Diocese of Christ the King

06/07/2026

06/07/2026

June 7th 2026. Third Sunday in Pentecost

The Collect
O Lord, we beseech thee mercifully hear us; and grant that we, to whom thou hast given an hearty desire to pray, may by thy mighty aid be defended and comforted in all dangers and adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Epistle: 1 Peter 2:1–10
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Gospel: St. John 17:6–19
6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. 7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. 8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. 9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Lesson
Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone of our salvation, chosen of God and precious. Though rejected by many, He remains the sure foundation upon which the Church is built. As living stones joined to Him, may we remain steadfast in the truth of His Word and faithful to the calling He has given us as His chosen people.

06/02/2026

June 2, 2026 — Feast of Saints Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs

“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
— Revelation 2:10b (KJV)

Today the Church commemorates Saints Marcellinus and Peter, two revered martyrs of the early Church who suffered during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian in the early fourth century. Marcellinus was a priest, and Peter an exorcist. Though their earthly lives were cut short by violence, their steadfast confession of Christ secured for them an eternal crown.

So great was their renown among the faithful that their names were included in the ancient Roman Canon of the Mass and preserved in the memory of the Church throughout the centuries. Their witness reminds us that the Gospel was handed down not merely through words, but through the sacrificial faithfulness of those who endured suffering rather than deny their Lord.

In an age that often values comfort above conviction, the example of these holy martyrs calls us to stand firm in the Faith once delivered unto the saints, trusting in Christ regardless of the cost.

Collect

O God, who dost surround and protect us by the glorious confessions of Thy blessed Martyrs Marcellinus and Peter: Grant that we may profit by their example and be strengthened by their prayers; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

May Almighty God grant us grace to follow the example of His holy martyrs, that with courage, perseverance, and faith we may faithfully confess Christ before the world and attain unto the everlasting joys of His heavenly kingdom.

05/31/2026

May 31, 2026 — Trinity Sunday

The Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity; We beseech thee, that thou wouldest keep us steadfast in this faith, and evermore defend us from all adversities, who livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen.

Epistle: Revelation 4:1–11

1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. 5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. 7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Gospel: St. John 3:1–15
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Lesson
On Trinity Sunday, the Church worships the One God revealed in Three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Though the mystery of the Holy Trinity is beyond human understanding, it has been revealed by God in Holy Scripture and confessed by the Church from the Apostles to the present day. Let us therefore give glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

05/29/2026

May 29, 2026 — Feast of Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop and Confessor

Collect
O God, who by the preaching of thy blessed Bishop Augustine didst cause the light of the Gospel to shine in the land of England: Grant, we beseech thee, that we, having his doctrine in remembrance, may faithfully follow his holy example; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 2:2–8
2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

Gospel: St. Matthew 28:16–20
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Lesson
Saint Augustine of Canterbury stands among the great missionaries of the Church. Sent by Saint Gregory the Great to a land largely separated from the Gospel, he preached Christ with patience, humility, and perseverance. Through his labors, the faith was firmly planted among the English people, and the Church in England was renewed and strengthened.

His feast reminds us that the Gospel is not merely to be preserved, but proclaimed. The same Lord who sent Augustine into England sends His Church into the world today. Trusting in Christ's promise, "Lo, I am with you alway," let us faithfully bear witness to the Faith once delivered unto the saints, that others also may come to know and worship the living God.

05/25/2026

May 25, 2026 — Whit Monday within the Octave of Pentecost • Feast of Saint Bede the Venerable • Memorial Day

Today the Church continues the great celebration of Pentecost upon Whit Monday, giving thanks for the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles and for the abiding presence of the Spirit within the Church of God.

The day is also associated with Saint Bede the Venerable, monk, historian, theologian, and Doctor of the Church, whose faithful labors preserved much of the history of the English Church and the witness of the Saints.

In the United States, this day is likewise observed as Memorial Day, a solemn remembrance of those who gave their lives in military service. As Christians, we commend the departed to the mercy of Almighty God, praying both for the faithful departed and for peace among the nations.

“For those in the Armed Forces of our Country”
Almighty God, we commend to thy gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with thy heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of thine abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant unto them eternal rest, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon them. Amen

May the Holy Ghost strengthen the faithful, may Saint Bede pray for the Church, and may the memory of the departed be eternal.

05/23/2026

May 24, 2026 — Whitsunday (The Feast of Pentecost)

The Collect
God, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by the sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgement in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

Epistle: Acts 2:1–11

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Gospel: St. John 14:15–31
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. 30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do.

Lesson
On this holy Feast of Pentecost, the Church rejoices in the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles. The same Spirit who descended as wind and fire continues to dwell within the Church, guiding her into all truth, strengthening the faithful, sanctifying the sacraments, and empowering the proclamation of the Gospel unto all nations. Pentecost is not merely the remembrance of a past event, but the continuing life of Christ within His Body, the Church, through the abiding presence of the Comforter.

05/17/2026

May 17, 2026 — Sunday after the Ascension of Our Lord

The Collect
O God, the King of glory, who hast exalted thine only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto thy kingdom in heaven; We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless; but send to us thine Holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Epistle 1 St. Peter 4:7–11

7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel: St. John 15:26–16:4

26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them.

Lesson:
The Ascension of Our Lord is not His absence, but His enthronement. Christ ascends bodily into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father, carrying our humanity into the heavenly places. Yet the Church is not abandoned. As this Sunday reminds us, He promises the coming of the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, who strengthens the faithful for witness in a hostile world.

The Apostles stood gazing upward at the Mount of Olives, but they were soon sent outward into the nations. So too must we resist a passive faith that merely admires Christ from afar. The risen and ascended Lord reigns now, and His Church is called to prayer, charity, steadfastness, and bold proclamation until He comes again in glory.

"Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?" — Acts of the Apostles Christ shall come again in like manner. Until that day, let His Church be found faithful.

05/14/2026

May 14, 2026 — The Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Today Holy Church commemorates the glorious Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, forty days after His Resurrection, ascended bodily into Heaven before His Apostles and was seated at the right hand of the Father. This ancient feast has been observed throughout Christendom from the earliest centuries and marks the completion of Christ’s earthly ministry before the coming of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost.

The Collect;
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that like as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens; so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

The Epistle: Acts 1:1–11
1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Gospel: St. Mark 16:14–20
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Lesson:
Saint Leo the Great reminds us that in the Ascension of Christ, our human nature has been exalted above the heavens. The Apostles were instructed not to stand idle gazing upward, but to return in prayerful expectation of the promised Holy Ghost.

As we now move toward Pentecost, let us remain steadfast in prayer, faithful in witness, and mindful that the same Christ who ascended in glory shall come again.

“God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.” Psalm 47:5 (KJV)

05/13/2026

May 13, 2026 — The Eve of the Ascension of Our Lord
Wednesday in Rogationtide

As Holy Church stands upon the threshold of the Ascension of Our Blessed Lord, we are reminded that Christ’s departure from the sight of His Apostles was not an absence, but His glorious enthronement at the right hand of the Father.

The faithful have traditionally observed these Rogation days with prayer, repentance, fasting, and petitions for God’s mercy upon the land, the labor of men’s hands, and the needs of the Church.

Collect: Ascension Day
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that like as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens; so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Gospel: St. John 14:1–6
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Before the joy of Ascension Thursday comes the solemn reminder that the Church remains in prayerful expectation. The same Lord who ascended in glory shall come again in like manner, and until that day His people are called to faithfulness, repentance, and steadfast hope.

"While he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." — St. Luke 24:51