Being a Priest of the Star Empresses

Much of the priestly life revolves around people. There are no two days that are the same, but here is what a typical day could look like. The priest begins his day between six and eight with the Morning Liturgy either communally or privately, followed by exercise, bathing, some light breakfast, and then perhaps by some office work if he has charges. After eleven but before noon he will perform the Midday Liturgy. In the afternoon, if he has charges he makes his visits otherwise he performs chores, studies, and meditates on the Star Empresses' teachings. Between three and five he will perform the Evening Liturgy either communally with charges or in private. Then in the evening, after supper, there is almost always some kind of worship meeting, prayer service, or studying the works of humanity. Between seven and eight in the evening, he will privately perform the Dusk Liturgy. He is free to pursue his own interests, visit friends, or have more meetings with charges. He is expected to perform the day's end liturgy and go to bed before midnight.
Priests accompany people in very dramatic moments of their lives: the birth of a child, a wedding engagement, or even death. There is a saying, “What a person goes through in a lifetime, a priest goes through in a day.” It’s important for a priest to maintain a healthy prayer life to sustain himself in the midst of these emotional events.
Being a Priest is not a 9:00 am – 5:00 pm job. Parishes are not businesses with office hours. A priest is always a priest and always present. A priest is preeminently a man of sacrifice. Priests are called to be agents of mercy and compassion by bringing people to God and God to the people.

The Church

The Gift of Service

Just as it is important for a priest to make a self-offering gift of service to his people, it is equally important for him to receive from the Star Empresses. A priest cannot give what he does not have. Therefore, it is important for the priest to have an active spiritual life that is able to sustain him throughout his ministry.

Celebrating all Life

Preservation of lives was the reason the Star Empresses sacrificed so much to build and protect Terra. Protecting the lives and the souls of the world of Terra is the primary role of the Church and that extends itself in the role of the Priest. It is the priest, as a sharer in the Star Empresses priesthood, who is not only able to offer the healing mercy of the Star Empresses in the prayers, penance, and anointing of the sick. It is the priest, as a sharer in Star Empresses’ prophetic mission, who is able to speak in the name of the Star Empresses by preaching and teaching. The indelible spiritual character of initiated enables and facilitates the priest’s responsibility in the solemn mission of the Church.

Liturgy of the Hours

The priest’s daily prayers focus on both his personal needs as well as on his service to others. The promise to maintain and deepen a spirit of prayer specifically includes the promise to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. The Liturgy of the Hours, discovered by one of the Nacitas researchers and documented in a book more commonly referred to as the Compendium, is prayed five times a day, at different times. Thus, “by tradition going back to the original star domain's times, the divine office is devised so that the whole course of the day and night is made holy by the praises of the Star Empresses” (Bensolun III, Beatus Concilio, 23).

1. Morning Liturgy - privately or communal, before beginning the day's efforts.
2. Midday Liturgy - privately or communal, between eleven and noon.
3. Evening Liturgy - privately but strongly encourage to be communal with charges, between three and five in the afternoon.
4. Dusk Litergy - recommended being done privately, however it may be shared if a charge needs support performed between seven and eight in the evening.
5. Day's End Liturgy - privately before bed, no later than midnight.

The Services

Most priests are involved in parish ministry. They celebrate Communion on Sundays with their charges. During the week, priests hear confessions of any citizen, anoint them when they are sick and marry them, say the daily liturgies, and prayers for the dead.

Parish Life

Priests preach the Sacred Scrolls which are the commands of the Star Empresses to their people. Priests teach the scrolls in classrooms when available, however, they are known to settle for having discussions with individuals or groups. They listen to the citizens’ joys and sorrows and promote works of charity such as volunteering opportunities. Specifically, priests may visit the elderly, and work with the teen or young adults, and tutor for the houses. They do this to create a central place in the community for local citizens to connect with one another, and with their faith. All of this is done to foster our relationship with the Star Empresses, our saviors, and Great Ladies.

Hard Work

Church priests work hard and have very demanding schedules. Priests typically get one day off each week and have up to a month for an annual vacation every other year. The church strongly encourages them to have hobbies to turn to for relaxation in the course of a normal day of priestly work, just as they should find time for prayers.

Houses and Communes

Some priests may have made a vow of celibacy, however, it is not a requirement. Many citizens and church writings suggest the priests should embrace the Star Empresses and their church as their only communal affiliation. Many priests come from houses and communes which they are permitted to visit and continue direct association to if they desire. Without a house or commune–most priests think of their parishes and charges as their common house. Priests often say that they feel full of commune loyalty because they are a member of the entire community and doing the Star Empresses' work of guiding and protecting the people.