|
|
A deacon may also use these prayers when he vests. As he puts on the dalmatic he may say the following prayer taken from the vesting prayers of a bishop. (The bishop only wears a dalmatic at special solemn occasions such as an ordination)
While he washes his hands
- Give strength to my hands, Lord, to wipe away all stain, so that I may be able to serve Thee in purity of mind and body.
As he places the amice over his head
- Lord, set the helmet of salvation on my head to fend off all the assaults of the devil.
As he puts on the alb
- Purify me, Lord, and cleanse my heart so that, washed in the Blood of the Lamb, I may enjoy eternal bliss.
As he ties the cincture
- Lord, gird me with the cincture of purity and extinguish my fleshly desires, that the virtue of continence and chastity may abide within me.
As he puts the stole around his neck
- Lord, restore the stole of immortality, which I lost through the collusion of our first parents, and, unworthy as I am to approach Thy sacred mysteries, may I yet gain eternal joy.
As he puts on the dalmatic
- Lord, endow me with the garment of salvation, the vestment of joy, and with the dalmatic of justice ever encompass me.
|
