The Maniturgium

Congratulations to Long-Skirts, the sometime commenter poet, whose son was ordained to the priesthood this July.  She wrote several poems on the occasion, which you can read at her site.  This one spoke to me.  It concerns the maniturgium, which is used to bind the ordinands hands during the rite.* In the photo taken from her site, her son is on the left, I believe. THE MANITURGIA Linen-wrapped hands Cloth-wrapped in tomb First signs of life Wrapped in the womb. Hidden, veiled, Cloaked away Sacredness Gold in gray. Bursting bright From slate shroud cloud Gilded sun Brilliant, proud. Fingers anointed Then set free As from her womb then tomb For thee. The Bread of Angels From His wheat Seeds sown deep In loam and peat. Forever his fingers Consecrating Hidden Jesus Elevating. The maniturgia, Now tucked away To wait for mother’s Deathly day When in my coffin, Hopefully shrived, My linen-wrapped hands When I have died Will reach out begging, Though I am least, Lord have mercy My son’s a Priest!!_______________  MANITURGIUM: A fine linen cloth, often embroidered with fine lace or some insignia, used by a newly ordained priest after annointing with holy oils. ... This Maniturgium is then put aside by the priest to be used to place in the hands of his deceased mother before burial. (The Church Visible by James-Charles Noonan, Jr.)