Collect for Purity

Almighty God, to You all hearts are open, all desires known, and from You no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love You, and worthily magnify Your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, pg 355)

The Collect for Purity has been part of the public rite of the celebration of Holy Eucharist in the Church of England since 1552 and it has been carried into the Episcopal Church since the first Episcopal Book of Common Prayer in 1786-1789. In the 1979 version of the BCP, our current version, the Collect for Purity is still required in the Rite 1 service. However, in the Rite 2 service, the order our 8:30 and 10:30 liturgy follows at St. Boniface, the Collect for Purity is optional.

For some time, and for a variety of reasons including the length of the services, St. Boniface has exercised the option to not include the Collect for Purity in the 8:30 liturgy. At the same time, St. Boniface has exercised the option to include it in the 10:30 liturgy. In an effort to be true to the ancient worship of our Anglican tradition, while at the same time living into the cultural expectations and growth potential, we are going to reintroduce the Collect for Purity into the 8:30 service in its appropriate place. It will follow the opening hymn and opening acclamation where the Priest says (at least in Epiphany), “Blessed be God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” Then the congregation responds, “And Blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.” Then I will say the Collect for Purity.

There are reasons to omit the Collect for Purity. Some people prefer that the Collect of the Day be the opening prayer of the service. Some would argue that it is just Anglican piety that we continue to use it. On the occasion of Baptism or Confirmation services, or services of a penitential nature using the forms found on page 319 or 351 of the Book of Common Prayer (usually used during Lent), we do not use the Collect for Purity.

However, I subscribe to the belief that God knows us, inside and out. It is when we admit God’s complete knowledge of us at the beginning of our worship (or day or devotional time or while we are just living our life); when we totally open ourselves up to the words that are written in the Collect for Purity, when we hear them and make them our own, that our worship will be much more intense, much more real, much more meaningful, much more forgiving both of ourselves and others. It is then that we will enter into a more full presence of the Divine. It is then that the hymns we sing will ring with a blessedness that strikes the innermost chords of our souls. It is then that the sermons we hear, no matter how ill prepared or ill delivered by the well-intentioned priest or clergy person in the pulpit, the words will echo in our heart of hearts and push our mortal minds to accept that we are God’s beloved children. It is then, that we will be able to say the confession with a pure heart, receive God’s absolution and KNOW we are forgiven. It is then that we can receive the sacrament of Holy Communion without fear and trembling, but with the knowledge that we share the welcoming and forgiving body and blood of Christ with all the saints of creation and that we ALL are welcome to eat from God’s table. It is then, that we can go into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit, knowing that because our hearts have been cleansed by the power of the Holy Spirit we are one step closer to more perfectly serving God and God’s creatures.

And then, when I return at the next appointed time for the next service of the Holy Eucharist, I will again say or hear the Collect for Purity. Again, I am reminded that I am God’s...that my heart, desires and secrets are all known to God. I am free again and reminded that by the Grace of God and love of Christ, we are made pure. And then, the liturgy continues...

The next time you have a chance to hear the Collect for Purity, listen to the words with an open heart, an open mind and an openness to allow God to touch every part of your being. Actually, say it now...slowly, deliberately and hear the words and what they mean. It will enrich your life!

Almighty God, to You all hearts are open, all desires known, and from You no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love You, and worthily magnify Your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, pg 355)


Resources consulted for this article:
The Book of Common Prayer published by Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, 1979 edition.

Hachett, Marion J., Commentary on the American Prayer Book San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1995, pg 318.