Confirmation Ceremony
The ceremony of confirmation is mentioned in the final paragraphs of Liber XV. Confirmation represents the first conscious manifestation of the True Will. The recitation of the Creed by the confirmand represents a statement that active participation in the Church and belief in its tenets is in conformity with the confirmand’s own True Will. The Church accepts the confirmand as a Thelemite, one of its own, a rightful claimant to the heirship, communion and benediction of the Saints. The cheirotonia conveys the sacramental bond that joins the confirmand’s consciousness with the egregore of the Church. The cuff on the cheek represents an awakening to the reality of Thelema and all its implications, as well as to the life-consciousness of puberty. (Note that the Greek word egrêgora means, roughly, “it has awakened.”)
(The Congregation is admitted and seated for the Gnostic Mass.
The Confirmation Candidates enter, clothed in white robes, and sit flanking the Tomb in the West. The white robe should be open in the front from the neck down to at least the waist; the opening may be provided with buttons, ties or other fasteners. Each candidate has attained at least the age of puberty, and each has committed the Creed to memory.
The Gnostic Mass is celebrated. A bell is struck at the beginning of the Deacon’s intoning of Collect V, The Saints. Other than the Priest, only the persons to be confirmed partake of communion.
After the completion of the Gnostic Mass, the Priest, Priestess and Deacon re-enter the Temple space, all clad in plain white robes. A vial of consecrated Oil of Abramelin is placed near the Altar of Incense.
The part labeled OFFICIANT may be filled by either the Priest or by the Priestess or by a Bishop or a Deacon-Sacerdote; or the Priest and Priestess may allocate the lines between each other and administer the ceremony conjointly if both are ordained and recognized.)
The DEACON (to the Candidates): Please rise.
(to the Congregation): Brothers and Sisters, soldiers of Thelema, these members of the Body of Nuit 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?
The PEOPLE: It is.
The OFFICIANT (to each Candidate, one by one): Please come forward.
(The Candidates advance to the Altar of Incense. The OFFICIANT adds a small quantity of incense to the censer.)
The OFFICIANT: “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.”
CANDIDATE: “Love is the law, love under will.”
OFFICIANT: What is your name?
CANDIDATE: (gives Baptismal Name).
OFFICIANT: [Baptismal Name], is it your will to be confirmed in Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica as a soldier of Thelema?
CANDIDATE: It is.
OFFICIANT: What comrade do you choose to stand with you on this occasion?
CANDIDATE: (Names comrade, who must already be confirmed in E.G.C. The comrade steps forward, to the Candidate’s side.)
OFFICIANT: What is your Creed?
CANDIDATE: (Recites the Creed from memory.)
(Each Candidate is brought in turn to this point, then all assemble beside the Altar of Incense.)
OFFICIANT: (Imposes hands on each Candidate’s head in silence; then anoints with the right thumb Candidate’s forehead ☩ with Oil of Abramelin, saying:) [Baptismal Name], I anoint thee as a Servant of Ra Hoor Khuit; I seal thee with the Sign of Light; I confirm thee with the Holy Oil of Aspiration in the name of IAO.
OFFICIANT: (raising hands in blessing): Gloria Patri et Matri et Filio et Filiae et Spiritui Sancto Externo et Spiritui Sancto Interno, ut erat est erit in saecula Saeculorum sex in uno per nomen Septem in uno ARARITA.
(The Deacon rings the bell 333-55555-333)
DEACON: 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
Even now and here be mine. AMEN.
(OFFICIANT gives Hailing Sign, which is returned by the Candidates.)
OFFICIANT: “Fear not at all; fear neither men nor Fates, nor gods, nor anything. Money fear not, nor laughter of the folk folly, nor any other power in heaven or upon the earth or under the earth. Nu is your refuge as Hadit your light; and I am the strength, force, vigour, of your arms.”
“Success is your proof; courage is your armour; go on, go on, in my strength; & ye shall turn not back for any!”
(OFFICIANT delivers admonitory cuff to each Candidate’s cheek).
OFFICIANT: This blow represents the reality of the Law of Thelema which you serve. “Ra-Hoor-Khu is with thee.”
(Applause. All retire.)
Original Publication Date: 1997
Draft Version: 4/10/2023 e.v.