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together and are One."
All bowed their heads in unison.
"By Thy blessed apostles, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; by all Thy holy angels; by all
Powers of Light and Shadow, we call Thee to guard and defend us from all perils, O Most
High," Evaine continued. "Thus it is and has ever been, thus it will be for all times to come.
Per omnia saecula saeculorum."
"Amen," all murmured as one voice.
Without opening his eyes, Camber eased himself to his knees, steadied by Joram on his
right. He could hear and feel Anscom brushing past him to ascend the altar and begin the
Mass.
"Introibo ad altare Dei," Anscom intoned. I will go up to the altar of God.
"Ad Deum qui loetificat juventutem meam." To God Who gives joy to my youth. Those
words were Joram's, as he joined Anscom at the altar.
"Judica me, Deus . . ." Judge me, O God, and distinguish my cause from the nation that is
not holy . . .
The Mass continued in its familiar form until Anscom had finished the Collect. As the
final words died away in the stillness, Camber opened his eyes at last, once again allowing
visual input to join other heightened senses.
Rhys and Evaine stood to his left now; and Joram, on his right, helped him to stand.
Anscom, moving to the faldstool which had been set to the left of the altar, sat down
quietly, the miter on his head winking jewel eyes in the candlelight as he took up his
bishop's crozier. His seamed face was ruddy in the glow of the Presence lamp. His tone
was curiously quiet, almost thoughtful, as he spoke.
"Dearly beloved, now stand we all in the house of the Lord, at the center of a universe
which is not ours as we know it. Here, before the Lord of Hosts and those other Powers
which we have summoned, we call before us Camber Kyriell MacRorie, who would be
ordained a priest."
"Adsum," Camber murmured, inclining his head. I am here.
With Joram still at his elbow, he moved forward three steps and knelt again. The taper
he held trembled a little in his hand.
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r r
Joram made a deep reverence. "Reverendissime Pater . . . Most Reverend Father, for the
sake of Holy Mother Church and of those of our kind who have gone before us, I ask you to
ordain the deacon Camber Kyriell MacRorie, here present, to the burden of the Deryni
priesthood."
"Do you know him to be worthy?"
Joram bowed again. "So far as mortal frailty permits one to know, this I know, and I
affirm my faith that he is worthy to undertake the burden of this office."
With a curt nod of acknowledgment, Anscom turned his attention to Rhys and Evaine,
speaking ritual words to which he expected no reply.
"Brothers and sisters, know you that with the help of our Lord, we have chosen for the
order of priesthood the deacon Camber Kyriell. If anyone has ought against this man, let
him speak now, in the Name of the Holy One."
When there was no response, Anscom turned his eyes back on Camber, still kneeling on
the Kheldish carpet with his candle held before him.
"It is the duty of a priest to offer sacrifice, to bless, to preside, to preach, and to baptize.
Also, because a Deryni can truly see into the hearts and souls of men, there are additional
responsibilities imposed upon a Deryni priest. Will you, in the Name of the Lord, receive
the rank of priest?"
"Volo." I will.
"And will you be obedient to your bishop, according to justice and the grade of your
ministry?"
"I will, so help me God."
"Then may God vouchsafe to bring your good and righteous will to the perfection that is
pleasing to Him."
"Amen," Camber responded.
Rising, Anscom took Camber's candle and set it on the altar, Joram likewise taking the
folded chasuble from his father's arm and laying it on the altar as an offering.
Then Camber was lowering his body to the carpet to prostrate himself, as the others
knelt and began the various litanies for the day. Camber let the phrases ripple over him
and carry him to an even more profound inner stillness.
"Kyrie eleison."
"Christe eleison."
"Christe audi nos."
"Sancta Maria ..." .
"Ora pro nobis."
"Sancte Michael..."
"Ora pro nobis." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]