My computer is moving at the speed of mud this morning. I type a sentence, then I go away and scrub the bathtub while I wait for my words to appear on the screen. This is one way, I suppose, to juggle the demands of work and household; in other circumstances, given the same list of tasks to accomplish by the end of the day, I might be tearing my hair out just as I am now. Or maybe not. I’ll probably never know . . .
Meanwhile, here are more items going begging on eBay today:
A cardinal’s gilded chalice. The vendor notes that this chalice has been deconsecrated(?), in having been serviced by a church silversmith prior to its placement for auction on eBay. Proceeds from its sale will apparently benefit the charitable work of a Carmelite convent in South America. A lovely gift for your priest or parish . . .
A CD-ROM version of an 1867 book of instructions and patterns for embroidering church altar linens. The eBay entry itself makes for interesting reading.
A striking antique French crucifix for the altar
Nice pair of candlesticks, too.
Imagine beholding the entire effect of the above grouping — altar, candles, crucifix — in the light of, say, an antique stained-glass window in original frame. I am partial to these Art Nouveau-ish kinds of things, and to this family of colors, but if your taste runs in other directions, you might substitute this, this (also kind of Art Nouveau-ish), or this.
Also . . .
Stop announcing those hymns, already! Use this pretty Arts-and-Crafts-style hymn board, dating from 1910.
All righty. I’ve been working on this list since 8 this morning, and it’s now after lunch. We’ve got company coming tonight, a musician friend who’ll be leading a choir workshop for our parish this weekend. More about that later, but really, while these sentences finish typing themselves out, I’ve got to go mop some floors and buy some groceries. How life does go on.
August 20th, 2009 | 3:51 am
It’s pretty heartbreaking to see these things up on the auction block. Especially things like the chalice and ciborium. (hmm, the spell-checker didn’t know that word.) It’s right that these things should be as beautifully made as possible. I remember being at a Mass where an ordinary wine glass was used instead of a chalice. Seeing these things makes me realize how wrong that was. Considering Christ’s gift to us, it’s right that we should do the best we possibly can.
August 20th, 2009 | 7:21 am
I agree, Sarah. On the other hand, that these things are up for auction seems a kind of God-given opportunity to reverse the wineglass-chalice trend, if goodhearted donors will buy these items and restore them to their proper place and function.
August 24th, 2009 | 3:55 pm
[...] I wouldn’t mind rescuing an old church and renovating it into a home. But I can’t even afford to rescue these church-goods from ebay! [...]
August 24th, 2009 | 4:02 pm
On the other hand, I just wrote to a seller inquiring about those bells (I’ve been wanting bells for years – don’t ask why) which I will store in my oratory and use to let my family know I’m at prayer and not to bother me with silly questions about where the popcorn is.
Linked here. Can I tell you that French altar Crucifix made me all covetous and materialistic?
August 24th, 2009 | 4:33 pm
Some lovely stuff, for sure.
I like the idea of bells to announce that you’re at prayer, though I’m afraid my kids would take them and just RING them (sort of like what happened when somebody gave us a keyboard. I thought, “Piano lessons!” They thought, “Whoa, there’s a background music function! Turn it up!” Boompa chunka boompa chunka Twinkle twinkle little star boompa chunka boompa chunka . . . ).
August 25th, 2009 | 5:10 pm
Your kids sound terrific.
August 25th, 2009 | 5:43 pm
Thanks. I like them. The younger two, at any rate, are the kind of people that when they’re in the room, you *know* they’re in the room.
August 27th, 2009 | 8:49 am
[...] The Anchoress writes that she has bought, by hook, crook, and little miracle, this beautiful crucifix which I’d featured last week in another eBaywatch. [...]
September 16th, 2009 | 4:25 pm
[...] like to showcase the different, new, oddball or kitschy. I am surprised that Sally, who regularly looks at Catholic Goods on Ebay has missed this [...]
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