Month: October 2020

A word from Pagli

I’m so sorry that I haven’t been around very much of late.
As winter approaches, it’s important to get out as much as possible before I enter the annual cat ‘lock-down’ until Spring. I do get out a little even then. I do hope Mr Johnson won’t fine me too much but as long as I don’t meet with more than 5 other cats I should be all right.
I’m afraid my servant has decided that I have to stop going out ‘clubbing’ now the nights are getting darker – though being crepuscular (big word!) I am far better at dawn and dusk than he is!
There is some new housing being built near us at the moment. There are one or two noisy dogs moving in but also I spotted a largish tabby the other day. He looks peaceful enough but you never know.

Anyway, I’ve included a little prayer on behalf of my pussy-cat friends, including the black and white cat who visits me most days (though not one of the cats who live next door – she’s always chasing me!)

I’m sorry that you have had to put up with the blog bits my servant Mr. G has been putting on here and I promise to write more often.
Paws and peace to you from Pagli-ji.

THE CAT PRAYER

Lord ,
I am the cat.
It is not exactly that I have something to ask you!
No!
I ask nothing of anyone –
but,
if you have by some chance, in some celestial barn,
a little white mouse,
or a saucer of milk,
I know someone who would relish them.
Wouldn’t You like, someday,
to put a curse on the whole race of dogs?
If so, I should say
Amen

St. Michael at Coventry, a symbol of the triumph of Good over evil.

photo by Mr. G. | St Michael and the dragon, Coventry.

The new part of Coventry Cathedral has this amazing statue of St. Michael and the Dragon.
Michael defeating the dragon or satan is recorded in The Book Of Revelation, Chapter 12, verse 7-9, is symbolic of the triumph of good over evil :

And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Coventry Cathedral is dedicated to St. Michael but the statue has an additional significance which is itself about the victory of good over evil.
On November 14th 1940, the Cathedral was heavily bombed by the Luftwaffe along with much of the city. It was, temporarily, a victory of evil but it was ultimately a hollow victory. Out of the ashes, a new Cathedral arose, like a Phoenix and the new part of the Cathedral, connected to the ruins of the old with a huge glass screen, is a sign of the determination and the vision to show the triumph of good over evil.
(I shall be posting more about this later).

The Cathedral was designed by the renowned architect, Basil Spence.
When the Provost of the Cathedral discussed the design of the statue with Basil Spence, he suggested Jacob Epstein. Spence regarded him as the greatest sculptor of the 20th century. He was, however, to some a controversial figure but a visit to him by Provost Howard and Spence led to the commission being given. Provost Howard was won over by Epstein’s charm and spiritual vision. As Epstein began to work on the sculpture, his design won people over. Ultimately cast in bronze, it was erected at the Cathedral in 1960. Sadly Epstein didn’t see it situ because he died a year earlier.