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PUSEY HOUSE OXFORD The Presentation of Christ in the Temple Solemn High Mass
PUSEY HOUSE OXFORD
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple
Solemn High Masswith Blessing of Candles and Procession
¶The Blessing of CandlesThe congregation gather in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
Dear friends, forty days ago we celebrated the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now we recall the day on which he was presented in the Temple, when he was offered to the Father and shown to his people. As a sign of his coming among us, his blessed mother submitted to the law of purification, to teach us to come to him who fulfils the law for cleansing. In their old age Simeon and Anna recognized him as their Lord, as we today sing of his glory. In this Eucharist, we celebrate both the joy of his coming and his searching judgement, looking back to the day of his birth and forward to the coming days of his passion.The symbol of light and the procession with candles is a visible sign which teaches that the Church encounters in faith the One who is "he light of all people. In order to bring this light into the world, we seek to receive him with the full dynamism of faith.
The choir sings the introit while incense is preparedWe have waited, O God, for thy loving-kindness in the midst of thy temple: according to thy Name, O God, so is thy praise unto the world’s end. Like as we have heard, so have we seen in the city of our God: even upon his holy hill.
O LORD holy, Father Almighty, everlasting God, who hast created all things out of nothing, and by thy command didst cause this liquid to become wax by the labor of the bee; who as on this day didst fulfill the prayer of righteous Simeon: we humbly beseech thee; that thou wouldst vouchsafe, by the power of thy holy Name, and at the intercession of blessed Mary ever Virgin, whose festival we devoutly celebrate this day, and of all thy Saints, to bless and sanctify these candles for the use of men, and for the health of their bodies and souls, on both land and sea. Hear, O Lord, we humbly pray thee, from thy holy heaven and from the throne of thy glory, the voice of this thy people who desire to bear them reverently in their hands and to praise thee with song; be merciful to all who call upon thee, whom thou hast redeemed with the precious Blood of thy Son. Who with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth God, world without end. All: Amen.
The candles are blessed with holy water and incense.Let us pray.O LORD Jesus Christ, true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world: pour forth thy blessing upon these candles, and hallow them with thy grace. Mercifully grant that as these lights, kindled with visible fire, dispel the darkness of night; so our hearts, inflamed with that fire invisible which is the light of thy Holy Spirit, may be free from the blindness of every sin; that the eye of our mind being purified, we may be able to discern what is pleasing unto thee and profitable unto our salvation, and after the perilous darkness of this life attain to light unfailing. Through thee, Christ Jesus, Saviour of the
world, who in the perfect Trinity livest and reignest God, world without end, All: Amen
The candles are distributed and lit. They remain lit until the end of the Gospel. These candles may be taken home if you wish.During the distribution, the choir sing the following Canticle:
Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace: Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum: Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto: Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculorum. Amen.
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace: according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen: thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared: before the face of all people; To be a light to lighten the Gentiles: and to be the glory of thy people Israel. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
Luke 2:29–31
Nunc dimittis from the Short Service- Richard Farrant (c. 1525-80)
The Deacon then chants the following to herald the start of the procession:
Deacon Let us go forth in peaceIn the name of the Christ. Amen.
¶Processional Hymn – Sung by all
The congregation follow the sacred ministers, servers, and choir into the Chapel of the Resurrection.
Of the Father’s heart begotten,E'er the world from chaos rose,He is Alpha from that FountainAll that is and hath been flows;He is Omega, of all thingsYet to come the mystic Close,Evermore and evermore.
By his word was all created; he commanded and ‘twas done:earth and sky and boundless ocean universe of three in one;all that sees the moon’s soft radiance all that breathes beneath the sun, Evermore and evermore.
He assumed this mortal body,Frail and feeble, doomed to die,That the race from dust created,Might not perish utterly,Which the dreadful Lawhad sentencedIn the depths of hell to lie,Evermore and evermore.
This is He, whom seer and sibylSang in ages long gone by,This is He of old revealedIn the page of prophecy;Lo! He comes the promised Saviour;Let the world his praises cry!Evermore and evermore
Sing, ye heights of heaven, his praises; Angels and Archangels, sing!Wheresoe’er ye be, ye faithful,Let your joyous anthems ring,Every tongue his name confessing,Countless voices answering,
Evermore and evermore.
Hail! thou Judge of souls departed; Hail! of all the living King!On the Father's right hand throned, Through his courts thy praises ring,Till at lest for all offencesRighteous judgement thou shalt bring,
Evermore and evermore.
Christ, to Thee with God the Father,And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving,And unwearied praises be:Honour, glory, and dominion,And eternal victory,Evermore and evermore!
Words: Prudentius (348-413) Music: Piae Cantiones (C.14th)
Following the Processional Hymn the sacred ministers line up on the altar steps, and all sing the Gloria in Excelsis.
¶The CollectAlmighty and ever living God, we humbly beseech thy Majesty, that, as thy only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the substance of our flesh, so we may be presented unto thee with pure and clean hearts, by the same thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen
¶The First Lesson
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.
Malachi 3: 1-5
¶Psalm
Cantor
GREAT is the Lord, and highly to be praised : in the city of our God, even upon his holy hill.
All The hill of Sion is a fair place, and the joy
of the whole earth : upon the north-side lieth the city of the great King * God is well known in her palaces as a sure rëfuge.
Can. For lo, the kings of the earth : are gathered, and gone by together.
All They marvelled to see such things : they were astonished, and suddenly cäst down.
Can. Fear came there upon them, and sorrow : as upon a woman in her travail.
All Thou shalt break the ships of the sea : [ - ] through the eäst-wind.
Can.
All
Like as we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God : God upholdeth the same for ëver.
Ps. 48:1-7
¶The EpistleNow I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your
hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Galatians 4: 1-7
¶The Gospel Acclamations
As the Gospel procession forms, the Choir chant the Gradual:
We wait for thy loving kindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple : O God, according to thy name, so is thy praise unto the world’s end.
Following the lead of the cantor, all join to greet the Gospel with the Alleluia:
I will worship towards thy holy temple:And will sing praises unto thy name.
¶The Gospel The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.Hear the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St Luke
Glory be to thee, O Lord.
And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (as it is written in the law of the Lord, every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Luke 2:22-40 This is the Gospel of the Lord.Praise be to thee, O Christ.
Please extinguish your candles.
¶The SermonThe Rev’d Simon Ponsonby
Pastor of Theology, St Aldate’s Church, Oxford
¶The Nicene Creed
¶The Intercessions
The Sub-deacon leads the congregation in a set of intercessions for the Church and the world.
The response to each bidding is Hear our prayer.
¶ConfessionThe Celebrant invites the people to confess their sins, kneeling:
Ye who do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways; Draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God, meekly kneeling upon your knees.
All Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all men: we acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, by thought, word and deed, against thy divine majesty, provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous unto us; the burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life, to the honour and glory of thy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Celebrant pronounces the Absolution Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him; Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.All Amen.
The Priest introduces the Peace as follows:
In the tender mercy of our God, the dayspring from on high has broken upon us, to give light to those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with youAnd with thy spirit.
The Choir chants the Offertory Sentence:
Full of grace are thy lips: because God hath blessed thee for ever.
¶The Offertory Hymn
Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable unto God, the Father almighty.May the Lord accept the sacrifice at thy hands, for the praise and glory of his Name,
for our good and the good of all his holy Church.
The Celebrant says the Prayer over the Gifts. All reply: Amen
¶The Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord be with you.And with thy spirit.Lift up your hearts.We lift them up unto the Lord.Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.It is meet and right so to do.
The Proper Preface for the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord follows, which leads into the Sanctus and Benedictus:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth, Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua.Hosanna in excelsis.
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini: Hosanna in excelsis.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts, Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:Hosanna in the highest.
Missa Octavi Toni – Orlando di Lasso (1532-94)
At the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer all sing Amen.
¶The Lord’s PrayerAs our Saviour Christ hath commanded and taught us, we are bold to say:
¶Agnus DeiAgnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi : miserere nobis.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world: have mercy upon us.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi : miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world: have mercy upon us.O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world: grant us thy peace.
Missa Octavi Toni – Orlando di Lasso (1532-94)
¶The Invitation to CommunionBehold the Lamb of God, behold him that taketh away the sins of the world. Blessed are those who are called to the Supper of the Lamb.Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof, but speak the word only, and my soul shall be healed.
¶The Communion SentenceIt was revealed unto Simeon by the Holy Spirit: that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Anointed.
Please come forward to kneel (or stand if you are unable). The Church of England welcomes communicant members of all Churches who have been baptized with water in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit, to receive Holy Communion in faith, hope and charity. If you would like to receive a blessing, please fold your arms when approached or carry your order of service with you. If you would like to make enquiries about baptism or confirmation, or preparation to receive communion, please contact one of the clergy. Meanwhile, the choir sing the following anthem:
Maria wallt zum Heiligtum und bringt ihr Kindlein dar,das schaut der greise Simeon, wie ihm verheißen war.Da nimmt er Jesum in den Arm und singt im Geiste froh:
Nun fahr' ich hin mit Freud,dich, Heiland, sah ich heut,du Trost von Israel, das Licht der Welt.
Hilf nun, du liebster Jesu Christ, dass wir zu jeder Fristan dir wie auch der Simeon all uns're Freude hanund kommt die Zeit, sanft schlafen ein und also singen froh:
Nun fahr' ich hin mit Freud,dich, Heiland, sah ich heut,du Trost von Israel, das Licht der Welt.
When to the temple Mary went, and brought the Holy Child, Him did the aged Simeon see, as it had been revealed. He took up Jesus in his arms and blessing God he said:
In peace I now depart,my Saviour having seen, The Hope of Israel, the Light of men.
Help now thy servants, gracious Lord, that we may ever be as once the faithful Simeon was, rejoicing but in Thee; and when we must from earth departure take, departure take,
may gently fall asleep,may gently fall asleep,may gently fall asleep and with Thee wake.
Maria wallt zum Heiligtum (1599) – Johann Eccard (1553-1611)
¶Communion Hymn
1 Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness, leave the gloomy haunts of sadness; come into the daylight's splendour, there with joy thy praises render unto him whose grace unbounded hath this wondrous banquet founded: high o'er all the heavens he reigneth, yet to dwell with thee he deigneth.
3 Sun, who all my life dost brighten, light, who dost my soul enlighten, joy, the sweetest heart e'er knoweth, fount, whence all my being floweth, at thy feet I cry, my Maker, let me be a fit partaker of this blessed food from heaven, for our good, thy glory, given.
2 Now I sink before thee lowly,filled with joy most deep and holy, as with trembling awe and wonder on thy mighty works I ponder: how, by mystery surrounded, depth no mortal ever sounded, none may dare to pierce unbidden secrets that with thee are hidden.
4 Jesus, Bread of Life, I pray thee,let me gladly here obey thee;never to my hurt invited, be thy love with love requited: from this banquet let me measure, Lord, how vast and deep its treasure;through the gifts thou here dost give me, as thy guest in heaven receive me.
The Celebrant prays the Prayer after Communion at the end of which all respond: Amen.All then pray the following:
Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.
Christ the Son of God, born of the Blessed Virgin Mary, fill you with his grace to trust his promises and obey his will; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen.Go in the peace of Christ. Thanks be to God.
¶Recessional Hymn
1. The race that long in darkness pined,Have seen a glorious light;The people dwell in day, who dweltIn death’s surrounding night.
3. To us a Child of Hope is born,To us a Son is given,Him shall the tribes of earth obey,Him all the hosts of heaven.
2. To hail Thy rise, Thou better Sun,The gathering nations come,Joyous as when the reapers bearThe harvest treasures home.
4. His name shall be the Prince of Peace, Forevermore adored,The Wonderful, the Counselor,The great and mighty Lord.
5. His power increasing still shall spread,His reign no end shall know:
Justice shall guard His throne above,And peace abound below.
¶Organ Voluntary
Please either leave quietly, mindful of those around you who may wish to stay and pray/listen. Or remain seated for the Organ Voluntary.
You are cordially invited to join the Preacher and Chapter for a congregational meal, and conversation in the Hood Room.
NOTICESDaily Offices begin with Matins at 7.40am with mass celebrated at 8.00am, followed by a light breakfast. A ten-minute pause for prayer and reflections take place in the chapel at noon during the week. Evensong is sung at 5.30pm, Monday to Friday (with Benediction on Friday). All are warmly invited to worship with us.
Tongues of Angels? Conformed to Christ by Liturgy, Monday 6:15 in the Hood Room: As we begin the slow turn toward Lent, the Monday evening discussion group will consider how the symbolic meaning of the mass which Fr Mark has discussed over the last number of weeks becomes real and practical for us. The Orthodox theologian Alexander Schmemann wrote that the Mass ‘is the movement that Adam failed to perform, and that in Christ has become the very life of man: a movement of adoration and praise in which all joy and suffering all beauty and all frustration, all hunger and all satisfaction are referred to their ultimate End and become finally meaningful.’ The fulfilment of this movement, says David Fagerberg, the author who will help to guide our discussions, ‘is for us to stand aright, through ascetical conformation to Christ accomplished in the Holy Spirit, in order to fulfil our vocation of standing in union with Christ before the Father and as Christ’s body in the world’. The Monday group will focus on how worship helps this to be accomplished in us, not just when we gather together, but in day to day life, how we live ‘heaven in the ordinary’.
Recollection Lectures: The second lecture of this term's Recollection series will be given by Antje Carrel, DPhil Student in English Literature (PRS), Lincoln College, Oxford. She will speak to us on Union with Christ in Walter Hilton’s and Julian of Norwich’s Writings. This talk will be this Wednesday (6th February) at 4:00pm in the Ursell Room, with tea & coffee being served from 3:30pm upstairs in the Hood Room.Please do join us for our first Anglican history research seminar of Hilary Term, given by Dr Sarah Ward Clavier, which will be on ‘“The Mountaines did serve for their Refuge”: 1650s Wales as a refuge for Anglican clergy’. The lecture will take place on 14 February in the Ursell Room at 4pm with tea and coffee in the Hood Room from 3.45pm.
The Weekly G&T&Tea: Come and join us to round off the week over a G&T, or tea, or two, from 6.15pm on Fridays throughout the term in the Hood Room.
Compline by Candlelight: Compline is a quiet reflective service for the ending of the day. Do join us at 9:30pm on Tuesday.Common Good: If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity during this academic year, do take a Common Good Directory, which will list all the current opportunities for doing so. We meet twice a term to discuss any projects we might be involved in, eat and pray together, the next meeting being Monday of 9th
Week, 11 March, at 6.15pm. All most welcome…
Confession and Spiritual Direction is a regular and important part of the ministry of the house, and if you are thinking about either please have a word with one of the Clergy. The Chapter are available to hear confessions by appointment.
Baptism and Confirmation: If you would like to make enquiries about baptism or confirmation, or preparation to receive communion, please contact one of the clergy.
Lent Retreat at Ascot Priory, Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th March (Sunday of 10th Week and the 3rd Sunday of Lent) We are glad to return to Ascot Priory for our Lenten Retreat this year. Fr George will lead our reflections on ‘A Journey through the Lenten Wilderness with stops at Canterbury, Chartres and Monreale’ (for artistic and spiritual living water). For more information please contact [email protected].
Welcome to Pusey House. If you would like to assist at services, either as a reader or as a server, please contact the
Chaplain or the Principal.
If you would like to receive updates about services or events, please email the office,
THE CHAPTER OF PUSEY HOUSEThe Revd Dr George Westhaver, Principal
