grant this our humble supplication, Who by Thy Almighty Power can make all things possible. Help us to cling to the Rock of Truth at all times and in all circumstances so we shall never be separated from Thee, our one hope of salvation. Bless this our country, O Lord, and bestow Thy manifold graces upon it. This we ask, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for the Conversion of Ireland
O God, Who has appointed Our Lady of Knock, St. Patrick, St. Brigid, St. Columba of Iona, and St. Brendan patrons of Ireland, grant that, through their intercession, our brethren outside the Church may receive the light of faith, so that Ireland may become one in faith under one shepherd, through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for the Conversion of Canada
Our Lady of the Cape, Queen of Canada, we your children humbly prostrate before you, implore your grace and
help.
With confidence we come to you, O Queen of the Holy Rosary; to you do we turn our eyes. Bestow on us, we beg
you, this special favour for the conversion of our country, Canada.
Grant us health of body and purity of soul; increase our faith and love so that we may know your divine Son better
and serve Him ever faithfully.
O tender and merciful Mother, intercede for those who are dear to us. Heal the sick, comfort the dying and have
pity on the faithful departed.
Protect our families; guard our country; and keep holy Mother Church safe from all evil.
Our Lady of the Cape, Queen of Canada, may we love you more and more, so that one day united with you in
heaven, we may praise your Son eternally. Amen.
Prayer for the Conversion of Australia
O God, who has appointed Mary, Help of Christians; St Francis Xavier, and St Teresa of the Infant Jesus Patrons of Australia; grant that, through their intercession, our brethren outside the Church may receive the light of faith, so that Australia may become one in faith under one shepherd, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us.
St Francis Xavier, pray for us.
St Teresa of the Infant Jesus, pray for us.
Prayer for New Zealand
O Almighty God, * Who in Thy infinite goodness * sent Thy only begotten Son into this world * to open again the gates of heaven * and to teach us how to know love and serve Thee, * have mercy on Thy people who live in New Zealand. * Grant to all the precious gift of faith * and unite them in the one true church founded by Thy Divine Son, * that they may love, serve and worship Thee in this world * and obtain for themselves eternal happiness in Heaven. * Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for South Africa
Mary we believe that you were assumed into Heaven body and soul through the Father’s love. As the mother of Christ you intercede most powerfully with Him for the Church of which you are also mother. Your children in South Africa honour you as our Patroness under the title “Assumed into Heaven”. Through your prayers, may justice and peace reign in our land. may the poor receive food and shelter and the other necessities of life. May our people always cherish a deep respect for human life. May love of neighbour become our rule of life. Be a mother to the Church in South Africa; obtain for us the wisdom, the love and the graces we need on our pilgrim way to the Father. Amen.
A Prayer for the Queen after Mass
O Lord, save Elizabeth our Queen.
R. And hear us in the day when we call upon Thee.
Let us pray.
We beseech Thee, almighty God,
that Thy servant Elizabeth our Queen,
who has been called by Thy mercy to rule over this kingdom,
may also receive from Thee an increase of all virtues.
Fittingly adorned with these,
may she be able to shun all evildoing,
(in time of war: to conquer her enemies) and, finally,
being well pleasing before Thee,
together with her consort and the royal family,
attain unto Thee who art the Way,
the Truth and the Life.
Through Christ Our Lord.
R. Amen.
Prayer for the Queen in the House of Lords
O Lord our heavenly Father, high and mighty, King of kings, Lord of lords, the only Ruler of princes, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth; most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold our most Gracious Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth; and so replenish her with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that she may always incline to thy will, and walk in thy way: Endue her plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant her in health and wealth long to live; strengthen her that she may vanquish and overcome all her enemies; and finally after this life she may attain everlasting joy and felicity, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, the Fountain of all Goodness, We humbly beseech thee to bless Philip Duke of Edinburgh, Charles Prince of Wales and all the Royal Family: Endue them with thy Holy Spirit; enrich them with thy Heavenly Grace; prosper them with all happiness; and bring them to thine everlasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, by whom alone Kings reign, and Princes decree justice; and from whom alone cometh all counsel, wisdom, and understanding; we thine unworthy servants, here gathered together in thy Name, do most humbly beseech thee to send down thy Heavenly Wisdom from above, to direct and guide us in all our consultations; and grant that, we having thy fear always before our eyes, and laying aside all private interests, prejudices, and partial affections, the result of all our counsels may be to the glory of thy blessed Name, the maintenance of true Religion and Justice, the safety, honour, and happiness of the Queen, the publick wealth, peace and tranquillity of the Realm, and the uniting and knitting together of the hearts of all persons and estates within the same, in true Christian Love and Charity one towards another, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favour, and further us with thy continual help, that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy Holy Name, and finally by thy mercy obtain everlasting Life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.
The two part interview I did with 
This particular service really shows in a most potent and beautiful way how the Anglican tradition and the wider Western Catholic tradition are in perfect harmony.
Combining the Latin services of Vespers and Compline from the Daily Office, Evensong is formed principally of psalms, preces & responses, canticles, an anthem, and a hymn. On this occasion, we sang a number of Anglican choral classics. The Mag & Nunc canticles were from the Gloucester Service by Herbert Howells. The anthem was Bring Us O Lord, a setting by William Harris of a prayer by John Donne. The versicles and responses were by Bernard Rose, former Choirmaster at Magdalen College, Oxford. The music of each composer is widely sung in Anglican cathedral and collegiate churches.
The Personal Ordinariates love Mary, the Mother of God. A much beloved part of the Patrimony of the Personal Ordinariates is Our Lady of Walsingham: one of the earliest Marian apparitions that took place in England (1061).