Torenism/Toren Mass

Torenism Mass

A group of nine Torenists celebrating Mass

Torenism Mass is celebrated in a much different way than most religions conduct their masses. Shrines to Torenism contain dozens of communion chambers which are the central areas where Torenists celebrate mass. Every week at midnight on the third day, groups of nine Torenists enter the communion chamber, dressed in deep red robes and hoods covering their faces - thus all status and knowledge of the other celebrants is stripped away - leaving only the groups of believers coming together to worship Tor.

The person standing in what is deemed as the first circle leads the group through the formal mass ceremony, which begins precisely at midnight. The mass itself is used to commemorate the great changes that have taken place in human society, and in their own lives as a result of Tor - everything from the awakening of the human spirit after Tor revealed himself to mankind, to an individual person's enlightenment after they accepted Tor into their own lives.

During the celebration, participants are required to look into their own lives and contemplate what has gone before, what is, and what is ahead of them. Through ritualistic chanting, the faithful praise the existence and word of Tor, reaffirming their own belief in him and their devotion to his philosophies.

At the closing of the mass, the Torenist in the first circle rhetorically asks the full gathering of nine, "Will you follow Tor into darkness, into fire and into death?" to which the others are to respond "yes". The leader then instructs the group, "Then do so in testimony to those who will follow you. We go to bring the promise of new life - life in the form of renewal and victory disguised as defeat. From birth, through death and renewal, we must cast aside the old - old fears, old lives, this is your death, the death of flesh, the death of pain, the death of yesterday. Power flows through strength, and justice through the will of Tor. As of this moment we are all dead - we go now to reclaim our lives by doing Tor's will on earth."

After that parting sermon, the nine exit the communion chamber in silence and leave the shrine to go do Tor's work amongst the secular world. The mass is a highly spiritual ceremony which all members of the faith take extremely seriously.