O eternal light, shine into our hearts;
eternal goodness, deliver us from evil;
eternal power, be our support;
eternal wisdom, scatter our ignorance;
eternal pity, have mercy upon us.
Grant that with all our heart and mind and strength
we may evermore seek your face;
and finally bring us,
by Your infinite mercy,
to Your holy presence,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
-- Alcuin (735-804), English priest, abbot, and scholar, in Evelyn Underhill's Prayer Book, ed. by Evelyn Underhill, English mystic and spiritual teacher
Lord Christ, we pray thy mercy on our table spread,
And what thy gentle hands have given thy men
Let it by thee be blessed: whate’er we have
Came from the lavish heart and gentle hand,
And all that’s good is thine, for thou art good.
And ye that eat, give thanks for it to Christ,
And let the words ye utter be only peace,
For Christ loved peace: it was himself that said,
Peace I give unto you, my peace I leave with you.
Grant that our own may be a generous hand
Breaking the bread for all poor men, sharing the food.
Christ shall receive the bread thou gavest his poor,
And shall not tarry to give thee reward.
--Alcuin of York (735-804) scholar, teacher, and priest from Northumbria
