AtonementOnline: At last... a proper strepitus!

31 March 2010

At last... a proper strepitus!

After years of pounding pews, throwing books, stomping feet, and crashing chairs, we now have a suitable instrument for the strepitus - the noise made at the end of Tenebrae, symbolizing the earthquake which took place at the time of our Lord's death. We made it out of a piece of sheet metal and attached a wooden handle to it. When it's shaken it gives a wonderful sound, almost like an earthquake and thunder combined.

So, no more crashing and banging. We have a proper strepitus.

3 comments:

Amy said...: Very cool. My Father in law tells a coming of age story in the little parish he grew up in in north Texas- which lucky young man got to "create the thunder" each year (they also used a large piece of sheet metal) and how envious all the younger boys were...; Wednesday, March 31, 2010
jasoncpetty said...: Hey, great! Sorry to have missed its debut. I remember the books and chairs all too well--we could never get the timing exactly right. RumblerumblerumblepowpowPOWPOWpowPOW!

Always made for a nice anticlimax at the conclusion of the office.; Thursday, April 01, 2010
revpaulcain said...: Would you be willing to share a photo and construction and use directions?; Saturday, April 03, 2010

"With all my heart, I bless you and your people..."

In 1983 I was a newly-ordained priest. In November of that year, it was my privilege to be in Rome to take part in developing The Book of Divine Worship. During that time an invitation was extended to celebrate Mass with His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, in his private chapel. After we had said Mass, and in those few moments I had with the Holy Father, he told me that he remembered considering the request for my ordination, and he described how he came to an affirmative decision. For me, our brief conversation was an experience which will be treasured forever. At the conclusion of our time together, I asked him if I could take his blessing back to the people of my parish. His very simple words remain precious to me: "With all my heart, I bless you and your people." He then embraced me, and I knew that I was forever "home in my Father's house."