I have heard it said that Mass ought to be a window into the heavenly liturgy that is perpetually celebrated before the throne of God Almighty: cherubim and seraphim crying Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus; the prayers of the faithful rising up like incense; and row upon row of saints rapt in adoration.
It is rare, of course, for the humble liturgy here below to live up to that high standard. I do believe, however, that I may have had a foretaste at our parish, and it came in a way that I had never anticipated. As we approached the moment of consecration, all kneeling and quiet in prayer, I heard an urgent whispering from behind me, and it said:
Stop it, Augustine! Give that back to Dominic!
I admit: I smiled.
April 11, 2011 at 10:28 pm
I’m smiling, too.
April 12, 2011 at 2:58 pm
And I’m still wondering why my husband won’t let me name the kids Benedict and Scholastica!
April 12, 2011 at 4:00 pm
I’ve also noticed at least one Xavier and an Ignatius running around in that church. No Benedicts or Scholasticas yet, though.
April 12, 2011 at 6:39 pm
I almost forgot: there is a Perpetua.
April 13, 2011 at 3:50 am
You’ll be pleased to hear that Scholastica is not an uncommon name here in Kenya. I’ve met at least two. One of our security men has named his daughters Bakhita and Nengapeta. So go ahead and give your children those names that mean something to you!
April 16, 2011 at 9:05 pm
For all my friends who are reading, I am calling dibs on Perpetua.
April 17, 2011 at 7:24 pm
It’s yours, Kathy.
April 19, 2011 at 3:30 am
J. won’t let me call any of the kids “Perpetua” – if you’re calling dibs, I got on this one a couple of years ago, but good luck to you if you can get a husband on-side with that one!
April 19, 2011 at 2:48 pm
3:30 am?
April 21, 2011 at 9:33 am
Yes, my secret life as a frequent insomniac is revealed!