ELDER: Good evening, learned associates.

ASSOCIATES: Good evening.

ELDER: In the name of our ancient ancestors, the three Spanish knights Osso, Mastrosso and Carcagnosso, I baptize this place. If earlier I identified it as a place where cops and felons gather, from now on I will recognize it as a holy and inviolable place where this honoured society can form and transform. Do you conform?

A: We conform.

ELDER: To what?

A: To the rules of the society.

ELDER: In the name of the Archangel Gabriel and Saint Elizabeth, the circle of society is formed. What is said in this u-shaped circle is said here and stays here, anyone who speaks outside this place is declared a traitor to his office and discharged from this society. We are gathered here to initiate a contrasto onorato who has distinguished himself for his virtue and humility, his guarantor is [here the name of the person who vouches for the introduction is spoken]. If anyone present has any objections, say so now or forever hold your peace. You may introduce the honourable man [the guarantor introduces the person to the Elder]: who are you and what do you want?

NEW ASSOCIATE: My name is [first and last name] and I seek blood and honour.

ELDER: Blood for whom?

NA: For the wicked.

ELDER: Honour for whom?

NA: For the Honoured Society.

ELDER: Are you familiar with our rules?

NA: I am familiar with them.

ELDER: The interest or honour of the society comes before family, parents, sisters or brothers; from this moment on, the society is your family, and if you commit infamy you will be punished by death. Just as you will be loyal to the society, so the society will be loyal to you and will assist you in need; this oath can be broken only by death. Are you prepared for this? Do you so swear?

[The new associate places his left hand, palm facing down, on the tip of a knife held by one of the participants, while the others present place their left hand on that of the initiate.]

NA: I swear in the name of the archangel Gabriel and the Sacred Crown of the Honoured Society, that from this time on you are my family, that I will always be loyal and that only death will take me from you; I place myself in your hands, that you may judge me should I commit acts or offences that may be detrimental to the clan, staining my honour or that of others, and that may cause harm to the Honoured Society; if I commit a wrong I will be punished with death.

[The capo-società places his left hand over all the others.]

ELDER: If at first I knew you as a contrasto onorato, from now on I recognize you as a picciotto d’onore (honourable soldier).

[The new associate gives the Elder three kisses on the cheek.]

[At the completion of the rite, the Elder turns to the formed circle and recites the formula that ends the meeting of the society.]

ELDER: From this moment on we have a new man of honour, the Society has been formed, and the circle is dismissed. Good evening.

A: Good evening.