Victoria Woods
It’s Christmastime—five days before Christmas and the church is decked with festive wreaths, potted poinsettias and a manger in the nave. Behind the manger, several dark fir trees stretch up toward the heavens, and near the top of one tree, gleams a star.
I watch the excited faces of children and feel a pang of loneliness as I recall my aspirations as a twenty-year old seminarian. Back then I had no idea how desolate the celibate life could be. But now I know.
“You’re fully apprised,” old Bishop Wierton often reminds me.
And yet, I also know the celibate life is not for me.
The hardest part is the night watches when I lie awake staring at Victoria Woods’ lovely face shining back at me.
I squeeze my eyes shut, trying by sheer will power to banish the lovely apparition that haunts me even now—in the sacristy of St. Tristan’s—in the very precincts of God.
My efforts are futile though—you can exorcize demons, but you can’t cast out the flesh.
These ruminations are interrupted by the shrill, nearly hysterical voice of Abigail Hoyt, the church organist.
“Oh Father, thank God I found you. It was horrible—just horrible.”
She’s shaking and her face is pale. “I’m in need of absolution—I’m damned for sure.”
I grab her by both shoulders and stare directly into her eyes. “Calm down, Abigail, and tell me what happened.”
“I saw the devil himself lurking in the shadows of the belfry. As long as I live, I’ll never forget those red eyes piercing through me.”
Angelo, the custodian is patiently waiting behind her. He catches my eye and gives his shoulders a shrug.
“Did you see anything, Angelo?”
“I went up there, Father—checked out the room where the ringers wait and even went up the iron steps to the steeple top—but there was nothing. Nada.”
He spits out the last word like an expletive and glares at Abigail, suspecting her somehow of undermining his custodial care of the premises.
“I know what I saw, Father—it was horrid. I could barely breathe, inhaling those sulfurous fumes.”
Angelo rolls his eyes, but Abigail won’t be cowed. “Celia Duncan saw it too last week and Betty Rose.”
“Batty Betty?” Angelo scoffs. “She has bats in her belfry.”
“Enough! Please, let’s all be charitable. Remember love is patient and kind.”
“Amen,” Abigail whispers. Angelo lowers his gaze, suitably chastened.
“I’ll sprinkle some holy water up there later and pray a blessing.”
Angelo nods and retreats back into the shadows of the sanctuary.
“Thank you, Father.” Abigail has a distinct look of relief on her face.
I touch her elbow as she’s walking away and whisper in her ear, “I’ll see you at Vespers tonight, Abigail—and by the way, you don’t need absolution. Many saints have seen demons. It doesn’t reflect a lack of sanctity—often, the opposite.”
“Bless you, Father—you truly are a saint.”
I smile ruefully as she continues on her way.
Demonic activity in a church at Christmas—the thought is abhorrent—and it’s happening on my watch.
I begin to succumb to a wave of guilt. The thought occurs to me that I might be the reason for this occult activity.
I’m in charge of the church and I’m living in sin, breaking my vows by secretly obsessing about Victoria Woods.
I’ve given the devil a foothold in the parish and it’s up to me to deal with it.
A demonic Christmas story.....interesting. A war in the heavenlies inside a church? I hope the priest finds out that holy water doesn't work on a spiritual problem. :)
don't jump too far ahead, @countrygirl :) ...but he did say his efforts are futile and you can't cast out the flesh
I'll have to wait then to find out why he told Abigail he'd sprinkle the holy water then, after he said his efforts to cast out the flesh were futile. I can't help getting ahead.....that's the way I'm wired.
Great creativity! Amazing story. thanks for sharing.
thanks
You're most welcome.
Very excited to read the next part. A "haunting" is exactly what I wanted to read.
thanks, @mydivathings - I'm glad
I always enjoy your use of words. Lol... It's okay to be attracted to someone, it's only a problem when it gets outta hand
unless you're a priest who took a vow of celibacy which is the point of the story :)
ufff good story. thanks for sharing with us
long time no see
I was too busy to read your novel.
Now I have time to read your novel.
Thank you for being here always
Great story. Great Christmas . I went more read. Waiting you post.✌