With thanks to the rabbit.
UPDATE: From Ann comes a link to an article from the Washington Post via the Concord Monitor, an in-depth story on Roman Catholic clerical fashion. On Maria Ardovini, a shopkeeper in the vicinity of the Vatican:
Ardovini was all chatty until she was asked about Benedict's red shoes, and rumors that they are Prada. (Most people who looked into this closely agreed that they're not.) "Please don't say that," she said, her smile fading. "It's blasphemous."
Ah. It was such a good story.
UPDATE 2: There's this from the Wall Street Journal:
The most widely publicized papal branding event appears to have been the result of mistaken identity.
Over the past few months, scores of media reports have dubbed Benedict XVI the "Prada Pope," crediting the Italian fashion house with having made the pope's eye-catching red loafers.
The senior Vatican official says the loafers were actually made by the pope's personal cobbler. But Prada has refused to confirm or deny the reports, allowing the press speculation to continue. A spokesman for Prada said the fashion house lacked "the necessary elements" to make an accurate determination.
I want to get the story right.
I seem to recall that the slippers (the really were not shoes) the last Pius wore were white with gold embroidery. When did the RC's discover that Peter wore red?
ReplyDeleteI get so confused.
FWIW
jimB
Jim's Thoughts
Ain't they purty? Makes an Archbishop drool... buy a pair today and get a free hat!
ReplyDeleteSo, I'm here because MP sent me to push some buttons. You got them nails done yet?
I hear they are not really Prada -- see herefor more on the vestments, etc.
ReplyDeleteJim, when did the RC's discover that Peter wore Prada? I'm confused, too.
ReplyDeleteClumber, the toenails are done, but they're not dry yet, so I can't really do much. Haven't you pushed enough buttons, already, you old dog?
It's getting to be a regular animal sanctuary around here, what with the rabbits and the dogs, and it's still early in the day.
I confess that I laugh out loud each time I look at the picture. I had resolved that I would not mock the pope during his visit. Is this mocking?
Ann, say it ain't so. It's such a good story.
I too am here because MP sent me. (I usually don't have time to read many blogs during my lunch time, but MP's is up due to the time differential.It is usually much later in the day that I get to Mimi's.)My toes are unpainted, so I cannot ask Mimi about hers. Marilyn
ReplyDelete"There's no place like home ... There's no place like home ... There's no place like home ... "
ReplyDeleteNot Prade? Prada's up-market, "no-label", ultra-snob line, perhaps? Don't look to me like his good friend & buddy Monsignor Goodteeth picked them up at the VCity dime store.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn, welcome. Since MadPriest outed me with my painted toenails, everyone knows, and anyone can ask. No more living in the closet. It's a relief, really.
ReplyDeleteRB, exactly. Be it ever so humble.
Lapin, I, for one, am not totally convinced. They are, most certainly, not cheap shoes. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Well, we ought not mock the Pope, but perhaps we can have a giggle about his shoes -- being forewarned, however, that any mention of a certain designer would constitute blasphemy.
ReplyDeleteI found the article very interesting. It seems that not only adherents of the Roman church but Orthodox and others are divining from Pope Benedict's wardrobe choices what directions he means for the Church to take. His outfits are also seen to be prophetic, in the sense of conveying powerful spiritual messages:
"You thought the cover of Vogue was influential. Many of the vestments Benedict has been wearing are in the Roman style, experts said, as opposed to the Gothic style that became more popular after the Second Vatican Council. However, Pecklers has written, sometimes Benedict picks items that combine Gothic and Roman, like the chasuble he wore on Ash Wednesday - longer in the front than the so-called 'fiddle-back' chasuble of the Roman period (named for its violin-like appearance) and wider at the bottom.
'On his mind very clearly is concern about growth of secularism in the developed world, loss of faith, loss of religious conviction,' Pecklers said. 'So there is clearly a sense of his returning to basic foundations, helping his flock return to what is foundational.'"
Now it all makes sense. The ermine, the lace, the shiny red pumps -- all part of the strategy to resist the growth of secularism, the loss of faith and the waning of religious conviction, and to bring the flock back to the faith once delivered to the saints! As a self-confessed beauty freak and a believer in accessorizing, I can't argue with that.
He sure as heck doesn't need any help from Texas sorority girls. In fact, maybe we could borrow Monsignor for our Kent campaign. He's good enough for ten of them, I expect.
I don't think folks realize how much time is consumed coordinating one's toenails with the liturgical season. Sarum use is timesaver here, since all save those afflicted with conditions that grotesquely discolor the nail can leave their toes "natural", save for a little red cross on each toe, through the season of Lent, rather than of having to lacquer every nail Roman purple.
ReplyDeleteMimi, it's not mocking if he asks for it.
ReplyDeleteDoes he wear them frequently? Or only in the blasphemous US?
"There's no place like home..."
Or as someone on the WATER-list or someplace said the other day, "There's no place like Rome..."
ReplyDeleteKirstin, he wears them in Rome, too. We have the photos to prove it.
Lapin, your liturgical nail advice is precious indeed.
Where else but this crowd could we get suggestions on Sarum Rite nail polish protocol? Thank you, dear and reverend ones.
They are over $600 a pair, since you wondered, Mimi. Made by his personal cobbler. JP2 had gone to brown shoes but B16 has restored papal red.
ReplyDeleteWith MP down for a while, I am glad to see that you are maintaining the tradition of keeping the Italian Church in the spotlight. Inquiring minds need to know all sorts of things.
Since Monsignor Goodteeth (cute, Lapin) is in the States do you think the chief bridge builder would mind if I borrowed him for a few hours? I think I need a consultation on footwear....
He sure as heck doesn't need any help from Texas sorority girls. In fact, maybe we could borrow Monsignor for our Kent campaign. He's good enough for ten of them, I expect.
ReplyDeleteMary Clara, LOL and yes!
Lapin, I believe that I'd need a tiny stencil for the tiny crosses.
Kirstin, it's not just in the US. We've been talking about the shoes for years at OCICBW.
Where else, indeed, Jane?
...do you think the chief bridge builder would mind if I borrowed him for a few hours?
ReplyDeletePaul, in a word, yes.
Since the proof of the pudding is, as they say, in the eating, I'm holding off on rating Benny's response to child abuse until we see whether or not Cardinal Law has a lifetime lease on that Santa Maria Maggiore palazzetto. If it were up to me, Law would be thinking twice before measuring for new drapes.
ReplyDelete"Give me back those slippers!"
ReplyDeleteI agree with the rabbit.
I'd feel better about the new Papal contrition over priestly pedophilia if it came with sending Cardinal Law (and some others) back to the States to face the music.
I really should visit Mimi's place more often.
Ah. I don't know where my own shoes are, most of the time.
ReplyDeleteOughtn't he rather wear Birkenstocks?
Counterlight and Lapin, yes. I'm moved to poetry.
ReplyDeleteCardinal Law
Sticks in the craw.
An adjustment is needed there.
Kirstin, red Birkenstocks? I think not. Of course, there's often a great difference between what folks ought to do and what they will do.
I agree with counterlight... Only I say defrock Bernard Law AND send him back to face the music. As long as he continues to be rewarded with a posh Roman job, the apology has a hollow ring to it.
ReplyDeleteSomehow, Counterlight, I can't see the Massachusetts legal and political establishments falling over themselves backwards to bring conspiracy and criminal facilitation charges against Law, can you? You KNOW those folks let out one huge collective sigh of relief when John Paul II gave him a Vatican diplomatic passport and a bolt-hole.
ReplyDeleteLapin, I believe you are correct. There are 4 or 5 bishops who are presently serving around the US who were assistant bishops under Cardinal during the cover-up period.
ReplyDelete"Please don't say that," she said, her smile fading. "It's blasphemous."
ReplyDeleteSpeculating on the source of the Pope's shoes is blasphemous? Lowering the bar on blasphemy a bit, aren't we?
I believe one of them is currently Archbishop of New York; he was in Bridgeport at the time.
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful for the discussion; how else would I have known one of my favorite colors--purple--was associated with the Roman church? I'm now planning to wait till Pentacost and go green with the toenails, with tiny Celtic crosses in gold.
What cha'll think?
Sadly, I think the Rabbit is right about the Massachusetts prosecutors.
ReplyDeleteThose who evade the sword of Justice will always fall to the sword of Time.
The reference to "Roman purple" was to the liturgical sequence for Lent, Johnieb. RC churches and many (most?) Anglican ones use purple in Lent. According to Dr. Dearmer the correct English use is off-white unbleached linen, edged or decorated with dark red - hence the rather strange rambling above about toenails.
ReplyDeleteA compilation of altars with Sarum use Lenten frontals, posted on Flickr by the brilliant "Vitrearum",may be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vitrearum/195400852/
What cha'll think?
ReplyDeleteSounds a bit over the top to me, Johnieb, but you are a bit over the top yourself, so it might just suit you, love.
Another bishop mentored by Cardinal Law now serves as Archbishop of New Orleans.
Lapin, thanks for link to the pictures of the Sarum frontals. I had not seen anything like them before.
ReplyDeleteI like the Sarum Cathedral ones best. The others are a little too busy and fussy for my taste, I mean for Lent.
ReplyDeleteBirkenstocks?! You'd get run out of Rome on a rail. No Italian would get caught dead in 'em. Plus they are rather expensive, so it kind of defeats the purpose, no? Although Long's Drugstores in Berkeley and environs used to sell really great fake Birkies for about 12 bucks; I still have a pair that I wear indoors.
I think since B16 is German he ought to wear what Germans wear when they vacation in Southern Europe and by which you can spot 'em a mile away: sandals with socks!
But I guess since he is now Bishop of Rome he must do as the Romans do and wear elegant, exquisitely crafted leather.
See how well the red shoes are distracting us from messages on world peace?
Jane! Sandals and socks! I can just see it. His style is far too elegant for that.
ReplyDeleteI know. I'm terrible. But I found the picture irresistible.