St Bede’s life spans the seventh and eighth centuries. A monk of Jarrow, he produced commentaries on Sacred Scripture and homilies which are still read today.

He wrote this prayer, which you may like to use: ‘Grant us Your light, O Lord, so that the darkness of our hearts may wholly pass away and we may come at last to the Light of Christ. For Christ is that Morning Star who, when the night of this world has passed, brings to His saints the promised light of life and opens to them everlasting day’.

May Christ, the Morning Star, shine upon you this day, and may God bless you.