Once upon a time, the author of this blog went to Catholic School. She wore a blue plaid jumper & white blouses with Peter Pan collars & knee socks & saddle shoes. There were nuns clad in black wool & naughty children got the paddle. She shits you not.
Once she got stung on the top of her head by a bee & wanted to go to the school nurse but one of the sisters told her to suck it up. She asked why women weren't allowed to be priests & was told that men would come to church to ogle & leer at them. She asked why the girls had to wear heavy polyester vests over their blouses while the boys got to wear comfy polo shirts & was told it was to keep the boys from looking at the girls' chests.
The girls asked the pastor why they couldn't have a basketball team & they were told because it isn't ladylike.
She had a real problem with all of this.
She used to pray for the poor souls in purgatory, hoping someday, someone would return the favor.
***
Okay, that's enough third-person narrative.
The point of all this?
a.) I am feeling nostalgic.
b.) I am feeling guilty.
c.) While I have not been a practicing Catholic for some years now, I am still fascinated by Catholicism: the cosmology, the saints, the art & literature that examines Catholic culture.
d.) I am reading Angelology because someone gave it to me for my birthday.
Angelology is okay, but rather Dan Brown-ish in terms of style. I like the concept, but (like most thrillers) character development is sorely lacking.
Instead I recommend the following:
The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett
Holy Fools by Joanne Harris
I feel like re-reading Paradise Lost. And The Divine Comedy. This should keep me busy for about an aeon, considering how slowly I work my way through a text these days.
www.marriedtothesea.com
2 comments:
I think the Catholic Church has changed...and is still changing...
When you feel guilty, just make cupcakes!
Yes, I agree. In some ways, the CC has changed. Still, it's a highly patriarchal organization that fails to consider the contributions of women & this bothers me spiritually, theologically & emotionally. There are so many amazing women who really ought to have the opportunity for leadership roles, but I don't think it's *ever* going to happen. That said, there is a convent nearby where the nuns hold health fairs & spiritual retreats & I think they are the most progressive, badass Catholic nuns ever.
Post a Comment