Very true. Real enchantment, spirituality, and mysticism should not have to resort to pious frauds, superstition and fibs. I also am not a fan of people treating hagiographies as history, or insisting on incorrupt saints when the evidence doesn’t support it.
And by “when the evidence doesn’t support it” I’m not saying the evidence never does. But in the cases WHEN the evidence shows that they’re not incorrupt we shouldn’t act as if it’s a fact that they are incorrupt.
Fr, my dear friend Fr Napier of Westminster always insisted on the same, almost to the point of burning down the Abbey (his was always the biggest and best illumined tree, and he had no truck with such innovations as electricity). So, please tell us the why and wherefore: should we disassemble tomorrow or wait till Candlemas?
To me it's partly because that is the older tradition here, especially among working people. Fishermen would have one last feast day before they left to work. But it's also mostly because in the Gospel of Luke it is the natural end of the infancy gospel. After receiving the name on the eight day, which we celebrate as part of Christmas, He is dedicated to the Lord, as per the Law. It seems fitting to me to include that in the long Christmas season (which starts at Christmas).
Very true. Real enchantment, spirituality, and mysticism should not have to resort to pious frauds, superstition and fibs. I also am not a fan of people treating hagiographies as history, or insisting on incorrupt saints when the evidence doesn’t support it.
And by “when the evidence doesn’t support it” I’m not saying the evidence never does. But in the cases WHEN the evidence shows that they’re not incorrupt we shouldn’t act as if it’s a fact that they are incorrupt.
We take the three and the Christmas decorations down after Candlemas.
Fr, my dear friend Fr Napier of Westminster always insisted on the same, almost to the point of burning down the Abbey (his was always the biggest and best illumined tree, and he had no truck with such innovations as electricity). So, please tell us the why and wherefore: should we disassemble tomorrow or wait till Candlemas?
To me it's partly because that is the older tradition here, especially among working people. Fishermen would have one last feast day before they left to work. But it's also mostly because in the Gospel of Luke it is the natural end of the infancy gospel. After receiving the name on the eight day, which we celebrate as part of Christmas, He is dedicated to the Lord, as per the Law. It seems fitting to me to include that in the long Christmas season (which starts at Christmas).
Beautiful, thank you Father.