Choral Services

aka The Martyrs of Memphis

When Yellow Fever struck the city of Memphis, Tennessee in 1878, the death toll quickly grew, and most of the surviving residents fled. But not Constance and her companions. They were sisters, priests and doctors at Saint Mary's Episcopal Cathedral who stayed behind to tend to the sick, the dying and the orphaned. Eventually, all but two of these sustainers and comforters succumbed to the disease themselves. 

In his sermon for the Baptism of Our Lord in January 2011, Fr Spurlock discussed the Martyrs of Memphis in some detail. You may read his sermon here.

Collect:

We give thee thanks and praise, O God of compassion, for the heroic witness of Constance and her companions, who, in a time of plague and pestilence, were steadfast in their care for the sick and dying, and loved not their own lives, even unto death: Inspire in us a like love and commitment to those in need, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ; who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, now and for ever. Amen.