ADSUM DOMINE

This is the Healer's Oath from Katherine Kurtz's Deryni series.

"Adsum Domine" means "Here I am, Lord" in Latin

Here am I, Lord: Thou hast granted me the grace to heal men's bodies.

Here am I, Lord: Thou hast given me the might to bend the will of others.

O Lord, grant strength and wisdom to wield all these gifts only as Thy will

wouldst have me serve.

The Lord of Light siad unto me, Behold:
Thou art my chosen child, My gift to man.
Before the daystar, long before thou wast in mother-womb,
thy soul was sealed to Me for all time out of mind.
Thou art My Healing hand upon this world,
Mine instrument of life and Healing might.
To thee I give the breath of Healing power,
the awesome, darkling secrets of the wood and vale and earth.
I give thee all these gifts that thou mayst know my love:
Use all in service of the ease of man and beast.
Be cleansing fire to purify corruption,
a pool of sleep to bring surcease from pain.
Keep close within thy heart all secrets given,
as safe as said in shriving, and as sacred.
Nor shall thy Sight be used for revelation,
unless the other's mind be freely offered.
With consecrated hands, make whole the broken.
With consecrated soul, reach out and give my peace.

Here am I, Lord: All my talents at Thy feet I lay.

Here am I, Lord: Thou art the One Creator of all things.
Thou are the Omnipartite One Who ruleth Light and Shade,
Giver of Life and Gift of Life Thyself.

Here am I, Lord: All my being bound unto Thy will.

Here am I, Lord: Sealed unto Thy service, girt with strength to save or slay.
Guide and guard Thy servant, Lord, from all temptation,
that honor may be spotless and my Gift unstained.

Katherine Kurtz