Greg Watts, who taught me a course on the Media at Oscott, suggests on his blog that those who are obsessed with silk and lace are, perhaps, best fulfilled in an Ann Summers shop. This is not, I think, an entirely ridiculous suggestion and would make for an interesting debate. Perhaps best I say no more than this. It is, after all, a Sunday.
What attracted me to Greg's post, however, was the tale of his encounter with a seller of Marian items outside Westminster Cathedral. He recalls:
What attracted me to Greg's post, however, was the tale of his encounter with a seller of Marian items outside Westminster Cathedral. He recalls:
I remember once talking to a man who had erected a temporary stall selling holy medals, prayer cards and books about the Virgin Mary near Westminster Cathedral. I listened to him as he told me that Our Lady had said that she wanted Mass only to be celebrated in Latin.
"That's strange, " I said.
"Why?"
"Well, it's just that I always thought Our Lady spoke Aramaic."
Thank you, Greg, for the wry smile I now wear!
I totally agree, some folks are so busy scrutinizing the priest at Mass, what he's wearing and wotnot, it makes me wonder when they ever focus on Jesus.
ReplyDeleteAt Lourdes Our Lady spoke in the Basque language to St Bernadette.
ReplyDeleteThnaks for your thoughts and comments. I'm sure Mary, ever-virgin Mother, is more than a master of all languages.
ReplyDeleteI've always had a theory - which I think might be related to Pentecost :-) - that Our Lady (like God) just speaks Latin, which is heard by the hearer as his/her own language by the intervention of the Holy Ghost !
ReplyDeleteI was going to blog this later this week, but here you are for the moment:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lanef.net/t_article/exemples-de-communion-loic-merian.asp
It's an interesting theory, Dominic Mary, and perhaps you're correct. Berenike - some good points in your post. Whilst at seminary we were always taught the concept of a Catholic both/and rather than either/or.
ReplyDeleteA bit nasty, perhaps, to advise priests that interested in beautiful, traditional liturgies to visit sex goods shops.
ReplyDeleteI don't quite see the connection myself. But then there are priests who flatly refuse to wear pink on Gaudete Sunday, thinking it will reflect on their masculinity.
In fact, pink vestments have nothing to do with priests' individual personalities, and something to do with the feast day called Gaudete Sunday. However, with the dimming of the priest's role as a replaceable Alter Christus (once underscored by ritual clothing), it seems that the priest's unique personality has become the bright, shining focus of Mass. We look at his lovely face, and no longer at the crucifix, agnus dei or other holy symbol embroidered in gold on his back.
Ritual garments underscore the ritual and historical aspects of Priesthood and efface Father's own fascinating personality, and no doubt that is what some find so terrifying about them.
Seraphic;
ReplyDeletenice to see you here !
As every English priest should know, REAL men wear pink . . . unless you want to suggest that (eg) Sir Steve Redgrave isn't a real man ?
(To explain - the Club Colour of Leander Club, the world's premier rowing club - with a good few Canadian members - is plain pink; socks included. I know at least one priest member of the Club who wears his Leander socks with his vestments twice a year !)
Perhaps I'm a bit slow, but I haven't yet twigged why an enthusiast for the old rite in particular, or indeed anyone, should be encouraged to visit a sex shop.
ReplyDeleteLet’s be clear: Ann Summers is only to be discouraged for everyone, and most certainly deemed to be inappropriate for a member of the clergy. As for pink; bring it on. I fail to see why any priest would wish to deny the joyous interlude of the two penitential seasons. Through his bride, the Church, God encourages us in our need of respite, surely.
ReplyDelete