Welcome
God has been worshipped in this place through the prayers and praises of countless generations. Worship lies at the heart of our life as Christians and we express our theology and belief through our liturgy. It is through these liturgical patterns of words and actions that we are formed and transformed.
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You are invited to say the text in bold in English.
Please stand as the Minister, at the West End of the Cathedral, sings
Let us pray.
Please remain standing whilst the Choir and Clergy enter the stalls
Please remain standing to sing the
Hymn
1. Christ is made the sure foundation
And the precious corner-stone,
Who, the two walls underlying,
Bound in each, binds both in one,
Holy Sion’s help for ever,
And her confidence alone.
2. To this temple, where we call thee,
Come, O Lord of hosts, today;
With thy wonted loving-kindness
Hear thy people as they pray,
And thy fullest benediction
Shed within its walls for aye.
3. Here vouchsafe to all thy servants
Gifts of grace by prayer to gain,
Here to have and hold for ever
Those good things their prayers obtain,
And hereafter, in thy glory,
With thy blessèd ones to reign.
4. Laud and honour to the Father,
Laud and honour to the Son,
Laud and honour to the Spirit,
Ever Three and ever One,
One in love, and One in splendour,
While unending ages run.
Latin, tr. John Neale (1818–66) ; Henry Purcell (1659–95)
The Celebrant says
The Greeting
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus leat féin.
(The Lord be with you. And also with you.)
Please remain standing for
The Collect for Purity
Almighty God to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name: through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Prayers of Penitence
Christ calls us to share the heavenly banquet of his love with all the saints in earth and heaven. Let us ask from him both mercy and forgiveness:
A time of silence is kept for self examination
O taste and see that the Lord is good: happy are those who trust in him.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
The Lord ransoms the lives of his servants and none who trust in him will be destroyed.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Come, my children, listen to me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
The Celebrant pronounces
The Absolution
Please remain standing whilst the Choir sings
Gloria in excelsis
Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you. We give thanks to you for your great glory. O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you who take away the sins of the world have mercy on us. You who take away the sins of the world receive our prayer. You are seated at the Father’s right hand, have mercy on us. For you alone are holy, you alone are the Lord,
You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God
Please remain standing whilst the Celebrant intones
The Collect of the Day
Almighty God, in your providence you chose your servant Patrick to be the apostle of the Irish people, to baptize those who were wandering in darkness and error and to bring them to the true light and knowledge of your Word: Keep us in that light and bring us to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Please sit for the
Reading
2 Corinthians 4: 1–12
Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practise cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
At the end of the reading
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Please sit whilst the Choir sings
The Gradual
Beati quorum via integra est qui ambulant in lege Domini.
(Blessed are they that are undefiled in the way and walk in the law of the Lord.)
Charles Villiers Stanford (1852–1924)
Please stand as the Minister and Choir sing
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Hear the Gospel of our Saviour Christ according to Saint John, in the 4th chapter, beginning at the 31st verse.
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel
John 4: 31–38
Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, ‘Rabbi, eat something.’ But he said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you do not know about.’ So the disciples said to one another, ‘Surely no one has brought him something to eat?’ Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. Do you not say, “Four months more, then comes the harvest”? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, “One sows and another reaps.” I sent you to reap that for which you did not labour. Others have laboured, and you have entered into their labour.’
Please sit to listen to
The Sermon
Preacher: The Very Reverend W. W. Morton, B.Th., M.A., Ph.D., M.Mus., D.Litt. Dean and Ordinary
Please stand to say
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Prayers of the People
Let us pray.
Please kneel or sit, according to your custom
Each petition ends
Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
At the end
Merciful Father, accept these our prayers for the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Please stand for
The Peace
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Please remain standing to sing
The Offertory Hymn
During this hymn, a collection of money is made. Should you wish to donate online, please tap the button below to give securely by card.
For all the saints, who from their labours rest,
Who thee by faith before the world confest,
Thy name, O Jesu, be for ever blest.
Alleluia!
O blest communion! fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine,
Yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia!
But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day:
The Saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on his way.
Alleluia!
From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host.
Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Alleluia!
William How (1823–97); Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958)
Please remain standing as the Celebrant and Choir sing
Sursum Corda
The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
The Celebrant intones the Preface, concluding
Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and singing:
Sanctus & Benedictus
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Sanctus Dominus, Deus Sabaoth,
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.
Hosanna in excelsis.
Benedictus qui venit
in nomine Domine.
Hosanna in excelsis.
Please remain standing as the Eucharistic Prayer continues, concluding
. . . through Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom and in whom, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we worship you, Father almighty, in songs of never-ending praise:
Blessing and honour and glory and power are yours for ever and ever. Amen.
Please kneel or be seated for
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Celebrant breaks the bread and says
The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.
We, being many, are one body, for we all share in the one bread.
The Celebrant invites the people to receive communion.
Receiving Communion
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland, a member Church of the Anglican (Episcopalian) Communion. We welcome members of all Christian Church denominations to receive Holy Communion here. Please follow the stewards’ directions.
Whilst the people receive communion, the Choir sings
Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
(Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.)
Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.
(Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, give us peace.)
The Motet
O sacrum convivium
Eoghan Desmond (2018)
Ave maria
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943)
When all have received, the Celebrant says
Let us pray.
A seasonal post-communion prayer is said, followed by
Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.
Please stand to sing the
Hymn
All
1. I bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One, and One in Three.
Men
2. I bind this day to me for ever,
By power of faith, Christ’s Incarnation;
His baptism in Jordan river;
His death on Cross for my salvation;
All
His bursting from the spicèd tomb;
His riding up the heavenly way;
His coming at the day of doom;
I bind unto myself today.
Women
3. I bind unto myself the power
Of the great love of Cherubim;
The sweet ‘Well done’ in judgment hour,
The service of the Seraphim,
Men
Confessors’ faith, Apostles’ word,
The Patriarchs’ prayers, the Prophets’ scrolls,
All
All good deeds done unto the Lord,
And purity of virgin souls.
Choir
4. I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the star-lit heaven,
The glorious sun’s life-giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
All
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea
Around the old eternal rocks.
Women
5. I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, his might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need;
Choir
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, his shield to ward;
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.
All
6. I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One, and One in Three.
Of whom all nature hath creation;
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord. Amen.
Attrib. Saint Patrick (d.461); Trad. Irish arr. C. V. Stanford (1852–1924)
The Celebrant says
The Blessing
The Minister and Choir sing
The Dismissal
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Please stand as the Choir and Clergy depart.
Please remain at your seat for the duration of the
Organ Voluntary
Acknowledgements
Developed by Clark Brydon (Education & Safeguarding Officer).
n.b.: Translations are provided automatically by Google Translate. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is not responsible for automatically generated content or for content on external websites.
To report a problem or to send feedback and suggestions, please email: education@stpatrickscathedral.ie