The Lesser Feast of Ninian, Bishop

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Page numbers listed are from The Book of Common Prayer.

Opening Sentence, page 103

Officiant: O God, make speed to save us.

People: O Lord, make haste to help us.

All: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

Psalm 97, page 726

1 The Lord is King; let the earth rejoice; *
                let the multitude of the isles be glad.
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him, *
                righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne.
3 A fire goes before him *
                and burns up his enemies on every side.
4 His lightnings light up the world; *
                the earth sees it and is afraid.
5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, *
                at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness, *
                and all the peoples see his glory.
7 Confounded be all who worship carved images and delight in false gods! *
                Bow down before him, all you gods.
8 Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice, *
                because of your judgments, O Lord.
9 For you are the Lord, most high over all the earth; *
                you are exalted far above all gods.
10 The Lord loves those who hate evil; *
                he preserves the lives of his saints and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light has sprung up for the righteous, *
                and joyful gladness for those who are truehearted.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, *
                and give thanks to his holy Name.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Reading: Matthew 28:16–20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

 

Reflection: Ninian, Bishop, c. 430                                                                              Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2024

The dates of Ninian’s life, and the exact extent of his work, are much disputed. The earliest, and possibly the best, account is the brief one in Bede’s Ecclesiastical History.

Ninian was a Romanized Briton, born in the latter half of the fourth century in southern Scotland. He is said to have been educated in Rome and to have received ordination as a bishop. But the main influence on his life was Martin of Tours, with whom he spent some time, and from whom he gained his ideals of an episcopal-monastic structure designed for missionary work.

Around the time of Martin’s death in 397, Ninian established his base at a place called Candida Casa (“White House”) or Whithorn in Galloway, which he dedicated to Martin. Traces of place names and church dedications suggest that his work covered the Solway Plains and the Lake District of England. Ninian seems also to have converted many of the Picts of northern Scotland, as far north as the Moray Firth.

Ninian, together with Patrick, is one of the links of continuity between the ancient Roman-British Church and the developing Celtic Christianity of Ireland and Scotland.           

The Prayers, pages 106-107

Officiant: Lord have mercy.

People: Christ have mercy.

Officiant: Lord have mercy.

All:

Our Father, 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.

Officiant: Lord, hear our prayer;

People: And let our cry come to you.

Officiant: Let us pray.

O God, who by the preaching of your blessed servant and bishop Ninian caused the light of the Gospel to shine in the land of Britain: Grant, we pray, that having his life and labors in remembrance we may show our thankfulness by following the example of his zeal and patience; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Intercessions and Thanksgivings

Dismissal, page 107

Officiant: Let us bless the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Officiant: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.