****
Holy Grail Closing Ritual
A Grail Catechism
Q. What is the quest?
A. To seek the Grail.
Q. What is the Grail?
A. It has many forms.
Q. How can I seek the unknown?
A. By following the path which will reveal itself to you.
Q. Where does such a path begin?
A. Here, at your very doorstep.
Q. How shall I know I am on it?
A. That which you seek will guide you.
Q. If I accomplish my quest, what shall I do?
A. You will return and create a garden.
Q. But what if the Grail has no physical term?
A. You will awaken the hearts of those around you.
Q. Will you come with me?
A. You will travel alone, but the Keeper of the Grail
will be near you.
Q. Is the quest easy?
A. Yes, but the path is long and the task heavy.
Q. Shall I accomplish this task?
A. All who go forth upon the quest achieve their
true aim, but not all have the wisdom to know this.
Q. Can you give me something to aid me?
A. 1 shall give you my blessing.
Q. When shall I set forth?
A. When the sun or the moon or the stars direct you.
Q. What should I take with me?
A. Your courage, your love and your dedication.
Q. Will I find companions on the journey?
A. The quest is always a lonely path, but you will
not tread it alone.
Q. How shall I bring back what I find?
A. In your heart or your soul you will bear it.
Q. What shall I tell those I meet?
A. That you seek the key to Paradise, that all people may
return there.
Q. And if they mock me?
A. Their laughter shall bear you up.
Q. But if people scorn and shun me?
A. Their sadness shall be a spur to you.
Q. In what place is the grail hidden?
A. In the maze at the heart of the castle.
Q. Where does that castle stand?
A. In the Forest of Forgetting.
Q. How shall I recognise the castle?
A. By the voice of the Ever Running River.
Q. How shall I cross such a river?
A. On a boat of your dreams.
Q. What is the key to the maze?
A. The song that is in your heart.
Q. How shall I enter the castle?
A. The Gate Keeper shall direct you.
Q. With what shall I pay him?
A. With your memories of the outer world.
Q. How then shall I return?
A. By the path of moonbeams and forgotten dreams.
Q. Can you not speak to me more plainly?
A. I cannot explain to you things which are not of
this world.
Q. It is my will to take up this quest. Will you give
me your blessing?
A. Gladly:
Blessed are they who set upon an Endless Quest.
Blessed are they who walk in the Darkness, seeking
Light.
Blessed are they, who abandoning all worldly things, seek
out the Gates of Paradise, They that may lead all beings to
their rightful home,
Be Thy Ways Ever Blessed.
Grail Mass
A Short meditation
C: Let us now go to the Green Chapel. It has many
forms. You may see it as a small stone building,
dimly lit. within the midst of an old forest. Trees
overshadow it. and climbing creepers enfold it. The
light which enters the eastern window, above a
simple altar, is also green from the foliage all about
it. It feels very cool and peaceful. On the altar, made
of grey stone with a white cover the Grail stands,
veiled from your sight. Some of you may see the
older Chapel in the Green. Here amid the primal
forest which once covered much of our landscape,
you enter a small space of closely nibbled turf,
where grey rocks make seats, and where vast,
ancient oaks shade the sacred Grove. Nearby the
constant sound of a small stream, trickling over the
pebbles makes a background to the songs of wild
birds, and the gentle stirring of leaves above your
head. It feels a holy and blessed place of great
power and your awareness sinks into it's peace and
sanctity.
Prayer
We have each come here on our quest for the secret
of life and the key to joy. We have come to partake,
to share and to experience in our own way, the
communion of the Grail, which is and was and is to
come. Let us call upon the Guardians of the place
that they may show us the Mystery, and bless our
Communion:
I call upon Gabriel, Archangel of the Chalice, Healer and
Messenger of Light - protect us now and in our daily
lives.
I call upon Bride, Goddess of springs, and daughter of the
Keeper of the Cauldron, to inspire and awaken our ancient
wisdom within us, that this secret source may nourish our
spirits.
Let us pause to meditate upon the Mystery of the
Grail, Let us call upon its Keeper that it due time we
may each perceive it in the form best suited to us. as
we go forward on the path to enlightenment, that we
may know it for what it truly is. Pause
Although we may not yet be ready to drink from the
Holy Grail, we may share, in symbol, the wine of
blessed inspiration and taste the gifts of the Eternal
Creator.
Lady of earth, bless this bread that it may awaken in
us the links with the source of all creation, and
strengthen our will to good. Lord of the Sky, bless
this wine that in its symbolic sharing we may all
join in the company of the Chosen Ones, to bring
light and life and joy into the world, for all the
people.
Companions please partake of these symbolic
elements, for here is a mystery.
All communicate
All: I have partaken of the symbolic gifts of the Grail, may
I attain these in reality.
Blessed are they that set out upon the EndlessQuest,
Blessed are they who walk in Darkness, seeking the Light.
Blessed are they, abandoning all earthly things, seek out
the Gates of Paradise, that they may lead all beings to their
rightful home.
May our ways be forever blest.
C: Alone we have partaken of the Gifts of the Grail, yet
we shall seek to share the Light ot the Mystery revealed to
our world. From the place of the Grail th^re comes a
Light:
Celebrant picks up the lighted chalice and passes it
sunwise around the company saying
I give you this light that you may find enlightenment.
Each in turn say: I take the light but would gladly
share it.
All: From our small circle may the light of the Grail
spread throughout the whole world. From the peace
of the Chapel in the Green let us all gently return to
our own place, and bring with us the Blessings of
the Grail to those around us.
All: There is a blessing on all who serve.
Each in turn say: I take the light but would gladly
share it.
All: From our small circle may the light of the Grail
spread throughout the whole world. From the peace
of the Chapel in the Green let us all gently return to
our own place, and bring with us the Blessings of
the Grail to those around us.
All: There is a blessing on all who serve.
****
from: The Grail Seeker's Companion by Matthews, J & Green, M.