Click here to read part three of this series

Synopsis: Anglicanism, from the time of King Henry VIII until well into the 18th century, was defined in part by a cult of monarchy; for much of that time, it was believed that the anointed monarch had the ability to miraculously cure certain diseases. One of these monarchs, King Charles I, who was martyred on 30 January 1649, later became the first commemorated Anglican saint. Yet his feast day, like our royalist heritage, has been forgotten. If Anglicanism is to find a way forward, it must come to terms with its past, and creatively reinscribe it into both its present and future. In this concluding section, I offer for consideration a liturgy for the commemoration of not just King Charles the Martyr, but all martyrs. This liturgy works off of several sources: the original service of commemoration from 1662, the Private Prayers of Lancelot Andrewes, Collects from the 1549 BCP and 1928 proposed BCP (England), the 1979 US Book of Common Prayer (USA).

IV. Conclusion: A Proposed Liturgy

In this concluding section, I propose a liturgy of my own composition as both a way of reviving the Church’s celebration of Holy Days, and as a way of reinscribing King Charles the Martyr into our collective memory. The celebration of saints has historically occurred at the local level; as there is no level more local than the parish, perhaps some might find my own considerations below to be worthy of encouraging imitation or, perhaps, other liturgical developments along these lines.


<center>
The Divine Service
to be used annually on 30 January
as a Commemoration
of
King Charles the Martyr
and
All Martyrs
</center>


If this day is a Sunday, then this service shall be used the prior day.

A hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung.

All shall stand.

All shall genuflect as the cross is processed.


Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

Celebrant: Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
People: His mercy endures forever.


The Collect for Purity

The Celebrant shall turn from the people and face the altar.
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secret is hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The following hymn is sung.
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.

The Celebrant shall face the people.
Celebrant: 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.


The Collect

Almighty God, by whose grace and power your holy martyrs have triumphed over suffering and death; Grant, we ask, that enduring difficulty, we may persevere and receive the crown of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.



The Lessons

All sit.

The following shall be read, the Reader first saying
A Reading from _______.

1 Sam. 9:27 – 10:13 or 2 Sam. 1
Acts 6:8 – 15, 7:1, 44 – 60 or 2 Pet. 2:13 – 22

After each Reading, the Reader shall say
The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

One of these Psalms shall follow the Reading(s).

Psalm 7, 8, 11, or 116

All stand.

The Deacon or a Priest reads the Gospel, first saying
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Luke.
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

St. Luke 23:26 – 49

After the Gospel, the Reader says
The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

All sit.


The Commemoration of Martyrs

The Celebrant shall turn from the people and face the altar.
Blessed God, whose ways are mysterious and full of wisdom: Today we celebrate our beloved martyr, King Charles, whom you gave up to the violent outrages of wicked men. We cannot reflect upon their murderous act but with horror and amazement. Yet, we gratefully commemorate the glories of your grace, which shone forth in your Anointed; at the hour of his death, you infused him with unending patience, meekness, and charity, even in the face of his cruel enemies. So, too, have you permitted others to be holy witnesses for the true and catholic Religion, even unto death. Their blood is seed, their memory an inspiration. For these, and for others like them who are yet to come, we glorify your Name; through Jesus Christ our blessed Savior. Amen.

A selection from one or more of the following shall be read
- The Martyrdom of St. Polycarp
- A Miracle of Miracles, Wrought by the Blood of King Charles the First, Of Happy Memory
- John Keble, “King Charles the Martyr”
- The Martyrdom of St. Janani Luwum, Archbishop of Uganda
- The Martyrs of Melanesia


The Sermon


The Nicene Creed



The Prayers of the People

All shall kneel.

Deacon or other leader
With all our heart, and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord.

For the Church Catholic: its stability and increase, its perfection and pacifying, the restoration of things wanting in it, and the strengthening of things that remain, let us pray to the Lord.
Make us children of light, and bestow your peace upon us.

For N., Archbishop of Canterbury, for N., our Primus, for N., our Bishop, and for all priests and other ministers, let us pray to the Lord.
Despise not your own holy things, but be gracious to your servants.

For our city, our nation, and our world, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For the illumination of our hearts and minds, that we may bring healing and comfort to the poor, the sick, the oppressed, and the lonely, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

That we may discern the face of Christ in every friend, every enemy, and every stranger, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

That we may see the Wisdom of God in all creation, and that we may be true stewards of the earth, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For all who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, especially for N. and N. of this parish, and for all others who have departed this life, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

That we, too, may end our lives in faith, hope, and love, with neither suffering nor reproach, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

The People may add their own petitions, in silence or aloud as directed.

In the Communion of Mary the Holy Mother of God, King Charles the Martyr, all martyrs and other saints, let us commend ourselves in thought, word, and deed to Christ our Lord, so that we too may see God face to face.
When we see Him, we shall become like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

The Celebrant stands and faces the people:
Almighty God has knit together His people in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of His Son our Lord. May He grant you grace to follow the blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may all come to participate in the ineffable joys that have been prepared for those who love Him; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.



The Confession of Sin

Celebrant: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

All shall kneel and pray together.
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all people: We acknowledge and repent of our many sins, which we from time to time have committed. We have turned from your Divine Glory and have come under sin and death; through things done and left undone, through things said and left unsaid, we have fled from Thee. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us. Then we shall delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

The Celebrant shall stand, turn from the people and face the altar.

Celebrant: And restore those who have not forgotten their own offenses.
People: Calm the waters of our fear, and kindle the flame of our love.

Celebrant: Of Christ’s tears grant us some.

Silence shall be kept.


The Absolution

The Celebrant shall turn and face the people.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins to all who turn to him with true faith and repentance; Have mercy upon you (+); pardon and deliver you from all your sins; by the power of the Holy Spirit, may you be strengthened in all goodness, and brought to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


The Peace

All stand.
Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you!
People: And also with you!


All greet one another in the name of the Lord.


Here shall follow the Holy Communion.