Please join in saying the words printed in bold type.

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The service is sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey.

Order of Service

The choir sings the Introit

Holy is the true light, and passing wonderful, lending radiance to them that endured in the heat of the conflict; from Christ they inherit a home of unfading splendour, wherein they rejoice with gladness evermore. Alleluia!

Words: from the Salisbury Diurnal
Music: William Harris (1883–1973)

All stand as the choir and clergy enter

The officiant welcomes the congregation and says a sentence of Scripture

All remain standing. The officiant and choir sing the Responses

O Lord, open thou our lips
and our mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, and is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Praise ye the Lord.

Thomas Tomkins (1572–1656)

All sit. The choir sings Psalm 25

Unto thee, O Lord, will I lift up my soul; my God, I have put my trust in thee : O let me not be confounded, neither let mine enemies triumph over me.
For all they that hope in thee shall not be ashamed : but such as transgress without a cause shall be put to confusion.
Shew me thy ways, O Lord : and teach me thy paths.
Lead me forth in thy truth, and learn me : for thou art the God of my salvation; in thee hath been my hope all the day long.
Call to remembrance, O Lord, thy tender mercies : and thy loving-kindnesses, which have been ever of old.
O remember not the sins and offences of my youth : but according to thy mercy think thou upon me, O Lord, for thy goodness.
Gracious and righteous is the Lord : therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
Them that are meek shall he guide in judgement : and such as are gentle, them shall he learn his way.
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth : unto such as keep his covenant, and his testimonies.
For thy name's sake, O Lord : be merciful unto my sin, for it is great.
What man is he, that feareth the Lord : him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
His soul shall dwell at ease : and his seed shall inherit the land.
The secret of the Lord is among them that fear him : and he will shew them his covenant.
Mine eyes are ever looking unto the Lord : for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me : for I am desolate, and in misery.
The sorrows of my heart are enlarged : O bring thou me out of my troubles.
Look upon my adversity and misery : and forgive me all my sin.
Consider mine enemies, how many they are : and they bear a tyrannous hate against me.
O keep my soul, and deliver me : let me not be confounded, for I have put my trust in thee.
Let perfectness and righteous dealing wait upon me : for my hope hath been in thee.
Deliver Israel, O God : out of all his troubles.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Chant: John Goss (1800–80)

The Canon-designate is conducted from the Jericho Parlour of the Deanery, by the Chapter Clerk, to the east end of Quire

The Dean and Chapter of Westminster assembles in the Lantern to receive the Canon-designate

The Chapter Clerk presents the Queen's Grant and Mandamus to the Dean. The Dean asks him to read them

Her Majesty's Grant and Mandamus having been read, the Canon-designate reads aloud the Latin Declaration

Ego, Tricia Hillas, Deo teste promitto ac spondeo me veram Christi religionem omni animo amplexurum, Scripturae auctoritatem hominum judiciis praepositurum, regulam vitae et summam ?dei ex verbo Dei petiturum, caetera quae ex verbo Dei non probantur pro humanis habiturum; auctoritatem Regiam in omnibus summam estimaturum; et contrarias verbo Dei opiniones omni voluntate ac mente refutaturum; vera consuetis, scripta non scriptis, in religionis causa antehabiturum.

Deinde me omnia hujus Collegii statuta, jura, libertates, privilegia, praescriptiones, ritus, et consuetudines laudabiles, quae ad me pertinebunt, servaturum. Praeterea me huic Collegio ?delem futurum, nullum ei damnum aut incommodum allaturum, aliorum consilia, coitiones, conjurationes, facta, et dicta quae detrimentum aut infamiam Collegio inferant, repulsurum. Secreta Capituli me non revelaturum: tum Decano, tum Capitulo in omnibus legitimis honestisque morem gesturum, et dignam debitamque legibus et statutis omnibus reverentiam exhibiturum. Tres menses integros per annum in hoc Collegio residentiam servaturum; neque ullam unquam dispensationem contra hoc meum juramentum quaesiturum, aut ab aliis quaesitam aut ablatam accepturum, aut antehac mihi indulta usurum.

Denique me omnia mihi imposita a Decano et Capitulo munera suscepturum, eaque summa cum diligentia et ?de administraturum. Haec omnia in me recipio, Deoque teste me sedulo facturum promitto ac spondeo; tactis sacrosanctis Dei Evangeliis.

I, Tricia Hillas, calling God to witness, promise and vow that I will embrace the true religion of Christ with my whole heart, that I will set the authority of Scripture before human judgments, that I will seek the rule of life, and the whole of faith from the word of God, and all other things which are not proved by the word of God I will hold to be merely human. That I will hold the authority of The Queen to be supreme in all things and I will oppose with my whole will and mind opinions contrary to the word of God. That in the cause of religion I will prefer truth to custom, written law to unwritten law.

Moreover that I will preserve all the statutes of this College, as also the rights, liberties, prescribed privileges, ceremonials, and praiseworthy customs, so far as they concern me. Also that I will be faithful to this College and will bring upon it no harm or hurt. That I will repel all counsels, plots, conspiracies, deeds, and words of others which may bring damage or disgrace upon the College. That I will not reveal the secrets of the Chapter. Moreover that I will obey both Dean and Chapter in all lawful and honourable things, and that I will show worthy and due reverence to all laws and statutes. That I will keep residence in the College three full months in the year; nor will I seek any dispensation contrary to this my oath or accept one sought or offered by others, or make use of one granted to me before this.

Finally that I will undertake all duties imposed on me by the Dean and Chapter, and perform the same with the greatest diligence and good faith. All these things I take upon myself, and calling God to witness promise and vow that I will faithfully perform, holding in my hand the Holy Gospels of God.

The Canons of Westminster return to their stalls. The Dean conducts the new Canon to the vacant stall, and placing her therein says

Cape hanc sedem, ut Dei gloriam tua auctoritate et exemplo illustres, et Corpus Christi in hac Ecclesia aedi?candum diligenter cures: quod ut ef?caciter praestes, Spiritus Sancti gratiam tibi largiatur Dominus. Amen.

Let us pray.

All stand

Almighty God, by whose providence thy servant Tricia is constituted Canon of this Collegiate Church: give unto her such a measure of thy grace, that what she hath here openly promised, and whatsoever her of?ce doth demand, she may most faithfully perform, to the praise and glory of thy name and the enlargement of thy Church: through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

All remain seated for the first Lesson Song of Solomon 4: 16—5: 2; 8: 6, 7

Awake, O north wind, and come, O south wind!
Blow upon my garden that its fragrance may be wafted abroad.
Let my beloved come to his garden, and eat its choicest fruits.

I come to my garden, my sister, my bride; I gather my myrrh with my spice, I eat my honeycomb with my honey, I drink my wine with my milk.

Eat, friends, drink, and be drunk with love.

I slept, but my heart was awake.
Listen! my beloved is knocking.
'Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one;
for my head is wet with dew, my locks with the drops of the night.'
Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm;
for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave.
Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame.
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.
If one offered for love all the wealth of one's house, it would be utterly scorned.

All stand. The choir sings Magnificat

My soul doth magnify the Lord : and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded : the lowliness of his hand-maiden.
For behold, from henceforth : all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me : and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him : throughout all generations.
He hath shewed strength with his arm : he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat : and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things : and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel : as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Evening Canticles in G, Herbert Howells (1892–1983)

All sit for the second Lesson Revelation 3: 14–22

'To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God's creation:

'I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. For you say, "I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing." You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.'

All stand. The choir sings Nunc dimittis

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace : according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen : thy salvation,
which thou hast prepared : before the face of all people;
to be a light to lighten the Gentiles : and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Evening Canticles in G, Herbert Howells

All say together the Apostles' Creed

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 communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

All kneel or sit. The officiant and choir sing the Lesser Litany, the Lord's Prayer, and the Responses

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us. 

Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be 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. Amen.

O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us.
And grant us thy salvation.

O Lord, save The Queen.
And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.

Endue thy ministers with righteousness.
And make thy chosen people joyful.

O Lord, save thy people.
And bless thine inheritance.

Give peace in our time, O Lord.
Because there is none other that fighteth for us, but only thou, O God.

O God, make clean our hearts within us.
And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.

The officiant sings the Collects; of the day, for peace, and for aid against all perils

O Lord, from whom all good things do come; grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that be good, and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels and all just works do proceed: Give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee we being defended from the fear of our enemies may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Lighten our darkness we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Thomas Tomkins

The officiant says the Prayers; for the Royal Family, and for the members of the Order of the Bath

Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness, we humbly beseech thee to bless our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth, Charles Prince of Wales, and all the Royal Family: Endue them with thy Holy Spirit; enrich them with thy heavenly grace; prosper them with all happiness; and bring them to thine everlasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God save our Gracious Sovereign, and all the Brotherhood of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath living and departed. Amen.

All sit. The choir sings the Anthem

Ye choirs of new Jerusalem
your sweetest notes employ,
the paschal victory to hymn
in strains of holy joy.

For Judah's Lion bursts his chains,
crushing the serpent's head;
and cries aloud through death's domains
to wake the imprisoned dead.

Devouring depths of hell their prey
at his command restore;
his ransomed hosts pursue their way
where Jesus goes before.

Triumphant in his glory now
to him all power is given;
to him in one communion bow
all saints in earth and heaven.

While we his soldiers praise our King,
his mercy we implore,
within his palace bright to bring
and keep us evermore.

All glory to the Father be,
all glory to the Son,
all glory, Holy Ghost, to thee,
while endless ages run.
Alleluia! Amen.

Words: Chorus novae Jerusalem, attributed to Fulbert of Chartres (d 1028), translated by Robert Campbell (1814–68)
Music: Charles Villiers Stanford (1852–1924)

All kneel or sit for the Intercessions, at the end of which all say

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.

The Sermon by The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster

The Dean pronounces the Blessing. All respond Amen.

All stand as the clergy depart

Music after the service:

Paean, Herbert Howells

Those who wish to may sit for the remainder of the organ voluntary. Please remember to maintain social distancing when leaving the church