I must admit that I had thought the custom of making a boy bishop was something pertaining particularly to Mediæval England (with one or two modern and self-conscious revivals). Well, I was intrigued and pleased to read that the custom still endures in Palencia, Spain, where it seems that the custom of annually creating an
obispillo has just been revived, having being going on (give or take a civil war or so) since 1220. It takes place on the feast of the Holy Innocents (so I apologize for only noticing it today), and the boy-bishop presides in the chapter house, rides through the city on a white horse, preaches, and even censes the altar in the Cathedral at Vespers. And he dresses far more splendidly than the real bishop does!
If you read Spanish, you can see more
here, and
here.
In
Burriana, they elect a boy bishop more conventionally on the feast of St Nicholas.
And they do the whole thing in
Burgos, too, on Holy Innocents.
Here, the Obispillo addresses the Mayor of Burgos and his Corporation
And presides in the Cathedral with his boy canons, wearing a stole priest-style
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6 comments:
You may also want to take a look here: http://liturgia.mforos.com/1699102/8217951-el-obispillo/
Wouldn't that be something if they all became what they're dressed as? What a breath of fresh air not to have to look at girls dressed as altar servers even.
May our Catholic traditions return once again! Attend the Latin Mass!
Don't tell Wim Wenders.
The thought had occurred to me, LBS, that the juxtaposition of these two posts might have been better arranged………
It's a Norbertine custom to have the youngest member of the novitiate as Abbot for the day on the feast of the Holy Innocents - presides in choir, sits in the abbots stall, presides in the refectory etc.
Here in Chelmsford we even let them decide what's for lunch!
Thankfully it only lasts a day.......
Fr Hugh o.praem.
Finally! Effective Bishops!
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