Commemoration: Alban
Almighty God, by whose grace and power your holy martyr Alban triumphed over suffering and was faithful even unto death: Grant to us, who now remember him with thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to you in this world, that we may receive with him the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
In every kingdom, in every empire, there are privileged men; that is to say, eminent persons with rights beyond the ordinary; and the source of these privileges is that by birth or by office they are closer to the person of the prince. It belongs to the sovereign's greatness and majesty that the lustre of his crown should be in some sort reflected on those who approach him near. Now we know from Holy Writ that the Church is a kingdom well-ordered; do not doubt then that it too has its privileged men. And whence will they gain their privileges but from fellowship with its prince, Jesus Christ? But if we would be united with Christ, let us not look among the rich for the privileges of Holy Church. Our monarch's crown is a crown of thorns, its lustre is suffering and affliction. In the poor, in those who suffer--there dwells the majesty of the spiritual kingdom. Christ himself being poor and needy, it was right that he should enter into fellowship with those like him, and shed his favours on those who share his lot.
- Martin Luther
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
Holy God, we praise Thy Name;
Lord of all, we bow before Thee!
All on earth Thy scepter claim,
All in Heaven above adore Thee;
Infinite Thy vast domain,
Everlasting is Thy reign.
Hark! the loud celestial hymn
Angel choirs above are raising,
Cherubim and seraphim,
In unceasing chorus praising;
Fill the heavens with sweet accord:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord.
Lo! the apostolic train
Join the sacred Name to hallow;
Prophets swell the loud refrain,
And the white robed martyrs follow;
And from morn to set of sun,
Through the Church the song goes on.
Holy Father, Holy Son,
Holy Spirit, Three we name Thee;
While in essence only One,
Undivided God we claim Thee;
And adoring bend the knee,
While we own the mystery.
- Ignaz Franz
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