Making a Shrine

Making a Shrine

shrine, ritual

A description of techniques and requirements for constructing and maintaining a home shrine according to the Madrian Rite.

Personal collection of David Kay.

Madrian Literature Circle

c. 1980

English

Text

Making a Shrine

A shrine can be anything from a full room to a tiny corner. It should have an altar with a blue or violet cloth, a central image of our Lady, candles (perhaps one before the image or one on either side) and incense. The shrine may be decorated with ivy to represent the Sacred Wood, or with blue or violet hangings. It may also contain consecrated water. The shrine should be consecrated in the following way:

(The celebrant shall not have eaten for twelve hours)
C/H: Let us kneel before this sacred image.
C: Let us offer our devotion to our Lady.

All: Silver Star etc.
Daughter of Light etc.
Silver Star etc.

C: Beloved Kyria, through thy sacrifice purify my heart; through the gift of Thy Spirit, put force into my hands and lips.
C/H: We beg Thy Grace that we may consecrate this place unto Thy service.

(C. dips three fingers into consecrated water and makes the Pentacle on herself. Taking incense she traces the boundaries of the shrine)
C: With fire do I cut off this place from all earthly places and protect it from all earthly uses, that it may be devoted wholly to the service of our Lady.
(dips three fingers into consecrated water and makes the Pentacle over the shrine – or in the four quarters if it is a room)
C: In the Name of the Mother and of the Daughter and of Absolute Deity, may this place be consecrated as a place set apart to the service and of the glory of the one Goddess; a holy place wherein Her peace shall reign.
C/H: Let us in this holy place pray the Mysteries of the most holy Rosary.

(all say the Rosary)

C/H: Mother of all that is, we thank thee for the creation of this sanctuary of thy peace; may we come often to it, to renew ourselves in Thee.

(C. makes the Pentacle slowly, ending on the word 'Deity')
C: In the Name of the Mother and of the Daughter and of Absolute Deity; thus may it remain.


(n.b. the celebrant may perform this rite alone, changing 'we' to 'I' etc. A man may celebrate if no maid is present)

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The shrine should be in a quiet room, or else curtained off or screened. Each devotion will increase its power until it becomes a vibrant centre of our Lady's Love and peace, drawing all toward it, conquering hearts that have not yet fully come to Her. A centre from which She will send forth all who come to Her gentler and better people, filled with Her light.

loose leaf, typewritten (2pp.)