THE WORD OF GOD
The Lessons
First Reading Ezekiel 36:24-28
Gradual: Psalm 126 BCP p. 782
Second Reading 2 Timothy 4:1-8
The Holy Gospel John 21:1-14
The Sermon
The Litany
God the Son, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son, Have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit, co-equal with the Father and the Son, Have mercy on us.
Promise of the Father, Have mercy on us.
Gift of the Most High God, Have mercy on us.
Author of all good, Have mercy on us.
Source of living water, Have mercy on us.
Spirit of holy fear, Have mercy on us.
Spirit of truth and power, Have mercy on us.
Spirit of wisdom and understanding, Have mercy on us.
Spirit of counsel and fortitude, Have mercy on us.
Spirit of knowledge and true godliness, Have mercy on us.
Spirit of compunction and repentance, Have mercy on us.
Spirit of grace and supplication, Have mercy on us.
Spirit of love, peace and joy, Have mercy on us.
Spirit of patience, long-suffering and goodness, Have mercy on us.
Spirit of mildness, gentleness and faith, Have mercy on us.
Spirit of adoption as God’s children, Have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, Have mercy on us.
Spirit, who at Creation, brooded on the face of the waters, Have mercy on us.
Spirit, who inspired holy men and women of old, Have mercy on us.
Spirit, who overshadowed the Virgin Mary, Have mercy on us.
Spirit, by whose power the Son of God was conceived, Have mercy on us.
Spirit, who descended on Jesus at his baptism, Have mercy on us.
Spirit, by whom we are born again, Have mercy on us.
Spirit, by whom we are anointed and sealed as Christ’s for ever, Have mercy on us.
Spirit, dwelling in us, Have mercy on us.
Spirit, governing the church, Have mercy on us.
Spirit, filling the whole world, Have mercy on us.
For the church throughout the world; and for Alan and Carol, our Bishops:
For James our Superior, for Rob our Bishop Visitor, and for this community, that we may be faithful to our mission and ministry: we pray to you, O Lord, Lord, hear our prayer.
For vocations to the religious life, that all who are called may be given the grace to respond: we pray to you, O Lord, Lord, hear our prayer.
For our brother Jack, that he may be filled with the gifts of the Spirit: we pray to you, O Lord, Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who witness these vows, that we may be strengthened by the love of God: we pray to you, O Lord, Lord, hear our prayer.
For Jack’s family and friends, that they may share his joy in the Lord: we pray to you, O Lord, Lord, hear our prayer.
For those whom Jack serves in our ministries of preaching, teaching, formation, and spiritual direction, by the power of the grace given to him: we pray to you, O Lord, Lord, hear our prayer.
For the departed and especially our brothers, that we may share with them the promises of the resurrection: we pray to you, O Lord, Lord, hear our prayer.
For ourselves, that we may be aided by the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, John the Beloved Disciple, Blessed Lawrence of Rome, Richard our Founder, and all the saints: we pray to you, O Lord, Lord, hear our prayer.
Holy Spirit, we entreat you to hear us; That you would inflame us with the
That you would help us to love and bear with one another, We entreat you, O Lord. That you would lead us in the way of your commandments, We entreat you, O Lord. That you would teach us to pray, and would pray within us, We entreat you, O Lord.
Superior Grant, O merciful God, that through the intercession of Blessed Lawrence of Rome, whom we remember today, your divine Spirit may cleanse, enlighten and inflame our hearts, renew us with your blessing, and make us fruitful in all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord. All Amen.
THE EXAMINATION AND VOWS
Superior Friends and brothers, John Walter Crowley has lived under the vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience for three years. Now he desires to profess these vows for life. Let us open our hearts to Jack as he brings to fulfillment his response to God’s call.
Jack My brothers, I believe that Christ Jesus has given me the freedom and courage to choose life-long commitment as a brother in the Society of Saint John the Evangelist. My desire flows out of deep gratitude for salvation. These words have become my own: “How shall I repay the Lord for all the good things he has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.”
Superior Jack, the whole brotherhood is filled with joy and awe at the gift of freedom which enables you to make a lifelong commitment. Let us hear your response to what our Rule teaches us about this decisive step.
First Jack, Jesus’ offering of his life on the cross was the supreme expression of Brother his love for the Father, made in perfect freedom through the Spirit. No one took his life from him; he laid it down of his own accord. Are you offering your life through the same Spirit?
Jack Yes, I believe that Christ’s free self-offering is being expressed anew in my life.
Second Jack, our founder, Father Benson, taught us that the call of God in the Brother religious life is continuous, abiding, and progressive. Continuous, because in the communion we enjoy with God in prayer and worship, the Spirit never ceases to call us into deeper union. Abiding, because the wisdom of God, communicated to us in our prayer and life, is absorbed into our hearts never to perish. Progressive, because God’s voice will come to us in the future ever new, calling us to fresh opportunities, and bringing gifts beyond what we know now. Have you taken this teaching to heart?
Jack Yes, I know that life profession inaugurates a lifetime of developing response.
Third Jack, the grace to surrender our lives to God through our vows has been Brother given to us in Baptism, whereby we die with Christ and are raised with him. It is the same grace that gives the martyrs strength to submit gladly to death as witnesses of the resurrection. Do you understand your own commitment in the light of the same freedom and trust which enables martyrs to give up their lives for the greater glory of God?
Jack Yes, as I go forward in this life, I pray that the witness of the martyrs will never be far from my mind.
Superior Jack, what do you seek from us, your brothers?
Jack Brothers, as I pledge to live my whole life with you, will you be steadfast in your love and support, standing by me in weakness and suffering as well as in times of health and strength, and at the end, upholding me when I give myself up to God in death?
Brothers We will.
Jack As I offer myself to the Lord Jesus and the people of God in his service, will you receive all that I am, my gifts and talents as well as my brokenness and incompleteness?
Brothers We will.
Jack As I profess the vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience for life, will each one of you renew his commitment from the heart?
Brothers We will.
Superior Jack, it is our joy to share the same calling from Christ and to be bound together in an enduring fellowship as a sign of God’s faithfulness. As you prepare to commit yourself to the life of poverty, celibacy and obedience, let us kneel in prayer and call upon the Holy Spirit, who gives us the power to be faithful to our promises.
All kneel for silent prayer.
All stand, except Jack.
Jack Before the whole company of heaven and in the presence of this congregation, I, John Walter Crowley, reaffirm the commitment I have made, and now make my profession and promise to Almighty God, and to you, my brother, the Superior of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, and to your successors in this office, that I will live in the lifelong observance of poverty, celibacy, and obedience, according to the Rule of this Society.
Jack stands and signs the profession book.
Fourth Jack, we give you this ring as a sign of your dedication to Christ and your Brother espousal to God as lover. For the rest of your life wear this sign of steadfast commitment and undying love.
Jack Christ is my life and my joy.
Superior May God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit bless you,
Brothers May God confirm your heart’s desire to abide in Christ always; may he fill you with gifts for worship and service, bind you to our brotherhood, and make you a blessing to those around you, to the glory of God’s name. Amen.
The Peace
THE HOLY COMMUNION
Offertory Hymn I come with joy to meet my Lord Hymnal 304
The Great Thanksgiving Sanctus
Setting: Cowley Mass, James Woodman
The Lord’s Prayer Hymnal 148, alt.
Setting: Cowley Mass, James Woodman
Invitation to Communion
Presider Behold what you are.
People May we become what we receive.
A Note about Holy Communion
We welcome you to Holy Communion.
Gluten-free bread is available; please indicate to your server.
It is not our practice to intinct (dip) the bread into the wine. If you wish to abstain from receiving from the Chalice, remember that the Church catholic has always taught that the fullness of the Sacrament is received even when only one form is received.
Communion Hymn Come, risen Lord, and deign to be our guest Hymnal
Post-Communion Hymn Fight the good fight with all thy might Hymnal
Post-Communion Prayer
Superior Almighty Father,
All we thank you for feeding us with the holy food of the Body and Blood of your Son, and for uniting us through him in the fellowship of your Holy Spirit. We thank you for calling Jack to devote himself to your glory in this community, and for giving him the grace to make the vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience for life. May the holy gifts we receive in this Eucharist nourish us with the grace to persevere together in your service, so that we may remain steadfast until the coming of Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Blessing and Dismissal
Postlude Improvisation Robert Humphreville
All are warmly invited to greet Jack and meet his family at the reception in the Refectory and Cloister Garden immediately following this service.
Br. James Koester, Presider & Preacher
Br. Curtis Almquist, Deacon
Br. Lucas Hall, Subdeacon
Br. Jonathan Maury, Litanist
Mr. Robert Humphreville, Monastery Organist
Supplementary hymns are used by permission and licensed to be reprinted for this service by OneLicense.Net: #A-725463
Cover: Icon of Jesus and the Beloved Disciple
The Monastery as Sanctuary
We want our Monastery to be a sanctuary for our guests and for the Brothers. Please silence your electronic devices. We also ask you not to photograph, video, or record services in the Chapel, or to photograph other guests or Brothers without their express permission.
