This Sunday (October 26) Catholics and Episcopalians (Anglicans) again pray the same prayer. Catholics will pray:
Almighty and ever-living God,
strengthen our faith, hope, and love.
May we do with loving hearts what you ask of us and come to share the life you promise.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Anglicans will pray:
Almighty and everlasting God,
increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity;
and, that we may obtain what you promise,
make us love what you command;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Both are translations of:
Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, da nobis fidei, spei, et caritatis augmentum:
et ut mereamur assequi quod promittis, fac nos amare quod praecipis.
This is now the fourth time I have noticed this similarity recently
October 12
October 5
August 31
I think this is beyond accidental and would now suggest that, although no commentator I can find has ever suggested or acknowledged this, in the BCP revision, not only was the lectionary drawn from that resulting from Vatican II, but so were some of the placings of traditional collects.
The reflection on this week’s collect/opening prayer is found here.
Let us widen the circle that prays this prayer together this coming weekend and week.
