Damian at Holy Smoke makes this unwarranted attack on a fine example of Catholic journalism, though he follows a tortuous path to do it.
"I have joined a Facebook group that goes right to the heart of the debate about the future of contemporary Christianity.
"It’s called: “Every time you celebrate Mass without a maniple, God kills a kitten.”
"The group is for “everyone who truly appreciates the maniple”. And that most definitely includes me. What do you mean, you don’t know what a maniple is? OK, I’ll tell you.
"A maniple is “an embroidered band of silk, or other fabric to match the other vestments the priest is wearing. In the same liturgical colours as the other vestments, it is worn upon the left arm of the priest. Symbolically the maniple refers to the rope whereby Jesus Christ was led, and the chains which bound His sacred hands. It also became known as an emblem of the tears of penance, the fatigue of the priestly office and its joyful reward in heaven.”
"If it is true that God punishes kittens for the abandonment of the maniple, then I’m surprised there are any of the poor creatures left, so widespread and shameless is the celebration of Mass without this glorious accessory.
"Note to priests: a maniple can also be used to wipe away tears of boredom induced by reading the Tablet."
1 comment:
I wore one once (Anglican) but as it kept slipping off my wrist and dropping dangerously near the full chalice, it is now consigned to the wardrobe. I see it every time I pack the vestments to go to one of our small rural churches, but it doesn't come with me.
Mind you, according to a famous wearer of the said item, since I'm CofE I'm not a proper priest anyway, so what does it matter?
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