The Lenten Collects
Lent is a time not only for fasting and repentance, but also for increased study of Holy Scripture and for prayer. To that end, the Church historically observed a mass on every day of Lent, each with its own appointed Readings, Psalmody, and Collect. This salutary practice has largely disappeared in our day, and we are poorer for it. Though the Lenten masses were used and praised in Lutheran circles long after the Reformation, they have never been published in any English hymnbooks or liturgical resources of our synod, rendering them inaccessible to most English-speaking Lutherans.
With an eye toward restoring the Lenten masses to use within our churches, the editors of The Lutheran Missal have undertaken the task of translating the ancient Lenten Collects into English. This year, for the first time in several centuries, these beautiful prayers are being prayed in Lutheran churches and homes across the country, both as part of the field testing for The Lutheran Missal and in concert with Memento, a structured program of discipline, devotion, and brotherhood for Lutheran men. Perhaps, as God wills, the full observance of the Lenten masses will one day be restored in our parishes. But in the meantime, you may observe a portion of each day’s mass in your home by praying the newly translated Collects throughout the Forty Days of Lent.
Pastors, perhaps you might consider distributing these collects in printed form to the members of your congregation and encouraging them to add them to their daily Lenten devotions. As you read through them, you will find that they teach a robust and biblical theology of fasting, an understanding that is sorely lacking among our people today. It is no surprise that when we stopped praying the Lenten collects, we soon lost the ability to think and speak about fasting in a biblical way. The old maxim has proven true, once again: Lex orandi, lex credendi.
Ash Wednesday
Grant, O Lord, unto Thy faithful people, that they may take up the venerable solemnity of the fast with fitting piety, and may pass through the same with undisturbed devotion; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
O God, who art offended by sin and appeased by repentance, mercifully regard the prayers of Thy suppliant people, and turn away the scourges of Thy wrath, which for our sins we have justly deserved; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Friday after Ash Wednesday
We beseech Thee, O Lord, to accompany with Thy gracious favor the fast which we have begun, that the observance which we show forth in our bodies we may also be able to exercise with sincere minds; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Saturday after Ash Wednesday
Attend, O Lord, to our supplications, that with devout service we may celebrate this solemn fast, which hath been profitably instituted for the healing of our souls and bodies; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Invocavit
O God, who sufferest not the wicked to perish, that they may return and live, stay, we beseech Thee, the vengeance due for our sins, and mercifully grant that our negligence may not increase our punishment, but that Thy mercy toward our sins may ever abound; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Monday of Invocavit
Turn us, O God of our salvation, and that the Lenten fast may profit us, do Thou instruct our minds by Thy heavenly discipline; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Tuesday of Invocavit
Look down, O Lord, upon Thy family, and grant that our minds, chastened by the mortifying of the flesh, may shine in Thy sight with desire for Thee; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Wednesday of Invocavit
Look favorably, we beseech Thee, O Lord, upon the devotion of Thy people, that they, who by abstinence are mortified in body, may by the fruit of good works be refreshed in mind; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Thursday of Invocavit
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast appointed the observance of fasting and the seed of almsgiving as aids against sin, grant us ever to be devoted to Thee in the work of body and mind; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Friday of Invocavit
Be favorable, O Lord, unto Thy people, and mercifully revive with Thy kindly help those whom Thou makest to be devoted unto Thee; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Saturday of Invocavit
O God, who for the three young men didst assuage the flames of fire, mercifully grant that we Thy servants may not be consumed by the flame of vices; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Reminiscere
O God, who seest that of ourselves we have no strength, keep us both inwardly and outwardly, that we may be defended from all adversities in the body and cleansed from evil thoughts in the mind; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Monday of Reminiscere
Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that Thy family, which doth abstain from food in mortification of the flesh, may fast from sin by following after righteousness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Tuesday of Reminiscere
Perfect in us, merciful Lord, the help of this holy observance, that as by Thine instruction we know what we ought to do, so by Thine effectual working we may fulfil the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Wednesday of Reminiscere
Mercifully look upon Thy people, O Lord, and grant that those whom Thou dost bid to abstain from carnal foods may also cease from hurtful vices; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Thursday of Reminiscere
Grant us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the help of Thy grace, that we, being duly given to fasting and prayer, may be delivered from the enemies of body and soul; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Friday of Reminiscere
Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that by this holy, purifying fast, Thou mayest bring us with sincere minds to the coming feast; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Saturday of Reminiscere
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, a salutary effect to our fast, that the chastisement of the flesh which we have undertaken may avail to the quickening of our souls; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Oculi
We beseech Thee, Almighty God, look upon the prayers of Thy humble servants and stretch forth the right hand of Thy majesty for our defense; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Monday of Oculi
We beseech Thee, merciful Lord, pour Thy grace into our hearts, that like as we do abstain from bodily food, so we may restrain our senses from every harmful indulgence; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Tuesday of Oculi
Hear us, Almighty and merciful God, and favorably grant us the gifts of salutary temperance; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Wednesday of Oculi
Grant us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that instructed by salutary fasts and abstaining from harmful vices, we may more readily obtain Thy mercy; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Thursday of Oculi
Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the holy devotion of this fast may both increase our purity and be acceptable to Thy majesty; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Friday of Oculi
We beseech Thee, O Lord, assist our fast with Thy gracious favor, that as in the body we abstain from food, so likewise in the mind we may fast from vice; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Saturday of Oculi
Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that those who abstain from food in mortification of the flesh may fast from sin by following after righteousness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Laetare
Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our deeds are worthily punished, by the comfort of Thy grace may mercifully be relieved; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Monday of Laetare
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that keeping with yearly devotion these sacred observances, we may please Thee both in body and mind; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Tuesday of Laetare
We beseech Thee, O Lord, let the sacred fast which we observe avail to the increase of godly conversation and the continual help of Thy mercy; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Wednesday of Laetare
O God, who dost grant both to the righteous the rewards of their good works and to penitent sinners the pardon of their offences, have mercy upon Thy suppliants, that the confession of our guilt may obtain the remission of our sins; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Thursday of Laetare
Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, who are chastened by voluntary fasting, may also be gladdened by the same holy devotion, that earthly affections being subdued, we may the more readily take hold of heavenly things; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Friday of Laetare
O God, who renewest the world by Thine ineffable sacraments, grant, we beseech Thee, that Thy church may both profit by Thine eternal ordinances and not be left destitute of Thy temporal helps; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Saturday of Laetare
We beseech Thee, O Lord, let the affection of our devotion be made fruitful by Thy grace, for then will the fast which we have undertaken be profitable unto us, if it be well-pleasing unto Thy lovingkindness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Judica
We beseech Thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon Thy people, that by Thy great goodness they may be governed in body, and by Thy protection preserved in mind; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Monday of Judica
Sanctify, O Lord, we beseech Thee, our fast, and mercifully bestow upon us the pardon of all our sins; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Tuesday of Judica
Let our fast, we beseech Thee, O Lord, be acceptable unto Thee, and as Thou dost purify us by Thy grace, so lead us on to eternal remedies; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Wednesday of Judica
By this hallowed fast, O merciful God, enlighten the hearts of Thy faithful people, and as Thou hast given them an earnest desire to pray, graciously give ear unto their supplications; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Thursday of Judica
Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the dignity of the human condition, which hath been wounded by excess, may be renewed by the pursuit of healthful moderation; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Friday of Judica
We beseech Thee, merciful Lord, pour Thy grace into our hearts, that we, who restrain our sins by voluntary chastisement, may rather mortify ourselves in this temporal life than be consigned to eternal punishment; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Saturday of Judica
We beseech Thee, O Lord, may the people dedicated to Thee advance in the spirit of godly devotion, that, disciplined by holy actions, they may become more pleasing to Thy majesty as they increase in more excellent gifts; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Palmarum
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast sent our Savior to take upon Him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross that all mankind should follow the example of His humility, mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of His patience and be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Monday of Holy Week
Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, who amid so many adversities do fail through our own infirmities, may be relieved through the interceding Passion of Thine only-begotten Son; who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Tuesday of Holy Week
Almighty and everlasting God, grant us so to celebrate the mysteries of our Lord’s Passion that we may obtain the pardon of our sins; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Wednesday of Holy Week
O God, who didst will Thy Son to hang upon the beam of the cross that Thou mightest drive from us the power of the enemy, grant to us Thy servants that we may obtain the grace of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Maundy Thursday
O God, who under a wonderful Sacrament hast left unto us a memorial of Thy Passion, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may so venerate this Sacrament of Thy body and blood that we may continually perceive within us the fruits of Thy redemption; who livest and reignest with the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Good Friday
Look down, O Lord, we beseech Thee, on this Thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ hesitated not to be delivered into the hands of wicked men and to suffer the torment of the cross; who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Vigil of Easter
O God, who dost enlighten this most holy night with the glory of the Lord’s resurrection, preserve in the newborn offspring of Thy family the Spirit of adoption which Thou hast given, that, renewed in body and mind, they may perform pure service unto Thee; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.