The Death-skull Halloween comet which passed by.
If you shut down the house, that is.
Close all the shutters, no outside lights, candles the only interior light. Don't look out the windows, or go to the door, pray no one vandalizes your property because you're not giving out candy. Little demons and witches - pimps and whores dressed to kill, scary psych nurses and vampires roam outside - but don't look out.
It's roughly about three hours darkness, from 6 to 9 PM. Then it's over.
It's a rehearsal for the Three Days Darkness people. I survived. Evidently the witch next door did as well - she was out at 8 AM mowing and mulching and cackling.
Don't know what the Three Days Darkness is?
There shall come over the whole earth an intense darkness lasting three days and three nights. Nothing can be seen, and the air will be laden with pestilence which will claim mainly, but not only, the enemies of religion. It will be impossible to use any man-made lighting during this darkness, except blessed candles. He, who out of curiosity, opens his window to look out, or leaves his home, will fall dead on the spot. During these three days, people should remain in their homes, pray the Rosary and beg God for mercy. All the enemies of the Church, whether known or unknown, will perish over the whole earth during that universal darkness, with the exception of a few whom God will soon convert. The air shall be infected by demons who will appear under all sorts of hideous forms. - Source
That's Halloween - a prelude to the Three Days Darkness. And Americans think it's fun.
My big distraction during Mass. I kept thinking
I'd like to do what Harvey Korman is doing in this
scene from High Anxiety. I could turn around
at the sign of peace like this. Maybe next year.
Mass notes:
The costume Mass at my parish was moved to today, so I was happy last night's Mass would be solemn and dignified. Five minutes before Mass, the organist startled everyone with one of those classic horror film preludes: Bach:Toccata and Fugue in D minor. I wasn't scared, but I laughed out loud. As Tammy Baker would say, "That mean ol' devil broke the silence and recollection anyway." Oh well. A couple of people quietly applauded. I had to laugh again. There were a few other instances I had to squelch laughter - but I'll keep them to myself.
Halloween is fine for those who want to celebrate it - Christian origins or not - I don't really like it or care about it. I appreciate the 'old fashioned' way of doing it - kids get dressed up, trick or treat - house to house. Now the kids are bussed by a parent - taken to better neighborhoods to get their stuff.
The weird part is that it's adults who won't let the holiday go. It really is a bit of 3 days darkness - since last week everything is geared to Halloween. Television news, Network morning shows, television shows, etc. Friday evening adults in costumes were shopping, and check out employees were in costume as well. It's a bit like Venice during carnival, I suppose. Nothing is really wrong with it - except we all tend to party while everything else collapses.
Mass isn't even sacred anymore.
Why does Mass have to be made entertaining or amusing?
Sometimes I envy the tradsters and the availability of the Extraordinary Form.
Song for this post here.
Blow it out your pipes.
One memorable halloween, a young boy (his mother by his side) was carrying a bowl of cereal and a knife. I guessed that he was a cereal killer (got it ?) and I was The Only One Who Guessed Right. I was so proud.
ReplyDeleteI used to get 120-150 kids here: but it is just so expensive, no way can I spend $100+ any more on candy. and of course I would always offer it to the parents, and later on to the college kids who would show up, and then even Later On to the bigger kids who were wild and tearing around - now I just keep this little house dark.
And yes Terry, "adults" everywhere were dressed up, it is like we are lemmings when it comes to being dominated by the mass media.
The two Churches I frequent: both very reverent: The one that is a 5-minute walk away, however, has this piano player for Saturday evening: it is like the sudden and unexpected appearance of Liberace - and he does not seem to want any moment of quiet during Mass. So Unnerving. and, of course, the Music Ministry is front and center and impossible for me to ignore, as to my horror it is like.....they are Ministering to the Poor Huddled Masses with the wonderful gift of oh must stop here: I will get really wound up if not. this is why I only go there in emergencies. I can no longer afford the premium scotch needed afterwards. *sigh*.
The thing is: I have asked around, as I know so many people there: I seem to be the only person who is tormented by it. ?
I love All Souls Day.
Haha - the Cereal Killer. That's pretty good - today he'd be thrown out of school or arrested.
DeleteSometimes I wonder if I'm the only one bothered by it too. The woman who sang last night has a Broadway flair. I can usually tune out most church music - last night it was impossible. At least they didn't do "When the Saints Come Marching In".
boy I Wish I could tune it out. Emerson once said N. Hawthorne's "....nerves were without integument", terribly exposed, and truly it is how I feel at Mass from time to time: from both good and Holy causes and for the awful, as well, generally related to the sound effects. It is so important to be so very open to this Sacrament....and what a shame that I sometimes wish I were numb. Occasionally I have been at a Mass here and there where it is A cappella and it is so.....human greeting Divine to sing and Hear others' voices: humble, small, & significant. In the car I often 'sing' or chant the Divine Mercy Chaplet: I suspect my Guardian Angel shudders.
DeleteI do think musicians suffer, as artists, from needing listeners: truly wanting to offer solace. this is me being charitable.
Have you heard about the musician David Teie ? He hoping to raise money at Kickstarter in order to produce cd's for the benefit of the kitties, especially those who have suffered abandonment. After that project is complete he is, I am sure, going to musically rescue Catholic Congregations from themselves.
One can see cats curling up to speakers. so cute....
I read about music for kittehs. It's a wonderfully wacky idea.
ReplyDeleteI did go out last night and participate in the three hours of darkness...I went to a Halloween party for adults but did come home with a care package as the hostess was prepared for an army and will be eating kebabs until Christmas.
Because I was out late, I'm going to a later Mass today. I didn't think to go to vigil Mass.