Atlantic:Bartholomew's Sermons of Virtue

The Springs of Virtue

Virtue springs deep within our essence Welling up into a flowing stream Coursing forth through actions hence Reflected in our intentions seen

Virtue springs from within our hearts Spinning forth its spreading reach Flowing out to distant parts Touching those who’re within its breach

Virtue springs when given chance Leaping forth to start to race Spinning swirling as if to dance Giving warmth with its blind embrace

Virtue springs so eternally new Spouting from source both old and young Given fresh hope from all or few So let us sing of Virtue’s song

Prevail Through Our Virtue

Leader: When discord and evil is upon our gates. Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When chaos and mayhem is threatening ruin Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When temptation drags us from Virtue’s path Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When all seem lost and we take one last stand Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When our struggle becomes a tortured ordeal Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When we are lost and feel totally abandoned Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When we come together to attempt the impossible Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When our differences tear at all we have done Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When the tempest of trouble inflicts our lands Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When all is spinning and our direction unsure Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When those who hate Virtue seem poised to destroy Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Leader: When all is calm and no trouble abounds Cong: Let us prevail through our Virtue

Joy of Living the Virtues

May the Virtues be our victory in life Showing us the path lighted by the Virtues Giving us to perform acts balanced in the Virtues Allowing us the joy of living the Virtues

May the Virtues be our answer in life Showing us the truth within the Virtues Giving us an order constructed from the Virtues Allowing us the joy of living the Virtues

May the Virtues be our guidance in life Showing us the way to be of the Virtues Giving us a way filled with all the Virtues Allowing us the joy of living the Virtues

May the Virtues be our purpose in life Showing us acts of greatness in the Virtues Giving us the rewards of living with the Virtues Allowing us the joy of living the Virtues

May the Virtues be our strength in life Showing us the vitality gained through the Virtues Giving us the grandeur from balancing the Virtues Allowing us the joy of living the Virtues

May the Virtues be our proudest possession in life Showing us the riches of a soul through the Virtues Giving us the warm safety provided by the Virtues Allowing us the joy of living the Virtues

The Sources of All

Leader: When you seek guidance for your life, where do you look? Cong: In the Principles and Virtues Leader: When we seek guidance for our society, where do we look? Cong: In the Principles and Virtues Leader: When doubt seems to overwhelm us, where do we seek the answers? Cong: In the Principles and Virtues Leader: When the darkness of the void engulfs us, where do we turn? Cong: In the Principles and Virtues Leader: When times of trouble befall us, what do we seek? Cong: In the Principles and Virtues Leader: To find a true and worthy direction, where do we focus? Cong: In the Principles and Virtues Leader: When our lives limp wounded, where do we find our crutch? Cong: In the Principles and Virtues Leader: When everything turns away and leaves, where do we gain our root? Cong: In the Principles and Virtues Leader: When life is full and all is good, where do we place our thanks? Cong: In the Principles and Virtues Leader: When society is rich and shines with unity and joy, where do we find the reason? Cong: In the Principles and Virtues

Prayer of Principled Virtues

Love blooms in the Virtue of Compassion Truth blooms in the Virtue of Honesty Courage blooms in the Virtue of Valor Pure of Principles and pure in Virtue

Love with Truth bloom in the Virtue of Justice Truth with Courage bloom in the Virtue of Honor Courage with Love bloom in the Virtue of Sacrifice Paired of Principles but pure in Virtue

Love with Truth with Courage, the Principles three When joined together in total yield Spirituality When shunned together in void yield Humility The all or nothing of Principles but pure in Virtue

Our lives based on Virtues granted through Principles Our lives rooted in Principles granting the Virtues Our society based on Virtues granted through Principles Our society rooted in Principles granting the Virtues

Prayer Defining Virtue

The path of Virtue is neither crooked nor straight It swerves and jumps and dives and turns Adapting to the range of perplexities thrown out by life But for those upon the path, it rolls smooth before them

The light of Virtue burns neither bright nor dim It flashes and brightens and dims and flickers Adapting to the depth of darkness it must overcome But for those whose light it baths, it glows with constant warmth

The feeling of Virtue is neither rough nor smooth It scrapes and soothes and bruises and scratches Adapting to the level of resistance it must overpower But for those who feel the caress, it wraps with soft silkiness

The life of Virtue is neither tranquil nor turbulent It shakes and trembles and glides and pauses Adapting to the intense complexities it will encounter But for those who live such a life, it rewards with steady calm

Prayer of Devotion to the Virtues

Linked by our devotion to the Virtues We live our lives walking similar paths That intertwine in the single path The lighted path of Virtue

Linked by our devotion to the Virtues We choose our actions by their guide Giving a harmony of Virtuous acts Leading to a Balance of the Virtues

Linked by our devotion to the Virtues We seek others who will walk with us Along the path of warming light The warming light of the Virtues

Linked by our devotion to the Virtues We wish to share the inner peace An inner peace derived from Virtue A Virtuous and warming tranquility

Linked by our devotion to the Virtues We find for life a depth of meaning A Virtuous meaning that gives us strength The strength we need to follow Virtue

Linked by our devotion to the Virtues We immerse ourselves in Virtue’s Light Allowing us to be People of Light And become the Lightbringers of Virtue

Prayer from the Inner Core

Deep within there is a place A place that defines who we are That central place that gives us strength The strength that guides our feet to step Our feet to step upon our path The path that’s chosen by our source That source that comes from that place

For some that place holds a void A void that takes from who they are And has them take from those they know With every touch it takes some more Spreading out to increase the void Including more within its grasp Voiding all that’s in that place

For some that place is simply numb Simply numb and caring not No care nor hope nor vision true Lifeless, silent through and through Unaffected by daily trials Treading onward in a stupor Feeling nothing from that place

For some that place is full of chaos Chaotic swirling without a meaning Giving to treading random paths Paths leading them nowhere fast Leaving behind a broken trail With broken lives and broken promises Swirling randomly from that place

For some that place is lined in order Ordered forth in straightened lines Going straight while never swerving Never varied to either side Treading on despite all else Ignoring every choice that’s given Ordered straight from within that place

For some that place is filled of Virtue Virtue that wisely guides their steps Moving forward upon their path A path that knows when to swerve To swerve and find all that’s true And guide us with a blinding light Radiating Virtue from that place

Spirituality Prayer

Spirituality is the wellspring that resides in our souls Deep in our under mind is the home for our spirituality Lying there hidden from our daily turmoil, it waits It waits to be the source of all the other Virtues

When Spirituality reaches out and strokes our thinking It will activate our searches into what we know as Honesty Shining a light that removes the shadows of the lies Then continues until the lies themselves crumble in its light

When Spirituality reaches out and tightens our muscles It will activate our strength into what we know as Valor Taught with power to defeat any trembling of cowardice Then continues until the cowardice falters before its strength

When Spirituality reaches out and caresses our heart It will activate the affections we know as Compassion Glowing warm it chases away the chilling of hate Then continues until the hate retreats before its warmth

When Spirituality reaches out and grips our gut It will activate our giving that we know as Sacrifice Churning with bile it dissolves our greed Then continues until the greed transforms to giving

When Spirituality reaches out and focuses our eyes It will activate our fairness we know as Justice Focusing with sharp clarity it isolates all wrongs Then continues until the wrongs are completely dissolved

When Spirituality reaches out and courses with our blood It will activate a shining glow that we know as Honor Surging and pulsating that drives away the shame Then continues until the shame is washed away

When Spirituality reaches out and fills our void It will activate our modesty we know as Humility Welling up to leave little room for pride Then continues until the pride is pushed aside

Spirituality reaches out to all the Virtues Touching each within our life Setting forth our feet to tread Carefully on the narrow path

Prayer That Comes From Virtue

Leader: May our leaders be known by their Honesty. May they govern with insight Cong: That comes from Virtue. Leader: May our protectors be known by their Valor. May they be filled with strength Cong: That comes from Virtue. Leader: May our adjudicators be known by their Justice. May they find perception Cong: That comes from Virtue. Leader: May our holy men be known by their Spirituality. May they have purity Cong: That comes from Virtue. Leader: May our friends be known by their Compassion. May they be filled with warmth Cong: That comes from Virtue. Leader: May our royalty be known by their Humility. May they reign with selflessness Cong: That comes from Virtue. Leader: May our city guards be known by their Honor. May they give us respect Cong: That comes from Virtue. Leader: May those of ultimate power be known by their Sacrifice. May they know generosity Cong: That comes from Virtue. Leader: May we all be known by our Virtuous deeds. May we find order Cong: That comes from Virtue.

Prayer of Essence

May our lives be warmed with Compassion. Derived from the Principle Love. Warmed by its spiritual essence. As we are by the sun above.

May our lives be surrounded by Honesty. Flowing from the Principle of Truth. Surrounded within a glorious meaning. Not like those who are found uncouth.

May our lives be nourished on Valor Emerging from the Principle of Courage. Nourishing our souls upon firm strength. As a child that is raised on porridge.

May our lives be blessed through Spirituality. The source Principles being all three. Blessed by its ebb and flow. As we see in the tides of the sea.

May our lives be cleansed through Humility. Spawned by the Principles in absence. Cleansed of all corrupt impurities. Leaving one washed in a singular essence.

May our lives be protected in Sacrifice. The bequeathing Principles of Courage and Love. Protected by saving while we are giving. While placing all others above.

May our lives shine bright with Honor. Driving Principles of Truth and Courage. Shining bright reason against all odds. Defeating every shameful chaotic barrage.

May our lives be bestowed with Justice. The basing Principles of Truth and Love. Bestowed within strict and narrow guides. Made to fit like a hand and glove.

May our lives be enriched by the Virtues. The Principles being their source. Enriched and nurtured in every way. Guiding our lives upon their course.

Prayer for Daily Toils

We try to attain Virtue in all that we do. Yet sometimes our daily acts seem far removed. Where is the Compassion in mining? Where is the Valor in weaving cloth? Where is the Justice in fishing? Where is the Spirituality in stocking vendors? Where are the Virtues in our daily chores? They are hidden deep within. There is the Honesty of noble effort. There is the Sacrifice of continuing through boredom. There is the Justice of a job well done. There is the Humility in persisting repetition. There is the Spirituality in the embodiment of toil. There is the Valor completing the task. And there is the Honor in performing respectfully. The Virtues are not obvious in our daily duties. Yet Virtue shines in the noble accomplishment. So we must pursue and treasure a job well done.

The Circle of Virtues

From the love in our hearts We find our Compassion And through our Compassion We unearth our Spirituality And through our Spirituality We illustrate our Sacrifice And through our Sacrifice We reinforce our Humility And through our Humility We confirm our Honor And through our Honor We present our Valor And through our Valor We realize our Honesty And through our Honesty We bestow our Justice And through our Justice We convey our Compassion And thus we discover the Circle The Circle of Virtues

Prayer for Inner Guidance- Arcana

May Spirituality guide me, on this journey through life.

May Compassion temper my thoughts and actions as I seek to live among society and build relationships.

May forgiveness become easier for me.

May Honesty always be present in my words and dealing with others.

May my friendships be based on Honesty.

May Valor always accompany me in combat.

May Justice not be a stranger to me.

May Honor always guide my actions.

May Sacrifice lend me the courage to defend what I love, even when it brings me pain.

May Chaos and Order live in harmony, each serving it's role and not overtaking the other.

May the randomness of Chaos keep us free from monotony.

May I never forget to be Humble, in all things.

Prayer of Complimentary Virtues

Leader: When we seek to balance a Virtue within the Principles.

Cong: We seek the Complimentary Virtue.

Leader: For through the embrace of Complimentary Virtues

Cong: We fulfill the Principles.

Leader: Compassion takes Love leaving Truth and Courage.

Cong: Which gives us Honor.

Leader: Sacrifice takes Love with Courage leaving Truth

Cong: Which gives us Honesty.

Leader: Justice takes Truth with Love leaving Courage

Cong: Which gives us Valor.

Leader: Spirituality adores all three leaving the void

Cong: Which gives us Humility.

Leader: Through the Compliments the Principles are filled

Cong: Which gives us Balance.

Leader: With the Balance the Principles are multiplied

Cong: Through the Virtues.

Leader: The Virtues are built of the Principles.

Cong: Truth, Love, and Courage.

Leader: The Principles are exemplified through the Virtues

Cong: And strengthened through Balance.