Fr Zed shares a beautiful tale of a magpie that attended a Requiem Mass.
From Fr Z's Blog
From a reader… animi caussa!
Dear Fr Z,
Last Monday week (April 26) was the day after Anzac Day, a day whereon all Australians and New Zealanders who died in war are remembered.
We sang a daily requiem mass for the dead, during which a juvenile Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) strayed into Ss Peter and Paul, Garran, Canberra, Australia.
It was very distressed for a while, not being able to find its way out, despite our best efforts. Eventually, having given up, it settled down and, perching quietly on a pew, seemed to develop an interest in our proceedings (see photo attached).
It landed on the bench that you can see, at the left hand side, and crabbed sideways for 10ft or so up to the gentleman in a very deliberate way, then stopped and fixed on him with its gaze for a long time. The irony was that it was our Anzac requiem, and this gentleman was the only military person (a retired Brigadier) in the whole congregation. It was as if it were asking for orders! I could barely hold my mirth.
Then, get this – and I swear – immediately after the Consecration, it started singing away lustily, … it was a glorious elevation motet!
After mass, we managed to coax it safely out an open window.
Note that it came dressed in the appropriate liturgical colours for a requiem. How thoughtful!
“Bless the Lord all ye works of the Lord.”
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