Lesser Feasts and Fasts, The (LFF)

A collection of proper collects, lessons, and psalms for the eucharist on each of the weekdays of Lent, weekdays of Easter season, and each of the lesser feasts of the church year. It also includes a biographical or historical sketch for the lesser feasts and fixed holy days. The General Convention of the Episcopal Church may amend the calendar of the church year by adding or deleting lesser feasts from the calendar (see BCP, pp. 19-30). Commemorations may be added or deleted with the concurrence of two consecutive General Conventions. Successive editions of Lesser Feasts and Fasts are published as changes are made to the calendar. Each new edition bears in its title the date of the General Convention that determined its listing of commemorations. Lesser Feasts and Fasts was first published for trial use in 1964, with a second edition published in 1973. The third edition, published in 1980, was authorized by General Convention for optional use instead of trial use. The fourth edition, published in 1988, reflected the addition by General Convention of eight commemorations, and six more commemorations that were proposed by General Convention for trial use for a period of three years. Subsequent editions have reflected further amendments to the calendar by General Convention. The 1994 edition included Guidelines and Procedures for Continuing Alteration of the Calendar in the Episcopal Church, as adopted by the 1994 General Convention. The Guidelines identify qualities or traits that will be sought with respect to those who may be added to the list of commemorations in the calendar. Personal qualities or traits include heroic faith, love, goodness of life, joyousness, service to others for Christ's sake, and devotion. The Guidelines also call for recognition by the faithful at local and regional levels; and widespread support for the person's inclusion over a reasonable period of time (“historical perspective”), generally two generations or 50 years. Lesser Feasts and Fasts is published by Church Publishing Incorporated.