The Tapestry of Time

Chapter 6-2

Baudet glanced at the priest with a puzzled expression.

“Let me explain. Religious buildings the world over are full of hidden meaning, from gargoyles to altars. In the early days, Christians, faced with persecution, often had to disguise their beliefs. The seven steps that you climb to enter our church are the same seven when you leave, and that makes 14. There are the same number of Stations of the Cross, from number one, when Jesus is condemned to death, to 14, when He is laid in the tomb. Anyway, let us go inside.”

The interior, of light stone, featured a triple-nave layout, square columns, visible stone arch supports and minimal decoration except for beautiful stained-glass windows that let in a kaleidoscope of colour that illuminated the plain white marble altar bearing two brass candlesticks on either side of a closed leather-bound bible. They walked down the wide central nave and the priest invited Baudet to sit in the front pew. Hitching up his black cassock, he sat beside him. Fingering the silver cross on its chain around his neck, he asked softly: “Would you care to pray, my son?”

Baudet was quite surprised by the invitation and, flushing, he replied: “Father, I don’t know how to do that.”

With a sympathetic smile, Philippe instructed him to close his eyes and bow his head. He began: “‘For His invisible attributes, namely His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So, they are, without excuse.’ Romans: one, 20.” He added: “We must protect and nurture our belief in the Lord and beseech him to grant us His goodness and mercy. For us, there is one God, from whom are all things and for whom we exist. There is but one Lord Jesus Christ through whom we exist. Amen.”

“‘For His invisible attributes, namely His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So, they are, without excuse.’“Amen,” Baudet answered, intuitively, but not grasping any of the priest’s maundering. “Rambling on for the sake of it, I reckon,” he mused.

“Rambling on for the sake of it, I reckon,” There followed some moments of silence during which Philippe made the sign of the cross frequently. His pupil nodded each time, assuming it was the correct thing to do.

“I recall asking you, when we first met, whether you were a person of the Christian faith.”

“You did, Father.”

“You answered that you supposed so, but I see, in Baudet before me, someone who would benefit spiritually if he committed.”

supposed soBaudet appeared confused. “But I have no idea how to find God.”

Philippe cut him short saying: “‘Seek, first, the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all things will be added to you.’ Matthew: six, 13.” He crossed himself, yet again.

“‘Seek, first, the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all things will be added to you.’“If I search for your God, how do I find the right direction? I am a poor man with no education. I know neither reading nor writing – would that I did, Father. How did you see how to form letters and grasp their meaning?”

“My own father had an extensive library and he helped me with the basic skills, but I learned most over there.” He pointed vaguely to behind the altar.

“Over where, Father?”

“In the Saint Victor abbey, from the Christian brothers who reside there and dedicate their lives to his worship. I will see if…” But his voice trailed away, to Baudet’s consternation. The priest resumed his sermon: “All that is as maybe, but you ask questions and that indicates a spirit that I enjoy. Let us see… ah, yes. ‘If you wish it, it is within His gift. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your path.’ John: one, nine. Baudet, your wealth or learning is of no import to the Holy Father. He cares for whatever opens your mind and, if that brings about a scholarly life in the future, so be it.”

‘If you wish it, it is within His gift. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your path.’ His mind flashed back to talking with Criou in the tavern. “He said the priest goes on and on with all this Bible nonsense. Well, he does that, for sure!” He leaned back in the pew and fixed the cleric with a long stare that, at once, convinced Philippe that he would be a valuable addition to his congregation. He admired the freshness of youth – it quite reminded him of himself, at that age, as a novice.

“He said the priest goes on and on with all this Bible nonsense. Well, he does that, for sure!” “There are so many things I know nothing about.”

“All in good time! Do not try to run before you can walk.”

“I understand but, during my strolls around the Panier, I’ve seen countless poor men, women and children. If God is all-powerful, as I hear, why does He allow this to be, folk living, as I see it, side by side? Why are people poor?”

“‘I was hungry,’ Matthew: 25, 33, ‘and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.’”

“‘I was hungry,’ ‘and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.’“Really?” There was an unmistakable cynicism in Baudet’s voice.

“Indeed,” Philippe answered confidently, with a challenging certainty to his words.

“In Vordan, Father, there was a certain priest who carried out his ministry amid rumours of his dishonestly dealing with church funds and behaving improperly where young boys were concerned. So, are priests good men?”

“John: one, nine, says ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us those sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ Amen.”

‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us those sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’“Amen to all of that, Father, and thank you for your time, but I must return to the tavern now.” This was true. However, he felt uneasy and perplexed by the lessons he had been given and, sadly, thought he could never fit in with such learning and doctrine.

“God bless you, Baudet.” The priest rose and disappeared from view into his office behind the altar.

That evening, Baudet had invited Criou to have supper with him in the tavern. He sat at his favourite table by the fire, waiting for his guest to arrive. The card players at the adjacent table, wisely, ignored him – wary for they knew Criou was on his side.

He did not have to wait long until his new companion, smiling broadly, entered the room, acknowledging this and that customer as he made his way over to Baudet.

“Bring ale, Dizier, if you will!” he called out.

They ate Madame’s bouillabaisse – on her menu only when she could obtain the best fish, she boasted, and with every good reason.

“That was a fine supper and no mistake,” Criou pronounced, mopping up the last scraps and drops with a chunk of bread.

The two men spent the evening consuming countless tankards of Monsieur Dizier’s best ale. Their conversation flowed, sometimes quiet and serious, sometimes raucous and punctuated by howls of laughter. Baudet got to telling the other man about his childhood, especially his boar-hunting with his late father. Criou’s eyes opened wide with delight,

“So, you know a thing or two about the chasing of the fat hairy beast, do you?”

“I should do, father taught me well.”

“That’s a real… what’s the word? A real coincidence!”

“How come?”

“I, too, hunt boar with a couple of friends. One of them has a horse and cart, to carry nets, knives and bring the animal back home. The other has a father who’s a butcher and he skins and sections the monster into joints for us to sell at market. Mark my words, Baudet, I don’t spend all my time thieving!”

all He lowered his eyes, wondering if Criou was about to scold him, but no, with a loud whoop and a slap on his back that all but knocked him to the floor, he added: “My little joke! Seriously though, we’re going off to the woods the day after tomorrow. Would you like to join us?”

“Of course I would! I look forward to meeting your friends, Criou, my friend.”

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