Historical setting: 589 C.E. Annegray in the Vosges Mountains Again when we stand for the chanting of the psalms and I look down the row passed the elder monks and to see Brother Crathius, he once more leans forward and makes eye contact with me. This time he is prepared with a nodContinue reading “Post #31.8, Weds., April 20, 2022”
Category Archives: Early Medieval
Post #31.7, Tuesday, April 19, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Annegray in the Vosges Mountains Now we are in the halleluiah season after Easter. The prayers of resurrection seem awkward for pilgrims among us who have come only with the heavy chains of Lenten suffering. The Irish monks celebrate Easter using a different calculation than the Roman pilgrims so theContinue reading “Post #31.7, Tuesday, April 19, 2022”
Post #31.6, Thurs., April 14, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. In the Vosges Mountains My thoughts seem always on Ana. Confessing the sinful distraction would give me another chance to say her name aloud. And by this time my tonsure is hidden in the curls of a layman and my thoughts of Ana are simply part of my gratitude. ThankContinue reading “Post #31.6, Thurs., April 14, 2022”
Post #31.5, Weds., April 13, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. In the Vosges Mountains I stand here among the pilgrims for the chanting of the psalms. I know that many who dedicate themselves to obedience in Christ assume grief and suffering are the virtues that make them holy. I’ve known some use suffering to nurture their own ability for empathyContinue reading “Post #31.5, Weds., April 13, 2022”
Post #31.4, Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Annegray in the Vosges The keeper of the birds told me there is a “Rule of Ana.” “It is forbidden to speak any notion that this ‘Ana’ you have called by name as anything but an angel.” “I understand. I know this rule was made for her safety. MayContinue reading “Post #31.4, Tuesday, April 12, 2022”
Post #31.3, Thurs., April 7, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. In the Vosges Mountains Annegray is a ruin of a fortress. Like Ana’s house it has very sturdy stone walls. But here pieces of a makeshift roof are only in the places most needed. With skins hoisted over here and striped tenting or woven waxed cloth over there it hasContinue reading “Post #31.3, Thurs., April 7, 2022”
Post #31.2, Weds., April 6, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Annegray in the Vosges “We’d nearly given up hope for finding Ana until I was on this journey to Annegray and I learned from this servant monk that Ana may have been captured by pirates. That’s why I sent the child’s garden tool with this man. If it was ourContinue reading “Post #31.2, Weds., April 6, 2022”
Post #31.1, Tuesday, April 5, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Ana’s house in the Vosges This morning the servant monk arrived with a mission to take me to meet Father Columbanus. Finding the Celtic Father was originally the purpose of my quest before I learned Ana was somewhere to be found. But now, as the monk is telling me toContinue reading “Post #31.1, Tuesday, April 5, 2022”
Post #30.15, Thursday, March 31, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. The cottage in the mountains “The Rule of Columbanus is a shorter document than the Rule of Benedict,” she tells me clearly intending to change the subject. “So these are easier rules?” She smiles at that silly question. She explains, “It takes fewer words because all thatContinue reading “Post #30.15, Thursday, March 31, 2022”
Post #30.14, Weds., March 30, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. The cottage in the mountains The monk explains that in Lent there are more pilgrims than ever at Annegray. He thanked Ana for the seeds and wild roots and flavorful herbs and for instructions for the kind of root cellars used in Gaul. So now, he says, food was alreadyContinue reading “Post #30.14, Weds., March 30, 2022”
Lazarus Ink 