COMITIA CENTURIATA SESSION X DEC 8 – 26

Ti. Terentius Varro Cen. Sal.

I will be presiding over this assembly on behalf of Praetor Sp. Gallonius in my capacity as Censor.

A thank you to Augur P. Iunius Brutus for today’s auspices. I hereby open this session with a ceremony conducted this afternoon.

The ceremonial script is hence provided.

Purificatio

(head covered: capite velato)
(wash hands in water)

May this unspoiled and humble water rinse away my impurities. I perform this act in preparation to come before you, the mighty known and unknown divinities, I desire to be pure and to be pleasing. May this simple water, the lifeblood of all mortal things, remove any contamination from my body. May it symbolically cleanse my heart and mind and remind me of the virtues as I come before you. From this act, I hope that my presence is pleasing and non-offensive to you. May I be worthy to offer you my praise and invoke your generous benevolence. It is so.

(Wash hands in bowl filled with fresh water and dry hands)

Praefatio

Depart, oh depart those not here to make the profanus sacer! All remaining your attention! Silence, hold your tounges, this ceremony begins.

Mother Vesta, also known as the perpetual guardian of the hearth, family, and community, queen of perennial fire, protector of the Roman people! Vesta, or unless you prefer some other name, I pray and beseech you to attend this meeting of the Comitia Centuriata (make adoratio). Upon this meeting of the Comitia Centuriata may your favor be present and in doing so allow for good greetings and offerings to be made to you and those Gods and Goddesses which it is good to call upon. In doing so, may you allow pious smoke rise to the heavens. By this act remind me of the noble virtues. Mother Vesta, to you my voice lifts in praise as by this rite and through your benevolence, I am allowed to approach you. As your sacred flame in the past demonstrated your divine good faith, allow your sovereignty to reign over the fire before us. As you attended to the Roman people of old, attend to your Roman people of the present. Queen of perennial fire, on this opening day of the Comitia Centuriata and if it is your will, grant your support aid to all who shall meet to discuss important matters pertaining to our community and cultural nation the Republic. For all these causes, be present and kindle the flames before us! For your kind support, I shall offer milk in hopes that it is pleasing to you.

(light oil lamps and incense coals)

Pater Ianus, from whom all things proceed, biformed God, heavenly gatekeeper, good creator, the God of good beginnings and the years gliding by in silence, who alone among the immortal celestials sees his own back! Ianus, or unless you prefer some other name, I pray and beseech you to attend this Comitia Centuriata meeting (make adoratio). With your kind favor open the way forward and aid our task at hand. Ianus, during this meeting of the Comitia Centuriatafacilitate communication with yourself, and Iupiter, Iuno, Mars, Minerva, Quirinius, Concordia, Victoria, and Vesta, and all the Gods and Goddesses for which it is pious to recognize. Ianus, as you allowed Rome to rise to great heights, allow your Roman people of the present to have good beginnings. As you enabled pious contact with the divine in the past, now allow such contact in the present and future. With a nod open your gleaming gates onto peaceful precincts and favor on this meeting of the Comitia Centuriata which starts today. Provide the citizens with a strong and inspired gathering. In this task may we have your support. May you provide us with steadfast resolution to complete this task to success. Assist us in making this task pleasing to you. Allow our work to inspire others towards the gods and goddesses. May your benevolence in opening this doorway and making available this opportunity facilitate communication with the gods and goddesses and the propagation of cultural Romanitas wordwide. May this work assist others to recognizing and offer praise to you and all the rightful Roman divinities.

It is right to give all offerings to you first. Rightly, I do so now, and towards these ends be increased by this offering of a libation of wine made before you now.

{make offering of wine}

Ianus, it has been done!

Mater Vesta, also known as the perpetual guardian of the hearth, family, and community, queen of perennial fire, protector of the Roman people! If it is your will to attend this meeting of the Comitia Centuriata opening this day, and if it is pleasing to you, be increased by this offering of a libation of milk made before you now.

{make offering of milk}

Vesta, it has been done!

Salutatio

Greetings divine Pater Iupiter! Iupiter Opimus Maximus, savior, unconquered victor, striking, bringer of light, heavenly thunderer, of lighting, and defense! Pater Iupiter of justice, and the Roman people! By whatever name you please, be hallowed. By your majesty attend to this meeting of the Comitia Centuriata opening today. As you bestowed your blessings upon the Comitia Centuriata in the past, may you offer your favor at the present. Grant the Comitia Centuriata wisdom and inspiration, and the correct knowledge to make enlightened decisions. Recognize our task as worthy of offering the Gods and Goddesses good praise. In creating and tending to this Res Publica, may others be inspired to raise alters in your name. Allow this task to be a spark that ignites a renewed passion within other men and women for the gods and goddess of Rome.

Iupiter Optimus Maximus, towards these ends be increased by this offering of Storax burned before you now, and if it pleases you.

{BURN STORAX}

It is done!

Greetings divine Victoria! Victoria guardian and lady of success, friend of the Roman people! By whatever name you please, be hallowed. By your majesty attend to this meeting of the Comitia Centuriata opening today. As you bestowed your blessings upon the Comitia Centuriata in the past, may you offer your favor at the present. Grant the Comitia Centuriata wisdom and inspiration, and the correct knowledge to make enlightened decisions. Recognize our task as worthy of offering the Gods and Goddesses good praise. In creating and tending to this Res Publica, may others be inspired to raise alters in your name. Allow this task be a spark that ignites a renewed passion within other men and women for the gods and goddess of Rome.

Divine Victoria, towards these ends be increased by this offering of Storax burned before you now, and if it pleases you.

{BURN STORAX}

It is done!

Greetings divine Mater Iuno! Iuno Regina, the bringer of light, matron of honor, mater of the Roman people, Queen of heaven and the Gods, the warner and divine mother, By whatever name you please, be hallowed. By whatever name you please, be hallowed. By your majesty attend to this meeting of the Comitia Centuriata opening today. As you bestowed your blessings upon the Comitia Centuriata in the past, may you offer your favor at the present. Grant the Comitia Centuriata wisdom and inspiration, and the correct knowledge to make enlightened decisions. Recognize our task as worthy of offering the Gods and Goddesses good praise. In creating and tending to this Res Publica, may others be inspired to raise alters in your name. Allow this task be a spark that ignites a renewed passion within other men and women for the gods and goddess of Rome.

Iuno Regina, towards these ends be increased by this libation of wine made before you now, and if it pleases you.

{Make Libation of wine}

It is done!

Greetings divine Mater Minerva! Minerva, powerful in arms, grey-eyed hostess, physician, divine wisdom, and bearer of peace. Sharp-sighted Goddess of divine influence, By whatever name you please, be hallowed. By your majesty attend to this meeting of the Comitia Centuriata opening today. As you bestowed your blessings upon the Comitia Centuriata in the past, may you offer your favor at the present. Grant the Comitia Centuriata wisdom and inspiration, and the correct knowledge to make enlightened decisions. Recognize our task as worthy of offering the Gods and Goddesses good praise. In creating and tending to this Res Publica, may others be inspired to raise alters in your name. Allow this task be a spark that ignites a renewed passion within other men and women for the gods and goddess of Rome.

Grey-eyed Minerva, towards these ends be increased by this libation of wine made before you now, and if it pleases you.

{Make libation of wine}

It is done!

Greetings divine Pater Mars! Mars victorious and marching! By whatever name you please, be hallowed. By your majesty attend to this meeting of the Comitia Centuriata opening today. As you bestowed your blessings upon the Comitia Centuriata in the past, may you offer your favor at the present. Grant the Comitia Centuriata wisdom and inspiration, and the correct knowledge to make enlightened decisions. Recognize our task as worthy of offering the Gods and Goddesses good praise. In creating and tending to this Res Publica, may others be inspired to raise alters in your name. Allow this task be a spark that ignites a renewed passion within other men and women for the gods and goddess of Rome.

Pater Mars, towards these ends be increased by this libation of wine made before you now, and if it pleases you.

{Make libation of wine}

It is done!

Greetings divine Pater Quirinius! Quirinus great carrier of the spear, victorious and eternal guardian of Rome! God of the Quirinal hill! By whatever name you please, be hallowed. By your majesty attend to this meeting of the Comitia Centuriata opening today. As you bestowed your blessings upon the Comitia Centuriata in the past, may you offer your favor at the present. Grant the Comitia Centuriata wisdom and inspiration, and the correct knowledge to make enlightened decisions. Recognize our task as worthy of offering the Gods and Goddesses good praise. In creating and tending to this Res Publica, may others be inspired to raise alters in your name. Allow this task be a spark that ignites a renewed passion within other men and women for the gods and goddess of Rome.

Pater Quirinus, towards these ends be increased by this libation of wine made before you now, and if it pleases you.

{Make libation of wine}

It is done!

Greetings divine Concordia! Concordia magnificent, sumptuous, splendid and of new harmony! By whatever name you please, be hallowed. By your majesty attend to this meeting of the Comitia Centuriata opening today. As you bestowed your blessings upon the Comitia Centuriata in the past, may you offer your favor at the present. Grant the Comitia Centuriata wisdom and inspiration, and the correct knowledge to make enlightened decisions. Recognize our task as worthy of offering the Gods and Goddesses good praise. In creating and tending to this Res Publica, may others be inspired to raise alters in your name. Allow this task be a spark that ignites a renewed passion within other men and women for the gods and goddess of Rome.

Divine Concordia, towards these ends be increased by this libation of wine made before you now, and if it pleases you.

{Make libation of wine}

It is done!

May all the Gods and Goddesses note these words spoken.

Precatio

(wash hands in pure water)
[touching the altar with the left hand say]

Pater Iupiter! Iupiter Opimus Maximus, savior, unconquered victor, striking, bringer of light, heavenly thunderer, of lighting, and defense! Pater Iupiter of justice, and the Roman people! I ask you to send good indications to signify your favor for the actions this Comitia Centuriata will resolve. I recognize your divine sovereignty! You are the Lord of Justice, or order and the Father of the Gods, the cultural and spiritual nation of the Republic beseeches you as the greatest of patrons. Devine Iupiter, your kind benevolence, and generous patronage are recalled and honored! You rose Rome of antiquity to the highest heights with your divine benevolence. You the lord of thunder and of the order of the universe enabled our ancestors to bring great achievements to pass. Towards these ends, and in recognition of you, I observe this opening day of the Comitia Centuriata.

Pater Iupiter! Iupiter Opimus Maximus, savior, unconquered victor, striking, bringer of light, heavenly thunderer, of lighting, and defense! Pater Iupiter of justice, and the Roman people for these reasons, towards this aim, in recognition of your benevolence, and if it pleases you, accept this offering of apples which I have placed before you and will give unto you.

[place offering on altar]
[touching the altar with the left hand say]

Pater Iupiter! Iupiter Opimus Maximus, savior, unconquered victor, striking, bringer of light, heavenly thunderer, of lighting, and defense! Pater Iupiter of justice, and the Roman people! Oh, Iupiter, if this offering of apples pleases you, offer your aid towards this day, may you accordingly provide us with the foresight, wisdom, temperance and all the Roman virtues. Facilitate successful in all our community objectives.. Devine Iupiter, , descended from Saturnus, if you will it, may Your will reign supreme over the growth and wise maturation of our Res Publica and during this meeting and the Comitia Centuriata which begins today.

(wash hands in pure water)
[touching the altar with the left hand say]

Greetings divine Victoria! Victoria guardian and lady of success, friend of the Roman people! on this day when the Comitia Centuriata opens it is right to observe your divine presence and patronage. I ask you to send good indications to signify your favor for the actions this Comitia Centuriata will resolve.. Oh, Victoria, I recognize your divine sovereignty! You are the lady of victory and our ancestors recognized your might and kind benevolence. You reign over Victory and glory. You guide towards success and honor. You inspire the best in men and women. You tease out the brightest lights within humankind.

Devine Victoria, your kind benevolence, and generous patronage are recalled and honored! You blessed the Roman people and enabled them to countless victories and illustrious accomplishments unlike any people before or since! Divine Victoria! Victoria guardian and lady of success, friend of the Roman people for these reasons, towards this aim, in recognition of your benevolence, and if it pleases you, accept this offering of Apples which I have placed before you and will give unto you.

[place offering on altar] [touching the altar with the left hand say]

Oh, Victoria, if this offering of Apples pleases you, offer your aid towards providing us the motivation and success to achieve triumph in all objectives upon which we embark during this meeting that begins today. Devine Victoria, if you will it, we shall attribute all victorious deeds of this Comitia Centuriata, past and future to you; may your will reign supreme over the growth and wise maturation of our cultural and spiritual nation the Res Publica.

Immolatio

(wash hands again in pure water)

Oh, Pater Iupiter! Iupiter Opimus Maximus, savior, unconquered victor, striking, bringer of light, heavenly thunderer, of lighting, and defense! Pater Iupiter of justice, and the Roman people! (adoratio). We offer you these Apples now given up to you and towards the appeal made. Father Iupiter be strengthened by this offering of Apples presented before you now!

[touch/burn offering]

Father Iupiter It has been done!

(wash hands again in pure water)

Oh, Divine Victoria! Victoria guardian and lady of success, friend of the Roman people! (adoratio). We offer you these Apples now given up to you and towards the appeal made. Glorious Victoria be strengthened by this offering of Apples presented before you now!

[touch/burn offering]

Divine Victoria It has been done!

Litatio

(Quietly contemplate the Gods and Goddesses, and watch for signs.)

The offerings crakled on the charcoal coals, sweet incense filled the air, otherwise silence filled the space.

Piaculum

Blessed Ianus if this appeal has caused unbeknownst offense, please accept my deep regret and recall my good intentions towards you. Celestial Ianus towards this end accept this additional libation of wine which I make now before you, as a sign of my reverence and good will towards you.

(make libation)

Blessed Iupiter if this appeal and offering has caused unbeknownst offense, please accept my deep regret and recall my good intentions towards you. Celestial Iupiter towards this end accept this additional libation of wine which I make now before you, as a sign of my reverence and good will towards you.

(make libation)

Blessed Victoria if this appeal and offering has caused unbeknownst offense, please accept my deep regret and recall my good intentions towards you. Celestial Victoria towards this end accept this additional libation of wine which I make now before you, as a sign of my reverence and good will towards you.

(make libation)

Blessed Iuno if this appeal has caused unbeknownst offense, please accept my deep regret and recall my good intentions towards you.
Celestial Iuno towards this end accept this additional libation of wine which I make now before you, as a sign of my reverence and good will towards you.

(make libation)

Blessed Minerva if this appeal has caused unbeknownst offense, please accept my deep regret and recall my good intentions towards you. Celestial Minerva towards this end accept this additional libation of wine which I make now before you, as a sign of my reverence and good will towards you.

(make libation)

Blessed Mars if this appeal has caused unbeknownst offense, please accept my deep regret and recall my good intentions towards you. Celestial Mars towards this end accept this additional libation of wine which I make now before you, as a sign of my reverence and good will towards you.

(make libation)

Blessed Quirinus if this appeal has caused unbeknownst offense, please accept my deep regret and recall my good intentions towards you. Celestial Quirinus towards this end accept this additional libation of wine which I make now before you, as a sign of my reverence and good will towards you.

(make libation)

Blessed Concordia if this appeal has caused unbeknownst offense, please accept my deep regret and recall my good intentions towards you. Celestial Concordia towards this end accept this additional libation of wine which I make now before you, as a sign of my reverence and good will towards you.

(make libation)

Mother Vesta, also known as the perpetual guardian of the hearth, family, and community, queen of perennial fire, protector of the Roman people! Vesta, or unless you prefer some other name, thanks and honor is to be given to you for providing your flame during this ceremony. In recognition of this be strengthened by this additional libation of milk now made before you.

(make offering)

Blessed Vesta if this appeal has caused an unbeknownst offence, please accept my deep regret and recall my good intentions towards you. Celestial Vesta towards this end accept this additional libation of milk which I make now before you, as a sign of my reverence and goodwill towards you.

(make libation)

(blow out oil lamps)

All Gods and Goddesses, observe that good intentioned prayers were made, and that the Comitia Centuriata of the Roman people is now in session! Through these pious acts performed today may the deities so honored provide their favour and further the pax deorum.

Great Roman Gods of our ancestors manifest your will through this citizen assembly!

(wash hands again in water and dry them)

I NOW ASK ALL CANDIDATES FOR CONSUL AND PRAETOR TO COME FORWARD AND ANNOUNCE YOUR INTENTIONS AND TO SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE! DO SO BY REPLYING TO THIS MESSAGE!

Information on the offices we are electing are here.

———————–

WE ARE ALSO VOTING ON THE FOLLOWING PROPOSED LAWS:

ITEM I: Ratification of the item proposed by the Senate: LEX GALLONIA: On collegia leadership and elections

ITEM II: Ratification of the proposed amendment to LEX CURIATORUM: On the Censores (Version II) proposed by the Senate: LEX GALLONIA: On the Censores

ITEM III: Ratification of the proposed amendment to: LEX CISPIA-IUNIA: Recognition of past magisterial service within Nova Roma proposed by the Senate: Lex CISPIA-IUNIA: Recognition of past magisterial service within Nova Roma and the Res Publica Romana as equivalent to present service in the Roman Republic (VERSION II)

VOTING BEGINS DECEMBER 16.