Commemoration of Edith Cavell: 12 October
Edith Cavell, the daughter of a priest, trained as a nurse at the Royal London Hospital and in
1907 became the director of a nursing school in Belgium. When Germany was poised to
invade Belgium, Edith returned to be with the nurses she had trained, and she insisted that
their calling was to care for all, friend and foe alike. From November 1914 Edith assisted
British and Allied troops to escape from enemy occupied territory into the neutral territory of
Holland. Edith was arrested for assisting Allied soldiers to escape. A chaplain celebrated the
Eucharist the night before she was shot and killed by a German firing squad on October 12
1915. She was hurriedly buried in a grave outside Brussels, but her body was reburied at
Norwich Cathedral, following a state funeral at Westminster Abbey in May 1919. Her
example inspired many, and she soon became a popular heroine and a model of selfless
service. There are memorials to her opposite the National Portrait Gallery in London, and at
Norwich Cathedral.
Prayers
God of compassion, as we recall the fearless courage of your servant Edith
Cavell, give us a heart to serve and to care even for those who abuse and
despise us. Remove from us all fear, hatred, and bitterness, and give us that
life-giving love that loves to the uttermost and seeks the good of all, through
Jesus Christ who came to seek and to save the lost. Amen.
God our Father, we thank you that you call women and men to share the
passion of your Son, and to witness to your truth in adversity. As we recall
the courage and single-mindedness of Edith Cavell, may we show forth your
costly reconciling love, and be strengthened to serve you in one another,
through the one through whom we are made one with you and one another,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Come Lord Jesus and abide with us. Be with us in the evening hour and
protect us through the dark hours of the night. Comfort all who are in
danger and those who watch and wait. Help us to be still, and to hold to your
promise that in the end your purposes will be fulfilled, our anxieties dispelled,
and our fears calmed, in the name of him whose love casts out fear, Jesus
Christ your Son, our Lord. Amen.
Heavenly Father, your Son said that whatever we do for the least of our
brothers and sisters we do for him. May we, like your servant Edith Cavell,
bring relief to those who are in need, comfort to those who are afraid, and
healing to all who are in pain. This we ask in the name of him who came not
to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many, Jesus
Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
Bible Readings
Wisdom 3.1-7
Isaiah 43.1-7
Jeremiah 11.18-20
Psalm 3
Psalm 35.1-5
Psalm 77. 1-12
1 Peter 4. 7-15
Hebrews 11. 32-40
1 John 4. 13-21
Matthew 10.16-22
Matthew 25. 31-40
Luke 6. 20-36
Luke 10. 25-37
Matthew 25. 31-40
Responsory
Let not your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid
O death, where is your sting?
The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Let not your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
Christ has been raised gloriously from the dead.
O death, where is your sting?
Prayers for the Eucharist
Invitation to Confession
The saints were faithful even unto death,
and now dwell in the joy of heaven.
As we recall their courage,
so we confidently ask for God’s mercy,
and confess our sins and weaknesses
in penitence and faith.
Penitential Kyrie
Lord, we fail to see that whatever we do for the least of all, we do to you.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, we hold back from giving ourselves and in doing your will,
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, we falter in following the way of the cross.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Collect
Eternal God,
whose servant Edith Cavell placed her duty to you
above all things
and laid down her life in protection of others:
make us, after her example, steadfast in all adversity,
and abide with us until, with all your faithful ones,
we share the joy of heaven;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(Norwich Cathedral)
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia
The one who endures to the end will be saved.
Alleluia.
The Peace
Lord Jesus Christ, you said, ‘do not be troubled, and let not your hearts be
afraid, my peace I give to you, and my peace I leave with you.’
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Post Communion Prayer
Lord God, on the night before he died,
your Son accepted the cup of suffering.
Strengthened by this Eucharistic food,
may we spend and be spent in your loving service,
and at the end be brought, with Edith Cavell,
to sit at your table in the heavenly Kingdom;
through him who laid down his life for us,
and now ever lives to make intercession for us,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessing
God give you strength to show forth
the passion of Christ, with all the saints,
and to love others both in word and in deed.
And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with you, now and always. Amen.