Quinquagesima

The theme of Quinquagesima is “charity,” and as such, the arcana of the (6) Lovers is displayed during Quinquagesima week and is joined by the (15) Devil from Ash Wednesday until midnight on the Saturday before the First Sunday in Lent.

The Collect

O Lord, who hast taught us that all out doings without charity are nothing worth: Send thy Holy Ghost, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before thee: Grant this for thine only Son Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer

Old Testament Reading

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

Proverbs 15: 17

New Testament Reading

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

1 Corinthians 13: 1

Liturgical Affirmation

Omnia tempus habent et suis spatiis transeunt universa sub caelo.

Ubi caritas et amor Deus ibi est.

All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven.  Where charity and love are, there God is.