Do I have to be a member or know a member to attend?
No! While we have some meetings, classes, and rituals that are reserved for members, most everything we do is open to the general public. We publish a calendar of events that lists only the public ones. If you see an event listing and it does not say “members only,” it’s open to the public.
Who can become a member of the church?
Lay membership in EGC is conferred through the rite of confirmation subsequent to baptism. Those who have reached age 11 and up are eligible for baptism. Confirmation is available to those who are baptized in EGC and have reached puberty. The church offers both ceremonies regularly. There is no fee charged for either ceremony. If you are interested in baptism or confirmation, talk with any priest or priestess to receive an application.
There shall be no consideration of race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation when considering the fitness of candidates for admission, advancement, or appointment to office within Sekhet-Maat or its superordinate organization Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. Our Order values equally women and men, gay and straight, cis and trans, black and white, and all the myriad permutations and subtle combination of those qualities.
See also more information about membership.
Who can become an initiate member?
"Every man and woman of full age (18 or more years old), free, and of good report, has an indefeasible right to the first three degrees of O.T.O."
More information can be found on our initiation page. As it requires the signatures of two sponsors, it is recommended to attend public events at Sekhet-Maat and meet some of our members. It would require at least two of them to attest to your good report.
Who runs the church?
The Gnostic Catholic Church (or Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica, or E.G.C.) is the ecclesiastic arm of the fraternal order Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.) and is administered entirely by the initiate members of Sekhet-Maat Lodge.
Are children welcome?
Yes! People of all ages are welcome to participate as congregants in the Gnostic Mass and all those baptized by EGC are welcome to serve as acolytes in it. Beyond the Mass, nearly all of our public events welcome children, though it is obviously up to the parents or guardians to determine what is or is not appropriate for their own. Occasionally a seasonal ritual may be a bit ribald or have some nudity or dramatic violence, but there’s never overtly sexual content. If you have questions about whether or not a specific event is a good fit for your kid, please feel welcome to contact us and ask.
Is there childcare or children’s programming?
No, there is not currently childcare or a curriculum specific to children. We would love to be able to offer such programs and are working toward them as our resources and expertise develop. We do have a kids’ room that is always open and stocked with games, books, and craft activities. We just don’t have staffing for it.
I’m coming to my first Mass. What should I wear?
Awesome! Wear whatever you will feel comfortable in. Most congregants dress somewhere between casual and “smart” casual.
What’s involved in taking communion?
Being a eucharistic rite, the Gnostic Mass culminates in the priest and congregation partaking of the sacrament prepared during the ritual. The communicant approaches the shrine, consumes the sacrament, and proclaims “There is no part of me that is not of the gods.” We ask that everyone attending the ceremony communicate. In contrast with the common liturgical tradition of churches who limit communion to its confirmed members, the Gnostic Mass is expressly set out to include all in attendance, even at their very first Mass.
What is the sacrament made of?
The sacrament consists of a small goblet of red wine (non-alcoholic alternative available) and a small wafer called a “Cake of Light.” The cake is composed of wheat meal or another grain, honey, wine leavings, Abramelin oil, olive oil, and either food grade animal blood or human blood, typically from the priestess, that has been reduced to ash. If you are sensitive to gluten or are a vegan concerned about consuming blood and honey, you are welcome to bring your own cake to the ceremony.
Are you related to the Roman Catholic Church?
“Catholic” being derived from the Latin word for “universal,” its inclusion in our church’s name should not be construed as giving us a formal relationship to the Church of Rome commonly referred to as the Catholic Church. Many of our bishops have lineal connection to the same apostolic succession as the Roman Church, but we derive our authority from our succession from Aleister Crowley, not Jesus of Nazareth.
Are you related to the Gnostic Church?
As with the Roman Catholic Church, we share a similarity of name and some overlap in membership, but we are not formally associated with the fine work of Rev. Hoeller’s church.
No! While we have some meetings, classes, and rituals that are reserved for members, most everything we do is open to the general public. We publish a calendar of events that lists only the public ones. If you see an event listing and it does not say “members only,” it’s open to the public.
Who can become a member of the church?
Lay membership in EGC is conferred through the rite of confirmation subsequent to baptism. Those who have reached age 11 and up are eligible for baptism. Confirmation is available to those who are baptized in EGC and have reached puberty. The church offers both ceremonies regularly. There is no fee charged for either ceremony. If you are interested in baptism or confirmation, talk with any priest or priestess to receive an application.
There shall be no consideration of race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation when considering the fitness of candidates for admission, advancement, or appointment to office within Sekhet-Maat or its superordinate organization Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. Our Order values equally women and men, gay and straight, cis and trans, black and white, and all the myriad permutations and subtle combination of those qualities.
See also more information about membership.
Who can become an initiate member?
"Every man and woman of full age (18 or more years old), free, and of good report, has an indefeasible right to the first three degrees of O.T.O."
More information can be found on our initiation page. As it requires the signatures of two sponsors, it is recommended to attend public events at Sekhet-Maat and meet some of our members. It would require at least two of them to attest to your good report.
Who runs the church?
The Gnostic Catholic Church (or Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica, or E.G.C.) is the ecclesiastic arm of the fraternal order Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.) and is administered entirely by the initiate members of Sekhet-Maat Lodge.
Are children welcome?
Yes! People of all ages are welcome to participate as congregants in the Gnostic Mass and all those baptized by EGC are welcome to serve as acolytes in it. Beyond the Mass, nearly all of our public events welcome children, though it is obviously up to the parents or guardians to determine what is or is not appropriate for their own. Occasionally a seasonal ritual may be a bit ribald or have some nudity or dramatic violence, but there’s never overtly sexual content. If you have questions about whether or not a specific event is a good fit for your kid, please feel welcome to contact us and ask.
Is there childcare or children’s programming?
No, there is not currently childcare or a curriculum specific to children. We would love to be able to offer such programs and are working toward them as our resources and expertise develop. We do have a kids’ room that is always open and stocked with games, books, and craft activities. We just don’t have staffing for it.
I’m coming to my first Mass. What should I wear?
Awesome! Wear whatever you will feel comfortable in. Most congregants dress somewhere between casual and “smart” casual.
What’s involved in taking communion?
Being a eucharistic rite, the Gnostic Mass culminates in the priest and congregation partaking of the sacrament prepared during the ritual. The communicant approaches the shrine, consumes the sacrament, and proclaims “There is no part of me that is not of the gods.” We ask that everyone attending the ceremony communicate. In contrast with the common liturgical tradition of churches who limit communion to its confirmed members, the Gnostic Mass is expressly set out to include all in attendance, even at their very first Mass.
What is the sacrament made of?
The sacrament consists of a small goblet of red wine (non-alcoholic alternative available) and a small wafer called a “Cake of Light.” The cake is composed of wheat meal or another grain, honey, wine leavings, Abramelin oil, olive oil, and either food grade animal blood or human blood, typically from the priestess, that has been reduced to ash. If you are sensitive to gluten or are a vegan concerned about consuming blood and honey, you are welcome to bring your own cake to the ceremony.
Are you related to the Roman Catholic Church?
“Catholic” being derived from the Latin word for “universal,” its inclusion in our church’s name should not be construed as giving us a formal relationship to the Church of Rome commonly referred to as the Catholic Church. Many of our bishops have lineal connection to the same apostolic succession as the Roman Church, but we derive our authority from our succession from Aleister Crowley, not Jesus of Nazareth.
Are you related to the Gnostic Church?
As with the Roman Catholic Church, we share a similarity of name and some overlap in membership, but we are not formally associated with the fine work of Rev. Hoeller’s church.
