When the Homily is about Immunology

Taper-Bearer

Well these prayers are the sorts that will wake you up when you are the "N":

O Lord God, Supreme Sovereign, select this Thy servant N. and sanctify him, and enable him to perform with all wisdom and understanding the reading and teaching of Thy Divine Word, and preserve him in a blameless life, through the mercy and kindness of Thine Only-Begotten Son, with Whom Thou are blessed, together with Thy most Holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages...My son, the Order of Reader is the first step in the Priesthood. Therefore, it becomes thee as thou readest the Divine Scriptures daily, to strive after virtue, so that those who listen to thee may receive edification. Never allow any blemish to disgrace the order which thou hast received, that thou mightest prepare thyself for a higher order. And living peacefully in righteousness and holiness, thou shalt win favor with God and obtain a superior ministry, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to Whom belongeth all glory, honor, and adoration, together with His Eternal Father and with the most Holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Ahem...ummm...a bit more to this than just wearing a dress and chanting, eh?

In any event, I am honored - though unworthy - to serve the Church in this function. Sue has a few pics, my favorite of which is of me being "manhandled" by the subdeacon, which kinda looks like a still from some new reality show perhaps called "LitrugiCOPS." My grateful thanks to all who took the time to attend, I recognize it as being no small thing to do so.

I found a generous bit of information about and for Readers at the Diocese of the West website, check it out.