Ceremony to Fides ~ Ludi Conditorum 2761 AUC (Nova Roma)

Ceremony to Fides

Dea Fides: the goddess of Trust and a sense of duty towards others governs obligations between Romans.

Known as Fides Publica and Fides Publica Populi Romani She is the oldest of the virtues honored, and Numa himself is believed to have founded her first shrine on the Capitoline in Rome. A temple was built by A. Atilius Calatinus circa 254/250 B.C.E, and restored by M. Aemilius Scaurus in 115 B.C.E The temple was believed to have been in front of that of Iuppiter Capitolinus showing the closeness and importance of Dea Fides.

Ritual for Fides

SALUTATIO

Avete FidesSupremi Dique Imortales! Quin agete ipsos et libens propriorum certaminis vos dignare manu indulgete sacris.

"Hail Fides and all You immortal Gods above! Why not arouse Yourselves and graciously attend the ceremonies that we hold in Your honor with Your divine presence."

INVOCATIO

Iustitiae rectique dator, qui cuncta gubernas, audi, Fides, audite Di Deaeque Parenti, qui hanc urbem, hoc sacratos locosque colitis, audite. Di Parenti, vos hoc turem obmoveo bonas preces precor, ut sistis volens propitius nobis liberisque notris domis familisque nostris.

"O Giver of Justice and Rectitude, You who steers the course of the lingering stars of destiny, hear me, Fides. Listen. Gods and Goddesses of our ancestors, You who cherish this City and these sacred groves, listen. Gods of our forefathers, I make this offering of incense to You and pray with good prayers that You will look kindly and favorably upon us and our children, on our houses and on our households."

SACRIFICATIO

Fides disque ago gratias merito magnas. Serva, Fides, nos mihi per tuom te genium obsecro, exi, te volumus.

"To Fides and the Gods deservedly I give thanks. Fides, look down and preserve us, I do beseech you by your good genius. Come forth! We wish for You."

Fides, pii castique ad te hoc die cordibus apertis venimus. Hisce safriciis te colere volumus. Exaudi nos, O Fides, et hoc die praesentia tua nos digneris! Sicut antea toties fecisti, et nunc haec sacrificia accipe, civitatemque nostram benedic! Ante Iovem generata, decus divumque hominymque, / qua sine non tellus pacem, non aequora norunt, / Iustitiae consors tacitumque in pectore numen Accipe libamina nostra, et mitte nobis voluntatem beingnam tuam! Dona nobis concordiam et abundantiam vitae!

"Fides, we come before You this day with open hearts, pure and chaste. By these offerings we seek to honor You. Hear us, O Fides, and may You honor us this day with your presence. As You have so often before, so now accept these offerings and bless our civitas. Goddess more ancient than Jupiter, virtuous glory of Gods and men, without whom there is no peace on earth, nor on the seas, sister of Justice, Fides, silent divinity within the hearts of men and women. Accept our libations and send upon us Your kind thoughts. May You grant Nova Roma concord and a richness of life!"

Laurel, incense, cakes of cheese drizzled with honey, and libations of milk are offered each in turn.

Fides, te hoc turem obmoveimus bonas preces precamur, ut sis volens propitius nos liberisque noster domo familiaeque noster.

"Fides, to You we make this offering of incense and pray that You will look kindly and favorably upon us, upon our children, on our homes and our households."

Fides, macte istic libatione pollicenda esto, macte lactem esto. In tua, Mater carissima, in tua sumus custodia.

"Fides, may You be strengthened by this libation, may You be honored by this milk. In You, dearest Mother, in Your hands do we place our safekeeping."

LITATIO

The Praeses offers incense on the altar once more. Then he turns, steps away from the altar, and the Praeses dismisses the Gods by saying the formula:

Nil amplius vos hodie posco, superi, satis est.

"No more, Gods on High, do I ask of You today; it is enough."

PERLITATIO

The Praeses, turning to those present, says:

Ilicet. Di deaeque omnes, superi atque inferi, vos semper ament et felicitam volunt.

"Thus it is done. May all the Gods above and below always love you and wish you happiness in all that is good."

They respond:

Di immortales faciant, tam felix quam pia.

"May the immortal Gods make it so, as fortunate as it is pious."