Page 17 - NewsandViews 2023 whole publication

A fox in the pulpit and something unofficial Len Wigg

This is one of hundreds of carvings in wood or stone in Christchurch Priory. It is one on the south side of
the Quire, where the Augustinian Canons spent something like 5 out of every 24 hours in worship and
prayer. The carver is telling a story about the wandering friars who travelled around to markets and fairs
selling alleged ‘holy relics’ to finance the building of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. This was one of the
practices which led Martin Luther to list what he regarded as abuses of the faith which he nailed to door
of his local church in 1517. It sparked the Reformation!

This part of the Priory is of special interest to us I think because of the
‘good behaviour’ encouraged in the community. Thus in the Rule of Saint
Benedict (c480-547) Rule 43 “As soon as the signal for the Divine Office has
been heard, let them abandon what they have in hand and assemble with
the greatest speed, yet soberly, so that no occasion be given for levity. Let
nothing, therefore, be put before the Work of God [i.e. worship]”. Does this
remind you of conversations in the kitchen before Meeting? Also we may
note from a sermon preached presumably in Yorkshire centuries later
“Your teaching Lord does not fill the ear with fine sounding words, but is
breathed into the mind by your gentle spirit….So it is heard interiorly, heard
in the heart, heard in silence.” From a sermon preached by Aelred of
Rievaulx (1109-66)

We may place alongside this George Fox in 1658 (QF and P 2.18) “Be still and cool in thy own mind and
spirit from thine own thoughts, and then thou wilt feel the principle of God to turn thy mind to the Lord
God…”

The unofficial carving was done by one of the boys in the
school held in the room above the Lady Chapel. Of course
they all had penknives to sharpen the quills they used for
writing. Quite a few others ‘left their mark’ in this way, and
have interesting stories to tell, both of success in business
and also poverty in the climate crisis of 1816-19. This was
caused by the eruption of the Mount Tambora in Indonesia in
April 1815 and led to two years ‘with no summers’ and mass
unemployment.

I became a steward and guide at the Priory around 2012. Of
course all of this stopped with covid and also our house move. I would be delighted to resume tours with
small groups of Friends and I think the simplest way will be for you to gather a little group of 6-8 (or so)
and then offer some convenient times for me to ask the Verger about our coming. Often on Mondays and
Thursdays there are recitals 12 30- 1 15p.m. Cream teas are available in the newly re-opened café. What
more do I need to say?

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