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Dear Colleagues,

I have received a few emails about using the Seasonal Blessings found in the Book of Occasional Services, asking whether the Trinitarian blessing is omitted. The answer is "no".

Here are the rubrics given in the Book of Occasional Services: Two forms of blessing are provided for each major season (except for Lent). The first is a three-fold form, with an Amen at the end of each sentence, leading into a trinitarian blessing. The second is a single-sentence formula leading directly into the blessing.

Here is an example of using the Seasonal Blessing for this coming Sunday:

Deacon       Bow down before the Lord.

        A period of silence may follow.

Presider      Keep this your family, Lord, with your never-failing mercy, that relying solely on the help of your heavenly grace, they may be upheld by your divine protection; through Christ our Lord. 

People         Amen.

Presider        And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. 

People            Amen.

The Gospels for the 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th of Lent and the Passion

The Gospel readings for the 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th Sunday in Lent are rich with symbolism and point us to the living waters of Baptism. But they are long and quite often, to save time, we use a shortened version of these Gospels. Unfortunately, the attention span of our congregation, or should I confess – my attention span–is short and hearing so many words may be more a distraction to some then a story to change our hearts. I suggest using a version of these Gospels that would be like how we proclaim the Passion on Palm Sunday. I have included these texts for your use here:

Lent 3A Gospel

Lent 4A Gospel

Lent 5A Gospel

Passion A

Continuing Conversation about formation around Baptism, Confirmation, Reception into the Episcopal Church and Reaffirmation of Faith: the Catechumenate Process

I would like to continue a conversation about Adult Formation and Confirmation Curriculum. Please email me at mdelaney@dioceseli.org if you are interested in participating in this important conversation.

May this season of Lent continue to call you into a deeper relationship with God and with one another through prayer, fasting, studying scripture, and service.

Michael+

The Bishop’s Chaplain and Diocesan Canon Precentor