A Guide to the Office of Deacon

Within the Gnostic Mass, the Deacon plays a much more important and complicated role than is often understood. Moreover, very little is written about this office and it is hard to gain insight beyond the text of Liber XV. Moreover, the various ritual tasks of the Deacon are not all detailed within the canon, and it is to this end that this Guide is offered.

Quite simply, this essay is intended to offer guidance regarding the more practical aspects of the office of Deacon within The Gnostic Mass. It is not easy to write such a guide, because every sanctuary has unique customs and so it is impossible to address all possible variations. Therefore, this essay should not be seen as comprehensive at all, but rather as a set of helpful suggestions given from an experienced participant.

For a much more detailed treatise on the role of Deacon, Advice for Deacons [PDF] is highly recommended, along with other essays by T Polyphilus, a bishop of EGC.

This Guide is not an official document of OTO or EGC, although it attempts to conform with the general policies of the Church and the rulings of the Primate. Any questions on Liber XV and its performance should be directed to one's supervising bishop.

The Deacon wears a white robe, with something yellow. No description is given for the yellow item, although it can be almost anything within reason (other than something worn on the head, which is, by convention, a vestment reserved for the Priest). However, considering the historical sources of the Mass, the following traditional vestments would all be appropriate.

Stole. A kind of scarf that covered the shoulders and fell down in front of the body. The likely origin was from the office for Imperial officials in the Roman Empire. In the Roman Catholic Church, stoles are conferred at the ordination of a deacon. In general terms, it symbolizes both service and the spreading of the Word, both of which are apt for the EGC deacon. It is possible to wear it with the ends hanging loose, connected, or crossed.
Sash/Belt/Girdle. A sash is essentially a stole that is used as a belt, specifically to be used with a robe, and was originally used in a military context. A sash can also be worn from left shoulder to right hip diagonally across the body and connected at the ends. When the belt is a cord with tasseled ends, it is called a cincture or girdle.
Tabard. Traditionally, a short coat, usually sleeveless. It is mostly used in heraldry, often emblazoned with a coat of arms.
Surplice. A tunic with wide sleeves that hangs between the hip and the knees.
Chasuble. Designed to be worn over a robe, it is akin to a poncho in shape—being more or less oval with a hole in the center for the head.
Dalmatic. Worn over the liturgical robe by deacons in the RCC, it is a long, wide-sleeved tunic. It dates back to the 4th century.

Setup

Every EGC temple is different and has different set up needs—however, the following tasks are common. It is appropriate for the Deacon to attend to such tasks when possible so that the Priest and Priestess can concentrate on getting ready. It would also be reasonable to recruit the Children to assist.

Tidy up the space; straighten up chairs and furniture as needed.
Put out missals for guests, if the temple has them (both missals and guests).
Refresh low candles.
Put a new charcoal in the censer.
Prepare the Mass Record (if the temple uses one).

Questions for the Priest and Priestess

Do not assume that you know what your Priest and Priestess will want, even if you have worked with them before. Of course, many sanctuaries have well-established conventions and so some things will be taken as a given. Even in such cases, however, if there is a new or visiting Mass officer, it is best not to assume they do it the way you are used to. The following questions are good to ask to make sure the ceremony goes smoothly.

Does the team have any changes, such as using an alternate anthem?
Any preferences on sitting and standing for the People?
Does the Priestess keep her Sword after using it to open the tomb? If not, when does she want to hand it off and where should you put it? (If this happens to you without instruction, it is appropriate to put it on the Altar)
When you give the Priestess the Robe and Crown, should it be one at a time, or should you bring both together? Also, you might ask as to how they are put together so when you hand them to the Priestess, she can put them on the Priest easily.
When the Priest and Priestess approach the High Altar, how does he wish to hand off the Lance to you?
How many times should the bell ring during the raising of the Host and Graal?
Any instruction regarding marshaling during Communication?
Does the Priestess have instructions for Communication, such as her boundaries (e.g. does she invite touching or not) and if Communicants should wait at the bottom of the steps.
Anything else they want the People to know?

Pre-Mass Actions

Double check to see that all Liber XV items are in place, including:
- The Priest's robe and crown
- The graal (with wine)
- A copy of Liber AL on the fire altar
- Your copy of the Collects (if you use one)
Light candles and charcoal
Give the five-minute warning. It is considerate to give the People a warning that the celebration will be starting soon. There are several important points that can be made here:
- Brief statement that the Mass will be starting shortly
- Offer missals
- Point out the donation jar (if your body uses one). This will be far more effective if the receptacle is passed around.
- If relevant, either you or a body officer can make general community announcements.
Banishing. There is no consensus regarding pre-Mass banishing, or why it often seems to be a duty of the deacon. Liber XV itself does not call for it, and an argument can be made that the Creed acts as an effective invocation/banishing ritual. However, if the Priest and/or Priestess would like one, or if it would help prepare you, then by all means perform one as long as it is before the People enter the temple.
Deacon Rap. This should be given just prior to the Mass beginning, when everything and everyone is ready to start.

The Deacon Rap is the pre-Mass welcome and instruction given to the People by the Deacon and usually accompanied by the Children. This is not an official part of Liber XV, and so isn't required, but it is so useful that it has become common practice. There is no set way to deliver it, nor is there any standardized content. However, several important topics are highly recommended, which follow below.

The Deacon Rap should be kept short—no more than three or so minutes. Any questions not directly related to performance during the Mass should be directed towards a clergy member or the body master after the ceremony. This initial interaction between the Deacon and the People can set the tone for the entire Mass. If it is done with confidence, humor, and efficiency, it can start off the Mass on a strong, positive note.

Welcome

Deacon with the two Children enter Narthex (or other gathering place for the People). Greet the People with the Law. Welcome them to the celebration of Liber XV, the Gnostic Mass, and name your sanctuary and local body, as well as the Church and the Order.

Introduction

Name the Priest, Priestess, Children, and yourself as Deacon.

Elements

Quickly asks if anyone prefers water to wine, and if anyone has brought their own Cakes of Light. Children make note of this, along with a careful headcount (so they can make sure there are enough Cakes and glasses of wine/water), and then retire to the temple.

Instruction

If there is even one person who is unfamiliar with the Mass, go over the participatory elements. If so, offer them a missal at this point if you didn't during the five-minute warning. Explain that the Mass is a participatory ritual, which includes steps, signs, recitations, and partaking of the eucharist (note that EGC policy allows first-time guests to refuse Communication). Then display the steps and signs—don’t give too much detail; simply tell them to look to you for when to perform them. Be sure to mention Communication. The bare necessities are: approach the Priestess, eat a whole Cake of Light, drink a whole Cup of Wine, and, in the Sign of Resurrection, make the Declaration—“There is no part of me that is not of the gods.”

Ritual Announcements

Mention things such as Baptisms, Confirmations, Ordinations, and people being noted, such as for the recently born or deceased. Provide relevant instructions for these events.

A Quick Guide to the Steps and Signs

Dieu Garde

The footnote by Crowley within Liber XV states:

“ …feet square [see below], hands, with linked thumbs, held loosely. This is the universal position when standing, unless other direction is given.”

The Step and Sign of a Man and a Brother

The editorial note by Hymenaeus Beta, Frater Superior, O.T.O., in Magick, Book IV, pp. 775-776, states: “ To give the… Step [and Sign] of a Man and a Brother, stand perfectly erect, your feet formed into a square (i.e. a 90° angle, left foot pointing forward, right foot pointing right with the right heel in the hollow of the left foot.) … Take a short pace with your left foot, bringing the right heel into its hollow. … Hold the hands open with the fingers together. Place your right hand level, with the thumb extended in a square and pointed at the throat, just left of the windpipe. Draw the hand smartly across the throat to the right, and drop it to the side.“

The Hailing Sign of a Magician

The editorial note by Hymenaeus Beta, in Magick, Book IV, p. 776, states: “ To give the Hailing sign of a Magician, hold the hands open with the fingers together. Press the right hand against the left breast, extending the thumb upward to form a square. Throw the left hand up, with the left arm horizontal from the shoulder to the elbow, and perpendicular from the elbow to the ends of the fingers, the thumb and forefinger forming a square.”

Kneeling in Adoration

As it states in the main text of Liber XV, “ …they kneel in adoration, their hands joined palm to palm, and raised above their heads. All imitate this motion.“

The Deacon Rap: An Example

Deacon: (Enters narthex with Children.) Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

People: Love is the law, love under will.

Children: (Make headcount)

Deacon: Welcome to our celebration of Liber XV, the Gnostic Mass, here at [ Sanctuary], E.G.C., [local body], O.T.O. Our Priest tonight is Brother , the Priestess is Sister , our two Children are Sister and Brother , and I am your Deacon, Brother __.

Is there anyone here who would prefer water to wine? (Negative Child takes note). Has anyone brought their own Cakes of Light? (Positive Child collects them on Paten. Then both Children return to the Temple for final preparations).

Liber XV is a participatory ritual, and by entering the temple, you are signifying that it is your will to join in all the recitations, steps, signs, and especially in communication. Here are some missals for those unfamiliar with the Mass. The steps and signs consist of: Dieu Garde (stand thus) which is the position we take when standing; the Step and Sign of a Man and a Brother (show); the Hailing Sign of the Magician (show); and kneeling in Adoration (show). Please join the Priest the first time he thumps his chest with his fist. It can be difficult to remember when to perform all these—simply look to me and do them when I do.

Communication consists of approaching the Priestess, eating a Cake of Light, drinking a whole cup of wine, and then folding your arms over your chest and declaring, “There is no part of me that is not of the gods.”

Allow me check to see that everything is ready… (checks on priest and priestess for the final go, and then returns to the People). Let us enter!

It is possible to see the Deacon as the ritual steward. She is largely responsible for the mundane aspects of the rite while also playing her own magical role. As such, there is actually a lot to juggle, including…

Setting the initial pace. You are the first officer the People interact with, and what you do can help determine how the ritual kicks off. Be sure to be mindful of your mood and attitude, and make any adjustments you deem necessary to start the ritual off in a positive way.
Leading the People. You are, in a sense, the conductor of the congregation. Keeping everyone together in performing the steps, signs, and recitations, as well as in sitting and standing, is vital. Do not be afraid to be assertive when you need to be…you are in charge.
Assisting the Priest and Priestess. You need to keep a careful eye on your Mass team, because you never know when you will be summoned to act. At any moment they might need you to do something.
Guiding the Children. It is not uncommon for Children to be newer members of the Church. As such, they might be inexperienced with the ritual, and possibly get lost during it. It is partially your job to redirect them when they go off the map.
Maintaining ritual integrity. You are the gatekeeper, sentinel, and caretaker of the ritual. If anything goes wrong or is about to, it is your duty to take care of it. Small fires, rowdy guests, skipping CDs, noisy open windows, uncomfortable room temperature, malfunctioning furniture, spilled wine, and all other minor catastrophes are yours to fix. It would be a very good idea to work with your local body leadership to come up with plans for more extreme circumstances, such as when you need to eject someone or when the entire temple needs to be evacuated.

Magick

This Guide does not presume to explain the magical provenance or significance of the Deacon. Br. T. Polyphilus' Advice is recommended as an excellent entry to the topic. Rather, this section is a general reminder of the importance of exploring the magical function of your role in the Mass. This exploration should include academic research, conversations with experienced deacons, and especially dialog with your own supervising bishop.

It is further recommended to come up with your own ways to prepare spiritually just before celebrating the Mass. This might include such things as assuming an appropriate god form, intoning a prayer (say, from the Stele of Revealing), taking yourself through a visualization, or simply meditating in a quiet corner of the temple. You do not need to be an ascended master to do a good job as a deacon; just remind yourself that the more you understand about the spiritual/magical nature of the deacon, the more powerful your contribution will be.

Stage Directions

The instructions in Liber XV for stage directions, such as sitting and standing, are incomplete and in places contradictory. In the online version of The Gnostic Mass (With Annotations and Commentary) by Helena and Tau Apiryon, the U.S. Primate implies that stage directions are not necessarily restricted to what is literally given in Liber XV. This being the case, there is some room for making decisions that are not in the text. Remember to ask your Priest/ess team, and your supervising bishop, what they prefer.

Sitting and Standing

The following directions are given for your consideration. The asterisks note instructions given in Liber XV; otherwise, you need to make your own decisions based upon the requests of the Priest/ess and your supervising bishop.

Stand: when everyone is first gathered in the temple and you take your place at the fire altar. This way, they are standing for the proclamation of the Law and it is easier to go into the Step and Sign of a Man and Brother.
Sit: after the Priestess arrives and places the paten on the altar. This is not in the script, but there is a later instruction to stand, and this is a good sitting point.
Stand*: when the Priest closes the veil. Alternatively, the People can stand earlier just as the Priestess begins stroking the Lance. This way they are standing for the two Hailing Signs and the procession of the Priestess to the High Altar.
Adoration*: at end of the Priest’s circumambulations.
Stand*: at the beginning if the Calendar (with the Hailing Sign).
Sit: just before the Collects. This is actually a contradiction to the text. However, as Sabazius notes, “This direction is given again immediately before the Deacon is to intone the tenth collect: 'Death'. The instruction to stand for the 'Death' Collect was added by Crowley for the MTP edition of 1929/30, and should, therefore, take precedence over this direction.”
Stand*: at the 'Death' Collect.
Sit*: at end of collects

Running through the Mass

A renewed disclaimer

I am not a bishop of EGC and am not herein presuming ecclesiastical authority. This Guide is offered as a reference from my own 10+ years of deaconal experience. Authority to make ritual decisions comes from your own supervising bishop.

Entry of the People

Enter temple with the People and take your place at the small altar
Have all rise if they have taken their seats
Take the BotL and approach the High Altar
Bow, kiss AL three times, and put it on the super-altar (the text does not say to bow before the steps or on the dais, although the former seems to be implied)
Turn to the People
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. I proclaim the Law of Light, Life, Love, and Liberty in the name of IAO.
All: Love is the law, love under will.
Return to the small altar, facing towards the High Altar
If not already standing, instruct the People to rise
Give the step and sign of a Man and a Brother
Recite the Creed

Entry of the Priestess

Priestess: Greeting of Earth and Heaven!

Give the Hailing Sign

Priestess ascends the steps of the High Altar and places the Paten before the Graal.

All may sit, if you choose this point

Ascension of the Priest and Priestess

As Priestess begins her serpentine dance, it is a good idea to move out of the way. A good place is below the steps to one side of the High Altar. This way you are in a good position to grab the vestments.
When the Priestess is at the tomb, be ready to take her sword if she needs you to. If you do, simply place it on the High Altar.
Priestess: Be the Priest fervent of body and soul!
Take the Robe from High Altar, and bring it to the Priestess. Return to High Altar.
Priestess: Be the Priest pure of body and soul!
Bring her the Crown
Return to the small altar
Give the Hailing Sign at “Be the LORD present among us!”
Give the Hailing Sign again when the Priest raises the Lance
When the Priest leads the Priestess to the High Altar, either kneel or move to the side
Priest hands you the Lance (discuss beforehand at exactly what point he wants to do this)
Have all rise when Priest closes the Veil
Follow the Priest during his circumambulations
At the end of the third circle, take your place at the small altar and kneel in adoration. It is a nice touch to remain standing until both children are in place and all descend together.
Priest: …there is no God where I am.
Stand and give the Hailing Sign
Recite the Calendar.

The Collects

Although you may read these, it is still good practice to become as familiar with them as possible beforehand, so that the text is there more as a reminder. It is not as powerful to have your face buried in a book, especially if you tend to read in a stilted way.

Priest: after reciting the ”…HAGIOS, HAGIOS, HAGIOS IAO“ invocation, he kneels and stretches his arms along the thighs of the Priestess. Have all sit

Recite the Collects. For the “So mote it be”s, it is okay to make a gesture, but do not knock or speak instruction.

The Sun.
The Lord.
The Moon.
The Lady.
The Saints.

Ring the Bell if a ceremony of Confirmation follows the Mass
At each name, sign a cross with thumb between index and middle fingers.
According to bishop Tau Polyphilus, the pronunciations for the saints are:

Lao-tzu: Lau (cow)-dzuh
Siddhartha: Sid-ahr-tah
Krsna: Kreesh-nah
Tahuti: Tah-hoo-tee
Mosheh: Moe-shay
Dionysus: Di-uh-ni-sus
Mohammed: Moh-hah-mehd
To Mega Therion: Toh Meh-gah Theh-ree-ohn
Hermes: Her-meez
Pan: Pan
Priapus: Prye-ape-us
Osiris: Oh-sye-rus
Melchizedek: Mell-kee-dek
Khem: Khem
Amoun: Ah-moon
Mentu: Mahn-too
Heracles: Hair-uh-kleez
Orpheus: Or-fee-us
Odysseus: Oh-dis-see-us
Vergilius: Vur-gil-lee-us
Catullus: Kah-tool (wool)-us
Martialis: Mar-shee-ahl-iss
Rabelais: Rah-blay
Swinburne: Swin-burn
Apollonius Tyanaeus: Ap-poh-lohn-ee-us Tee-uh-nee-us
Simon Magus: Sigh-mun May-gus
Manes: Mah-neez
Pythagoras: Pih-thag-or-us
Basilides: Buh-sil-id-eez
Valentinus: Val-un-tine-us
Bardesanes: Bar-duh-sahn-eez
Hippolytus: Hip-pahl-it-us
Merlin: Mur-lin
Arthur: Ahr-thur
Kamuret: Ka-moo-ray
Parzival: Par-tsif-ahl
Carolus Magnus: Kahr-oh-lus Mahg-nus
William of Schyren: Will-yuhm of Sheer-en

Frederick of Hohenstaufen: Fred-uh-rik uhv Hoh-en-stau(cow)-fen
Roger Bacon: Rah-jer Bay-kun
Jacobus Burgundus Molensis: Yah-koh-bus Bur-guhn-dus Moh-len-sis
Christian Rosenkreutz: Kris-tee-ahn Roh-zen-kroits
Ulrich von Hutten: Ool-rikh fohn Hoo-ten
Paracelsus: Pair-uh-sell-suss
Michael Maier: Mike-uhl Mye-ur
Roderic Borgia: Rahd-er-ik Bor-zhah
Jacob Boehme: Yah-kohb Bay-muh
Francis Bacon Lord Verulam: Fran-sis Bay-kun Lord Ver-oo-lahm
Andrea: Ahn-dray-uh
Robertus de Fluctibus: Ro-bare-tus day Fluk-ti-bus
Johannes Dee: Yoh-hahn-es Dee
Edward Kelly: Ed-wurd Kell-ee
Thomas Vaughan: Tahm-us Vawn
Elias Ashmole: Ill-eye-us Ash-mohl
Molinos: Mohl-ee-nohs
Adam Weishaupt: Ah-duhm Vice-haupt
Wolfgang von Goethe: Vohlf-gahng fohn Goh-tuh
Ludovicus Rex Bavariae: Loo-doh-vee-kus Rex Ba-vahr-ee-ay
Richard Wagner: Ree-khard Vahg-ner
Alphonse Louis Constant: Ahl-fohnss Loo-ee Kohn-stahnt
Friedrich Nietzche: Freed-rikh Nee-tschuh
Hargrave Jennings: Har-grave Jen-ings
Carl Kellner: Karl Kell-ner
Forlong dux: For-long dooks(books)
Richard Francis Burton: Rich-uhrd Fran-sis Bur-tun
Richard Payne Knight: Rich-uhrd Pain Nite
Paul Gaugin: Pohl Goh-gan
Doctor Gerard Encausse: Dok-tuhr Zha-rahrd On-kohss
Theodor Reuss: Tay-oh-dor Royss
Aleister Crowley: Al-iss-tuhr Crow-lee

The Earth.
The Principles.
Birth. (Ring the Bell to mark the birth of a child)
Marriage. (Ring the Bell as part of a Wedding Ceremony)
Death. (Gesture for all to stand)
The End. (Ring the Bell to commemorate a Greater Feast. Remember, only you say the three AUMGNs)

Have all sit
After the Collects, unless the Priest or Priestess need you for something, there is little else for you to do until Communication. However, don't blank out here; stay alert and ready to act.

Anthem

Generally the Deacon does not join in the Anthem. However, if there is a sparse congregation, it is okay to recite the Anthem to help fill the space or balance the genders. Also, you may read both male and female parts if necessary, regardless of your own gender.

Communication and Exit

The instruction in Liber XV states that the Deacon “marshals” the congregants who “advance one by one to the altar”. To marshal can mean to “arrange in order” or to “usher or lead ceremoniously”. However, since the instruction states that the congregant advances to the altar one by one, it is implied that the Deacon does not usher each to the steps. Rather, the text implies that the Deacon first orders the People and then each approaches alone to the Altar.

How you “order” the People will derive from a combination of the particulars of the temple space, the size and make-up of the congregation, and the traditions of the local sanctuary. Here are three common methods:

Stay at your station at the small altar and gesture to each congregant in turn to advance, often in a counterclockwise (widdershins) direction.
Leave your station and move within the congregation. This can be a useful method with larger congregations that are more jumbled and so have no obvious order. However, this way of marshaling seems to be falling out of favor within the Church.
Instruct everyone to stand and arrange them in a sensible order—either a line or a circle, depending on the particulars of the group and the space—so that the entire congregation moves in procession as each person communicates. The pro to this is that it seems to align closely with the instruction and is preferred for large congregations (say, over 40) as it makes communication much more efficient. The con for it is that everyone has to stay standing, which can become tedious at a point when the energy should stay strong and focused. For very large groups (say, over 60) this method can be tweaked by forming the line in batches of 10, which is considerate for the people at the end and is yet again more efficient.

For Masses without Children, you will probably need to fill in by offering the sacrament to the communicants. Again, how this is done will depend on too many factors to detail here. However, if you are in this position, it would be a good idea to determine beforehand how you will order the People so that you can assist the team and have Communication go smoothly.

After the last communicant has taken her seat, resume your position at the small altar
After the benediction, follow the Priest into the Tomb

Two common EGC ceremonies that require the participation of a deacon are Baptism and Confirmation. It would be wise to become familiar with these rituals. You can find them on Sabazius' site. Officially, only the Candidates are to communicate at these Masses. While not in the script, a very nice option is to have all the People stand while the newly baptized/confirmed members communicate.

A Ceremony of Baptism

Place a chair for the Candidate(s) by the Tomb. It would be a good idea to inform them beforehand where they are expected to sit (if the Priest/ess has not already done so).
If you give the “Deacon's Rap” before the Mass, be sure to mention the Baptism ceremony and any instruction the Priest/ess wants them to know
To avoid seating confusion, you might have the Candidates be the first to enter the Temple
Take your place at the small altar
Face East

Apo Pantos Kakodaimonos (with the gesture detailed in the Star Ruby)

Turn West towards the Candidates who should be sitting by the Tomb
Invite both the Candidates and their sponsors to advance to the Font. E.g. “Will the Candidates and their sponsors please advance”, giving a gesture where you want them.

Every man and every woman is a star. We are all born free, independent, shining gloriously, each one a radiant world, according to the Law of Liberty. Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

Then you will normally need to move aside for the Priest or Priestess. Ask in advance where they want you.

Priest/ess: …Candidate, say after me: I will know my own Will. I will do my own Will. I will rejoice in the Will of my God. Candidate repeats.

Lord of Life and Joy, grant unto this Candidate the Power of the Holy Spirit to persevere in this intention, and to grow in Knowledge and Understanding.

Priest/ess consecrates the Elements.

Under what name do you approach baptism?

Normally you will then prepare the Candidate by having her kneel before the Font and then placing a towel around the shoulders.

The Candidate is baptized. Candidate stands.

With the Priest and Priestess: We receive thee into the Gnostic and Catholic Church of Light, Life, Love and Liberty, the Word of whose Law is THELEMA.

Priest/ess intones the blessing

Ring the bell, 333-55555-333

Now I begin to pray: Thou Child,
Holy Thy name and undefiled!
Thy reign is come; Thy will is done.
Here is the Bread; here is the Blood.
Bring me through midnight to the Sun!
Save me from Evil and from Good!
That Thy one crown of all the Ten
E'en now and here be mine. AMEN.

Move again to your assigned “out of the way” place for the ending of the ceremony

A Ceremony of Confirmation

Be sure a small vial of Oil of Abramelin is placed on the small altar or is nearby, ready to be placed there immediately after Mass
Similar to Baptism, place a chair for the Candidate(s) by the Tomb
If you give the “Deacon's Rap” before the Mass, be sure to mention the Confirmation ceremony and any instruction the Priest/ess wants them to know
To avoid seating confusion, you might have the Candidates be the first to enter the Temple

Mass is celebrated. Remember to strike the bell just before the Saints Collect. The officers come out into the main temple space and take their places for the ceremony. All are to be clad only in plain white robes. Ask the officiants beforehand where you should remove your yellow vestments (i.e. in the Tomb after the Mass or elsewhere).

Take your place at the small altar

To the Candidates: Please rise.

Then to the Congregation: Brothers and Sisters, soldiers of Thelema, these individuals seek to make firm their fellowship with us as rightful claimants to the heirship, communion and benediction of the Saints of the True Church of Old Time. Is it your will to witness their confirmations? All should reply with “It is”.

Move to your “out of the way” position, determined beforehand

…Priest/ess intones the blessing

Ring the bell, 333-55555-333