John Francis Regis At Montregard

How can we sit
quietly by,
watching there
in the blistering
sub-zero temperatures,
outside the village church
at Montregard,
while the elegant mute
saint kneels
seemingly frozen,
before the church doors.
They are locked
cold and tight;
that much we know
for certain.
The Holy of Holies
waits within,
the sole companion
near the gilded and
ornate tabernacle-
a fond and flickering
oil lamp.
Outside,
two lights
give witness to
the deadly night's
falling white shroud;
these!
Mary the Moon
and
John Francis Regis
lit from within...
burning steadily
through the snow
like an invisible
two-edged sword
burnished with
fire.

William Hart McNichols
27 August 1989

Jesuit Bulletin. Fall 1989. p. 8

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This page is managed by Fr. Raymond A. Bucko, S.J. of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Creighton University. E-Mail: bucko@creighton.edu Page Last Updated: October 6, 2001

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