ST EDMUND’S COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE

St Edmund, detail from a 14th-century window in Canterbury Cathedral

SUNG VESPERS FOR THE FEAST OF ST EDMUND OF ABINGDON (1175–1240)

ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY PATRON OF THE COLLEGE

Monday 16 November 2020

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The music this evening is led by the Director of Chapel Music & Organist, Miss Louisa Denby MA MMus PGDip LRSM CRCO; and members of the Chapel Schola.

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INTROIT (sung by the Chapel Schola)

Michael Praetorius (1571-1621), A Safe Stronghold our God is Still

Words: Martin Luther (1483-1546), based on Psalm 46, tr. Thomas Carlyle (1759-1881)

OPENING VERSICLES

The Dean: O God, come to our aid.

All: O Lord, make haste to help us.

The Dean: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

All: Amen.

PSALMODY

Psalm 122

Antiphon (said by all)

Hear us, Saint Edmund, and pray for us, that through your intercession, we may be freed from all harm and granted every grace.

(sung by the Chapel Schola)

To you have I lifted up my eyes : you who dwell in the heavens; My eyes, like the eyes of slaves : on the hand of their lords.

Like the eyes of a servant : on the hand of her mistress, So our eyes are on the Lord, our God : till he show us his mercy.

Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy : we are filled with contempt, Indeed, all too full is our soul : with the proud man’s disdain.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son: And to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be: World without end. Amen.

3 Antiphon (said by all)

Hear us, Saint Edmund, and pray for us, that through your intercession, we may be freed from all harm and granted every grace.

Psalm 111

Antiphon (said by all)

Saint Edmund, by your prayers and example, preserve us in truth and love.

(sung by the Chapel Schola)

Happy the man who fears the Lord : who takes delight in all his commands. His sons will be powerful on earth : the children of the upright are blessèd.

Riches and wealth are in his house : his justice stands firm for ever; He is a light in the darkness for the upright : he is generous, merciful and just.

The good man takes pity and lends : he conducts his affairs with honour. The just man will never waver : he will be remembered for ever.

He has no fear of evil news : with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord. With a steadfast heart he will not fear : he will see the downfall of his foes.

Open-handed, he gives to the poor; his justice stands firm for ever : his head will be raised in glory.

The wicked man sees and is angry, grinds his teeth and fades away : the desire of the wicked leads to doom.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son: And to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be: World without end. Amen.

Antiphon (said by all)

Saint Edmund, by your prayers and example, preserve us in truth and love.

4 Psalm 99

Antiphon (said by all)

Saint Edmund, humble before all and beloved of all, teach us by your example to carry the yoke of Christ.

(sung by the Chapel Schola)

Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth : Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing for joy.

Know that he, the Lord, is God : He made us; we belong to him. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with songs of praise : Give thanks to him, and bless his name.

Indeed, how good is the Lord, eternal his merciful love : He is faithful from age to age.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son : And to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be: World without end. Amen.

Antiphon (said by all)

Saint Edmund, humble before all and beloved of all, teach us by your example to carry the yoke of Christ.

A READING FROM THE LETTER OF ST PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS (read by The Master)

We ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

The Word of the Lord.

5 All: Thanks be to God.

ADDRESS BY THE DEAN

MAGNIFICAT (sung by the Chapel Schola)

Antiphon (said by all)

St Edmund, wise guide and humble servant of the Lord, following in your footsteps, may we strive for all that is good and so come to God through his gifts of reason and revelation.

My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour. He looks on his servant in her lowliness; henceforth all ages will call me blessed.

The Almighty works marvels for me. Holy is his name! His mercy is from age to age, on those who fear him.

He puts forth his arm in strength and scatters the proud-hearted. He casts the mighty from their thrones and raises the lowly.

He fills the starving with good things, sends the rich away empty.

He protects Israel, his servant, remembering his mercy, the mercy promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his sons for ever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Text: Luke 1:46–55 Music: Magnificat peregrini toni,, Christoph Dalitz (b. 1967)

6 Antiphon (said by all)

St Edmund, wise guide and humble servant of the Lord, following in your footsteps, may we strive for all that is good and so come to God through his gifts of reason and revelation.

INTERCESSIONS

The Dean: Let us bring before God our Father all our needs.

Let us pray for the Church throughout the world: may she proclaim without fear or favour the Gospel of peace, with all meekness and humility. Lord, hear us.

All: Lord, graciously hear us.

Let us pray for visible unity within the Body of Christ: may all who follow Christ be joined in the bond of charity and mutual respect. Lord, hear us.

All: Lord, graciously hear us.

Let us pray for peace among the nations: may we be freed from war, conflict and prejudice. Lord, hear us.

All: Lord, graciously hear us.

Let us pray for all who study and teach in this University: may their labours bear abundant fruit for the glory of God and the good of all. Lord, hear us.

All: Lord, graciously hear us.

Let us pray for all past and present members of our College: may we gratefully and generously share our gifts and so become, through the intercession and inspiration of our patron, St Edmund, a community of learning and charity. Lord, hear us.

All: Lord, graciously hear us.

7 Let us pray for all our benefactors: may their generosity be rewarded in this life and in the world to come. Lord, hear us.

All: Lord, graciously hear us.

Let us pray for all who have gone before us to the Father, especially all deceased members and benefactors of our College, our family members and friends, and all who have shown us kindness. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord.

All: And let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

The Dean: Our Father,

All: 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. Amen.

COLLECT

The Dean: Let us pray.

O God, in your abundant and providential goodness you have gladdened your Church through the holiness and wisdom of Saint Edmund, our Patron. Mercifully grant that we may be changed for the better by his example and, by his prayers, protected from all that would harm us. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

All: Amen.

Prayer of St Edmund of Abingdon (said by all)

Lord and Father, into your hands we commend ourselves, our families and homes, our friends and colleagues, our neighbours and kindred, our

8 benefactors and all our brethren departed, together with all your people of truthful and generous heart and all who look to you for assistance and protection. Enlighten us with your holy grace, grant to us your wisdom, and suffer us never to be parted from you, our God, living and true. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you, in unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

ANTHEM (sung by the Chapel Schola)

Giuseppe Ottavio Pitoni (1657-1743), arr. Alan Ridout (1934-96), Laudate Dominum

Praise God in his holy place; praise him in his mighty firmament. Praise him for his powerful deeds; praise him for his boundless grandeur.

O praise him with the sound of the trumpet; praise him with lute and harp. Praise him with timbrel and dance; praise him with strings and pipes.

O praise him with resounding cymbals; praise him with the clashing of cymbals. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Alleluia. Words: Psalm 150

THE BLESSING

The Dean: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

The Dean: May the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, come down upon you and remain with you always,

All: Amen.

The Dean: Benedicamus Domino.

9 All: Deo gratias.

ORGAN VOLUNTARY Eric Thiman (1900-75), Finale in Dm

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St Edmund of Abingdon (1175–1240)

St Edmund is the first recorded Master of Arts of the University of Oxford, where he was a Lector in Theology. He also taught at Paris, where he was among the first to introduce the newly-rediscovered works of Aristotle. After being successively Treasurer and Canon of Salisbury Cathedral, he was made Archbishop of Canterbury by Pope Gregory IX. He died in self- imposed exile in Pontigny, France, and was canonised in 1247 by Pope Innocent IV. His shrine, pictured below, is in the Abbey Church of Pontigny.

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