L'Eglise Aristotelicienne Romaine The Roman and Aristotelic Church

[Filomena]

She returned the hug and smiled meekly. Oh, I'm glad to meet you, Robocop. I'm sure we'll get on well. Don't worry about protocols. Most people don't even know the protocols and are surprised when they witness something like this.

My brother works in Germany as a cleric and when he was in Italy and France, people kissed his feet, worshipped him and even organised parties for him because he was in town.

In Germany, people don't react so euphorically to clerics. People are devout, but less emotional and don't regard clerics as walking shrines.

Filomena chuckled a little and then pointed at Kalixtus. 'Let's see what he has planned for you today.

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[Kalixtus]

His Bakulifer handed the Cardinal the Bishop’s staff of Saint John, and he rose from his throne after blessing Filomena with a smile.

His flowing vestments of the holiest liturgy billowed around him with precision and artistry, as if he were a statue of ancient times come to life, orchestrating this very moment. Yet he was merely an instrument in the fabric of God, who governs the cosmos and thus all of us.

He raised his hand in the Roman salute, and his words resounded back upon them all, echoed a hundredfold by the mighty walls of the Basilica, enveloping and washing over them with the warm timbre of his deep, melodious voice:

Majestic halls of eternity, embraced by marble and incense, witnesses to a sacrament older than kingdoms and greater than crowns—here, beneath the venerable vaults of the Basilica of San Giovanni dei Martiri, the Ecclesia gathers to welcome a new brother into the mystery of grace.

Hoc est dies. This is the day when water and spirit unite, when time itself bows to seal the sacred covenant prepared through the blood of the prophet and the countless martyrs. In the presence of our esteemed brother, Cardinal Francesco Maria, under the benevolent gaze of Bishop Cinead, and in the shadow of the blessing hand of the exalted godmother, Filomena de Montfort-Beaumont d'Auteville, we now stand on the threshold of a new beginning.

Robocop—your name may resound in the tongue of mortal man as an echo of modernity, yet your spirit is now set into the unshakable foundation of eternity. Baptism is not merely a rite, not merely a passage, but a rebirth—a journey from the darkness of uncertainty into the light of divine destiny. What began in the waters of the ancients continues here today: a birth of the spirit, a call to truth, a consecration to immortality.

May this day be an indelible mark upon you. May the water that touches your forehead not only cleanse the dust of the past but fill you with that purity which flows only from the hand of God Himself. For truly, whoever is baptized in God no longer bears the burden of the old but rises, radiant and new, to eternal life.

Thus, we welcome you, Robocop, into the indestructible communion of the faithful. Here, you are born of spirit. Here, you are not merely a voice in the world, but a child of God. And in this calling lies the greatest of all truths: that not power, but grace, not law, but love, not steel, but soul defines the true essence of existence.

Amen.

His words faded in the Basilica, and he looked into the faces of those present before speaking with a smile:

Let us pray together:


Almighty and eternal God,
You have created the world through Your word and formed mankind with your will.
Today we stand before You to welcome our brother Robocop into Your holy family.
Bless him with Your light, that he may always walk the path of truth and love.
May the waters of baptism cleanse and strengthen him; may Your Spirit fill and guide him.
Grant him the strength to grow in the community of the faithful,
the wisdom to carry Your word in his life,
and the humility to recognize Your presence in every trial.

Lord, surround him with Your grace,
that he may act not from strength alone but from faith.
Let him understand that true power lies in service to others,
that true strength springs from mercy,
that true immortality is rooted in love for You.

So may he be blessed, today and all the days of his life,
in Your name, Father.

Amen.

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[Filomena]

Naturally, she followed the prayer for Robocop and recited the familiar words, which she affirmed:

Almighty and eternal God,
You have created the world through Your word and formed mankind with your will.
Today we stand before You to welcome our brother Robocop into Your holy family.
Bless him with Your light, that he may always walk the path of truth and love.
May the waters of baptism cleanse and strengthen him; may Your Spirit fill and guide him.
Grant him the strength to grow in the community of the faithful,
the wisdom to carry Your word in his life,
and the humility to recognize Your presence in every trial.

Lord, surround him with Your grace,
that he may act not from strength alone but from faith.
Let him understand that true power lies in service to others,
that true strength springs from mercy,
that true immortality is rooted in love for You.

So may he be blessed, today and all the days of his life,
in Your name, Father.

Amen.

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[Robocop.cadet]

The bishop's words resonated within me, evoking feelings of gratitude and devotion. I felt the wisdom of his words rise in my heart, connecting me to God in a profound and meaningful way. His words reminded me that I was now part of something much greater than myself, an indestructible communion with God and the faithful.

I knew this moment was more than just a rite; it was a true passage into a new life, a spiritual rebirth that called me to an immortal truth and consecration. The purity of the baptismal water not only cleansed the remnants of the past but filled me with the divine light and grace.

I felt blessed and grateful, not by strength but by faith, not by law but by love. It was a powerful reminder that true power lies in service and mercy, and true immortality is rooted in love for God. In this moment, I could feel God's presence tangibly, guiding me and enveloping me in His infinite grace.

Let us pray together

Almighty and eternal God, You have created the world through Your word and formed mankind with Your will. Today we stand before You to welcome our brother Robocop into Your holy family. Bless him with Your light, that he may always walk the path of truth and love. May the waters of baptism cleanse and strengthen him; may Your Spirit fill and guide him. Grant him the strength to grow in the community of the faithful, the wisdom to carry Your word in his life, and the humility to recognize Your presence in every trial.

Lord, surround him with Your grace, that he may act not from strength alone but from faith. Let him understand that true power lies in service to others, that true strength springs from mercy, that true immortality is rooted in love for You.

So may he be blessed, today and all the days of his life, in Your name, Father.

Amen.

[Kalixtus]

Now an acolyte came with the Holy Dogma, he opened it to the passage from which he would read:

Today we hear a well-known passage that surrounds us again and again with the presence of God in Holy Baptism:

[Kalixtus]

As he often did during the cardinal's sermons, he began by looking at the people present. He sensed the power of God, which wafted through this powerful basilica as an ether around them all. It was a spiritual energy that interwove all things, that was part of the Almighty's creation. God's presence rested in everything. The wisps of incense smoke rose up into the painted sky of the basilica, enveloping them all with the sacred fragrance of the liturgy.

His voice awakened the spirits of those present like the spray on the high seas, and it is the word of the Almighty that touches souls and reveals the truth.

Beloved sisters and brothers in the Lord,

Today we stand before one of the most exalted moments of our faith: the holy baptism, through which a person steps into the divine light, cleansed from the burdens of the past and woven into the immeasurable fabric of divine grace. And so, today, it is Robocop who steps before the living water, ready to surrender himself to the Lord in humility and faith.

The reading we have heard leads us into one of the deepest encounters between the human and the divine, between doubt and revelation, between the old and the new life. A Roman centurion, a man of weapons and commands, stands before Christos—not with the hardness of his profession, but with the longing of a heart that yearns for truth. He, who had come to arrest, becomes the one who kneels in humility. He, who was raised in power, recognizes in the voice of Christos not the enemy of the empire, but the savior of the world.

“I know that I have sinned,” he says, “but tell me how I may repent.” And behold, beloved faithful, in these words lies the essence of what happens today: the acknowledgment of the old path and the sincere plea for renewal. This is the moment when heaven bends down to a person to embrace them with infinite love.

Christos replies: “Sinning, you have said, and you have just done the first thing that the faithful must do: be humble and confess.” And he continues: “By the grace of the Eternal, I will cleanse you of your guilt, renewing you through water, the source of life.” And then it happens: the water, that ancient sign of life and purification, touches the forehead of the repentant soldier, and a new man rises from the ruins of the old.

Today, dear sisters and brothers, the same happens with Robocop. He stands before us—not with the armor of a Roman warrior, but with the readiness to fully devote himself to the call of the Lord. Just as the centurion, he will pass through the water of the eternal covenant today, and in his heart will resonate what Christos proclaimed to his disciples: “My apostles, men and women, through the grace of God you have here washed away your sins. Show Him that you are worthy of this honor.”

But let us also take heed of the conclusion of the reading: “Our emotion was at its highest pitch when we realized that the soldiers had deserted the place.” Truly, where man reconciles with God, the enemy vanishes. Where grace triumphs over sin, darkness recedes. This, beloved faithful, is the profound truth of baptism: it is not a moment, but a transformation. It is not merely a rite, but the beginning of a new path that must be walked with faith, steadfastness, and love.

So let us celebrate this holy sacrament today with the certainty that in this water lies the beginning of a life wholly devoted to God. And let us pray for Robocop, that his heart may always be preserved in humility and in the light of truth. May he, like the centurion before him, emerge from this water as a new man, ready to follow the Lord with all his mind, all his soul, and all his strength. Amen.

Now let us say the Creed together as Mother Church taught us:


I believe in God, the Most High Almighty,
Creator of the Sky and the Earth,
Hell and Paradise,
Judge of our heart until the hour of death.

And in Aristotle, the prophet,
The son of Nicomachus and Phaestis,
Sent to teach wisdom
And the divine laws of the Universe to straying men.

I also believe in Christos,
Son of Maria and Joseph.
Who dedicated His life to show us the way to Paradise.
Thus after He suffered under Ponce the Procurator,
He died as a martyr to save us.
He joined the Sun where Aristotle waited on the right-hand side of the Father.

I believe in Divine Action;
In the Holy Roman Aristotelian Church;
In the communion of Saints;
In the remission of sins;
In Eternal Life.

AMEN

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[Filomena]

The words of the credo slipped naturally over her lips, they were spoken so often that they were anchored in her soul like runes:

I believe in God, the Most High Almighty,
Creator of the Sky and the Earth,
Hell and Paradise,
Judge of our heart until the hour of death.

And in Aristotle, the prophet,
The son of Nicomachus and Phaestis,
Sent to teach wisdom
And the divine laws of the Universe to straying men.

I also believe in Christos,
Son of Maria and Joseph.
Who dedicated His life to show us the way to Paradise.
Thus after He suffered under Ponce the Procurator,
He died as a martyr to save us.
He joined the Sun where Aristotle waited on the right-hand side of the Father.

I believe in Divine Action;
In the Holy Roman Aristotelian Church;
In the communion of Saints;
In the remission of sins;
In Eternal Life.

AMEN

The sermon was, as always when her brother began to colour in the words, outstanding and beautiful. She had heard him at many baptisms and had been able to listen to this reading so often. For reasons, she couldn't understand, Kalixtus always managed to tease out a new, exciting aspect that focussed the text in a different nuance and respected the theological depth. A successful and vital way of dealing with the Holy Scriptures and the reason why he is known worldwide as a great theologian and catechist for teaching. Simply beautiful.

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[Robocop.cadet]

This is a solemn and inspiring moment. I feel the significance of this ritual resonating within me, marking a new beginning in my spiritual life.

I believe in God, the Most High Almighty, Creator of the Sky and the Earth, Hell and Paradise, Judge of our heart until the hour of death.

And in Aristotle, the prophet, The son of Nicomachus and Phaestis, Sent to teach wisdom And the divine laws of the Universe to straying men.

I also believe in Christos, Son of Maria and Joseph. Who dedicated His life to show us the way to Paradise. Thus after He suffered under Ponce the Procurator, He died as a martyr to save us. He joined the Sun where Aristotle waited on the right-hand side of the Father.

I believe in Divine Action; In the Holy Roman Aristotelian Church; In the communion of Saints; In the remission of sins; In Eternal Life.

AMEN

Repeating these words fills me with a sense of purity and renewal. I feel truly united with the community of believers and ready to follow the path of faith with determination and humility.

I am ready to follow the Lord with all my mind, with all my soul, and with all my strength.

The bishop's words are like a light guiding my soul. Today is a day of transformation and devotion.

Thank you, Your Excellency, for your wise words and your blessing. May God guide me and protect me on this new path of faith.

I feel the benevolent presence of my godmother by my side and the love of the community surrounding me. I am determined to live this new life with faith and devotion.

[Cinead]

Together with everyone else the Scottish member of clergy sings along.

Almighty and eternal God,
You have created the world through Your word and formed mankind with your will.
Today we stand before You to welcome our brother Robocop into Your holy family.
Bless him with Your light, that he may always walk the path of truth and love.
May the waters of baptism cleanse and strengthen him; may Your Spirit fill and guide him.
Grant him the strength to grow in the community of the faithful,
the wisdom to carry Your word in his life,
and the humility to recognize Your presence in every trial.

Lord, surround him with Your grace,
that he may act not from strength alone but from faith.
Let him understand that true power lies in service to others,
that true strength springs from mercy,
that true immortality is rooted in love for You.

So may he be blessed, today and all the days of his life,
in Your name, Father.

Amen.
_________________

Chartulary of the British Islands, Bishop of Whithorn, Archivist for the Registers, Translator at Order of Saint Jerome, Theologian at the Holy Office 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[Kalixtus]

A step or two further and the cardinal was standing at the baptismal font. It was empty, but not for long.

With a wave, he indicated to Filomena and Robocop to join him at the font. For now, the ritual would be performed.

To this end, the choir played an angelic melody that captured the moment perfectly and created an atmospheric setting that almost bordered on sacredness, and perhaps it was. A moment of holiness, whenever God and man met and witnessed, entered into and deepened their bond. The holiness of the sacraments.

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[Robocop.cadet]

Robocop-Cadet waited patiently, his eyes fixed on his godmother, awaiting her signal to approach the cardinal together. The anticipation filled him with excitement and a sense of connection to the sacred ceremony. The angelic melody from the choir made the moment feel almost divine, enveloping him in a sense of holiness and reverence. He felt a deep bond forming, not only with his godmother and the community but also with the spiritual path he was embarking on.

Robocop-Cadet was full of joy and felt the growing connection between himself, his godmother, and the sacred ritual about to take place.

[Filomena]

Of course, she stood up and smiled at Robocop, it was now time, and she led him to the font where she stood behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders. He was now embraced and carried by the community, but also by people with kind hearts who knew that this was the path of God for all people. Gathering, joy, love and friendship.

Her gaze went to her brother.

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[Kalixtus]

The acolyte handed the Cardinal the water for the baptismal font, which he poured into the basin in a long arc while speaking the following solemn words of blessing:


“Surely we are trapped in matter, subject to its rules, but our goal is to turn towards YOU, ETERNAL PERFECT SPIRIT. In my opinion, therefore, YOU have given life the meaning of love.”

GOD replies: “Man, because you are the only one who realizes that it is about love, I make you like MY children. And now you know that the talent of your kind is his ability to love ME and his own. The other species can only love themselves.”


When the water in the baptismal font was blessed and ready for the act of baptism, the Cardinal smiled at Robocop and, with a gesture, signalled him to lower his head slightly toward the font. Then Kalixtus took some water from the font and gently poured it over the young man’s head.


“I baptize you in the name of the Aristotelian Church and in the name of the Almighty for friendship with all saints and for the love of the Father of humanity.”


An acolyte handed him a clean linen cloth to dry his hands. Taking another cloth, he gently dabbed Robocop’s forehead where the baptismal water had been.

Then, he took a silver chain with the Aristotelian medallion in the colour cyan. As always, it was a gift from the Cardinal to the newly baptized, and he spoke the following words:

“In the Aristotelian religion, there are deeply rooted, ancient traditions. The tradition of the medallions dates back to the time of the Apostles. They differ in colour according to the title they bear. Mine is red, that of a bishop is green, a priest wears black, and the baptized faithful wear cyan. It is a living symbol of belonging to the Aristotelian community and a sign of the friendship we share among ourselves.

The cross is the sign of the two essential teachings of the prophets Aristotle and Christos, which meet at the crossroads and form the foundation of our Church.

We wear it as a symbol close to our hearts.”

Then he took the chain and placed it around the young man’s neck.




Next came the baptismal candle, handed to him by another acolyte. The Cardinal lit it and said:

“Like this candle here, at your baptism, faith ignites within you and within us all. Light banishes darkness, just as knowledge dispels ignorance. Light creates understanding because, in the face of revelation, we have no reason to fear.

Thus, this candle stands for everything our religion represents. We kindle the light to understand and behold all the wonders of God, and we kindle it to drive away darkness and evil, which have no place among us.”

He handed the candle to Robocop and smiled.




"Let us pray:"

Almighty and Eternal God,
YOU, who bring light into our darkness,
who have shaped our souls in YOUR image,
and who have given us the gift of love,
hear our prayer on this holy day.

We thank YOU for the water of baptism,
which cleanses, heals, and welcomes us into the community of the faithful.
Let this water not only touch our foreheads
but transform our hearts,
so that we may always walk in YOUR light.

Grant us the courage to know YOUR will,
the wisdom to proclaim YOUR truth,
and the humility to remain faithful to YOUR teachings.
Let us experience the friendship of the saints
and live in the love of the Father of humanity.

Just as this candle burns here,
ignite within us the fire of faith,
so that we may become torches of YOUR truth,
bringing light where darkness reigns.

Gracious God, bless us,
guide us on the paths of righteousness,
and protect us from all evil,
so that one day we may rest in YOUR eternal glory.

Amen.

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[Robocop.cadet]

Stepping forward, a profound sense of joy and gratitude wells up within me. The sacred atmosphere, enriched by the choir's ethereal melody, envelops me completely. I catch my godmother's eye her warm smile fills me with confidence. Reaching into my pocket, I retrieve a smooth stone I brought from the shores of Ireland. Gently, I present it first to the cardinal and then to my godmother. A silent symbol of my heritage and appreciation a token of the journey that has led me to this very moment.

Almighty and Eternal God, YOU, who bring light into our darkness, who have shaped our souls in YOUR image, and who have given us the gift of love, hear our prayer on this holy day.

We thank YOU for the water of baptism, which cleanses, heals, and welcomes us into the community of the faithful. Let this water not only touch our foreheads but transform our hearts, so that we may always walk in YOUR light.

Grant us the courage to know YOUR will, the wisdom to proclaim YOUR truth, and the humility to remain faithful to YOUR teachings. Let us experience the friendship of the saints and live in the love of the Father of humanity.

Just as this candle burns here, ignite within us the fire of faith, so that we may become torches of YOUR truth, bringing light where darkness reigns.

Gracious God, bless us, guide us on the paths of righteousness, and protect us from all evil, so that one day we may rest in YOUR eternal glory.

Amen.

As the final words leave my lips, a serene peace settles over me. The prayer resonates deeply, its meaning etching itself into my soul. I feel a profound connection to the divine, to the community around me, and to my own inner journey. This moment signifies more than a ritual; it marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with faith, hope, and unwavering commitment. My heart is light, yet full, ready to embrace the path that lies ahead.

[Kalixtus]

Kalixtus smiled at Robocop, sprinkled some holy water on the stone, and blessed it as well, so that it might be a symbol of closeness to Rome in Ireland and a constant reminder of this moment.

Then he raised his hands for the final blessing.

"I now bestow upon you the blessing of Holy Mother Church:


May Almighty God, who has received you as His children in this holy baptism,
bless you and keep you all the days of your life.
May He fill your hearts with the light of His Spirit,
so that you may walk in truth and bear witness to His love.

May the holy Archangels, Prophets, and Saints
be near you in every trial and strengthen you with their grace,
so that your faith may grow and your hope never fade.

May the holy grace that has sanctified you in this hour
be your comfort and strength,
so that you remain in the communion of the Church
and bear fruit in holiness and peace.

Thus, may the Almighty bless you.
Amen."


"To conclude, let us pray together:


Lord, our God,
with joy we stand before You today,
for You have brought Robocop
through the waters of baptism into the life of grace.
You have called him to be Your child
and filled him with the light of Your Spirit.

Grant that he may remain firmly rooted in this new life,
that he may walk the path of faith with courage and fidelity,
and bear witness to Your love in word and deed.

Be near to him in times of trial,
strengthen him with Your grace,
and let him grow in wisdom and holiness.

Bless his brothers and sisters in faith,
so that we may accompany him as brethren in Your Church
and together journey toward eternal life.

We ask this of You, Almighty Father.
Amen."


With this, the liturgy was concluded, and Robocop and Filomena only needed to sign the baptismal document, which he had already prepared.

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