The Forums of Glennain

In nomine + Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today to open the Parliament of our Great Nation. In doing so let us also open our hearts to receive the grace of the Holy Ghost, and let us pray that the Holy Ghost will guide us in our work in this House.

<center>Lord have mercy,
Christ have mercy,
Lord have mercy.

Let us Pray;</center>
Most gracious God, we humbly beseech thee, as for this Kingdom in general, so especially for the High Court of Parliament, under our most religious and gracious Queen at this time assembled: That thou wouldest be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations, to the advancement of thy glory, the good of thy Church, the safety, honour, and welfare of our Sovereign and her Dominions; that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations. These and all other necessaries, for them, for us, and thy whole Church, we humbly beg in the Name and Mediation of Jesus Christ, our most blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.

Direct, we beg Thee, O Lord, our prayers and our actions by Thy holy inspirations and carry them on by Thy gracious assistance, so that every work of ours may always begin with Thee, and through Thee come to completion. Amen.

We have come, O God the Holy Ghost, we have come before Thee, hampered indeed by our many and grievous sins, but for a special purpose gathered together in Thy name. Come to us and be with us and enter our hearts. Teach us what we are to do and where we ought to tend; show us what we must accomplish, in order that, with Thy help, we may be able to please Thee in all things. Be Thou alone the author and the finisher of our judgments, Thou who alone with God the Father and the Son dost posses a glorious name. Do not allow us to disturb the order of justice, Thou who lovest equity above all things. Let not ignorance draw us into devious paths. Let not partiality sway our minds, nor respect of riches nor persons pervert our judgment. But unite us to Thee effectually by the gift of Thy grace alone, that we may be one in Thee and never forsake the truth; inasmuch as we are gathered together in Thy name, so may we in all things hold fast to justice tempered by mercy, so that in this life our judgment may in no wise be at variance with Thee and in the life to come we may attain everlasting rewards for deeds well done. Amen.

<center>Let us pray,</center>
O God, from whom all holy desires, all right counsels and all just works do proceed; give unto Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give, that both our hearts my be set to obey Thy commandments, and also that we, being delivered from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time under Thy protection in rest and quietness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May we be assisted, we beseech Thee, O Lord, by the worshipful intercession of Thy glorious Mother, the ever-Virgin Mary; that we, who have been enriched by her perpetual blessings, may be delivered from all dangers, and through her loving kindness made to be of one heart and mind: Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.

And vouchsafe, O Master, that with boldness and without condemnation we may dare to call upon thee, the heavenly God, as Father, and to say:
Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, forever and ever. Amen.

<center>Pax Vobiscum.
Oremus.</center>
<center>A Prayer for the King's Majesty.</center>
O LORD, our heavenly Father, the high and mighty, King of kings, Lord of lords, the only Ruler of princes, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth; Most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold our most gracious Sovereign Lord, King ALEXANDER, the first; and so replenish him with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that he may always incline to thy will, and walk in thy way. Endue him plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant him in health and wealth long to live; strengthen him that he may vanquish and overcome all his enemies; and finally, after this life, he may attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


<center>A Prayer for the Royal Family</center>
ALMIGHTY God, the fountain of all goodness, we humbly beseech thee to bless Our Queen Katherine, Marisa, Duchess of Gottingen, Brittany, Princess of Hanover, and all the Royal Family: Endue them with thy Holy Spirit; enrich them with thy heavenly grace; prosper them with all happiness; and bring them to thine everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


<center>A Prayer for the Clergy and People.</center>
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who alone workest great marvels; Send down upon our Bishops, and Curates, and all Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace; and that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Let us sing to the Lord our God this hymn,

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<center>For help singing this hymn please go to,
Veni Creator Spiritus</center>

<center>All members are to refrain from speaking until the Speech from the Throne has been made.</center>

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My Lords and Gentlemen, as I watch the distinguished members of this House once more assembling in a spirit of dutiful service to the nation, I am struck with a sense of awe at the durability of this Kingdom. Not so long ago, there was no Parliament; we ruled the nation behind closed doors, and cut ourselves off from mainstream micronationalism. Let us look at how far we have come in a short year: Hanover now has a democratically-elected Prime Minister, leading a Government functioning within the traditions of Great Britain, but not slavishly conforming to her model. Inactive citizens have returned, new citizens immigrated, and there is a prospect of yet more in the months to come. In this epochal moment for the Kingdom, my Government will not sit idle.

My Government stands firmly against secrecy in decision-making, and will work tirelessly to improve the transparency of the Hanoverian state. Future meetings of the Cabinet will be held in public whenever possible, and my Government will encourage the participation of Parliament in all major decisions. To that end, my Government will reform the naturalization process, transferring the normative power of granting citizenship to the King-in-Parliament. My Government believes that, if properly and carefully implemented, the party system will be a great step towards transparency and popular participation in policy-making.

My Government considers it vital that not only the workings of the state, but also the rights of Hanoverian citizens, be now codified and protected for posterity. All are now agreed that a written constitution has become necessary. My Government will enact a new Organic Law to codify the current constitutional conventions, and make our government once more comprehensible to all. Furthermore, given the experience of the past years under our current uncodified constitution, steps will be taken to remove the bottlenecks which often make Hanoverian government frustrating. Extensive reforms and improvements will be made to the Royal Gazette and the High Court of Chancery, to ensure that decisions can be made solemnized in a timely manner.

I am appalled to see that in this, the fifth year of its existence, Hanover has yet to enact a real criminal law: treason is not a crime; censorship is perfectly permissible under Hanoverian law. My Government believes that Hanoverians have a right to protection from crime and disorder, and will take speedy and definite steps to enact a proper penal code. At the same time, my Government will base our laws strongly on the British model, while remaining within the confines of reality. Crimes over which a micronation can have no jurisdiction will not be made, nor will unrealistic punishments be exacted. Furthermore, in order to enforce these laws once made, my Government will work towards a real but practical system of courts.

My Government believes that Hanoverian politics and society will only become permanent if they expand beyond the ephemeral confines of an online forum. The recent investiture of our Archbishop has set a precedent for offline religious ceremonies, as my Coronation as King of Varennes did for secular ceremonies. My Government hopes to continue this trend, while also exploring novel methods of bringing a more “offline” experience to those who cannot meet other Hanoverians in person. More substantive methods of communication, such as letters, telephone conversations, and real-time chat rooms, will see increasing use for official functions. My Government will also explore virtual reality as a method of holding state ceremonies, while also bringing new citizens to the Kingdom.

My Lords and Gentlemen, I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your councils.

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