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Magic Slippers
April 02, 2005
These liturgical shoes belonged to Pope Paul V. I'm not catholic, but after hearing of Pope John Paul's death I did a little Saintly Googling this afternoon.
Liturgical shoes. Red and sparkly. I want a pair.
As a matter of fact, I'm thinking everyone should have their own pair of liturgical shoes. Don't they look like they'd transport you somewhere fantastically amazing the moment you slipped them on? Could it be they hold secret & magical powers? I'm wondering if Hollywood used these for inspiration when they filmed the Wizard of Oz. (In the book Dorothy wore silver shoes, not liturgical ones.) Red shoes seem way more creative & powerful.
I have an image of my mind's eye of John Paul zooming through the pearly gates with a pair of these slippers on... transporting him magically from one world to another. He was a great man whether you agreed with his creed or not.
There's no place like home, John Paul. There's no place like home.
Posted by vincent at April 2, 2005 04:05 PM
Comments
By golly, Dorothy. There really *are* ruby slippers!!!
Posted by: Mumcat at April 2, 2005 05:42 PM
Talk about whimsical writing! I loved it. You have an amzing and unique style Susan. I, for one love it!
Posted by: Terry murphy at April 2, 2005 08:31 PM
I've been after some red shoes off and on for awhile, and you have rekindled the hunt. Must. Have. Liturgical shoes. Now.
Posted by: joy at April 2, 2005 08:52 PM
I heard the vatican is running a special at the end of month.. we should go and shop.
Posted by: Susan at April 3, 2005 12:21 AM
But don't you think those hand-tied bows are just a *little* over the top?
I mean, maybe that would work with a nice pair of slip-ons or open heels, but really! And I wonder if they have Dr. Scholl's insoles in them? That way the pope could be gellin' while he's tellin'...
I wonder -- think Birkenstock might consider making them? Maybe with just a few alterations?
Posted by: Mumcat at April 3, 2005 01:31 PM
Over the top? Over the top? It's the POPE!
My friend Rob just pointed out that Jesus didn't wear Liturgical Shoes, he wore dusty sandals. Interesting comparison, huh?
Posted by: Susan at April 3, 2005 06:12 PM
this was a sweet post.
one of my friends said today when she was watching all the pilgrims pay their respects to the Papa that she couldn't help but notice his shoes: scruffy, worn, unpolished. used....and said to her husband, "couldn't they spring for a new pair? i mean, it's the Pope, for crying out loud." she said no sooner had the words come from her mouth, the commentator said, "i suppose many of you are wondering about the pope's shoes - these are the shoes he requested being buried in as these are the ones that took him all over the world on his travels..."
she said "my God, i am wicked."
i thought it was pretty neat and quite a testimony as to what he was all about.
Posted by: ~m2~ at April 5, 2005 02:45 PM
That is really neat. I guess those shoes were sort of like his sandals after all.
Posted by: Susan at April 5, 2005 04:13 PM
I guess the true liturgical shoe would be the bare foot. But having taken off my shoes, I'd have to stand on tiptoes to compensate for the absence of orthotics.
Sense of occasion. Uncanny ability with gesture and symbolism. John Paul ll, at the end just balked at those gold embroidered slippers. "If you won't bury me with bare feet, at least let me slip into something more comfortable for eternity."
Posted by: Connie Knighton at April 5, 2005 06:21 PM
That is such a lovely commentary. This morning they were talking about his shoes on the news. They are brown leather and he received them as a Christmas present. They are from his long time childhood friend from Poland who is a cobbler and has made his shoes for a long long time.
Posted by: Mindy at April 6, 2005 09:24 AM