But...WHY?

[tree_and_leaf]

That peerless information source, Wikipedia, informs me that Roy Ridley, the 'physical original' for Peter Wimsey and chaplain of Balliol, was the probably the first and only Church of England priest to celebrate Mass while wearing a monocle. (I love the way they specified "C of E", as if it's an everyday event among RCs or Piscies or ECUSA)

I'm not sure what the appropriate response to this is....

Comments

[themolesmother.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure what the appropriate response to this is....

Hysterical laughter? Wikipedia does that to me, sometimes.

[tree_and_leaf]

That would do!

[nineveh-uk.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure what the appropriate response to this is....

I think there are several:

(a) to ask "how do they know"? Are there historical records of all other C of E priests, everywhere, never wearing monocles whilst celebrating mass?

(b) if it is indeed true, immediately to start a "Wear Your
Monocle to Mass" campaign.

[tree_and_leaf]

Under (a): I wouldn't know. On the other hand, given the tendency of the 19th C C of E to have hissy fits and legal battles over vestments, possibly someone did make a note of these things.

(b) It's obviously deeply symbolic! Of, er, um, that passage about 'If thine eye be single, thy body will be filled with light". Repent, all ye non-monocle-wearers!!111!!!111!!!eleventy-one!!!

[tree_and_leaf]

immediately to start a "Wear Your Monocle to Mass" campaign.

I told one of my more eccentric Anglo-Catholic acquaintances about this this morning. He giggled hysterically and then went very quiet and thoughtful... so I have hopes that the idea will spread.

[nineveh-uk.livejournal.com]

Eccentricity and symbolism - who can stand against such force?

[prelud.livejournal.com]

ROFL! I have to write this down, this is a very important information.

[tree_and_leaf]

Remember: you heard it here first!

[eagles-rock.livejournal.com]

*splutters at prospect of monocle in the Host*

I remember the angst of a friend when I recalled how spare Communion shortbread was taken home by the caretaker.

[tree_and_leaf]

*splutters at prospect of monocle in the Host*

That sounds like something that has escaped from one of those series of scholastic questions on what happened if, for example, a mouse fell in the chalice. I know that if you drop consecrated wine on your shoes, you're technically supposed to burn them, but I can't see that working with a monocle!

I remember the angst of a friend when I recalled how spare Communion shortbread was taken home by the caretaker.

At my church at home, the left over bread (which was mother's pride rather than proper wafers) used to get taken away in a bag and fed to the ducks. I've never dared tell A-C friends this, as they'd probably get very upset...

[eagles-rock.livejournal.com]

I know that if you drop consecrated wine on your shoes, you're technically supposed to burn them

I'm a bit shocked by that, but I'd think the stain would be hard to shift. :-)

[tree_and_leaf]

Gmail targetted ads have just offered me the following link.

http://www.biblehousesupply.com/servlet/the-1094/Pre-dsh-Filled-Communion-Cups-Remembrance/Detail

I'm disturbed. Combined with the fact that they do Bible covers in camouflage, I feel a bit sick.

[owl]

We use shortbread. And I think the wine is from Lidl :)

[tree_and_leaf]

*blinks* Actual shortbread? As in buttery biscuits sprinkled with sugar? Never come across that before.

And I think the wine is from Lidl :)

Nothing wrong with that! Although altar wine as such (or madeira/ sherry) is more practical, because you don't have to finish the bottle in one go ;)

[eagles-rock.livejournal.com]

We had lovely shortbread; not sure if it was Walkers cut into 1 inch squares, or homebaked. No sugar on top.

Wine was some awful fortified Ribena; terrible, but I don't think it would go off, but then, as the services were 6 months apart, I would think it was just quietly disposed of. I like the Lidl approach.

[carlanime-bligh.livejournal.com]

You lost me way back at the " 'physical original' for Peter Wimsey" part. For one terrifying moment I thought this was one of those Astral Plane things. :)