The manusturge
On Saturday, Cardinal McCarrick ordained nine new priests for the Archdiocese of Washington. One of these priests, during his time as a transitional deacon, had done a lot of work at the parish my husband and I used to belong to (and still attend from time to time.) So he said his first Mass at this parish. In honor of the occasion, the choir did the ordinaries in Gregorian Chant. When we were at this parish, I was a member of the choir, and I still sing with them occasionally, so there was no way I was going to miss this!
It was a lovely Mass (and Hambet was even somewhat well behaved.) I have never been to a priest’s first Mass before (or to an ordination.) One of the things that most impressed me was the custom of the new priest presenting the manusturge I hope I’m spelling this correctly) — the linen towel used in the ordination to wipe the oil from his newly anointed hands — to his mother. The priest’s mother will be laid to rest holding this cloth in her hands.
So picture me holding Hambet in the back, whispering commentary: “Hambet, look. The priest is giving a present to his mommy.”
I hope that I, too, will have the privilege of being buried holding a manusturge in my hands.