Jesus Christ our Lord.
13 January
Kentigern (Mungo)
White
Missionary Bishop in Strathclyde and Cumbria
England: Commemoration – Scotland: IV
14 January – Wales: V
If celebrated otherwise, Common of Missionaries
Kentigern, also known affectionately as Mungo, which means ‘darling’, is reputed to have been the grandson of a British prince in southern Scotland and to have attended a monastic school at Culross. The story goes that he became a missionary to the Britons living in Strathclyde and was elected their bishop. Following the persecution of Christians, he fled to Wales, but eventually returned to Strathclyde where he continued his work of evangelism. He died in the year 603 and his tomb is in St Mungo’s Cathedral in Glasgow.
Collect (Wales)
Almighty and everlasting God,
who called your servant Kentigern
to preach the gospel to the people of Britain:
raise up in this and every land
heralds and evangelists of your kingdom,
that your Church may make known
the immeasurable riches of your Son
our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
13 January
George Fox
Founder of the Society of Friends (the Quakers)
England: Commemoration
If celebrated otherwise, Common of any Saint
George Fox was born at Fenny Drayton in Leicestershire in 1624, the son of a weaver, and was himself apprenticed to a shoe-maker. He became something of a wayfarer from 1643 for about three years, loosening all ties with his family and friends. The ‘Inner Light of the Living Christ’ became his watchword in 1646 and he began to preach that the truth could only be found through the Inner Voice speaking directly to each soul. His society of ‘The Friends of Truth’ was formed at about this time, clearly a protest against the authoritarianism of the Presbyterian system, and many believers joined. Their practice of welcoming God into the soul, often whilst in a state of trance, which caused much body movement, led to Gervase Bennet nicknaming them the ‘Quakers’ in 1650. Although meant as a term of abuse, it quickly became a name they themselves adopted. Fox spent several spells in gaol because of his determination to preach where he would and what he willed; he also made many missionary journeys around England, on the continent, and to North America and the West Indies. He had a charismatic personality combined with excellent organizational abilities, which proved a solid foundation for ensuring the continuance of his beliefs and practices. He died on this day in 1691.
14 January
Hilary
Bishop of Poitiers, Teacher of the Faith
Scotland: Commemoration
See 13 January
14 January
Kentigern (Mungo)
Missionary Bishop in Strathclyde and Cumbria
Wales: V
See 13 January
17 January
Antony of Egypt
White
Hermit, Abbot
England: Lesser Festival – Scotland: Commemoration – Wales: V
Born in about the year 251, Antony heard the gospel message, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ He was twenty years old and rich, following the death of his parents, but he did as the gospel instructed and went to live in the desert, living an austere life of manual work, charity and prayer. His many spiritual struggles left him both wise and sensible and he became a spiritual guide for many who flocked to him. His simple rule of personal discipline and prayer was taken up and spread throughout Christendom. He died peacefully in the desert in the year 356, asking that he be buried secretly, so that his person might be hidden in death as in life.
Collect
Most gracious God,
who called your servant Antony to sell all that he had
and to serve you in the solitude of the desert:
by his example may we learn to deny ourselves
and to love you before all things;
through 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 First Book of the Kings.
The word of the Lord came to Elijah, saying, ‘Go from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the Wadi Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the wadi, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.’ So he went and did according to the word of the Lord; he went and lived by the Wadi Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the wadi.
This is the word of the Lord.
1 Kings 17.2–6
Responsorial Psalm
R: Call upon me, Lord, and I will answer you;
[lift me up, for you know my name].
Because you have made the Lord your refuge
and the Most High your stronghold,
There shall no evil happen to you,
neither shall any plague come near your tent. R
For he shall give his angels charge over you,
to keep you in all your ways.
They shall bear you in their hands,
lest you dash your foot against a stone. R
You
