a priest's musings on the journey

Today is the Feast of All Saints Day. On this day the Holy Church of God remembers the thousands of nameless, faceless saints who were faithful, loving, merciful disciples of Christ, who now stand before the Throne of God, and who surround us in community of loving support. It is also an oppotunity for all of us who have been baptized into Christ to remember that we are all called to be saints: we are all called to live lives worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

For me, it is also a time to reflect upon the saints who were anonymous in that the Church never allowed them to be fully known and fully human- those gay and lesbian saints who faithfully served God, lived lives of holiness, and gave their lives for the sake of Christ's Reign of love. The Church has re-written the stories of some of these saints, removing their homosexual identities. It has forced others to deny their sexual orientation- and they have been hallowed by their martyrdom: by the sacrifice of God's gift of sexuality. The Church is guilty of robbing this gift from these holy men and women; but, God has accepted this offering as sweet smelling savor. It has been united to the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, and mysteriously, these sacrifices have aided in the reconciliation of all things to God.

I am grateful for thier lives and for the self-offering of themselves for God. I am thankful that they had the strength to make such a huge sacrifice so that (ironically) the Gospel of Christ's all embracing love would continue to be proclaimed and lived. Because of the steps the took before me, I have a place in the Church today. Because they followed Christ, it is easier for me to follow the WAY.

Lord, Have Mercy
Christ, Have Mercy
Lord, Have Mercy

Holy Mary Mother of God, Pray for us
St Michael, Pray for us
All you Holy Angels, Pray for us
St Joseph, Pray for us
Saint Peter and St Paul, Pray for us
Saint John the Beloved, Pray for us
All you Holy Apostles, Pray for us
Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity, Pray for us
St Aelred, Pray for us
St Alcuin, Pray for us
St Anslem, Pray for us
St Daniel, Pray for us
St David and St Jonathon, Pray for us
SS Sergius and Bacchus, Pray for us
St Longinus the Centurion, Pray for us
St Paulinus, Pray for us
St George, Pray for us
St Marina, Pray for us
St Theodora, Pray for us
St Thekla, Pray for us
St Edward II, King of England, Pray for us
St Augustine of Hippo, Pray for us
St John of the Cross, Pray for us
Blessed John Henry Newman, Pray for us
Blessed Dag Hammerskjold, Pray for us
All you holy gay and lesbian people of God, Pray for us
All you holy men and women of God, Pray for us

Remember not, Lord Christ, our offenses, nor the offenses of our forebears; neither reward us according to our sins. Spare us good Lord, spare your people, whom you have redeemed with your most precious blood, and by your mercy preserve us forever. Spare us, good Lord.

From all evil and wickedness; from sin; from the crafts and assaults of the devil; and from everlasting death, Good Lord, deliver us

From all blindness of heart, from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice; and from all want of charity, Good Lord, deliver us

From all inordinate and sinful affections; and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil, Good Lord, deliver us

From all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt of your Word and commandment to Love, Good Lord, deliver us

From all oppression, exclusion, and hatred; from alienation, marginilization, and degredation, Good Lord, deliver us

From all violence, war, hate crimes and murder; from dying suddenly and unprepared, Good Lord, deliver us

By your Coming to be human, Lord, save your people

By your death and rising to new life, Lord, save your people

By your gift of the Holy Spirit, Lord, save your people

In all time of tribulation; in all time of prosperity; in the hour of death, and in the day of judgement, Lord, save your people

We sinners do beseech you to hear us, O Lord God; that it may please you to rule and govern your holy Catholic Church in the right way,

We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please you to illumine all bishops, priests, and deacons with true knowledge and understanding of your Word; and that both by their preaching and living, they may set it forth, speaking the truth, acting justly, and seeking peace;

We beseech you hear us, Good Lord,

That it may please you to bless and keep all people,

We beseech you to hear us, Good Lord,

That it may please you to send forth laborers into your harvest, and to draw every person into your loving embrace,

We beseech you to hear us, Good Lord,

That it may please you to give to all people increase of grace to hear and receive your Word, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit,

We beseech you to hear us, Good Lord,

That is may please you to give us hearts to love you, and to love our friends and enemies, recognizing your Presence in each of them,

We beseech you to hear us Good Lord,

That it may please you so to rule the hearts of your servants, the President of the United States, the leaders of all nations, and all others in authority, that they amy do justice, and love mercy, and walk in the ways of truth,

We beseech you to hear us, Good Lord,

That it may please thee to make wars to cease in all the world; to give to all nations unity, peace, and concord; and to bestow freedom and equality to all peoples,

We beseech you to hear us, Good Lord,

That it may please thee to show your pity upon all prisoners and captives, the homeless and the hungry, and all who are desolate and oppressed,

We beseech you to hear us, Good Lord,

That it may please you to preserve, and provide for, all women in childbirth, young children and orphans, the widowed, and all whose homes are broken and torn by strife,

We beseech you to hear us, Good Lord,

That it may please you to strengthen the love and compassion found in all human relationships; and that the love of God manifest in them, all may be drawn to unity with you and one another,

We beseech you to hear us Good Lord,

That it may please you to guide the leaders of this and all Nations to protect the liberties of all monagomously coupled people, and to grace the Church with the courage to sacramentally bless the loving, life-long unions of all your people,

We beseech you to hear us, Good Lord,

That it may please you to visit the lonely; to strengthen all who suffer in mind, body, and spirit; and to comfort with your presence those who are failing and infirm, We beseech you to hear us, Good Lord,

That it may please you to support, help, and comfort all who are in danger, necessity, and tribulation, We beseech you to hear us, Good Lord.

That it may please you to forgive us all our sins and offenses,

We beseech you to hear us, Good Lord,

That it may please you to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts, We beseech you to hear us, Good Lord,

That it may please you to grant to all the faithful departed eternal life and peace, We beseech you to hear us, Good Lord,

That it may please you to grant that, in the fellowship of the Holy Mother of God and all the saints, we may attain to your heavely kingdom,

We beseech you to hear us, Good Lord

Son of God, we beseech you to hear us
Son of God, we beseech you to hear us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, Grant us your peace.

O Christ, Liberator, hear us
O Christ, Liberator, mercifully hear us.

Kyire Eleison
Christe Eleison
Kyrie Eleison.

Our Father....

O Lord, let your mercy be showed upon us.
Who put our trust in you.

Lord be merciful, Lord save your people