Calendar

Deacon and Martyr
d. August 10, 258

At a time when Christian worship was forbidden in the Roman Empire, Emperor Valerian issued an edict that all biships, priests and deacons immediately be put to death. According to Lesser Feasts and Fasts of the Episcopal Church (p. 322), "Though no authentic 'Acts' of Laurence’s ordeal have been preserved, the tradition is that the prefect demanded information from him about the Church’s treasures. Laurence, in reply, assembled the sick and poor to whom, as archdeacon, he had distributed the Church’s relief funds, and presented them to the prefect, saying, 'These are the treasures of the Church.' Laurence is believed to have been roasted alive on a gridiron."

Collect:

Almighty God, who didst call thy deacon Laurence to serve thee with deeds of love, and didst give him the crown of martyrdom: Grant we beseech thee, that we, following his example, may fulfill thy commandments by defending and
supporting the poor, and by loving thee with all our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Abbess at Assisi
b. July 16, 1194
d. August 11, 1253

Born into a wealthy family, Clare was inspired as a young woman by St. Francis of Assisi, and immediately renounced her wealth and followed his lead. With the support of Francis, she founded an order for woman known as "The Poor Ladies of Saint Damian." This order still exists today, commonly known as "Poor Clare's."

Collect:

O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us, we pray thee, from an inordinate love of this world, that, inspired by the devotion of thy servant Clare, we may serve thee with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Nurse and Social Reformer
b. May 12, 1820
d. August 13, 1910

From today's Gospel Reading in Matthew 25: "I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me." Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord...when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see the sick or in prison and visit thee?" And the king will answer them, "Truly, I say to you, just as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me."

Collect:

Life-giving God, thou alone hast power over life and death, over health and sickness: Give power, wisdom, and gentleness unto those who follow the lead of Florence Nightingale, that they, bearing with them thy presence, may not only heal but bless, and shine as lanterns of hope in the darkest hours of pain and fear; through Jesus Christ, the healer of body and soul, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.