Novel & Cerita Today's Mass Reading

Pastor Angelo’s heart pounded but he did not stop chanting. “Exorcizamus te, omnis immundus spiritus, omnis satanica potestas. Omnis incursio infernalis adversii omnis congregatio et secta diabolica. Ergo, draco maledicte, ecclesiam tuam securi tibi facias libertate servire.” Myra continued forward despite the torments.

Marcel encouraged with a smile. “For is it not written that he qualifies those he chose? Go on, servant, go on and kiss his word; let him lead you." He said, while handing him a pamphlet that had the sermon’s title inscribed on it in italics, "The Wages of Sin Is Death.” Gabriel nodded and collected the pamphlet, while Father Marcel nodded too, but in a proud, pious way to show he was pleased.

When I finally reach him, he takes my hand, and his touch is warm, grounding me. “You look beautiful,” he murmurs so quietly only I can hear. “You don't look bad yourself, " I return and his smile widens just slightly. The priest—a man who looks in his late fifties—begins his readings. “We are gathered here today to witness the union of Cole MayRidge and Eunia Felicia Rosette…” His words soon blend into the background as my thoughts grow louder. I'm finally here and I'm actually doing this, it's no day dream or make believe anymore. I try to focus but my heart is pounding so hard I'm sure everyone can hear it.

’ ‘I don’t just…’ I started, ‘Don’t worry, I won’t judge you, you are already perfect for me,’ he said and ushered me towards the other end of the pool where a bush of flowers had grown. There was no sign of sunlight down there, but somehow they blossomed amazingly. I cleared my throat once I was safely seated on a rock, and only one song came to mind when I opened my mouth to sing. ‘Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix; Nostras deprecationes ne despicias…’ ‘Isn’t that one of the songs the sisters sing every morning during the mass?’ Rowan caught me off guard immediately, and there was no way I could have missed the discomfort he tried to hide under his feigned smile.

The priest’s voice rose and fell as he recited the prayers. "Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei." "Grant her eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her." The priest beside him interpreted. Rafael stood on my left. Lucia on my right. Their presence was the only thing keeping me upright. My father stood across the grave, alone. His face was carved from stone, but his hands — his hands trembled at his sides. The priest lifted a small brass thurible, swinging it gently. The smoke of frankincense curled upward, disappearing into the pale morning sky.

I pull out my notebook, pen clicking open. Small sparks flicker at the tip for a second—nerves or excitement, hard to tell—before I rein them in. Mrs. Hale claps once for attention. **Mrs. Hale:** “Alright, class. Yesterday we started *Romeo and Juliet*. Today we’re reading Act 1, Scene 5 aloud—the masked ball, first meeting. I’ve assigned pairs. When I call your names, read the lines with feeling. This isn’t a race.” Names get called. Groans and laughs ripple through the room.

"That is a most serious sin. Do you know what Jesus said about those who commit this sin?" "Um, no, Father." "Jesus said unto them: 'those that say that they are unwilling to read my words, they must be inspected for sins by my priests.'" "Oh," Heather said, trying to remember this passage from her many readings of the Good Book. "I don't remember that, Father, sorry. Where is it?" "It's in a special book, one for priests only," He said quickly. "Now, are you willing to obey the words of Jesus and be forgiven?"

Thankfully, Father Liam went on, drawing the attention away from me. I caught my Father’s glare from the other side of the room, I would surely get scolded at home. The rest of the sermon passed in a haze. My heart kept racing the whole time, Father Liam looked at me at least twice, and each glance made my pussy throb with need. And just when the service was supposed to be over, he spoke. “Before we conclude today’s service,” he said, his voice calm. “I’d like us to turn to 1 John chapter 2 verses 15 to 16. Sister Grace, would you do us the honour of reading it aloud?”

His eyes tracked the movement, his chest rising and falling faster in response. "In the name of the Father," he began, his voice cracking. "And of the Son—" He stopped, swallowing hard. "And of the Holy Spirit." "Amen," the congregation echoed. I slid two fingers inside myself, and I watched him watch me. The mass ended, and I slipped out of the pew before anyone coukd stop me, making my way through the side door and towards the rectory. His office was at the end of the hall, and luckily for me, the door was slightly ajar.

"Psalm 82:1-5: 1 God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: 2 'How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? 3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. 4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.' 5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken." The priest's voice took on a stronger tone as he read the passage. A few moments of silence reigned as the creatures kneeled down with bowed heads. Even Orlando and the others kneeled down to receive the blessings of th