Proper Prefaces
1. Of God the Father For you are the source of light and life, you made us in your image, and called us to new life in Jesus Christ our Lord. or this 2. Of God the Son Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who on the first day of the week overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. or the following
3. Of God the Holy Spirit
For by water and the Holy Spirit you have made us a new
people in Jesus Christ our Lord, to show forth your glory in
all the world.
Prefaces for Seasons
To be used on Sundays, and weekdays alike, except as otherwise
appointed for Holy Days and Various Occasions
Advent
Because you sent your beloved Son to redeem us from sin and
death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life; that
when he shall come again in power and great triumph to
judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to
behold his appearing.
Incarnation
Because you gave Jesus Christ, your only Son, to be born for
us; who, by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, was made
perfect Man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother; so
that we might be delivered from the bondage of sin, and
receive power to become your children.
Epiphany
Because in the mystery of the Word made flesh, you have
caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the
knowledge of your glory in the face of your son Jesus Christ
our Lord.
Lent
Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who was tempted in every
way as we are, yet did not sin. By his grace we are able to
triumph over every evil, and to live no longer for ourselves
alone, but for him who died for us and rose again.
or this
You bid your faithful people cleanse their hearts, and prepare
with joy for the Paschal feast; that, fervent in prayer and in
works of mercy, and renewed by your Word and Sacraments,
they may come to the fullness of grace which you have
prepared for those who love you.
Holy Week
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. For our sins he was lifted high
upon the cross, that he might draw the whole world to
himself; and, by his suffering and death, he became the
source of eternal salvation for all who put their trust in him.
Easter
But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious
resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the
true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken
away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed
death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us
everlasting life.
Ascension
Through your dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
After his glorious resurrection he openly appeared to his
disciples, and in their sight ascended into heaven, to prepare
a place for us; that where he is, there we might also be, and
reign with him in glory.
Pentecost
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. In fulfillment of his true
promise, the Holy Spirit came down [on this day] from
heaven, lighting upon the disciples, to teach them and to lead
them into all truth; uniting peoples of many tongues in the
confession of one faith, and giving to your Church the power
to serve you as a royal priesthood, and to preach the Gospel
to all nations.
Prefaces for Other Occasions
Trinity Sunday
For with your co-eternal Son and Holy Spirit, you are one
God, one Lord, in Trinity of Persons and in Unity of Being;
and we celebrate the one and equal glory of you, O Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All Saints
For in the multitude of your saints you have surrounded us
with a great cloud of witnesses, that we might rejoice in their
fellowship, and run with endurance the race that is set before
us; and, together with them, receive the crown of glory that
never fades away.
A Saint
For the wonderful grace and virtue declared in all your saints,
who have been the chosen vessels of your grace, and the lights
of the world in their generations.
or this
Because in the obedience of your saints you have given us an
example of righteousness, and in their eternal joy a glorious
pledge of the hope of our calling.
or this
Because you are greatly glorified in the assembly of your
saints. All your creatures praise you, and your faithful
servants bless you, confessing before the rulers of this world
the great Name of your only Son.
Apostles and Ordinations
Through the great shepherd of your flock, Jesus Christ our
Lord; who after his resurrection sent forth his apostles to
preach the Gospel and to teach all nations; and promised to
be with them always, even to the end of the ages.
Dedication of a Church
Through Jesus Christ our great High Priest; in whom we are
built up as living stones of a holy temple, that we might offer
before you a sacrifice of praise and prayer which is holy and
pleasing in your sight.
Baptism
Because in Jesus Christ our Lord you have received us as your
sons and daughters, made us citizens of your kingdom, and
given us the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.
Marriage
Because in the love of wife and husband, you have given us
an image of the heavenly Jerusalem, adorned as a bride for
her bridegroom, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who loves
her and gave himself for her, that he might make the whole
creation new.
Commemoration of the Dead
Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who rose victorious from the
dead, and comforts us with the blessed hope of everlasting
life. For to your faithful people, O Lord, life is changed, not
ended; and when our mortal body lies in death, there is
prepared for us a dwelling place eternal in the heavens.
Book of Common Prayer, 1979 (377-382)
