EADING THE Liturgy Books from New Skete. The Brothers were formerly Byzantine Catholics and so they have brought with them some of the devotional practices from the past. One the Julian Paschalion, as used by Byzantine Catholics, this Thursday (the second Thursday after Pentecost) would be the Feast of Corpus Christi. I have the Catholic Byzantine Daily Worship and the propers for the feast are rather beautiful.
So I was surprised – but not totally – to find a feast on Thursday…
Thursday of All Saints
When we commemorate the appearance of our Lord
Jesus Christ, to two of his disciples on the way to Emmaus.
Troparion, Tone VIII:
On the way to Emmaus you showed your friends the meaning of the scriptures, * and then you revealed yourself to them in the breaking of the bread. * Reveal yourself to us also, O Christ, our God, * and save us.
Jerusalem Troparion, Tone IIStay with us, Lord Jesus, for it is already evening, * and the day will soon be over. * Lest we fall asleep in sin, * pour fourth your mercies into our hearts, O only loer of mankind, * and save us
At Psalm 51(50), Tone IIO you who are the shepherd of our souls and who call each of us by name: * Grant peace to the world, * and to us your great mercy.
Kondakion, Tone IVAs our divine companion on the road of life, O Christ, our God, * you explain to us the word of God and share your mysteries with us. * As we break bread together in your name day after day, * be always in our midst , O Lord, * that we may know you as the only saviour of our souls.
Exapostilarion, Tone IIIO Christ, Our God, * you revealed yourself to your friends in the breaking of the bread. * Now, open our eyes as well, * that, by the light of faith, we may behold you in all your works, * O only Lord and saviour of our souls.
(There is a whole set of Propers for the Feast of Our Venerable Father, Francis, Hierodeacon and Wonderworker of Assisi which should send some folks into a royal snit. These will come up at a later date…)
This commemoration of the Emmaus encounter is actually the patronal feast of the Companions of New Skete, the third community of New Skete (the other two being the monks and the nuns) — married couples living their lives communally in sync with the monastery’s rhythm of life. For more, see here: http://www.newskete.com/dedication.htm. And I agree — these propers are very beautiful and quite touching.