Clergy Desertion
The Maundy Thursday Ceremonies
Solemn Eucharist &
Procession to the Altar of Repose
Calgary, Alberta
April 5, 2007
And after the consecration of The Eucharist
after its distribution to the quiet congregation
And in remembrance of Christ’s last free night
in remembrance of His abandonment by the Apostles
And to the choir’s singing of Psalm Twenty-Two
to their plaintive cry to God, the lights dim
And the clergy discard stole, alb. Clothed only in cassocks
the clergy strip the altar of all ornaments, adorations
functional, decorative, snuff candles, remove chalice
paten, burse, nothing left, familiar, comfortable
the chancel made bare, eternal flame extinguished
And with only the choir’s light left, the clergy leave
through a side door, the choir follows
total blackness
stunned
I sit
numb
voices, bodies
guides gone
I feel
my way
past pews
find doors
silent figures
priest, bishop
watch me
leave
no words
of peace
no blessing
moon falls on snowflakes
The Maundy Thursday Ceremonies
Solemn Eucharist &
Procession to the Altar of Repose
Calgary, Alberta
April 5, 2007
And after the consecration of The Eucharist
after its distribution to the quiet congregation
And in remembrance of Christ’s last free night
in remembrance of His abandonment by the Apostles
And to the choir’s singing of Psalm Twenty-Two
to their plaintive cry to God, the lights dim
And the clergy discard stole, alb. Clothed only in cassocks
the clergy strip the altar of all ornaments, adorations
functional, decorative, snuff candles, remove chalice
paten, burse, nothing left, familiar, comfortable
the chancel made bare, eternal flame extinguished
And with only the choir’s light left, the clergy leave
through a side door, the choir follows
total blackness
stunned
I sit
numb
voices, bodies
guides gone
I feel
my way
past pews
find doors
silent figures
priest, bishop
watch me
leave
no words
of peace
no blessing
moon falls on snowflakes