COLLECTS

Almighty GOD,* we who praise Thy holy Name, beseech Thee that as Thou hast placed us in the bosom of our Mother, the Church, so Thou wouldst unite us in steadfastness of love. (1.)

O LORD, Who dwellest on high,* and beholdest the things in heaven and earth; graciously bow Thyself down to us, and as Thou hast promised men the bliss of the Angels, vouchsafe to mould us to angelic obedience. (11.)

O LORD most High,* Who beholdest the lowly, grant us lowliness that we may please Thee, nor suffer pride to remain within us, which Thou throwest afar off and destroyest when near; that, of Thy mercy, the haughtiness which casteth down may depart from our mind, and contrition which bringeth glory may abide in our heart. (11.)

O GOD,* Whose Name is blessed from the rising up of the sun unto the going down of the same; fill our heart with knowledge, and commit the service of Thy praise to our mouth, that as Thou art blessed with due homage throughout the ages, so Thou mayest be praised from sunrise to sunset with the harmonious voice of all men. (11.)

O LORD, Who art high above all nations,* and dwellest gloriously in the heavens, look down mercifully from Thy lofty place on our humility, and as Thy Church, which was once afflicted with barrenness, now believing in Thee is full of the merits of holiness and fruitful in sons; so our soul, barren by reason of unfruitfulness in works, may of Thy bounty both receive the seed of the Word, and abound with plenteous fruits, and zealously strive to love Thy mighty Name with unanimity of heart from the sun-rising to the sun-setting, and to praise it with agreement in faith. (11.)

O our GOD, Whose dwelling is on high, (D. C.) and Who liftest the poor up from the dunghill, mercifully look upon us Thy humble servants on earth, and raise us to the heights of holiness, that we may advance therein daily, and persevere without fainting. (1.)