Sacred texts of Sage Santina's faith

[Anthee]

The following texts are available in Santina's shrine and the Sandstone College.

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The Life of Sage Santina the Compassionate

Here followeth the life of Sage Santina the Compassionate, the Heavenly Healer, the Mercystar.

Santina di Benedetto was born daughter to a wealthy nobleman. And first ye shall understand that her nativity was much worthy and auspicious. Her mother was a pious woman, but childless, and it is said that she conceived after devoutly praying to the Pilot-Prophet: O Raffelo, Great Pilot-Prophet, thou who hast blessed this family with much fortune, but a child hast thou given not, now harken, O Sage of Sages, and open the womb of this thy servant that she may finally be delivered from her shame, for all thy riches count for nothing without an heir to our name. And Sage Raffelo answered her in a dream and said: Woman, thy prayer is heard, and as thou spurnest my manifold blessings, so shall I withdraw them. Henceforth shall ye know poverty; but thy wish will I grant, and the child shall be your wealth.

And so did it happen that a child was conceived and born, and soon after was the wealth of the family lost to thieves and brigands and knaves and traitors, for so had the Great Sage in his wisdom decreed. And the family did fall to poverty, and Santina never did know the corrupting ways of easy life, for anon they lived among the destitute, humbled in the Humbles. Many a time did her parents bewail their fate saying: Woe is us! Verily hath a curse befallen us, for a child we got, but all else is lost. But Santina, wise from her youth, always comforted her parents saying: O Father, O Mother, why cry ye? For poverty is no curse, but a blessing. Rejoice, O Father, O Mother! For only in poverty can one be rich in spirit; only in poverty can the soul remain pure.

And so did Santina grow up surrounded by poverty, but rich in spirit and pure in soul. So much did she love her parents that she would always wash their feet when they came from without from their work, and dry them and kiss them. So plentifully shone piety and humility and all virtues in her that all who knew her might take of her fair and good ensample for to lead a godly life. And in especial had she so great pity of the homeless and destitute that ofttimes she spared her own mouth of such ration as she should herself been sustained by and gave it away to them in need. It is said that holy fasting could sustain her when works of mercy left her hungry. And it is said that the mere sight of the misery of the world could move her to such heights of compassion as to banish all wicked thoughts from every each being around her, and that lilies would spring forth wherever her merciful tears fell. Also in making devout prayer had she so great pleasure that ofttimes it seemed to her, being in orisons, that her spirit was refreshed with the brilliance of the Dome. Never once did she regret her lot in life but thought herself happy and fortunate to be living in the Humbles, for humble folk, said she, were her wisest friends and greatest teachers.

And Santina gained in years and grew in wisdom and compassion and all loving-kindness, and the people did flock to her for teaching and healing, for so had the Dome blessed her that with her prayers she could cure all manner of ailments and illnesses and with her words enlumine the darkness of ignorance and disbelief. And great was her beauty, too, even in her poverty wherewith she chastised her body, for the power of her compassion kept her countenance youthful until the very end, like that of a fair maiden, or a flower on the verge of bloom. Multitudinous suitors came to her to seek her hand, but she scorned them all saying: Behold, I am betrothed already to the poor and afflicted, and upon my death shall I be wed to them forevermore and shine on them the light of my love from above. Lift thine eyes at me then, O man, and know that my love is thine too, shouldest thou seek it.

Alas, the vile Plague did come to Il Modo, brought by the accursed Sage of the Death Masque and his revelries moste grotesque. And Santina called to her side men and women of tender heart and noble spirit to fight the disease with all their body and mind and soul, by relieving the afflicted of their suffering and burning all things befouled by the Plague's corrupting touch. Endless were the wails of loss and agony in Il Modo, and endless was the toil of Santina and her followers, that toil which continueth to this day and pauseth not until the wicked Plague be banished from Il Modo forever. For the compassionate heart that feeleth another's pain can not rest until pain be no more.

And many who survived the ravages of disease did choose to join Santina's cause and dedicate their lives to making brave battle against evil and injustice and suffering. And so was the Most Holy Order of the Lezrous Brethren formed. Behold, it was at this time that the wicked pirate queen Barbarina threatened Il Modo, and the Knights Lezrous with Santina herself at the forefront fought the great undead host at the harbour, in the Battle of Lost Souls. And it was a terrible battle indeed, in wind and rain and darkness, against necromantic magicks moste foule. Santina with her famed blade Deliverance released countless undead abominations from unholy servitude. And many valiant knights of blessed memory did perish that day, and their names and deeds are recorded in the Book of Sacrifice. And lo, their deaths were not in vain, for the host was driven back and the forces of good did prevail. Harken ye to this truth, saith Sage Santina, that for as long as good people will lay down their lives for the sake of others, goodness itself shall never die.

And the taint of disease never could breach the purity of Santina's body and soul, no not even the Crimson Death could touch her, but Santina prayed to the great Pilot-Prophet to be allowed to experience such suffering as afflicted her fellow Modini, and this wish was granted to her. Even in disease and pain she was of the Dome comforted; it is said that she was by the space of nine and forty days in continual languor and sickness, nevertheless was never seen in her sign of impatience, but always sweet and amiable words in praising and thanking the Great Sage of all. And in especial it is said that she was one and twenty days without meat or drink. And nevertheless she retained such sweetness and forbearance that it seemed unto all them that saw her that she had no pain nor disease, but yet more every creature that came to her was comforted of her very presence. And in especial it is said that when the hour of death approached, she spake and said: Go out surely, thou hast a good safeconduct. And when one of her Sister-Priests, being there present, heard that, she asked her to whom she spake. And she answered saying: To my soul, whom I see abashed to depart from my body, for it ought not for to doubt, for I see the holy Pilot-Prophet which abideth for me. And so her soul attained True Death and rising to the heavens like sweet incense was crowned with the glory of the Dome, where she now resideth shining her loving light and abideth for her faithful forevermore.

So it is written, so we believe. And we inheritors of Santina's sacred mission shall carry on her work until all worlds above and below and in between have by her grace come to know and embrace the Truths of the Dome, and until pain and sickness be no more.

[Anthee]

The Order for Morning Prayer to Sage Santina

1. Opening

Priest: O Santina, open thou our heart.

Answer: And fill it with thy compassion.

P: Keep us from evil and guide our way.

A: For thy love shines brighter than the light of day.

P: Praise be to thee, O Sage.

A: And glory to all the Dome.

2. Hymn

Sing ye to the Mercystar, O sing her anthem near and far!
Shout with joy: the night is won! Come and praise the Compassionate One!

She hath stretched out her arm and shielded us from every harm.
She hath kept us safe at night and blessed us with morning light.

Hear us, O Sage, as we pray: Our heart likewise illumine today.
Show our soul compassion's way and keep all selfish thoughts at bay.

Santina, O thou Queen Above, we praise thee for thy boundless love.
Thou alone art our defender; glory be to thee forever.

3. Responsory

P: We lift up our eyes to thee betimes in the morning.

A: We lift up our eyes to thee betimes in the morning.

P: Unto thee we turn, show thou the way that we should walk in.

A: We lift up our eyes to thee betimes in the morning.

P: Praise be to thee, O Sage, and glory to all the Dome.

A: We lift up our eyes to thee betimes in the morning.

4. Prayers of intercession

P: Santina, we give thee thanks for this new day. Let thy love illumine our lives.

A: Heal us with thy compassion.

P: Let thy light shine unto all who live in darkness and despair.

A: Stir us with thy hope.

P: Let thy spirit bear fruit in us: joy, love, and forbearance.

A: Teach us thy humility.

5. The High Prayer

P: O Santina, our Sage and our Queen. Thou art our star in the night, the light we follow on the sea of life. Guide us through the storms we face and help us through the mistakes we make. Bear our pain when our strength fails, so that we may bear the burdens of others. Keep our course steady and sure, so that our voyage hereafter may be pure and holy, and that at the last we may find eternal rest in thy haven above. Thus we pray.

A: Hear us, O Sage.

6. Benediction

P: The Sage of Compassion bless us with her loving-kindness and protect us from all sickness of body and soul.

[Anthee]

The Order for Evening Prayer to Sage Santina

1. Opening

Priest: O Santina, open thou our heart.

Answer: And fill it with thy compassion.

P: Guard us from evil and grant us thy light.

A: For thy love endures in the darkest night.

P: Praise be to thee, O Sage.

A: And glory to all the Dome.

2. Hymn

O splendent star of northern skies, thou lantern bright of mortal lives!
In thee we put our trust this eve, to preserve us till shadows leave.

We give thee thanks and praise, O Sage, for having sheltered us today.
We turn to thee in joy and sorrow, praying for a kind tomorrow.

Thou who art our sole salvation: Keep us ever from temptation.
Lead us on the straight and narrow, shield our soul from evil's arrow.

Santina, O thou Queen Above, we praise thee for thy boundless love.
Thou alone art our defender; glory be to thee forever.

3. Responsory

P: Into thy hands, Santina, we commend our soul.

A: Into thy hands, Santina, we commend our soul.

P: We will lay us down in peace, for thou makest us dwell in safety.

A: Into thy hands, Santina, we commend our soul.

P: Praise be to thee, O Sage, and glory to all the Dome.

A: Into thy hands, Santina, we commend our soul.

4. Prayers of intercession

P: Remember, O Sage, thy Church. Guard it from all wickedness and make it perfect in compassion.

A: Let it never fall to the forces of evil.

P: Guide, O Queen, the hand of all them that wield power, that their actions might bring peace and happiness.

A: Let them never give in to pride and greed.

P: Let all them that are afflicted by hunger or disease find solace in thine arms and be comforted in thy care.

A: Let them never succumb to pain and despair.

5. The High Prayer

P: O Santina, our Sage and our Queen. Thou art our star in the night, the light we follow on the sea of life. Guide us through the storms we face and help us through the mistakes we make. Bear our pain when our strength fails, so that we may bear the burdens of others. Keep our course steady and sure, so that our voyage hereafter may be pure and holy, and that at the last we may find eternal rest in thy haven above. Thus we pray.

A: Hear us, O Sage.

6. Benediction

P: The Sage of Compassion bless us with her loving-kindness and protect us from all sickness of body and soul.

[Anthee]

The Litany of Compassion

Priest: O Santina the Compassionate, give us thy love and mercy.

O Raffelo the Pilot-Prophet, give us thy wisdom and might.

O Sages of the Divine Dome, give us your heavenly light.

Answer: And guide us on the right path.

P: From all evil and mischief; from the crafts and guile of the Wicked Ones; from heathen cults, and from the horrors of the Underdome,

A: Santina, deliver us.

P: From all blackness of heart; from pride, vain-glory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and greed, and all selfishness,

A: Santina, deliver us.

P: From tempest and shipwreck; from war, battle, and murder; from flood, famine, and disease, and from the Crimson Death,

A: Santina, deliver us.

P: By the promise of thy holy Nativity; by thy Descent, Destitution, and Dedication; by thy wisdom, kindness, and compassion,

A: Santina, deliver us.

P: By thy charity in the Humbles; by thy healing of the diseased; by thy founding of the Lezerotti, and by thy courage in the Great Battle,

A: Santina, deliver us.

P: By thy True Death and Ascension to the Firmament; by thine Illumination and Sagehood; by the grace of the Pilot-Prophet, and by the glory of the Divine Dome,

A: Santina, deliver us.

P: In all time of our tribulation; in all time of our joy; in this life, and in the life next to come,

A: Santina, deliver us.

P: Lead us, Good Sage, from death to life, from falsehood to truth, from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead us from hate to thine all-healing love, and let it fill our heart, our world, all worlds. Let it break the shackles of this earthly prison, and lead us to thine abode amongst the stars where birth and suffering and death are no more. Lead us and the souls of our loved ones from life and death to eternity. Thus we pray.

A: Hear us, O Sage.