the fullness of your peace,
gather people of every race and language
to share with Cyril, Methodius and all your saints
in the eternal banquet of Jesus Christ our Lord.
14 February
Valentine
Martyr at Rome
England: Commemoration
If celebrated otherwise, Common of Martyrs
Valentine was a priest or a bishop of Terni who was martyred at Rome under the Emperor Claudius in about 269. The connection of this celebration with lovers seems to be either as the traditional day in mediæval belief when birds mated, or more likely as being linked with the pagan Lupercalia festival in Rome, which occurred on the Ides of February. For Christians, this day marks an acknowledgement of an all-loving God who blesses those who love one another, as Jesus implored his own disciples to do.
15 February
Sigfrid
Bishop, Apostle of Sweden
England: Commemoration
If celebrated otherwise, Common of Missionaries
Sigfrid was most probably an Englishman sent by King Ethelred to assist in the evangelization of Norway and Sweden in the eleventh century. He took with him two fellow missionaries, all three of whom were eventually consecrated bishops. Sigfrid was made Bishop of Vaxjo (pronounced Veksha) in Sweden, though his missionary journeys also took him into Denmark. He died in Vaxjo in 1045, much revered throughout Scandinavia.
15 February
Thomas Bray
Priest, Founder of the SPCK and the SPG
England, Scotland: Commemoration
If celebrated otherwise, Common of Pastors
Born at Marton in Shropshire in 1656, Thomas Bray was educated at Oxford and subsequently ordained. He was chosen by the Bishop of London to assist with the work of organizing the church in Maryland, but legal complications led to an extended delay to his departure. He used this delay to organize a system of free parish libraries, initially for use in North America but later also instituted in England. This led him to found the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge (SPCK) in 1698. He finally set sail for Maryland in 1699. Though well received by the Governor, Bray realized that he could better promote his work from England. On his return to Europe, he also founded the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (SPG). He died on this day in the year 1730.
17 February
Finan of Lindisfarne
Bishop
Scotland: Commemoration
If celebrated otherwise, Common of Bishops
Finan, an Irish monk of Iona, succeeded Aidan as bishop of Lindisfarne, and carried his missionary work south of the Humber. Peada, King of the Middle Angles, and Sigebert, King of the East Saxons, were among his converts. He built the monastery at Whitby and vigorously upheld the Celtic ecclesiastical traditions against those coming from the south who followed Roman usage. He died in the year 661.
17 February
Janani Luwum
Red
Archbishop of Uganda, Martyr
England: Lesser Festival
3 June – Scotland: Commemoration
Janani Luwum was born in 1922 at Acholi in Uganda. His childhood and youth were spent as a goatherd but he quickly showed an ability to learn and absorb knowledge when given the opportunity. Soon after he became a teacher, he was converted to Christianity and was eventually ordained in 1956, becoming Bishop of Northern Uganda in 1969 and Archbishop of Uganda in 1974. Idi Amin had come to power in Uganda in 1971 as the result of a military coup and his undemocratic and harsh rule was the subject of much criticism by the Church and others. After receiving a letter from the bishops protesting at the virtual institution of state murder, Janani and two of Amin’s own government ministers were stated as having been found dead following a car accident. It emerged quickly that they had in fact died on the implicit instructions of the president. Janani’s enthusiasm for the good news of Jesus, combined with his willingness to sacrifice even his own life for what he believed in, led him to his martyrdom on this day in 1977.
Collect
God of truth,
whose servant Janani Luwum walked in the light,
and in his death defied the powers of darkness:
free us from fear of those who kill the body,
that we too may walk as children of light,
through him who overcame darkness
by the power of the cross,
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
A reading from the book Ecclesiasticus.
Watch for the opportune time, and beware of evil,
and do not be ashamed to be yourself.
For there is a shame that leads to sin,
and there is a shame that is glory and favour.
Do not show partiality, to your own harm,
or deference, to your downfall.
Do not refrain from speaking at the proper moment,
and do not hide your wisdom.
For wisdom becomes known through speech,
and education through the words of the tongue.
Never speak against the truth,
but be ashamed of your ignorance.
Do not be ashamed to confess your sins,
and do not try to stop the current of a river.
Do not subject yourself to a fool,
or show partiality to a ruler.
Fight to the death for truth,
and the Lord God will fight for you.
This is the word of the Lord.
Ecclesiasticus 4.20–28
Responsorial Psalm
R: Let your faithful love come unto me, O Lord,
[even your salvation, according to your promise.]
O take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my hope is in your judgements.
So shall I always keep your law;
I shall keep it for ever and ever. R
I will walk at liberty,
because I study your commandments.
I will tell of your testimonies, even before kings,
and will not be ashamed. R
My delight shall be in your commandments,
which I have greatly loved.
My hands will I lift up to your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes. R
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