September 3, 1819
The Cathedral in Auch
Before all the Assassin Stuff Happened
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The Comte de L'Isle Jourdain was looking in the mirror at himself. Two servants were adjusting his suit and making him presentable. This was the big day. Ever since he made this arrangement with the Prince of Condé, he has been excited for this moment. He was finally going to secure himself a wife. The two servants continued their task. "Your excellency, I believe you look great!" said one of the servants as both backed away. The Comte's military uniform was polished to perfection. His hair groomed back, his beard trimmed. He was very presentable in this outfit. He felt a sense of pride. Just then, the door behind him opened.
"Donnez-nous un instant s'il vous plaît?" said a familiar woman's voice. The Comte turned around and saw his mother standing in the door. She was fifty-five years old, and history had not been kind to her appearance. The two servants nodded and walked out the door. The Dowager Countess walked over slowly to her son, a smile emerging on her face. "You look just like your father on our wedding day." she said, choking back tears.
"Mother..." said the Comte walking over to her. She held out a hand to stop him.
"How happy he would be to see you now. His son, growing up and marrying a pretty lady. I am sure that he is smiling up in heaven for you." she said, a tear dripping down her face. The Comte wasn't sure if it was out of joy or sadness.
"It's days like these were I miss him the most." said the Comte.
"Nathanaël, I have watched you grow up in-spite of everything this world has thrown at you. I know that you will make the family proud." said the Dowager Countess. Just then a man walked into the room.
"Pardon me madame, but it is time..."
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*The Comte de L'Isle Jourdain and the Lady Sophia Dawes stand at the altar. The priest begins the rite with the following words*
Priest: Nathanaël Barrande, wilt thou take Sophia Dawes, here present, for thy lawful wife, according to the rite of our holy Mother the Church?
Nathanaël: I will
Priest: Sophia Dawes, wilt thou take Nathanaël Barrande, here present, for thy lawful husband, according to the rite of our holy Mother the Church?
Sophia: I will
*The Priest asks the two to join their right hands for their formal pledges to each other*
Nathanaël: I, Nathanaël Barrande, take thee, Sophia Dawes, for my lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.
Sophia: I, Sophia Dawes, take thee, Nathanaël Barrande, for my lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.
Priest: Ego conjugo vos in matrimonium, in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen. (I join you together in marriage, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.)
*The Priests sprinkles the couple with holy water, and proceeds to bless the bride's ring*
Priest: Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini. (Our help is in the name of the Lord)
Sophia+Nathanaël: Qui fecit caelum et terram. (Who made heaven and earth)
Priest: Domine, exaudi orationem meam. (O Lord, hear my prayer)
Sophia+Nathanaël: Et clamor meus ad te veniat. (And let my cry come unto thee)
Priest: Dominus vobiscum. (The Lord be with you)
Sophia+Nathanaël: Et cum spiritu tuo. (And with Thy spirit)
Priest: Let us pray. Bless, O Lord, this ring, which we bless in Thy name, that she who shall wear it, keeping true faith unto her spouse, may abide in Thy peace and in obedience to Thy will, and ever live in mutual love. Through Christ our Lord.
Sophia+Nathanaël: Amen.
*The priest sprinkles the ring with holy water in the form of a cross; and Nathanaël, having received the ring from the hand of the priest, places it on the third finger of the left hand of Sophia*
Nathanaël: With this ring I thee wed; this gold and silver I thee give; with my body I thee worship; and with all my worldly goods I thee endow.
Priest: In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen. (In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen)
*Following this is a another blessing by the priest. Following that is the Lord's Prayer. Following that is the Pater Nostel, the readings for the mass. Following that, the couple kneels before the priest as he says the following blessing*
Priest: Let us pray. Be gracious, O Lord, to our humble supplications: and graciously assist this Thine institution, which Thou hast established for the increase of mankind: that what is joined together by Thine authority, may be preserved by Thine aid. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee..,O God, who by Thine own mighty power, didst make all things out of nothing: who, having set in order the beginnings of the world, didst appoint Woman to be an inseparable helpmeet to Man, made like unto God, so that Thou didst give to woman’s body its beginnings in man’s flesh, thereby teaching that what it pleased Thee to form from one substance, might never be lawfully separated: O God, who, by so excellent a mystery hast consecrated the union of man and wife, as to foreshadow in this nuptial bond the union of Christ with His Church: O God, by whom Woman is joined to Man, and the partnership, ordained from the beginning, is endowed with such blessing that it alone was not withdrawn either by the punishment of original sin, nor by the sentence of the flood: graciously look upon this Thy handmaid, who, about to be joined in wedlock, seeks Thy defense and protection. May it be to her a yoke of love and peace: faithful and chaste, may she be wedded in Christ, and let her ever be the imitator of holy women: let her be dear to her husband, like Rachel: wise, like Rebecca: long-lived and faithful like Sara. Let not the author of deceit work any of his evil deeds in her. May she continue, clinging to the faith and to the commandments. Bound in one union, let her shun all unlawful contact. Let her protect her weakness by the strength of discipline; let her be grave in behavior, respected for modesty, well-instructed in heavenly doctrine. Let her be fruitful in offspring; be approved and innocent; and come to the repose of the blessed and the kingdom of heaven. May they both see their children’s children to the third and fourth generation, and may they reach the old age which they desire. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth…
*After these prayers conclude, the mass continues as normal with the couple receiving communion. At the end of the mass, before the final blessing, the priest gives a nupital blessing*
Priest: May the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob be with you, and may He fulfill His blessing upon you: that you may see your children’s children unto the third and fourth generation, and thereafter may you have life everlasting, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, God for ever and ever. Amen.
The Cathedral in Auch
Before all the Assassin Stuff Happened
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Comte de L'Isle Jourdain was looking in the mirror at himself. Two servants were adjusting his suit and making him presentable. This was the big day. Ever since he made this arrangement with the Prince of Condé, he has been excited for this moment. He was finally going to secure himself a wife. The two servants continued their task. "Your excellency, I believe you look great!" said one of the servants as both backed away. The Comte's military uniform was polished to perfection. His hair groomed back, his beard trimmed. He was very presentable in this outfit. He felt a sense of pride. Just then, the door behind him opened.
"Donnez-nous un instant s'il vous plaît?" said a familiar woman's voice. The Comte turned around and saw his mother standing in the door. She was fifty-five years old, and history had not been kind to her appearance. The two servants nodded and walked out the door. The Dowager Countess walked over slowly to her son, a smile emerging on her face. "You look just like your father on our wedding day." she said, choking back tears.
"Mother..." said the Comte walking over to her. She held out a hand to stop him.
"How happy he would be to see you now. His son, growing up and marrying a pretty lady. I am sure that he is smiling up in heaven for you." she said, a tear dripping down her face. The Comte wasn't sure if it was out of joy or sadness.
"It's days like these were I miss him the most." said the Comte.
"Nathanaël, I have watched you grow up in-spite of everything this world has thrown at you. I know that you will make the family proud." said the Dowager Countess. Just then a man walked into the room.
"Pardon me madame, but it is time..."
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Transcript from the Wedding Mass:
*The Comte de L'Isle Jourdain and the Lady Sophia Dawes stand at the altar. The priest begins the rite with the following words*
Priest: Nathanaël Barrande, wilt thou take Sophia Dawes, here present, for thy lawful wife, according to the rite of our holy Mother the Church?
Nathanaël: I will
Priest: Sophia Dawes, wilt thou take Nathanaël Barrande, here present, for thy lawful husband, according to the rite of our holy Mother the Church?
Sophia: I will
*The Priest asks the two to join their right hands for their formal pledges to each other*
Nathanaël: I, Nathanaël Barrande, take thee, Sophia Dawes, for my lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.
Sophia: I, Sophia Dawes, take thee, Nathanaël Barrande, for my lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.
Priest: Ego conjugo vos in matrimonium, in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen. (I join you together in marriage, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.)
*The Priests sprinkles the couple with holy water, and proceeds to bless the bride's ring*
Priest: Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini. (Our help is in the name of the Lord)
Sophia+Nathanaël: Qui fecit caelum et terram. (Who made heaven and earth)
Priest: Domine, exaudi orationem meam. (O Lord, hear my prayer)
Sophia+Nathanaël: Et clamor meus ad te veniat. (And let my cry come unto thee)
Priest: Dominus vobiscum. (The Lord be with you)
Sophia+Nathanaël: Et cum spiritu tuo. (And with Thy spirit)
Priest: Let us pray. Bless, O Lord, this ring, which we bless in Thy name, that she who shall wear it, keeping true faith unto her spouse, may abide in Thy peace and in obedience to Thy will, and ever live in mutual love. Through Christ our Lord.
Sophia+Nathanaël: Amen.
*The priest sprinkles the ring with holy water in the form of a cross; and Nathanaël, having received the ring from the hand of the priest, places it on the third finger of the left hand of Sophia*
Nathanaël: With this ring I thee wed; this gold and silver I thee give; with my body I thee worship; and with all my worldly goods I thee endow.
Priest: In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen. (In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen)
*Following this is a another blessing by the priest. Following that is the Lord's Prayer. Following that is the Pater Nostel, the readings for the mass. Following that, the couple kneels before the priest as he says the following blessing*
Priest: Let us pray. Be gracious, O Lord, to our humble supplications: and graciously assist this Thine institution, which Thou hast established for the increase of mankind: that what is joined together by Thine authority, may be preserved by Thine aid. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee..,O God, who by Thine own mighty power, didst make all things out of nothing: who, having set in order the beginnings of the world, didst appoint Woman to be an inseparable helpmeet to Man, made like unto God, so that Thou didst give to woman’s body its beginnings in man’s flesh, thereby teaching that what it pleased Thee to form from one substance, might never be lawfully separated: O God, who, by so excellent a mystery hast consecrated the union of man and wife, as to foreshadow in this nuptial bond the union of Christ with His Church: O God, by whom Woman is joined to Man, and the partnership, ordained from the beginning, is endowed with such blessing that it alone was not withdrawn either by the punishment of original sin, nor by the sentence of the flood: graciously look upon this Thy handmaid, who, about to be joined in wedlock, seeks Thy defense and protection. May it be to her a yoke of love and peace: faithful and chaste, may she be wedded in Christ, and let her ever be the imitator of holy women: let her be dear to her husband, like Rachel: wise, like Rebecca: long-lived and faithful like Sara. Let not the author of deceit work any of his evil deeds in her. May she continue, clinging to the faith and to the commandments. Bound in one union, let her shun all unlawful contact. Let her protect her weakness by the strength of discipline; let her be grave in behavior, respected for modesty, well-instructed in heavenly doctrine. Let her be fruitful in offspring; be approved and innocent; and come to the repose of the blessed and the kingdom of heaven. May they both see their children’s children to the third and fourth generation, and may they reach the old age which they desire. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth…
*After these prayers conclude, the mass continues as normal with the couple receiving communion. At the end of the mass, before the final blessing, the priest gives a nupital blessing*
Priest: May the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob be with you, and may He fulfill His blessing upon you: that you may see your children’s children unto the third and fourth generation, and thereafter may you have life everlasting, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, God for ever and ever. Amen.