Jubilee Prayer for the Queen

Well in the UK they are having a party and a half for the Diamond Jubilee of the Queen of Australia, Elizabeth 11. Our "Aunty" is obviously keen that we don't miss any of the Diamond Jubilee events, so it seems  a passing comment is warrented. 


Here in my Archdiocese of Brisbane the jubilee didn't rate a mention in the weekend liturgies.I was at Mass at St Mary's in South Brisbane where the only jubilee  mentioned in the prayers of the faithful was  the 20th anniversary of the Mabo Decision.


Meanwhile back in the Motherland, the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have released an approved payer to be used in Churches over the Jubilee weekend Masses


The Prayer for the Queen reads:

V. O Lord, save Elizabeth, our Queen.
R. And hear us on the day we call upon you.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come before you.

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.

Almighty God, we pray, that your servant Elizabeth, our Queen, who, by your providence has received the governance of this realm, may continue to grow in every virtue, that, imbued with your heavenly grace, she may be preserved from all that is harmful and evil and, being blessed with your favour may, with her consort and the royal family, come at last into your presence, through Christ who is the way, the truth and the life and who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen

I don't know if it's ancient Irish blood or deep seated republican sympathies that left my eyebrows slightly raised as I read this text. I have some doubts about ERII receiving her right to govern from the providence of God. I suggest she traces her seat on the throne back to the Act of Settlement and her family genes. 

Meanwhile the Anglicans have produced a much better piece of theology with the official Diamond Jubilee Prayer which will be used in St Pauls' Cathedral for the Thanksgiving Service on June 5. Don't suppoe they will throw in a reference to World Environment Day do you?

The Diamond Jubilee Prayer reads:

God of time and eternity,
whose Son reigns as servant, not master;
we give you thanks and praise
that you have blessed this Nation, the Realms and Territories
with ELIZABETH,
our beloved and glorious Queen.
In this year of Jubilee,
grant her your gifts of love and joy and peace
as she continues in faithful obedience to you, her Lord and God
and in devoted service to her lands and peoples,
and those of the Commonwealth,
now and all the days of her life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.