| Prayer of Ablution This prayer is to be said while washing ones' hands in preparation for many of the other rites and rituals of the Religio R�mana. "Haec aqua � corpore impurit�t�s, mod� simil� plumb� mutand� in aurum, �luat. Purget mentem. Purget carnem. Purget animum. Ita sit!" (Which, translated, means "May this water cast out all of impurities from my body as from lead to gold. Let it purify my mind. Let it purify my body. Let it purify my heart. So may it be.") |
| Daily Lararium Rite The Paterfamilias (or Materfamilias) of the Gens has the ultimate responsibility for setting precedents regarding the worship conducted at the household shrine to the Lar(es) (the Lararium). While every family will have a different specific formula for honoring the Lar(es) and Di Penates (the Gods of the family and the home, respectively), the following is offered as a model. At the very least, some sort of prayer to the Lar(es) and Di Penates should be made every day. There is no need to be capite velato (with the head covered) on regular days for prayers, nor any lucerna lit or incense offered. Having washed his hands while saying the Prayer of Ablution, the Paterfamilias begins the rite. When (adoratio) is indicated, one raises the right hand to the lips, kisses the fingertips of the right hand, and then extends the hand out in offering. The body should also be swung (twisted) once, left to right, so that the hand is moved sideways in a "general offering" motion. In front of the Lararium the Paterfamilias calms his breathing, and meditates silently for a moment to "center" himself. "Salv� L�r Famili�ris (adoratio). Salv�te D� Pen�t�s (adoratio). Salv� Geni Patris Famili�s (adoratio). Salv� Vesta Mater. (adoratio)" "Ita sit!" "Quod bonum faustum f�l�x f�rt�n�tum sal�t�reque sit mihi (the breast is touched with the right hand), Gent� Apoll�niae ac nati�n� Novae R�mae universae. Ita sit!" "�licet!" The adoratio is once more made, twisting the body from right to left as it is done. The rite is ended. |
| Kalends Ritual While the Lar(es) and Di Penates are honored every day in the pious R�man household, the Kalends (Kalendae or Calendae) (first day of the month) are days when a more elaborate ceremony should be observed. The Kalends in particular are sacred to Iuno Regina (Juno Queen of the Gods). It originally represented the day of the New Moon under the older Roman lunar calendar. "Calare" means to convoke a religious assembly to announce dates. The Kalends ritual is performed at the Lararium (the household shrine). The Kalends ritual is usually celebrated early in the morning at sunrise by the head of the household (usually the eldest male). If circumstances (or family tradition) dictate, it may be performed at noon or before sunset. No sexual activity is permitted prior to the rite. The performer of the rite does not break his fast prior to performing the rite (if celebrated at sunrise); only a little tea or coffee is permitted. Before the rite the Paterfamilias washes his hands (having also previously bathed or showered beforehand) while saying the Ablution Prayer. He veils his head (capite velato) in preparation for the rite. This is done to prevent him from seeing any ill omens during the performance of the rite. Facing the Lararium, the Paterfamilias lights the Lucerna (sacred lamp or candle) and burns some preliminary incense in the turibulum (a metal bowl in which incense etc. may be burned) designated for "incense only" in front of the Lararium before the rite in order to purify the place. The Paterfamilias incenses himself also. In front of the Lararium the Paterfamilias calms his breathing, and meditates silently for a moment to "center" himself. "Salv� I�ne Pater M�t�t�ne (adoratio). Admitte m� (touch the right hand to the breast) c�ram n�minibus l�centi�s." Incense is then burned in the turibulum to Janus God of Doorways, who will open the path between the mortal world and that of the Gods. "Salv� I�n� R�g�na (adoratio). T� precor quaes�que ut� d�s mihi (the breast is touched with the right hand) dom� familiaeque nostrae firmit�tem ac f�l�cit�tem in opere nostr�." Incense is then burned in the turibulum to Juno Queen of the Gods. " Ita sit!" "Salv� � Phoebe Apollo Min�rvaque. (adoratio). V�s precor ut� s�tis volent�s mihi (the breast is touched with the right hand) Gent�que Apoll�niae propiti�. V�b�s offer� hoc th�s." Incense is then burned in the turibulum to the patron Gods and Goddesses of the Gens. "Ita sit!" "Salv� L�r Famili�ris (adoratio). Salv�te D� Pen�t�s (adoratio). Salv� Geni (the forehead is touched with the right hand) Patris Famili�s (adoratio). Salv� Vesta Mater (adoratio). V�b�s offer� pur� corde hunc panem [farreum*] et V�s omn�s d�tis mihi (the breast is touched with the right hand) dom�, familiaeque nostrae val�t�dinem ac fel�cit�tem in opere nostr�." [* if far cake is available] A small piece of far cake or bread on which some drops of wine were sprinkled, and incense are offered. "Ita sit!" "I�ppiter Pater et V�s D� Invoc�t�, s� quidquam fuit V�b�s ingr�tum in stipe a m� (the breast is touched with the right hand) obl�t�, accipite hoc piaculum." Incense is then burned in the turibulum as a piaculum (atonement) to Jupiter and to all the gods in the event that something had been wrong or for any unintentional mistakes in the rite. "Ita vultis Ita est!" The Paterfamilias makes the adoratio, and a closing prayer is spoken. "Quod bonum faustum f�l�x f�rt�n�tum sal�t�reque sit mihi (the breast is touched with the right hand) Gent� Apoll�niae ac nati�n� Novae R�mae �niversae. Ita sit!" "�licet!" The adoratio is once more made, turning the body from right to left as it is done. The flame of the Lucerna or candle is extinguished. The rite is ended. |
| Nones Ritual While the Lar(es) and Di Penates are honored every day in the pious R�man household, the Nones (N�nae), celebrated on either the 5th or 7th day of the month (specifically, the 7th in March, May, July, and October), are days when a more elaborate ceremony should be observed. The Nones are sacred to Iuno Covella (Juno of the Hollow Moon). The Nones ritual is usually celebrated early in the morning at sunrise by the head of the household (usually the eldest male). If circumstances (or family tradition) dictate, it may be performed at noon or before sunset. No sexual activity is permitted prior to the rite. The performer of the rite does not break his fast prior to performing the rite (if celebrated at sunrise); only a little tea or coffee is permitted. Before the rite the Paterfamilias washes his hands (having also bathed beforehand) while saying the Ablution Prayer. He veils his head (capite velato) in preparation for the rite. This is done to prevent him from seeing any ill omens during the performance of the rite. The Paterfamilias lights the Lucerna (sacred lamp or candle) and burns some preliminary incense in the turibulum (a metal bowl in which incense etc. may be burned) designated for "incense only" in front of the Lararium before the rite in order to purify the place. The Paterfamilias incenses himself also. In front of the Lararium the Paterfamilias calms his breathing, and meditates silently for a moment to "center" himself. "Salv� I�ne Pater M�t�t�ne (adoratio). Admitte m� (touch the right hand to the breast) c�ram n�minibus l�centi�s." Incense is then burned in the turibulum to Janus God of Doorways, who will open the path between the mortal world and that of the gods. "Salv� I�n� Covella (adoratio) s�ve qu� ali� nomine T� appell�r� vel�s. T� precor quaes�que ut� d�s mihi (the breast is touched with the right hand) dom� familiaeque nostrae bonam sal�tem et f�l�cit�tem in opere nostr�." Incense is then burned in the turibulum to Iuno Covella. "Ita sit!" "Salve Phoebe Apollo Min�rvaque (adoratio). V�s precor ut� s�tis volent�s mihi (the breast is touched with the right hand) Gent�que Apoll�niae propiti�. V�b�s offer� hoc th�s." Incense is then burned in the turibulum to the patron God and Goddess of the Gens. "Ita sit!" "Salv� L�r Famili�ris (adoratio). Salv�te D� Pen�t�s (adoratio). Salv� Geni (the forehead is touched with the right hand) Patris Famili�s (adoratio). Salv� Vesta Mater (adoratio). V�b�s offer� pur� corde hunc panem [farreum*] et V�s omn�s d�tis mihi (the breast is touched with the right hand) dom�, familiaeque nostrae val�t�dinem ac fel�cit�tem in opere nostr�." [* if far cake is available] A small piece of far cake sprinkled with drops of wine, and incense are offered. "Ita sit!" "I�ppiter Pater et V�s D� Invoc�t�, s� quidquam fuit V�b�s ingr�tum in stipe a m� (the breast is touched with the right hand) obl�t�, accipite hoc piaculum." Incense is then burned in the turibulum as a piaculum (atonement) to Jupiter and to all the gods in the event that something had been wrong or for any unintentional mistakes in the rite. "Ita vultis Ita est!" The Paterfamilias makes the adoratio, and a closing prayer is spoken. "Quod bonum faustum f�l�x f�rt�n�tum sal�t�reque sit mihi (the breast is touched with the right hand) Gent� Apoll�niae ac nati�n� Novae R�mae universae. Ita sit!" "�licet!" The adoratio is once more made, turning the body from right to left as it is done. The flame of the Lucerna or candle is extinguished. The rite is ended. |
| Ides Ritual While the Lar(es) and Di Penates are honored every day in the pious R�man household, the Ides (�d�s), celebrated on either the 13th or 15th day of the month (specifically, on the 15th in March, May, July, and October), are days when a more elaborate ceremony should be observed. The Ides are sacred to Iuppiter Optimus Maximus (Jupiter Best and Greatest). Under the older Roman lunar calendar, it was the day of the full moon. The Ides ritual is usually celebrated early in the morning at sunrise by the head of the household (usually the eldest male). If circumstances (or family tradition) dictate, it may be performed at noon or before sunset. No sexual activity is permitted prior to the rite. The performer of the rite does not break his fast prior to performing the rite (if celebrated at sunrise); only a little tea or coffee is permitted. Before the rite the Paterfamilias washes his hands (having also previously bathed beforehand) while saying the Ablution Prayer. He veils his head (capite velato) in preparation for the rite. This is done to prevent him from seeing any ill omens during the performance of the rite. When (adoratio) is indicated, one raises the right hand to the lips, kisses the fingertips of the right hand, and then extends the hand out in offering. The body should also be swung (twisted) once, left to right, so that the hand is moved sideways in a "general offering" motion. Facing the Lararium, the Paterfamilias lights the Lucerna (sacred lamp) or candle and burns some preliminary incense in the turibulum (a metal bowl in which incense etc. may be burned) designated for "incense only" in front of the Lararium before the rite in order to purify the place. The Paterfamilias incenses himself also. In front of the Lararium the Paterfamilias calms his breathing, and meditates silently for a moment to "center" himself. "Salv� I�ne Pater M�t�t�ne (adoratio). Admitte m� (touch the right hand to the breast) c�ram n�minibus l�centi�s." Incense is then burned in the turibulum to Janus, God of doorways, who will open the path between the mortal world and that of the Gods. "Salv� I�ppiter Optime M�xime, Pater Omnipot�ns, R�x De�rum hominumque (adoratio), s�ve qu� ali� nomine appell�r� vel�s. S� pietae mereor d� mihi (the breast is touched with the right hand) dom� familiaeque nostrae prosperit�tem ac f�l�cit�tem in opere nostr�." Incense is then burned in the turibulum to Jupiter Best and Greatest, King of the Gods and Men. "Ita sit!" "Salv� Phoebe Apollo Min�rvaque (adoratio). V�s precor ut� s�tis volent�s mihi (the breast is touched with the right hand) Gent�que Apoll�niae propitii. V�b�s offer� hoc th�s." Incense is then burned in the turibulum to the patron God and Goddess of the Gens. "Ita sit!" "Salv� L�r Famili�ris (adoratio). Salv�te D� Pen�t�s (adoratio). Salv� Geni (the forehead is touched with the right hand) Patris Famili�s (adoratio). Salv� Vesta Mater (adoratio). V�b�s offer� pur� corde hunc panem [farreum*] et V�s omn�s d�tis mihi (the breast is touched with the right hand), dom�, familiaeque nostrae val�t�dinem ac fel�cit�tem in opere nostr�." [* if far cake is available] A small piece of far cake (or bread) sprinkled with drops of wine, and incense are offered. "Ita sit!" "I�ppiter Pater et V�s Di Invoc�t�, s� quidquam fuit V�b�s ingr�tum in stipe � m� (the breast is touched with the right hand) obl�t�, accipite hoc piaculum." Incense is then burned in the turibulum as a piaculum (atonement) to Ivppiter and to all the Gods in the event that something had been wrong or for any unintentional mistakes in the rite. "Ita vultis Ita est!" The Paterfamilias makes the adoratio, and a closing prayer is spoken. "Quod bonum faustum f�l�x f�rt�n�tum sal�t�reque sit mihi (the breast is touched with the right hand), Gent� Apoll�niae ac nati�n� Novae R�mae universae. Ita sit!" "�licet!" The adoratio is once more made, turning the body from right to left as it is done. The flame of the Lucerna or candle is extinguished. The rite is ended. |
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