August 19, 2006

World Equestrian Games Journals from Aachen
Mack's Musings
By Father Mack (a.k.a.: Father Larry David McCormick)
Photos by Ruth S. McCormick

“Enthusiasm Run Amok?”

Father Mack and Ruth Take a Walk Through Aachen Page 4

It is this final photo that (if the bakers will excuse the idiom) “takes the cake.” Can you believe that this picture is of a church supply store located within one hundred feet of the Dom? That green and gold vestment (if any brother or sister people-of-the-cloth have stumbled upon this web page, my personal opinion is that this is a god-awful garment in which to appear when serving God and God’s people, but that is such a matter of taste) which dominates the photo is called a “chasuble.” It is the outermost article of clothing worn by a priest at the celebration of Mass (for those who have not darkened the door of a church since your baptisms . . . you know who you are!).

Now look in the foreground. Just inside the window of the store. There they are. Five or more itsy-bitsy horse friends fabricated by the same craftsmen who shape the crucifixes and other items for church use you see throughout the photo. If anyone previously had doubts, here is proof positive that Aachen knows how to go “over the top.” I fully expect that the athletes – both horses and riders – who begin their labors on Monday will meet and exceed the Aacheners’ level of enthusiasm. Stay tuned for full reports. Right here. Same bat time. Same bat channel.