Making Mistakes During Sacra Privita

Salve Soror!

A good question. The ancient tradition indeed gives multiple examples of how the wording of ceremonies must be correct and not interrupted by an error. This is particularly true for the scara publica.

But to get to the meat of the matter, we must ask ourselves the following questionS. Why does proper recitation matter? Why is orthopraxy important?

The answer is simple and found in the virtue of pietas. Pietas for Romans is grounded in duty and respect. When you visit an honored relative or esteemed member of your community, you would rightly provide them respect. You would assist them and honor them by having a sense of duty towards them. You would speak with respect. Provide them thoughtful gifts. You would choose your words with care. If you are pious, you would not speak carelessly or not think about your actions before them. You would not give them a gift that is below what you could provide them.

Pietas towards the gods is no different. You do not provide them with a ceremony that is below the best you can offer. We only offer our patrons, mortal or divine, the very best. Why? Because our sense of duty to the natural and beautiful hierarchies of the universe asks it. Pietas is this very idea of understanding the value in this hierarchy.

Today we live in a world that bucks the notion of hierarchy. But that explains much of what is wrong today. Hierarchies and the respect we provide them give life meaning. They are natural, good, and beautiful. They ask for diligence and, at times, work. But in this work, we find beauty and order. We find meaning and value.

Your sacra privata should be the best you can provide. If you could perform a ceremony better, then you should. Not because you fear the gods. But because you are pious and want to give the gods the best you have because they are worthy of such an honor.

Gemina, thank you for asking this insightful question.

Bene vale.

Salve,

You are doing the right thing, Gemina. The circumstances indicated by you are a violation of the ritual, entailing its repetition until the ritual is performed again. I especially want to note that not only your own mistakes or incorrect actions / inaction can lead to a violation of the ritual, but also reasons completely beyond your control, for example, noise somewhere on the street, unexpected dog barking, etc.
There are three components to be observed when performing a ritual – the right person, the right time and place, and the right course of action. If at least one of these elements is not observed, this does not entail the nullity of the entire sacred act.