The goal of the liturgy that follows - entitled 'Rite X' - is fourfold. First, it exists to retain the important changes in the liturgy that occurred in the 1979 Prayer Book, the most important being the use of modern language, but also the restoration of some older forms. Second, Rite X is intended to correct the more exploratory nature of the 1979 BCP - above all, its various Eucharistic rites - that all too often come across like a series of unfinished drafts, rather than a single, coherent form of public worship. In other words, Rite X exists to restore the communal aspect of common prayer.

Third, and following from this, it is entitled "the Divine Service" - a title which owes its origins to Archbishop Cranmer's rejection of the medieval idea of the Mass, and his attempt to place the liturgy on more solid Apostolic-Patristic ground. However, the service is also "called the Mass", which follows the original form set forth in the 1549 Book of Common Prayer. Regardless as to which title one uses, this communicates more clearly and more succinctly than, e.g., "Rite II Eucharist". Fourth, the rite below works according to older forms - those of the 1928 American Book of Common Prayer, the 1662 English Book of Common Prayer, and the Caroline Divines - most notably Lancelot Andrewes' Preces Privatae. It is a shame that Anglicans have put their greatest poets to such little liturgical use. I hope that this might be the beginning of a change in that. The Prayers of the People below are heavily indebted to Andrewes. As might be surmised, Rite X therefore intends to return majestic, substantive, and inspiring language to common prayer.

A few other details should be noted. First, the 'filioque' is dropped in the Creed. It is long past time for this to have occurred. Second, the liturgy presumes an Eastward facing altar, which has not been pulled out in the neo-Romish style. Thus, and third, Rite X presumes that the priest will have his back to the people at various points in the service. There is deep symbolism in this, and I hope that we will return to it in the near future. Lastly, I hope to have restored in what follows a stronger sense of the need for repentance. Some might say that this is tantamount to a stronger liturgical expression of the reality of sin, but I don't think that is quite the case. We are not called to focus on sin, but on the need for repentance - the need for changing direction and adopting a new way of life. Repentance presupposes the explicit naming of sin, but the explicit naming of sin does not always result in the preaching of repentance (hence the experience of condemnation). Part of the reason that the 1979 BCP inculcated little sense of the need for holiness was not because it focused too little on sin, but because it focused too little on repentance. I hope that the Prayers of the People, in particular, are stronger than those of the current BCP, and that rather than being prayers for the passive (as too many of them are), these prayers can be quickly taken up by those who already know themselves to be continually called to return to Christ.

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The Divine Service, also called the Mass

The Liturgy of the Word

A hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung.

All shall stand.

All shall bow as the cross is processed.

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

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, all still standing.

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

During Lent, the following is sung, all kneeling.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Or

Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy on us.

The Celebrant shall turn and 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 of the Day

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.

The celebrant says the collect.

People: Amen.

The Lessons

All sit. One or two lessons shall be read, the Reader first saying

A Reading from the inspired ____.

After each Reading, the Reader shall say

The word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

A Psalm shall follow the first Reading.

A hymn may follow the second Reading.

Then, all standing, a Deacon or a Priest shall process the Gospel and say

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to ____.

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

After the Gospel, the Reader shall say

The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God,
Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one substance with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
By the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
And his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father.
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
And the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Prayers of the People

All shall kneel.

A deacon or other leader shall lead the following.

Open our lips, Lord.
Our mouths shall declare your praise.

We thank you for the gift of life. Your glory is made manifest in the natural order, in the bounty of harvests, and in the renewal of creation.
Our mouths shall declare your praise.

We thank you for the gift of new life. You are made known to all people by your Son, who emptied himself unto death, so that death might die, so that sin might cease, and so that we might live.
Our mouths shall declare your praise.

We thank you that saints N. and N. will be commemorated this week. Their lives reflect the splendor of the Gospel, and the radiance of Christ.
Our mouths shall declare your praise.

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, deacons, and other ministers, let us pray to the Lord.
Despise not your 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, as we seek to bring healing and comfort to the poor, the sick, the oppressed, and the lonely, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

That N. and N. of this parish, with all others who now sleep in hope of the resurrection, may soon awake and sing God’s praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

That we may end our mortal lives in faith, hope, and love, at peace with God, with others, and with ourselves, 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 N., the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints, let us commend ourselves in thought, word, and deed to Christ our Lord.

The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect.

The Confession of Sin

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

Silence shall be kept.

All shall pray.

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all persons: We confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. Through things done and left undone, through things said and left unsaid, by the thoughts of our minds and the desires of our hearts, we have turned from your ways and given ourselves to sin and death. Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy on us; comfort 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: 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 Celebrant shall turn and face the people.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, 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 sustained in all goodness, strengthened in all virtue, set apart unto holiness, and brought to everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Peace

All shall stand.

<o>Celebrant</i>: The peace of the Lord be always with you!
People: And also with you!

All shall greet one another in the name of the Lord.

The Great Thanksgiving

The people shall return to their seats.

Silence shall be kept.

If the Celebrant is not yet wearing the chasuble, he shall kneel before the altar and put it on.

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

Celebrant: The Lord be with you!
People: And also with you!

The catechumen shall stand.

Celebrant: Beloved, you are candidates for holy baptism; even now, the sweet fragrance of the Holy Spirit blows about you. With us today, you have heard the inspired words of prophets and apostles. Go now and ponder these things. In the name (+) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

The catechumen are dismissed.

Celebrant: All who are baptized,
all who have turned from their sins,
all who are in love and charity with their neighbors,
Listen to the words of comfort
spoken by Christ to all who turn to him:
“Come to me, all of you who toil and are burdened. I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28)

People: Refresh your servants, O Lord, wearied with the burden of sin.

Celebrant: Lift up your hearts!
People: We lift them to the Lord!
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God!
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise!

The Celebrant shall turn, face the altar, and proceed.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

Here the Proper Preface is sung or said on all Sundays, and on other occasions as appointed.

Christmas (and seven days after):
You sent your Son, Jesus Christ, who emptied himself this day; by the power of the Holy Spirit, he became human, and was born of the Blessed Virgin, Mary, his mother; in his life, he taught the truth; in his death, he defied the grave; without sin, he cleansed our sin; through him, we are adopted as children of God, and born again of water and of spirit.

Epiphany (and seven days after):
Jesus Christ, our Lord, manifested his glory through our mortal body, so that he might illuminate the darkness and bring all people into his own glorious light.

Purification and Annunciation:
In the mystery of the Word-made-flesh, you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts; through the face of your dear Son, Jesus Christ, you have renewed our minds, and given us knowledge of your glory.

Transfiguration:
On the heights of Sinai you gave the Law, a shadow of things to come; on the heights of Tabor, your Son was beheld in his uncreated glory. There he spoke with prophets who spoke of him, so that we may speak of him, and so that he may speak of us before your throne.

Easter (and seven days after):
We are bound to praise you for the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord: he is the Paschal Lamb who was offered for us; he has taken away the sins of the world; united with him in holy baptism, his death has destroyed our death, and we rise with him to everlasting life.

Ascension (and seven days after):
After his most glorious resurrection, your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, manifested himself to his disciples; and, when he ascended before their eyes, he sent them out as his apostles, so that all who receive their preaching may ascend with him, and reign in glory.

Pentecost (and six days after):
The great promise of Jesus Christ, our Lord, was fulfilled this day when the Holy Spirit descended as the teacher of all truth, and the comforter of all people; made manifest as tongues of fire upon the apostles, they went out and preached the Gospel to all nations; we have been called out of darkness and into the light, out of ignorance and into the truth, so that we may follow and do the same.

Trinity Sunday:
With your only-begotten Son, and with your Holy Spirit; with your Wisdom and with your Comforter; as Love, Beloved, and Loving; you are one God, a trinity of divine persons, a unity of divine substance, a harmony of divine wills.

All Saints:
In the communion of your saints, heavenly Father, we are united to a great cloud of witnesses; we will intercede as they intercede; joining in their fellowship, we will run the race set before us, and together with them we will receive the crown of unending glory.

The Celebrant shall continue.

Therefore, we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and with Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

All shall sing.

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he (+) who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

The people shall kneel.

The Celebrant shall continue.

Holy, gracious, infinite Father: in your unbounded love you made us for yourself, but we turned from you and fell into sin and death; in the fullness of time, you sent Jesus Christ, your only begotten Son, to be united to our human nature, to live and die as one of us, but to be raised again in glory, reconciling us to you, the Father of all.

He suffered death upon the cross, where he offered himself, in obedience to your will, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice and satisfaction for the sins of the world.

In his holy Gospel he instituted, and commanded us to continue, a perpetual memory of his death and the promise of his return.

On the night he was betrayed, he took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it.

Here the bread is broken before the people.

He gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

After supper, he took the cup of wine.

Here the cup is lifted before the people.

When he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink of it, do this in remembrance of me.”

At the following, the Celebrant shall lay a hand upon the bread, upon the cup, and upon any other vessel containing bread and wine to be consecrated.

Almighty Father, hear us now, we humbly pray. Bless (+) and sanctify (+) this bread and this wine by your Holy Spirit, that it may be for us the Sacrament of Thanksgiving, the Body and Blood of your Son. Bless and sanctify us also, that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace.

People: Hosanna in the highest; Hosanna now on earth.

The Celebrant shall continue.

We offer and present ourselves, our souls and our bodies, to be a holy and living sacrifice before you now. Receive us in this, our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, according to the merits of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

People: Hosanna in the highest; Hosanna now on earth.

The Celebrant shall kneel before the altar.

All shall pray.

We do not presume to come to this, your holy table, most merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your many great and wonderful mercies. Of ourselves, we are not worthy to gather the crumbs under your table. But you are unfailing in your mercy, and steadfast in your love. In this mystical and joyful feast, grant that we may eat the body and drink the blood of your Son, our Savior. Our mortal bodies are healed by his most holy body, our sinful souls are cleansed by his most precious blood, and we, filled with his grace and heavenly benediction, shall evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

Silence shall be kept.

Celebrant: And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

All shall pray.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed by 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.
For this is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

The Celebrant shall stand, face the people, and say.

The gifts of God for the people of God.

When there are baptisms, the Celebrant shall say.

Holy things for holy people.

The Celebrant shall continue.

Take them in remembrance that Christ Jesus died for you, and feed on him in your heart, by faith and with thanksgiving. Amen.

The ministers receive the Sacrament in both kinds, and then immediately deliver it to the people.

The Bread and the Wine are given to the communicants with these words.

The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, keep you in everlasting life.
The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, keep you in everlasting life. Amen.

Or

The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven.
The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation. Amen.

After Communion, the Celebrant shall say.

Let us pray.

All shall kneel.

Eternal God, heavenly Father,
You have truly fed us in these holy Mysteries
with the spiritual food
of the most precious Body and Blood
of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
You have assured us in them
that we are living members
of the mystical Body of your Son,
and heirs of your eternal kingdom.
Assist us, then, with your grace,
that may continue in that holy fellowship.
Grant us strength and courage
to love and serve you
with gladness and singleness of heart;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit,
be all honor and glory, world without end.
Amen.

The bishop when present, or else the Celebrant, shall bless the people.

Celebrant: The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord:
And the blessing of God Almighty (+), the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
Be with you and remain with you always. Amen.

The Commissioning

Celebrant: We are sent out in the name of Christ!
People: Thanks be to God! Alleluia, Alleluia!

The “Alleluia, Alleluia” is omitted during the season of Lent.