Modern Medievalist hat geschrieben:The Bidding Prayers
The bidding prayers, if they were not prayed in the procession before Mass, were done "after the Gospel or Offertory". It's difficult to imagine them being made at any point in the Offertory without breaking its order, so I've decided to simply describe them here. They were read either from the pulpit (a 1928 Book of Common Prayer mentions bidding prayers made with the announcements, notices, and/or banns of marriage before the sermon, though that would place them after the Creed, in the place where the Intercessions of the Faithful are now found in the Novus Ordo Mass) or at the chancel step.
What made these bidding prayers peculiar in Sarum was that they were directed to be prayed in the vernacular, or "mother tongue". They vary a bit depending on which manuscript you find them. Here's one version:
Let us make our prayers to God, our Lord Jesus Christ, to our Lady S. Mary, and all the Company of Heaven, beseeching His Mercy for all Holy Church, that God keep it in good estate, especially the Church of England, our Mother Church, this Church, and all others in Christendom.
For our Lord the Pope, for the Patriarch of Jerusalem, for the Cardinals.
For the Archbishops and Bishops, and especially for our Bishop N., that God keep him in his holy service. For the Dean/Rector, or all other ministers, that serve this Church. (One variation of this: "For your ghostly father, and for Priests and Clerks that herein serve or have served, for all men and women of religion, for all other men of Holy Church.")
For the Holy Land and the Holy Cross, that God deliver it out of the hand of the heathen.
For the Peace of the Church and of the earth.
For our Sovereign Lord the King, and the Queen, and all their children.
For Dukes, Earls, and Barons, and for all that have the peace of this land to keep, all that have this land to govern.
For the welfare of N. and N., and all this Church's friends.
For all that live in deadly sin.
For our brethren and sisters, and all our Parishioners, and all that do any good to this Church or foundation. For yourselves, that God for His mercy grant you grace so to live as your soul to save, and for all true Christian people.
The priest then turns to the altar and the choir begins Psalm 66 (Deus misereatur) "without note". After the doxology, the choir continues:
Lord, have mercy.
(Priest) V. Christ, have mercy.
R. Lord, have mercy.
V. Our Father, etc... And lead us not into temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.
V. O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us.
R. And grant us Thy salvation.
V. Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness.
R. And let Thy Saints rejoice.
V. O Lord, save the King.
R. And hear us in the day we call upon Thee.
V. Give Salvation unto Thy people.
R. Govern them, and lift them up for ever.
V. Let there be peace in Thy strength, O Lord.
R. And plenteousness in Thy towers.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my crying come unto Thee.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
God, Who with the Grace of Thy Holy Spirit dost pour the Gifts of Charity into the hearts of Thy faithful people, grant to Thy Servants and handmaidens, for whom we beseech Thy clemency, health both of mind and body, that they may love Thee with their whole strength, and with entire affection may perform those things which are pleasing unto Thee, and grant us Thy peace in our time, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Then, turning to the people, the priest says:
Let us pray. (kneeling)
For the souls of N. And N., Archbishops, Bishops, Clergy, Benefactors, etc., who have served this Church, or done any good thereto, or to this foundation, and for all souls whose bones rest in this Church and Churchyard, and all those who have given to this Church or foundation, rents, vestments, or other goods, whereby God is better worshipped in this Church, and the minister thereof better sustained; for all our Fathers' and Mothers' souls, our Godfathers' and Godmothers' souls, Brethren and Sisters' souls, all our Parishioners' souls, and for all the souls that have done any good to this Church, and for all Christian souls.
The priest turns again to the altar and the choir begins Psalm 129 (De Profundis) without note. After the doxology and Our Father, etc.:
V. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord.
R. And may perpetual light shine upon them.
V. From the gate of Hell.
R. Deliver their souls, O Lord.
V. I believe to see the good things of the Lord.
R. In the land of the living.
Absolve, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the souls of Thy servants and handmaidens, our relations, our neighbours, our friends, our benefactors, as well as the souls of all the faithful departed, from all the chains of their sins, that in the glory of the Resurrection they may be raised up to life, and breathe again among Thy Saints and Elect: Through, etc. May they rest in peace.
Amen.