In This Week's Current: Exploring the Sacristy | The Sacrarium | Prior Noah
Exploring the Sacristy
Whether the Mass or the Divine Office is prayed with the monks in-person or via our live-streaming efforts, the layperson should not be distracted in any way by thoughts about the liturgy's behind-the scenes preparatory work. Still, a glimpse into the workings of the sacristy may be of interest to those who join in our liturgical life. Brother Sixtus offers some of his insights.
As Brother Sixtus turns our attention in this issue to what we may find hidden in the sacristy, let us also consider a part of the sacristy that lies open before our eyes in the church. The careful eye will discern a series of ledges subtly protruding from the stone of the church walls. Each of these protrusions, known officially as a "sacrarium", in fact serves an important liturgical function.
A steady companion to Prior Michael Brunner since his arrival to become the community's superior has been his family of birds. The School recently featured them in an article, providing some of the history behind Prior Michael's avocation. We offer a somewhat Lenten "excursus" on this zoological pastime.
Somehow the passage of time feels accented these days. Every day is marked by some further grim landmark. It seems we now find “pandemic time” to be intersecting with “Lenten time.”