Praying in Gaelic

Ùrnaigh Mhaidne (Morning Prayer)

The Scottish Episcopal Church began as a distinct church tradition in 1582, when the Church of Scotland began to adopt a Presbyterian polity and reformed theology. In 1584, the Scottish Parliament under James VI of Scotland passed the “Black Acts,” appointing two bishops and administered the Church of Scotland under royal authority. This resulted in opposition and was forced to concede that administration was under the General Assembly. In 1633, Charles I was crowned in Holyrood Abbey with full Anglican rites and attempted to introduce the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) in 1637. It was a synthesis of liturgical material from the Anglican BCP and the Church of Scotland’s Book of Common Order, composed most notably by the Archbishop of St. Andrews, John Spottiswoode, the Bishop of Ross, John Maxwell, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, William Laud. On 23 July 1637, the use of this new liturgy resulted in a riot that broke out in St. Giles’ Edinburgh that indirectly resulted in the Bishops’ Wars. The Scottish BCP came into use under the reign of William and Mary, where the Communion Office was compiled by non-jurors – clergy that refused to swear allegiance to the monarch – in accordance with primitive models. The modifications that differed from the English liturgy would later be present in the liturgy used by the American Episcopal Church.

The BCP was first published in Scots Gaelic in 1794, where it was believed that the existing Irish Gaelic BCP was acceptable – though this was an erroneous view – and to avoid controversy with the Church of Scotland. Provided herein is An t-Òrdugh Airson Ùrnaigh Mhaidne - The Order for Morning Prayer - from the 1895 Gaelic BCP. Special thanks to Dr. Adam Dahmer, who has edited the prayers to conform to contemporary Gaelic grammar and has kindly provided an audio example. This will greatly benefit those who are fluent in Gaelic, or perhaps still learning, how to pray in their ancestral tongue.

AN T-ÒRDUGH AIRSON ÙRNAIGH MHAIDNE

The Order for Morning Prayer

A Bhràithrean ro-ionmhainn, tha ‘n Sgriobtair gar brosnachadh ann an iomadh àite a dh’aithneachadh, agus a dh’aideachadh ar peacaidhean agus ar n-aingidheachd lìonmhor, agus nach bu chòir dhuinn a bhi ‘g an ceiltinn no ‘g an sgàileadh ann an làthair Dhè Uile-chumhachdaich, ar n-Athair nèamhaidh, ach an aideachadh le cridhe umhal, ìosal, aithreach, agus iriosal, a chum gum faigh sinn maitheanas annta tre a mhaitheas agus a thròcair shìorraidh. Agus ged bu chòir dhuinn anns gach uile àm ar peacaidhean gu h-umhal aideachadh ann an làthair Dhè, gidheadh is còir dhuinn gu ro àraid sin a dhèanamh, an uair a chruinnicheas, agus a thig sinn ‘an ceann a chèile, a thoirt buidheachais dha air son nan sochairean mòra, a fhuair sinn o ‘làimh, a chur suas a mholaidh ro òirdheirc, a dh’èisteachd ‘fhacail ro naoimh, agus a dh’iarraidh nan nithe sin, a tha iomchaidh, agus feumail, air son a’ chuirp cho math agus air son an anama. Air an aobhar sin tha mi ‘g iarraidh, agus a’ guidhe oirbhse uile a tha ‘n seo an làthair, mise cho-imeachd, le cridhe glan, agus le guth umhal, gu cathair a’ ghràis nèamhaidh, ag ràdh às mo dhèidh:

Dearly beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not dissemble nor cloke them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble, penitent, and obedient heart; to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same, by his infinite goodness and mercy. And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge our sins before God; yet ought we most chiefly so to do, when we assemble and meet together to render thanks for the great that have received at his hands, to set forth his most holy Word, and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore I pray and beseech you, as many as are here present, to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice, unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying after me:

Confession

Athair Uile-chumhachdaich agus ro-thròcairich; Chaidh sinn a’ mearachd, agus air seacharan o d’ shlighibh, mar chaoirich chaillte. Lean sinn tuilleadh ‘s fada innleachdan agus miannan ar cridheachan fhéin. Chiontaich sinn an aghaidh do laghannan naomha. Dh’fhàg sinn gun dèanadh na nithe sin, a bu chòir dhuinn a dhèanamh; Agus rinn sinn na nithe sin, nach bu chòir dhuinn a dhèanamh; Agus chan eil slàinte annainn. Ach dèan thusa, a Thighearna, tròcair oirnne, ciontaich thruagha. Caomhain iadsan, a Dhé, a tha ‘g aideachadh an lochdan. Gabh air an ais a’ mhuinntir a tha aithreach; A réir do gheallaidhean air an nochdadh dhan chinne-daoine ann an Iosa Crìosd ar Tighearn. Agus deònaich, Athair ro-thròcairich, air a sgàth-san, gun caith sinn a’ seo suas beatha dhiadhaidh, ionraic, agus mheasarra, a chùm glòire d’ Ainme naoimh. Amen.

Almighty and most merciful Father, We have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults. Restore thou them that are penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy Name. Amen.

Lord’s Prayer

Ar n-Athair, a tha air Nèamh, gun naomhaichear d’ Ainm. Thigeadh do Rìoghachd. Dèanar do thoil, air an Talamh, mar thathar a dhèanamh air Nèamh. Thoir dhuinn an diugh ar n-aran làitheil. Agus maith dhuinn ar cionta, Mar a mhaitheas sinne dhaibhsan, a tha ‘ciontachadh ‘n ar n-aghaidh. Agus na leig ann am buaireadh sinn; ach saor sinn o olc: Oir is leatsa an Rìoghachd, agus a’ Chumhachd, agus a’ Ghlòir, gu sìorraidh agus gu sìorraidh. Amen.

Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy Name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven: Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

Sagart. A Thighearna, fosgail thusa ar bilean.

Freagairt. Agus taisbeanaidh ar beul do mholadh.

S. A Dhé, dèan cabhag d’ ar saoradh.

F. A Thighearna, greas g’ ar còmhnadh.

S. Glòir dhan Athair, agus dhan Mhac, agus dhan Spiorad Naomh;

F. Mar a bha air tùs, a tha nis, agus a bhitheas gu bràth: saoghal gun chrìch. Amen.

S. Molaibh an Tighearn.

F. Bitheadh ainm an Tighearna air a mholadh.

Priest: O Lord, open thou our lips;

Answer: And our mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

P: O God, make speed to save us.

A: O Lord, make haste to help us.

P: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;

A: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

P: Praise ye the Lord.

A: The Lord’s Name be praised.

Psalm appointed for the day is placed here.

Venite, exultemus Domino. Salm 95.

Thigibh, is seinneamaid dhan Tighearn: togamaid iolach do charraig an slàinte.
    Thigeamaid na fhianais le buidheachas: agus le salmaibh togamaid ceòl dha gu suilbhireach.
    Oir is Dia mòr an Tighearn: agus is Rìgh mòr e, os cionn a h-uile dia.
    ‘N a làimh-san tha doimhneachdan na talmhainn: agus is leis àirde nam beann.
    Is leis an fhairge, oir is e a rinn i: agus dhealbh a làmhan an talamh tioram.
    O thigibh, sleuchdamaid, agus cromamaid sìos: tuiteamaid air ar glùinibh am fianais an Tighearn’ a rinn sinn.
    Oir is esan an Dia: agus is sinne sluagh ionaltraidh-san, agus caoraich a làimhe.
    An diugh ma dh’èisteas sibh r’ a ghuth, na cruaidhichibh bhur cridhe, mar anns a’ chonnsachadh, mar ann an là a’ bhuairidh anns an Fhàsach.
    ‘Nuair a bhuair bhur n-Athraichean mi, a dhearbh iad mi, agus a chunnaic iad m’ oibre.
    Rè dhà fhichead bliadhna chuireadh campar orm leis a’ ghinealach ud, agus thubhairt mi: is sluagh seachranach nan cridhe iad, agus chan aithne dhaibh mo shlighean;
    Dhan d’ thug mi mo mhionnan a’ m’ fheirg nach rachadh iad a steach do m’ fhois.’
    Glòir dhan Athair, agus dhan Mhac: agus dhan Spiorad Naomh;
    Mar a bha air tùs, a tha nis, agus a bhitheas gu bràth: saoghal gun chrìch. Amen.

S. Glòir dhan Athair, agus dhan Mhac: agus dhan Spiorad Naomh;

F. Mar a bha air tùs, a tha nis, agus a bhitheas gu bràth: saoghal gun chrìch. Amen.

O COME, let us sing unto the Lord: let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
    Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving: and shew ourselves glad in him with Psalms.
    For the Lord is a great God: and a great King above all gods. In his hand are all the corners of the earth: and the strength of the hills is his also.
    The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands prepared the dry land.
    O come, let us worship, and fall down: and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
    For he is the Lord our God: and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

    Today, if you listen to his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the dispute, as in the day of the temptation in the desert.
   ‘When your fathers tested me, proved me, and saw my works.
   Throughout forty years, that generation vexed me, and I said: they are a host strayed in their hearts, and they will not know my ways;
To whom I swore in my anger, that they would not enter into my rest.

P: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;

A: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

Psalm appointed for the day is placed here.

First Lesson of the Day is placed here (Old Testament).

Te Deum Laudamus

Tha sinn a’ toirt molaidh dhut, a Dhé: tha sinn ag aideachadh gun tu an Tighearn.
    Tha ‘n talamh uile a’ toirt adhraidh dhut: an t-Athair bith-bhuan.
    Riutsa tha na h-Ainglean uile ag èigheach gu h-àrd: na Nèamhan, agus na tha de chumhachdaibh annta.
    Riutsa tha Cearubaim agus Searaphaim: do ghnàth ag éigheach,
    ‘Naomh, Naomh, Naomh: Tighearn Dia nan Sluagh!’
Tha Nèamh agus Talamh làn do Mhòrachd: do Ghlòire.
Tha co-thional glòrmhor nan Abstol: a’ toirt molaidh dhut.
    Tha comunn maiseach nam Fàidhean: a’ toirt molaidh dhut.
    Tha sluagh àlainn an Luchd-fianais: a’ toirt molaidh dhut.
    Tha ’n Eaglais Naomh feadh an t-saoghail uile: ‘g a d’ aideachadh;
    An t-Athair: na Mòrachd neo-chrìochnaich;
    D’ aon Mhac, fìor: agus urramach;
    Mar an ceudna an Spiorad Naomh: an Comhfhurtair.
    Is tu Rìgh na Glòire, a Chriosd;
    Is tu Mac sìorraidh an Athar.
    An uair a ghabh thu ort fhéin an duine shaoradh, cha d’ rinn thu tàin air broinn na h-Òighe.
    An uair a thug thu buaidh air guin a’ bhàis, dh’ fhosgail thu rìoghachd nèimh dhan a h-uile chreidmheach.
    Tha thu nad shuidhe air deas làimh Dhè, ann an Glòir an Athar.
    Tha sinn a’ creidsinn gun tig thu gu bhith nad bhreitheamh oirnn.
    Air an aobhar sin tha sinn a’ guidhe ort, cuidich do sheirbhisich, a shaor thu le d’ fhuil ro phrìseil fhéin.
    Dèan an àireamh maille ri do Naoimh, ann an glòir shìorraidh.
    A Thighearna, sàbhail do shluagh, agus beannaich d’ oighreachd.
    Stiùir iad, agus tog suas iad gu sìorraidh.
    O latha gu latha, tha sinn gad àrd-mholadh;
    Agus a’ toirt adhraidh do d’ Ainm, gu bràth, saoghal gun chrìch.
    Deònaich, a Thighearna, an cumail an diugh gun pheacadh.
    A Thighearna, dèan tròcair oirnn: dèan tròcair oirnn.
    A Thighearna, leig le d’ thròcair a luighe oirnn, mar a tha ar n-earbsa annad.
   A Thighearna, annadsa chuir mi m’ earbsa: na leig amhluadh orm a chaoidh.

We praise thee, O God: we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
    All the earth doth worship thee: the Father everlasting.
    To thee all Angels cry aloud: the heavens, and all the Powers therein.
    To thee Cherubin, and Seraphim: continually do cry,
    Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Sabaoth; Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty: of thy Glory.
    The glorious company of the Apostles praise thee.
    The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise thee.
    The noble army of Martyrs: praise thee.
    The holy Church throughout all the world: doth acknowledge thee;
    The Father of an infinite Majesty;
    Thine honourable, true and only Son;
    Also the Holy Ghost. the Comforter.

    THOU art the King of Glory: O Christ.
    Thou art the everlasting Son: of the Father.
    When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man: thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
    When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death: thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
    Thou sittest at the right hand of God: in the Glory of the Father.
    We believe that thou shalt come: to be our Judge.
    We therefore pray thee, help thy servants: whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
    Make them to be numbered with thy Saints: in glory everlasting.

   O LORD, save thy people: and bless thine heritage.
    Govern them: and lift them up for ever.
    Day by day : we magnify thee;
    And we worship thy Name : ever world without end.
    Vouchsafe, O Lord : to keep us this day without sin.
    O Lord, have mercy upon us : have mercy upon us.
    O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us : as our trust is in thee.
    O Lord, in thee have I trusted : let me never be confounded.

The Second Lesson of the Day is placed here (New Testament).

Apostles’ Creed

Tha mi ‘creidsinn ann an Dia an t-Athair Uile-chumhachdach, Cruithear nèimh agus talmhainn:
Agus ann an Iosa Crìosd, aon Mhac-san ar Tighearna, a ghabhadh leis an Spiorad naomh, A rugadh leis an Òigh Muire, a dh’ fhulaing fo Phointius Piolat, a cheusadh, a fhuair bàs, agus a dh’adhlaiceadh; chaidh e sìos do dh’ ifrinn,* air an treas là dh’èirich e a-rithist o na mairbh, chaidh e suas gu Nèamh, agus tha e ‘n a shuidhe air deas làimh Dhé an t-Athair Uile-chumhachdach; Às an sin thig e thoirt breith air na bèothaibh agus air na mairbh.
    Tha mi ‘creidsinn anns an Spiorad naomh; ‘S an Eaglais naomh Choitcheann; An Co-chomunn nan Naomh; Am maitheanas pheacaidhean; ‘An aiseirigh a’ chuirp, Agus ‘s a’ bheatha shìorraidh, Amen.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:

And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholic Church; The Forgiveness of Sins; The resurrection of the Body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.

 S. Gun robh an Tighearn maille ribh.

F. Agus maille ri d’ Spiorad-sa.

S. Dèanamaid ùrnaigh.

A Thighearna dèan tròcair oirnn.

A Chrìosd dèan tròcair oirnn.

A Thighearna dèan tròcair oirnn.

P: The Lord be with you:

A: And with thy spirit.

P: Let us pray.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Lord’s Prayer

Ar n-Athair, a tha air nèamh, gun naomhaichear d ‘Ainm. Thigeadh do Rìoghachd. Dèanar do thoil, air an talamh, mar thathar a dhèanamh air nèamh. Thoir dhuinn an diugh ar n-aran làitheil. Agus maith dhuinn ar cionta, mar a mhaitheas sinne dhaibhsan, a tha ‘ciontachadh nar n-aghaidh. Agus na leig ann am buaireadh sinn, ach saor sinn o olc. Amen.

Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy Name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven: Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation. Amen.

Suffrages

S. A Thighearna, taisbean dhuinn do thròcair.

F. Agus deònaich dhuinn do shlàinte.

S. Sgeadaich do mhinistearan le fìreantachd.

F. Agus dèan do shluagh taghta aoibhneach.

S. A Thighearna, sàbhail do shluagh.

F. Agus beannaich d’ oighreachd.

S. Thoir sìth nar lìnn-sa, a Thighearna.

F. Do bhrìgh nach eil neach air bith eile a tha ‘cogadh air ar son, ach thusa a mhàin, a Dhé.

S. A Dhé, glan ar cridheachan an taobh a-staigh dhinn.

F. Agus na toir uainn do Spiorad naomh.

P: O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us.

A: And grant us thy salvation.

P: Endue thy Ministers with righteousness.

A: And make thy chosen people joyful.

P: O Lord, save thy people.

A: And Bless thine inheritance.

P: Give peace in our time, O Lord.

A: Because there is none other that fighteth for us, but only thou, O God.

P: O God, make clean our hearts within us.

A: And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.

Second Collect, for Peace.

A Dhé, is tu ùghdar na sìthe agus an tì aig a bheil gràdh do rèite, tha ar beatha shìorraidh a’ seasamh ann an eòlas bhi againn ort, is saorsainn iomlan do sheirbheis; dìon sinne do sheirbheisich umhal ann an uile ionnsaidhibh ar naimhaidean, chum nach bi eagal neart eascairdean air bith oirnne, a tha ‘g earbsadh gu cinnteach ann ad dhìdean, tre chumhachd Iosa Crìosd ar Tighearna. Amen.

O GOD, who art the author of peace, and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom; Defend us, thy humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we surely trusting in thy defence, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Third Collect, for Grace.

A Thighearna ar n-Athair nèamhaidh, a Dhé Uile-chumhachdaich agus mhaireannaich, a thug sinn gu sàbhailte gu toiseach an latha an diugh; dìon sinn ann le d’ mhòr chumhachd, agus deònaich nach tuit sinn ann am peacadh air bith air an latha seo, agus nach ruith sinn ann an gnè air bith de chunnart; ach gum bi ar n-uile dhèanadais air an stiùireadh le d’ riaghailt-sa, chum gun dèan sinn do ghnàth, an nì sin a tha fìrinneach nad shealladh, trìd Iosa Crìosd ar Tighearna. Amen.

O LORD, our heavenly Father, Almighty and ever-lasting God, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day: Defend us in the same with thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance, to do always that is righteous in thy sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the Clergy and People

A Dhé Uile-chumhachdaich agus mhaireannaich, a tha, nad aonar, ag oibreachadh mhìorbhailean mòra; cuir Spiorad slàinteil do ghràis a nuas air ar n-Easbaigibh, agus air ar Buachaillibh spioradail, agus air gach uile Cho-thional a tha fo ‘n curam; agus a chum ‘s gum fìor-thoilich iad thu, dòirt a nuas orra sìor-dhrùchd do bheannachaidh. Deònaich seo, a Thighearna, air son onair ar Fir-tagraidh agus ar n-Eadar-mheadhanair, Iosa Crìosd. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, who alone workest great marvels; Send down upon our Bishops and Curates, and all Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace; And that they may truly please thee, pout upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer of St. Chrysostom

A Dhé Uile-chumhachdaich, a thug dhuinn gràs anns an àm seo ar n-ath-chuingean choitcheann a dhèanamh riut le aon rùn, agus a tha gealltainn, an uair a chruinnicheas dithis no triùir an ceann a chèile nad Ainm, gun toir thu dhaibh an iarrtais; Co-lìon a nis, A Thighearna, miannan agus iarrtais do sheirbheiseach, mar is ro-fheumail e dhaibh; a’ deònachadh dhuinn anns an t-saoghal seo eòlas air d’ fhìrinn, agus anns an t-saoghal a tha ri teachd a’ bheatha mhaireannach. Amen.

Almighty God, who hast given us grace, at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise, that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name, thou wilt grant their requests: Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.

Gràs ar Tighearna Iosa Crìosd, agus gràdh Dhé, agus co-chomann an Spioraid Naoimh gun robh maille rinn uile gu sìorraidh. Amen.                                                            2 Cor. xiii. 14.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.                                          2 Cor. xiii. 14.