After serving the church for many years, the book of prayers for Mass currently known as the Sacramentary is about to 'retire from active duty'. Tomorrow morning's Mass will be the last time the Sacramentary will be used in the Liturgy. A short prayer at the end of Mass will mark the moment.
As Advent begins for the church a new liturgical year, the anticipated Mass for the First Sunday of Advent will witness the debut of the long-awaited 3rd edition of the Roman Missal. After weeks and even months of preparation, we are about to experience the perennial truths of the faith with a certain newness of expression.
Of course, both time and a light-hearted sense of patience will go a long way in helping the cause as we 'de-program' and 're-program' ourselves in the way of prayer. With the help of God's grace, may our prayer life continue to deepen and bear much fruit for the glory of God.
"Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God,
the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ
with righteous deeds at his coming,
so that, gathered at his right hand,
they may be worthy to possess the heavenly kingdom."
