July 31 – St. Ignatius of Loyola – Saint Ignatius of Loyola is best known as the founder and first Superior General of the ‘Society of Jesus’. Writer of the book ‘Spiritual Exercises’, Ignatius was a Spanish soldier in the early years of his life. However, a tragic incident changed the course of living...
Monday at None – In my distress I cry to the LORD, that he may answer me. ~Psalm 120:1
Seventeenth Sunday of the Year (LBW 10 Pentecost) – O God, your ears are open always to the prayers of your servants. Open our hearts and minds to you, that we may live in harmony with your will and receive the gifts of your Spirit; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. ~Collect of...
Johann Sebastian Bach, Heinrich Schütz, George Frederick Handel, musicians – J.S. Bach died on July 28, 1750. God of majesty, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be with your servants who make art and music for your people, that with joy we on earth may glimpse your beauty, and bring us...
Friday at Sext – By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. ~1 John 3:16
July 26 – The Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary – The Scriptures tell us nothing about the parents of the Virgin Mother, not even their names. An early but unreliable document, known as the Proto-Gospel (or Proto-Evangelion) of James, calls them Ann and Joachim, by which names they are customarily known. Our only...
July 25 St. James the Elder, Apostle – James, son of Zebedee (died 44 AD) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was a son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother of John the Apostle. He is also called James the Elder to distinguish him from James, son of Alphaeus, who is...
Tuesday at Sext – V. Behold, you desire truth in the inward being; R. Therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. ~Verse
July 23 St. Birgitta of Sweden (1303 – 23 July 1373) – A mystic and saint, and founder of the Bridgettine Order after the death of her husband of twenty years. She was also the mother of Saint Catherine of Vadstena. She is one of the six patron saints of Europe, together with Saint...
Collect for the 15th Sunday – Show favor, O Lord, to your servants and mercifully increase the gifts of your grace, that, made fervent in hope, faith and charity, they may be ever watchful in keeping your commands. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity...