Fox Church Cathedral

[teleidoplex]

So, as a few of you know, I had a strange, spiritual experience three years ago when I attended Eucharist Mass at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. I've thought about it a lot, and have been loath to define it too closely (at least in part because I'm rather agnostic in my beliefs, and I had some difficulties over the experience being associated with a catholic paradigm). Whatever the case, in honor of what has become a meaningful experience for me, I had planned to attend Eucharist Mass at Christ Church this past Sunday. Missing luggage issues prevailed, however, and I wasn't able to.

On a fluke I went there today. There's a cheesy exhibit on medieval Dublin (that also includes stuff from the Wood Quay excavation) in the building next door to Christ Church. I went through the exhibit, which uses plaquards of two medieval fox pilgrims to lead you through the exhibit. At the end, you can exit the exhibit or follow the fox pilgrims into Christ Church Dublin (guess which route I took ;> ). I checked at the desk and found out that they were doing a special Eucharist Mass about 20 minutes later. I still felt a little weird about trying to recreate my experience of three years before, but then I noticed something very weird and wonderful.

The entire nave was covered in foxes!!!!

The little plaquard that the Dublinia exhibit had used? Its motif was taken from the central floor mosaic motif of the Cathedral. There are little fox pilgrims EVERYWHERE!!! All up the nave to the main alter. Little foxes with staves and backpacks and floppy hats parading around in pairs.

Has anyone else actually felt laughter and tears of joy bubbling up from nowhere?

So, of course I had to stay for Eucharist Mass. Apparently the reason they were having it was because they had a group in from Cincinnati that were on a Celtic Pilgrimmage. The priests were very nice when I asked if I could fox my way in. There were more foxes, including foxes embroidered onto the communion kneelers.

I love this church so much!! It's almost like being home ;>

So, no catholic conversion for me, although I did have an interesting insight into my understanding of the nature of the divine, mostly having to do with language and communication (god is the word). But that is something that I would have difficulty discussing yet, and wouldn't feel comfortable airing in such a public forum.

I'm going to try calling David again now. More Dublin ruminations to come.

Ironic. Moonlight Sonata is playing right now at the internet cafe. When I was a little girl, one of my favorite places at Knott's Berry Farm was the Chapel by the Lake, which was just a quiet, dark place to sit. Moonlight Sonata was the music they played.

Spiritual coincidences abound.

Comments

[clndestyn.livejournal.com]

Wow- that sounds so amazing!! Keep the stories coming!

Wendy :)

[(Anonymous)]

Clearly, I have to go back to Ireland to see those foxes. (Oh, the horror.) I missed them last time, even though Kyle and I went to Christ Church -- in fact, I think we went more than once, for whatever reason.


--Bryn
http://www.sundell.net/~bneuensc

[coyotewatches.livejournal.com]

I think I need to go on record and say that this is just yet ANOTHER way the Church organization radically descriminates against differing Tricksters! Where, oh where, is the Coyote Pilgrim church? Where, oh where, are the naves covered in Coyotes? I see what this is implying... Foxes go to church, Foxes go on pilgrimages, and Coyotes just eat your chickens! I'll have you know that I have sat down to some mighty fine chicken meals with some Fox-folk. Heck, it was there plan to raid the chicken coop in the first place!!!

Coyote's are not good enough to be put in church naves! Why is that? Just because we tend to be a bit overly fond of drink and cream pies??? Just because we like to regularly pants any priest geting to uppity with his sermon??? We deserve the right to our own nave, damnit! We don't just deserve it... we demand it!

And not some lame place like Skulliwag, Tennessee or somesuch but a place cool like this Fox church location... like Scotland, or Washington, or... or... or... behind a bar! Yeah!!

*looks around*

So... There.

(Keep up the great tales of adventure! Its good to hear about your travels and good to know you're over there having a grand ol' time!)

[sarcastibich.livejournal.com]

"Has anyone else actually felt laughter and tears of joy bubbling up from nowhere?"

I understand the feeling you had. I felt it when I saw the Sistine Chapel.

And don't let the Catholic paradigm get in the way of a spiritual experience. This comes from a proud practitioner of Cafeteria-Style-Catholicism.

[ellegua.livejournal.com]

Faith is Faith is Faith. You don't need any particular religion to feel the power of a place that is holy for so many people.

I've felt the same in Notre Dame, Chartres, Sacre Coeur, the Palace of Versailles (okay, so I'm a damn Frenchie) and out by the giant sycamore tree near my parents house. All holy.

[princess706.livejournal.com]

Thank you for making my smile, A.

Go foxes! :)

mE