Help? So most of you reading this probably know I…
admin December 20th, 2006
Help?
So most of you reading this probably know I’m in RCIA, and am struggling on a couple of points, primarily Mary, Mary and Mary. Last week, after the discussion with my co-worker about the breastfeeding Nativity scene, she went trawling the Internet for stuff on the Virgin Mary’s breastfeeding. She then sent me a link, with the comment “Sometimes Catholics just ask to be made fun of!”
Before I link to this, be warned: it’s from a virulently anti-Catholic site. I mean, I clicked onto the index page (because it’s always worth considering the source) and found a picture of John Paul II, headed with “The Antichrist’s Family Album” or something to that effect. So needless to say, I’m automatically skeptical of what they’re saying. Taking this site at its word is a bit like asking Osama bin Laden how to keep kosher. It’s just not the best idea! BUT, here’s the thing: I’m not even Catholic yet, and I’m already being called upon to defend the Church. I feel exceedingly ill-prepared for this.
What I’m wondering is whether the “Catholic legend” described (a) actually exists, and (b) is endorsed in any way by the Church. Anyway, does anyone have any insights? Anyone heard any of this stuff? My guess is that the eBay sale in question – if in fact it took place – was done by someone of the P.T. Barnum school of eBay sales – especially since I should think that would be a first-or-second-class relic, if in fact it existed, and the Church would not look kindly upon someone buying or selling it. But any other thoughts are very welcome.
By the way, cute story: last night, when I knelt down to say my prayers, I set the book I was about to start reading onto the bed. It’s called Mary and the Fathers of the Church: the Blessed Virgin Mary in Patristic Thought by Luigi Gambero. Miko (my gorgeous tuxie cat) hopped up onto the bed while I was saying my prayers; that’s not unusual. He looked down at the book, sniffed it, and then started LICKING THE FACE OF THE VIRGIN MARY. Now, this cat has a bit of an oral fixation, but I’ve never seen him lick a book before. (I confess, I did pick it up and sniff it to see if someone had spilled a foodlike substance onto it…nothing as far as I could tell.) Too cute!
