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The abbess took her place before them, her hands outspread above their heads, and she began to pray.
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When she finished, the two novices rose and, resuming their kneeling posture, began to pray aloud,
saying:
'Thanks to Thee, Great of Light,
that I have risen today,
to the rising of my life;
May it be to Thy glory,
All-Wise Creator,
and to the glory of my own dear soul.
O Great King, aid Thou my soul,
with the aiding of Thy mercy,
with the aiding of Thy love,
with the aiding of Thy compassion;
Even as I clothe my body with this wool,
cover Thou my soul with Thy Swift Sure Hand.
Help me to avoid every sin,
and the source of every sin forsake;
As the mist scatters on the face of the mountains,
may each ill thought and deed vanish from my heart.'
There were more prayers, and when these finished the novices rose and one of the sisters came forward
bearing a jar of consecrated oil with which she anointed them, dipping her finger and signing them with
the cross on their foreheads. Then each of the novices pledged her life to the service of the community,
taking a holy vow which the abbess administered with solemn approval.
After the vows, the nuns began singing again. This time, as they sang, they arranged themselves in two
concentric rings around the altar holding their candles before them. Cait took advantage of the movement
and edged closer for a better look. From behind her pillar she now viewed the hooded figures from the
side; Alethea was nearest her, though Cait could not see her face.
Returning to the altar, the abbess picked up a small wooden cross on a leather loop. Stepping before
Alethea, the older woman held out the cross for the younger to kiss. Alethea leaned forward slightly,
reached out, took hold of the cross and brought it to her lips. As she did so, Cait felt a pang of yearning
pierce her heart. This took her by surprise. She had not thought to be moved by the ceremony in this
way. What did it mean?
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She had little time to wonder about this, however, for Abbess Annora nodded, and Alethea reached up,
pulled back the hood and lowered it to rest on her shoulders. It was then Cait saw that her sister's head
was completely shaved. The sight made Cait's breath catch in her throat - all that lovely long dark hair ...
gone. Strangely, the sight of her sister this way, on her knees, denuded head bent in prayer, awakened
Cait to the solemn seriousness of her sister's decision. Oh, Thea, she thought, dear, dear Thea, for once
in your life I hope you know what you are doing.
The abbess moved to the other young woman and repeated the conferral of the cross. Then one of the
sisters stepped forward, holding two lengths of dove-grey cloth across her outstretched palms. Taking
one of the cloths, the abbess draped it around Alethea's shoulders like a shawl; leaning close she kissed
the younger woman lightly on the forehead, then raised her to her feet. The procedure was repeated for
the second novice, whereupon the two newest members of the abbey were embraced by the abbess and
each of the other sisters in turn; thus were they welcomed into the intimate fellowship of the Order.
Cait thought the ceremony would end now, and the Grey Marys would leave, but as soon as the new
sisters had received their welcome, the nuns reformed their circle. The abbess turned once more to the
altar. Crossing her hands over her breast, she bent her head, and called out, 'In the meeting of our hearts
and minds: Thou. In the calling of our souls, dear lord: Thou. In the weaving of life below with life above:
Thou, saviour lord, and Thou only.'
So saying, she stepped to the altar, pressed her hands together, and then placed her palms flat on either
side of the huge golden cross as if she would remove it - an unusual gesture, and unexpected, which drew
Cait's attention. As she watched, the abbess withdrew her hands, and Cait saw that a door had opened
in the base of the cross, revealing a hollow place. Reaching in, the abbess brought forth a footed cup.
Cait could not see it clearly from where she stood, but it seemed an ordinary drinking cup of wood,
perhaps, or pottery. A glint of candlelight traced the rim as the abbess turned and presented the cup to
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