Many people in Ireland still believe in the fairies/faeries/little people and in fact they will not build upon or plow over a “fairy fort” to this day.
As someone who grew up in a thoroughly scientific and rationalistic American suburb, I find that almost incredible. I am reminded of the Chesterton quote that I discussed a couple weeks ago (https://viamediaevalis.substack.com/p/some-certain-significance-lurks-in): "If we ever get the English back on to the English land they will become again a religious people, if all goes well, a superstitious people. The absence from modern life of both the higher and lower forms of faith is largely due to a divorce from nature and the trees and clouds."
With very few exceptions, bishops have always been administrators - efficient senior level managers more interested in worldly affairs than spiritual ones. I’m not surprised at this bishop’s response to St. Michael the Archangel. It is so typical of a bishop. He has to be bashed in the head to do something spiritual. That the Catholic Church has survived through the ages with managers like these is truly miraculous.
Imagine getting a visit, in person, from the Archangel Michael, and just going, "Mmm... Nah."
You got a good chuckle out of me with this one, Hilary. Well said.
Ha! No need to bore any holes, either...
Great! Even more to learn about Mont-Saint=Michel! Thank you!!
Fascinating! I read the footnote too - appalling how many books were lost from the abbey after the confiscation during the revolution.
Yes, I noticed that too—a deeply disturbing and, to be frank, barbaric destruction of human culture.
The Church has no official position on the faeries, and for good reason.
Is that still the case? I've never really looked into the Church's official perspective on the issue.
Many people in Ireland still believe in the fairies/faeries/little people and in fact they will not build upon or plow over a “fairy fort” to this day.
As someone who grew up in a thoroughly scientific and rationalistic American suburb, I find that almost incredible. I am reminded of the Chesterton quote that I discussed a couple weeks ago (https://viamediaevalis.substack.com/p/some-certain-significance-lurks-in): "If we ever get the English back on to the English land they will become again a religious people, if all goes well, a superstitious people. The absence from modern life of both the higher and lower forms of faith is largely due to a divorce from nature and the trees and clouds."
As my Irish cousin said,”I don’t believe in them, but I know they are there.” He was serious.
It’s true. Check out my most recent post on my Substack Slua. Never trespass on a fairy fort.
With very few exceptions, bishops have always been administrators - efficient senior level managers more interested in worldly affairs than spiritual ones. I’m not surprised at this bishop’s response to St. Michael the Archangel. It is so typical of a bishop. He has to be bashed in the head to do something spiritual. That the Catholic Church has survived through the ages with managers like these is truly miraculous.