The first Homily of Ves, 1764

[Draeris 3124]

 

THE FIRST HOMILY OF VES

On the times to come in our blessed Commonwealth

 

PUBLISHED & HELD BY 

His Eminence the Cardinal Ves;

Secretariat to His Holiness;

Speaker of the Kaedreni House of Commons,

Laurence August Pruvia

 

HELVETS HOUSE OF LITERATURE

A Rhoswen-Pruvia Ltd. Enterprise

De Sola Plaza, Nr. 4, Owynsburg 

 

23rd of Owyn’s Flame, 1764

 

EDITOR’S NOTE

A homily is a verbal interaction a clergyman can have with his congregation or the faithful in abstract. Whereas sermons are usually about scripture or the interpretations of such: homilies are often a form of address or conversation relating to the lives of one’s parishioners. While classically these were verbally held by the High Pontiff, the spread of the printing press and expansion of civil institutions popularized it among Bishops and priests as well: for they too were now apart of the political discourse, which often homilies were a general response to.

 

 

Dearly beloved, 

 

It has been a year since His Holiness had entrusted me with the diocese of my late predecessor, who sought the restoration of his homeland with his diligent Kaedreni compatriots. It is unfortunate that he is not alive to witness the fruits of their collective efforts. It does, however, instill a profound mission for the Kaedreni clergy to further aid in the statecraft and re-population of our blessed Commonwealth.

 

As our artisans, bureaucrats and clergy see the first signs of a sustainable state: we now found ourselves with something valuable to protect. No longer is Kaedrin just the encompassing name of an idea and a history, but now a state that provides the livelihoods and hopes for many. It is with this value, and perhaps the temporary fragility of this state of affairs: that I found it of utmost expediency to address our folk in a more collective manner.

 

While we have plenty to rejoice over, we must never forget the looming threats we gamble with from day to day. To our north we share borders with a demesne embattled by an ongoing heresy crisis, as to our west a Josephite political entity has arisen that seeks the secularization and dilution of His Divine Word. These issues seem far away, for now. But with our first Kaedreni House of Commons convention merely a day away, and the first Imperial one soon: the knowledge and morals that people vote with, can greatly decide the outcome for our beloved realm. 

 

But first and foremost, I wish to reassure our congregation regarding the heresy crisis in Hanseti-Ruska and the violent passing of my late predecessor. The Bishop of Jorenus in Haense and myself are monitoring the situation closely, and are engaged in an extensive cooperation to contain and in turn decimate this threat. The people of Kaedrin have not forgotten the culling of one of their own, and we put faith in His Holiness and the Ministry of Justice to deliver retribution accordingly to the barbarians still at large somewhere in their realm. 

 

The Bishopric of Ves, as much as the Government of Kaedrin, was displeased with the consistent skirmishes against the faithful by the likes of Arthur. K. Callahan, Tarcharman Otto and the former Bishop Boniface. The first even being a former Kaedreni senator, entrusted with protecting our pious and agrarian realm. As they assume the mantle of the people under the pretension that they speak for them, they chisel at the pious pillars upon which the Commonwealth of Kaedrin stands. They do not speak for our congregation, for the Kaedreni has historically been staunchly pious and in harmony with His Imperial Majesty. Kaedrin cannot conceptually exist without the Oren Empire, as much as the Empire would be incomplete without our olde frontier state. 

 

Understanding this, I call upon my Kaedreni faithful to reject any notions of sedition or secularization: and embrace the Canonist and Everardine doctrines that embody the Rhoswenii agrarian dream. We must unite not just civilly and economically as we are now, but also politically as a coalition of the faithful. If we fail in this task, we will enable a coalition of questionable political operatives to be seated in institutions that preside over us. Ones that might entertain the heresy and subversion of the Callahans and Bonifaces among us. Or even worse, we might be meek in the wake of a hostile clientelist lobby encircling our most holy institution like primitive tarcharmen.

 

We find this applicable locally too. For the first time in decades: the Kaedreni citizen can determine his own destiny, and that of his Commonwealth, in a democratic organ known as the House of Commons. As its speaker, I have profound love for the democracy and civil participation that is to ensue. But as any experiment: things can go wrong. That is why I ask of my faithful to be careful with the fragile institution they are about to partake in. Claim your seat because you wish to help your people, propose an idea with the cleanest of conscience and profoundly understand the immense power you as a citizen now wield. Legislate responsibly, so that Kaedrin may grow sustainably.  Let this serve as a stark reminder that we must never venture alone and unprotected: and to not heed suspicious invitations, wherever they may stem from. The Empire and its Faith are eternally under siege by those that do not profit from mankind's collective progress: from regional separatists, heretics or both. Arcas would be struck with tragedy if a loyal faithful to the Canon becomes a casualty in this fight. Stay safe and stay vigilant, and surround yourself with brothers as you rebuild Kaedrin with us.

 

The Clergy in Kaedrin is entrusted with the provision of necessary bureaucratic, human and materialistic resources to its government. I implore the faithful to contribute in this diligently and willingly. Seek employment in up and coming bureaucratic, military and commercial organizations in Owynsburg. Seek out our heroes of labour for a purpose that fits you. We find it in the direct interest of God’s Institution to further nurture and expand the most pious demesne of Oren. Here we find a distinctly serene bastion where the interests of the Fidei Defensor, his faith and the native populace are in utter harmony.

 

If we are careful with the treasure that we now own, reject the treasonous soothsayers and contribute diligently: we shall see God’s benevolence materialize in the form of wealth, new families and life breathed into our courts and squares. All this would be protected by the shieldwall of our vigilance and caution, as we collectively reject the evils of heresy and mankind’s fragmentation. And then, dearly beloved, will we wake up in a realm that is strong and healthy. 

 

Last but not least, I wish to dedicate this first homily of Ves to the blessed people of Kaedrin. To Mariana Dubois for her unparalleled productivity and dedication to the Commonwealth, to Albrecht Euler for his immense contributions to our construction efforts, to Father Erasmus for his most pious work, to Senator Lajos S. Károly for his loyal representation of our interests abroad, to Count Richard V. Helvets of Rochefort for his remarkable guidance, to Armande de Falstaff for his restoration efforts in Guise and to Edmund Bren for his contributions to our entertainment industry. 

 

IN NOMINE DEI

His Eminence the Cardinal Ves

Laurence August Pruvia

 

 

[argonian 14254]

“GOD BLESS.” says Conrad. 

[BigMacMoMo 214]

“I couldn’t have said it better myself,” Father Erasmus states, placing down his copy of the homily.

[osumanduas 1442]

Richard Helvets signs the Lorraine, ever honoured by the confidence of the dear Bishop Laurence

[CrownedLime747 162]

Lajos Károly signs the Kaedrini cross after reading this.

[Caranthir_ 2533]

“The needs of the laity of Kaedrin are well fulfilled with the Cardinal as their shepherd. All will do wisely to carry out these words here prescribed, as is their faithful duty as men and women of the grand imperial project.” Father Amadeus proclaimed, before salaciously sipping on his red wine.

[Sliw 226]

Edmund Bren smiled as he read that his hard work has not gone unnoticed. ”Greater things are about to come.” He’d state proudly after he’d finished reading.

[kipps 726]

“GOTT mitt uns” Stated Bishop Anton as he signed the Hussariyan Cross ”Fine work from Seine Emminenz Pruvia”

[DahStalker 3692]

Mariana Dubois removed her hat, holding it to her chest, honored by the dedication.