medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
This is not a matter for Phyllis Jestice, but perhaps in thread with 'American misunderstandings of Catholicism';-)
How about this feast today, instituted by Pius XII in 1955:
Joseph as patron of the international Labour day!
Die 1 Maji : S. Joseph opificis, sponsi beatae Mariae virginis confessoris.
Duplex I classis.
I discovered it as a single leaf offprint from 1956, pasted into a Roman Missal from 1929. It looks pretty confusing, as it could coincide with the octave of the regular feast for Joseph (a movable feast). It seems, however, to have been widely in use, and is perhaps still today?
In an Italian Missal from 1965 is it preceded by the explanation:
'San Giuseppe artigiano. Questa festa, istituita dal S.Padre Pio XII nel 1955, ha lo scopo di dare al primo maggio il crisma sacro, di concorrere cioe per il concreto e progressivo trionfo degli ideali cristiani nella grande famiglia del lavoro.
E' tutta in onore di S.Giuseppe, perche l'umile artigiano di Nazareth non solo impersona presso Dio e la Chiesa la dignita del *lavoratore del braccio*, ma e anche il provvido custode delle nostre famiglie. La S.Messa vuole presentare in S.Giuseppe l'esemplare e il protettore del lavoratore cristiano.'
It is not difficult to see its naive antimarxist purpose: an attempt to combine the manifestations in the streets under the red banners ('bandiera rossa') with a quiet moment in a church. And that at the height of the 'cold war'!
In so far does it just continue what the church did during its medieval mission, in adopting existing pagan feasts by giving them a new name, but allowing the people to keep their ancient customs alive (supplied with a new purpose and explanation).
Did this strategy against Socialism have any impact or succes, anywhere in Europe?
Cheers
Erik
_____________________________________________________________________
Mag.art. Erik Drigsdahl CHD Center for Haandskriftstudier i Danmark
Kapelvej 25B 3.tv Phone: +45 +35 37 20 47
DK-2200 Copenhagen N Email: <[log in to unmask]>
DENMARK http://www.chd.dk
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