L'Eglise Aristotelicienne Romaine The Roman and Aristotelic Church

[Adonnis]

When the reading was finished, Adonnis with the mitre on his head again ascended the steps of the pulpit. One of the most important parts of the liturgy was the homily, as it had a pedagogical sense among the faithful, a way of learning about Aristotelian values, dogma and doctrine. Adonnis had written his sermon carefully, but he had memorised it, with no paper to read:

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Dear brothers and sisters, today we gather here to celebrate the funeral of our dear brother Gropius. It is a moment of sadness and longing, but it is also a moment of hope and faith. As Aristotelians, we believe that our brother's soul is now with God, in the Solar Paradise.

The funeral is an important moment in the life of an Aristotelian, because it is an opportunity to say goodbye to the loved one and to pray for his soul. It is also a time to reflect on our own life and our own death. It is a time to thank God for the gift of life and for the life of the deceased. It is also a moment to ask forgiveness for our sins and to ask for the grace of a good death.

A good death is one in which the person is at peace with God and with others. It is one in which the person dies in a state of grace and in communion with the Church. It is important to remember that death is not a punishment from God. Death is a moment of passage to eternal life, not a moment of condemnation.

The funeral is also a time of comfort for the family and friends of the deceased. It is a moment of mutual support and solidarity. As we celebrate the funeral, we remember that life is a precious gift from God and that we should thank Him for every moment we spend in this world. At the same time, we remember that death is part of life and that all of us will one day have to face it. Death is not the end, but the beginning of a new life with God.

We Aristotelians are certain that the soul of our dear brother Gropius left for paradise, where he is with God, in peace, in happiness and in communion with prophets and all the saints.

This assurance of eternal life is what gives us hope and comfort in times of loss and sorrow. We know that our brother is now in a better place, where there is no pain, no suffering, no sadness. We also know that one day we will meet again, when we reach the end of our own journeys in this world.

But while we celebrate our brother's life and rejoice in his arrival in Paradise, we must also remember that life here on earth is an opportunity to grow in love and holiness. We, who are still here, have the responsibility to continue the work of those who came and went before us, to love and serve God and others, to seek holiness and perfection.

May the example of our brother Arduino, as a unique Aristotelian, inspire us to be better, to follow more closely the teachings of the Prophets, to love and serve God and others with greater dedication and generosity. May the memory of his life help us to value every moment we spend here in this world, to be grateful for every blessing we receive, and to prepare ourselves for the eternal life that awaits us.

May God, in his infinite mercy, welcome the soul of our brother Arduino into his bosom, and may he rest in peace in the perpetual light that shines in his presence.

When he had finished his homily, he descended the steps of the pulpit stairs and went back to the altar. One of the acolytes took the miter and addressed the faithful again: -Dear brothers, let us now pray the universal prayer, the one we all said at our baptism, which reminds us of our fidelity and love for God and his Church.

He stepped forward a couple of paces and stood in front of the altar, in the centre, and raising his hands and joining them together, he began the sing:

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Credo in Deum,
Altissimum Omnipotentem,
Creatorem caeli et terrae,
Inferos et paradisi,
Ultima hora animae judicem nostrae

Et in Aristotelem, prophetam,
Nicomaqui Phaetique filium,
Missum ut sapientiam et universi
Divas leges errantibus hominibus erudiret

Credo etiam in Christum,
Natum ex Maria et Ioseph,
Vitam dedit ut nobis paradisi viam monstraret
Sic, postquam sub Pontio passus est
Propter salutem
Nostram martyr perivit
Consecutus est Solem
Ubi Aristoteles ad Altissimi dexteram eum expectabat

Credo in Divinam Actionem,
Sanctam Ecclesiam aristotelicianam, romanam, unam et indivisibilem
Sanctorum communionem,
Peccatorum remissionem,
Vitam aeternam.

Amen.

R/ (the faithful also sing the creed)



When he had finished the creed, he kissed the altar and addressed the faithful again:

Dóminus vobíscum.
R/. Et cum spíritu tuo.

It was time for the Sanctus, so the Cardinal said: - Oremus -. Immediately the choir began to sing:

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dóminus Deus Sábaoth:
pleni sun cœli et terra glória Sua. Hosánna in excélsis.
Benedíctus qui venit in nómine Dómini. Hosánna in excélsis.

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As the psalm was being sung, the deacon approached taking the ciborium from the credence: it was a large gold cup that remained closed with an equally ornate lid. Inside was the bread of friendship, a baked loaf with a cross stamped on the top. Then the altar bells rings three times while the cardinal makes the sign of the cross: - Súscipe, sancte Pater, Omnípotens Ætérne Deus, hunc panem, quem ego indígnus fámulus Tuus óffero Tibi Deo meo vivo et vero, pro reconciliatiónem fratrum, signum amicítiæ Tuæ, qua dimíttit innumerábilia peccáta, et offesiónes, et negligéntias mea, et ómnium circustátium, sed et ómnium fidélium aristotelicórum: ut mihi et illis profíciat ad salútem in vitam ætérnam. Amen

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Adonnis then place the ciborium on the white linen corporal, opened it and took out the small loaf of bread from inside; then received again the thurible from the deacon and with it blessed the bread while saying: - Incénsum istud a Te benedíctum ascéndat ad Te, Dómine, et descéndat super nos misericórdia Tua.- Immediately he also blesses the altar and then the deacon.

Then, joining hands on the altar and bowed, he recites: In spíritu humilitátis et in ánimo contríto suscipiámur a Te, Dómine: veni, Sanctifiátor Ætérne Deus, et béne+dic hoc sacrifícium, Tuo Sancto Nómini preparátum, ob memóriam Prophétæ Tui.

At that moment the choir finishes singing the Sanctus and he prays in secret: Dómine, secúndus Prophéta Tuus Christus dixit: "Altíssimum orántes, amicítiae pánem vinúmque, córporis sanguinísque imágines, consecráte, ne úmquam sacrifícium meum pro vobis obliviscámini. Amen, honos Deo maior quam amáre sine remuneratióne non est"; præsta, ut quod ore súmimus, in nobis fructíficet fructus amóris. Amen

The young cardinal, at the most sacred moment of the liturgy, with his head bowed, he carefully takes a piece of the sanctified bread with his left hand while holding his right hand on his chest, and with devotion and humility says: -Dómine, non sum dignus-. And he continues: -Panis amicítiæ custódiat ánimam meam in vitam ætérnam.

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Then, bowing slightly, he puts the small piece of blessed bread in his mouth. Later he straightens up, joins his hands and remains silent for a few seconds to meditate.

The deacon then takes the paten with the small pieces of bread and descends the three altar steps to give communion to the parishioners. As he was handing out the pieces of consecrated bread, he said: - Panis amicítiæ custódiat ánimam tuam in vitam ætérnam.

And the faithful replied: R./ Amen

_________________

------Sancti Valentini Victoriarum Cardinalis Episcopus - Altus Commissarius Apostolicus - Cardinalis Sacri Collegii Decanus
---Gubernator Latii - Primas Portugaliae - Archiepiscopus Metropolita Bracarensis - Episcopus Sine Cura Lamecensis et Ostiensis

[Felipe...]

Seated in his chair next to his brother cardinals at the side of the altar, Felipe listened to the homily of the Dean of the Sacred College, internalising his words and teachings. Death was not the end, if only of the body, but the soul, depending on its purity and acts committed during earthly life, ascended to the Solar Paradise or was condemned to remain apart from the community of saints. Every member of the faithful should pass through this transition, as a member of the Militant Church on earth, to become a member of the Triumphant Church: the reward of eternal salvation and the true contemplation of God in His purest essence. Felipe was sad, of course, for his friendship with the deceased and for all the hours they had worked together; he would miss Arduino's voice and his intelligence. On the other hand he was happy for him, because the Italian prelate, who had served the Church with great devotion all his life, was now rewarded with the salvation of his soul. Prayer was now all that the living could do for him.

Felipe joined his voice to that of the people gathered in the basilica and sang the Creed with piety:

Credo in Deum,
Altissimum Omnipotentem,
Creatorem caeli et terrae,
Inferos et paradisi,
Ultima hora animae judicem nostrae

Et in Aristotelem, prophetam,
Nicomaqui Phaetique filium,
Missum ut sapientiam et universi
Divas leges errantibus hominibus erudiret

Credo etiam in Christum,
Natum ex Maria et Ioseph,
Vitam dedit ut nobis paradisi viam monstraret
Sic, postquam sub Pontio passus est
Propter salutem
Nostram martyr perivit
Consecutus est Solem
Ubi Aristoteles ad Altissimi dexteram eum expectabat

Credo in Divinam Actionem,
Sanctam Ecclesiam aristotelicianam, romanam, unam et indivisibilem
Sanctorum communionem,
Peccatorum remissionem,
Vitam aeternam.

Amen.

He answered the officiant of the ceremony: Et cum spíritu tuo.

As the consecration and sharing of the bread of friendship took place, the Hispanic cardinal kept his eyes closed in an intimate act of prayer for the sacredness of what Adonnis was doing.

Then he whispered: -Dómine, non sum dignus. Because he was truly not worthy either, due to his many sins, offences and iniquities. Like the soul of any of the faithful, the soul of the priest was equally tempted, probably more insistently by the Nameless Creature, since it would be a greater triumph for Evil to divert a consecrated man from the path of virtue.

He waited calmly for his turn to receive communion, and when the deacon said: -Panis amicítiæ custódiat ánimam tuam in vitam ætérnam-, he replied: Amen.
_________________

_______.______Sanctae Mariae Rotundae cardinalis episcopus | Archiepiscopus Burdigalensis
__________..Secretarius brevium ad Principes | Sanctae Sedis Vice-cancillarius et Magnus Auditor

[pamelita]

She listened attentively to the words of Cardinal Adonnis and joined the brothers for the recitation of the prayer of prayers:

Credo in Deum,
Altissimum Omnipotentem,
Creatorem caeli et terrae,
Inferos et paradisi,
Ultima hora animae judicem nostrae

Et in Aristotelem, prophetam,
Nicomaqui Phaetique filium ,
Missum ut sapientiam et universi
Divas leges errantibus hominibus erudiret

Credo etiam in Christum,
Natum ex Maria et Ioseph,
Vitam dedit ut nobis paradisi viam monstraret
Sic, postquam sub Pontio passus est
Propter salutem
Nostram martyr perivit
Consecutus est Solem
Ubi Aristoteles ad Altissimi dexteram eum aspettabat

Credo in Divinam Actionem,
Sanctam Ecclesiam aristotelicianam, romanam, unam et indivisibilem
Sanctorum comunionem,
Peccatorum remissionem,
Vitam aeternam.

Amen.

She waited her turn for Communion and after the phrase: Panis amicítiæ custódiat ánimam tuam in vitam ætérnam she replied Amen.
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[Fenice]

To be part of a big family and share her Faith... she joined the voices with her voice:

Credo in Deum,
Altissimum Omnipotentem,
Creatorem caeli et terrae,
Inferos et paradisi,
Ultima hora animae judicem nostrae

Et in Aristotelem, prophetam,
Nicomaqui Phaetique filium,
Missum ut sapientiam et universi
Divas leges errantibus hominibus erudiret

Credo etiam in Christum,
Natum ex Maria et Ioseph,
Vitam dedit ut nobis paradisi viam monstraret
Sic, postquam sub Pontio passus est
Propter salutem
Nostram martyr perivit
Consecutus est Solem
Ubi Aristoteles ad Altissimi dexteram eum expectabat

Credo in Divinam Actionem,
Sanctam Ecclesiam aristotelicianam, romanam, unam et indivisibilem
Sanctorum communionem,
Peccatorum remissionem,
Vitam aeternam.

Amen.

And she joined to receive communion.
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[Krasoljub]

The Archbishop of Rijeka listened attentively to the inspiring sermon of the Portuguese cardinal. At the end of this life's journey, death comes as sorrow from our human perspective, but ultimately, if we think outside of our mortal body, death itself comes as a gift from the Most High. So this last sacrament is truly like a new birth, only this time we are born into eternity.
After the homily, the archbishop stands up and, together with the entire congregation of cardinals and bishops, begins to pray the famous credo, which reminds us of our first sacrament, the portal to the Holy Church and holy life, baptism;

Credo in Deum,
Altissimum Omnipotentem,
Creatorem caeli et terrae,
Inferos et paradisi,
Ultima hora animae judicem nostrae

Et in Aristotelem, prophetam,
Nicomaqui Phaetique filium,
Missum ut sapientiam et universi
Divas leges errantibus hominibus erudiret

Credo etiam in Christum,
Natum ex Maria et Ioseph,
Vitam dedit ut nobis paradisi viam monstraret
Sic, postquam sub Pontio passus est
Propter salutem
Nostram martyr perivit
Consecutus est Solem
Ubi Aristoteles ad Altissimi dexteram eum expectabat

Credo in Divinam Actionem,
Sanctam Ecclesiam aristotelicianam, romanam, unam et indivisibilem
Sanctorum communionem,
Peccatorum remissionem,
Vitam aeternam.

Amen.


The preparation for the Eucharist, the holiest act of every Mass, has begun. In the silence of the basilica, only the voice of Cardinal Adonis rang out. When the bell stopped ringing, the archbishop raised his head to look at the elevation of the holy communion.
He says contritely, with his head bowed; Dómine, non sum dignus

Krasoljub was among the first to receive Holy Communion, not because he pushed himself, but because he was one of the closest to Cardinal Adonis. He answered a short Amen and returned to his seat.
_________________

Metropolitan Archbishop of Rijeka + Vice-Prefect for the Villa San Loyats + Chartulary for Center and Eastern Countries + Expert Heralds in Pontifical Colleges of Heraldry

[Cinead]

Together with his brothers and sisters in faith, Cinead too sings the Credo with them. He hopes that his Scottish accent is not too much out of tune with his brothers and sisters whom appear to be much more fluent in Latin than he is himself.

Credo in Deum,
Altissimum Omnipotentem,
Creatorem caeli et terrae,
Inferos et paradisi,
Ultima hora animae judicem nostrae

Et in Aristotelem, prophetam,
Nicomaqui Phaetique filium,
Missum ut sapientiam et universi
Divas leges errantibus hominibus erudiret

Credo etiam in Christum,
Natum ex Maria et Ioseph,
Vitam dedit ut nobis paradisi viam monstraret
Sic, postquam sub Pontio passus est
Propter salutem
Nostram martyr perivit
Consecutus est Solem
Ubi Aristoteles ad Altissimi dexteram eum expectabat

Credo in Divinam Actionem,
Sanctam Ecclesiam aristotelicianam, romanam, unam et indivisibilem
Sanctorum communionem,
Peccatorum remissionem,
Vitam aeternam.

Amen.

Together with his brothers and sisters, Cinead follows their lead to receive communion. And when the words Panis amicítiæ custódiat ánimam tuam in vitam ætérnam are spoken he replies with Amen
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Bishop of Whithorn, Priest of Kirkcudbright, Archivist for the Registers, Translator at Order of Saint Jerome, Witer at the Holy Office 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[almalibre]

Almalibre joins the choir and sings the Prayer of Prayers, the Creed.

Credo in Deum,
Altissimum Omnipotentem,
Creatorem caeli et terrae,
Inferos et paradisi,
Ultima hora animae judicem nostrae

Et in Aristotelem, prophetam,
Nicomaqui Phaetique filium,
Missum ut sapientiam et universi
Divas leges errantibus hominibus erudiret

Credo etiam in Christum,
Natum ex Maria et Ioseph,
Vitam dedit ut nobis paradisi viam monstraret
Sic, postquam sub Pontio passus est
Propter salutem
Nostram martyr perivit
Consecutus est Solem
Ubi Aristoteles ad Altissimi dexteram eum expectabat

Credo in Divinam Actionem,
Sanctam Ecclesiam aristotelicianam, romanam, unam et indivisibilem
Sanctorum comunionem,
Peccatorum remissionem,
Vitam aeternam.

Amen.

After waiting his turn for Communion and after the phrase Panis amicítiæ custódiat ánimam tuam in vitam ætérnam he replies Amen.
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[Magister Ceremoniarum]

When the communion rite was completed, the deacon returned up the altar steps and, under the watchful eye of the cardinal-dean, carefully placed the leftover crumbs and pieces of bread inside the ciborium, making sure that none of them were lost. He immediately took the ciborium to the tabernacle and locked the door with a small key, bowing deeply before returning to the altar, where the acolytes had already folded and returned the remaining liturgical objects to the credence. They approached cardinal Adonnis and placed the miter on his head. Meanwhile, the subdeacon went to the ambo and sang the "Benedicamus Domino", which replaces the "Ite, misa est" for the whole of Lent: the mass was over.

- Benedicamus Domino.
R/. Deo Gratias

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_________________

[Adonnis]

Sitting in the cathedra, Adonnis had prayed silently after taking the bread of friendship, praying to God to strengthen him so that he might also receive the gift of friendship and love. Once the deacon had sung the "benedicamus domino", the cardinal-dean stood up and said:
-Pax vobis
R/Et cum spiritu tuo

The portuguese cardinal approached the altar kissed it with great respect. Then he proceeded with the conclusion of the Mass:
-Sit Nomen Domini benedictum
R/ Ex hoc nunc et usque in sæculum
-Adjutorium nostrum in Nomine Domini
R/ Qui fecit cœlum et terram

He raised his eyes, then his hands and joined them, while bowing his head. Finally he blesed the faithful:
-Benedicant vos Omnipotens Deus, et Aristoteles, et Christus. Amen
R/ Amen

Then he solemnly made the sign of the cross three times in the air with his hands covered with his black chirothecae.

_________________

------Sancti Valentini Victoriarum Cardinalis Episcopus - Altus Commissarius Apostolicus - Cardinalis Sacri Collegii Decanus
---Gubernator Latii - Primas Portugaliae - Archiepiscopus Metropolita Bracarensis - Episcopus Sine Cura Lamecensis et Ostiensis

[almalibre]

The Mass draws to a close and Almalibre responds to Cardinal Adonnis.

Sit Nomen Domini benedictum.
Ex hoc nunc et usque in sæculum

Adjutorium nostrum in Nomine Domini
Qui fecit cœlum et terram

Finally, bowing his head, he responds to his blessing

Benedicant vos Omnipotens Deus, et Aristoteles, et Christus. Amen
Amen
_________________

[pamelita]

She replied as if in a trance:

Sit Nomen Domini benedictum.
Ex hoc nunc et usque in sæculum

Adjutorium nostrum in Nomine Domini
Qui fecit cœlum et terram

Finally, bowing his head, he responds to his blessing

Benedicant vos Omnipotens Deus, et Aristoteles, et Christus. Amen
Amen

Mass was over, and along with it came a long and very constructive period for her.
She had started her work as a Cardinal on the same day as Arduino, who had been close to her like a caring brother and had often laughed and cried together,
Now she would have to continue her journey alone....
In a whisper she raised her eyes and said: ''Now you are free Biondah, watch over us and God knows we need it.''
_________________

[Pere_Setzefonts]

[pamelita]

At the end of the Mass, the cardinal Alexandra Pamela, having placed the chasuble and the maniple, takes the black cope, while the Deacon and the Subdeacon remain with their vestments, the maniples laid down. The Subdeacon takes the Cross, flanked by two acolytes with candles, and goes to the end of the coffin, facing the Altar. The italian cardenal and the Deacon, having made due reverence to the Altar, go to the opposite end of the coffin, facing the Cross, and behind them stand two acolytes with holy water and the censer. Then she says the following prayer:

- Non intres in judícium cum servo Tuo, Dómine, quia nullus apud Te justificábitur homo, nisi per Te ómnium peccatórum ei tribuátur remíssio. Non ergo eum, quæsumus, Tua judicális senténtia premat, quem Tibi vera supplicátio fidei Artistotélica comméndat; sed, grátia Tua illi succurreénte, mereátur evádere judícium ultiónis. Qui vivis et regnas per ómnia sæcula sæculórum. Amen

The basilica choir begins to sing the antiphon: In Paradísum dedúcant te ángeli: in tuo advéntu suscípiant te mártyres, et perdúcant te ad Solem. Chorus angelórum te suscípiat, et ætérnam hábeas réquiem.

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Then, while the Antiphon is being sung, the cardinal, accompanied by the Deacon, takes the incense from the navicle and introduces it into the thurible, blessing it as usual. Immediately, taking the sprinkler circumnavigates the coffin sprinkling it. When she passes in front of the Altar, she bows his head while the Deacon genuflects.

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Then, returning to his place, she takes the thurible and, in the same way, she had sprinkled the coffin, incenses it.

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[Felipe...]

- Ex hoc nunc et usque in sæculum
- Qui fecit cœlum et terram
- Amen

Felipe said at the conclusion of the mass. Then he watched his colleague Pamela as she blessed Arduino's coffin, and finally he joined in the singing.

- Chorus angelórum te suscípiat, et ætérnam hábeas réquiem.
_________________

_______.______Sanctae Mariae Rotundae cardinalis episcopus | Archiepiscopus Burdigalensis
__________..Secretarius brevium ad Principes | Sanctae Sedis Vice-cancillarius et Magnus Auditor

[Krasoljub]

With the final - Amen - that broke through the air of the entire basilica, the funeral mass was over. Krasoljub observed the dear cardinal's body resting in his coffin, blessed by Cardinal Pamelita

He joined the choir and everyone present in singing

In Paradísum dedúcant te ángeli: in tuo advéntu suscípiant te mártyres, et perdúcant te ad Solem. Chorus angelórum te suscípiat, et ætérnam hábeas réquiem.
_________________

Metropolitan Archbishop of Rijeka + Vice-Prefect for the Villa San Loyats + Chartulary for Center and Eastern Countries + Expert Heralds in Pontifical Colleges of Heraldry