I know, Gene, I don't like to see the backwards baseball caps, either. Nor do I like to see them sideways, worn oversized and covering the top of the ears with the visor still flat, as they come "off the shelf." My Dad, who used to play baseball in high school in the 1950's used to always show us how to roll the visor of a new baseball cap so that it would curve down on each side of the face when worn properly--with the visor facing forward. I still do this to a new cap when I get one.
Those other ways of wearing a baseball cap (backwards, sideways, oversized or flat visored with puffed up crown are a "hip hop" generation thing.
Maybe Father Dawid was trying to be "in mufti" as much as possible for his own safety, since he was not from the area. I wish we still lived in a world where priests could travel in such places dressed in white tropical cassock and pith helmet or straw hat and businessmen could travel there in a light tan tropical suit with similar headgear. Probably not a good idea in such areas of the third world these days.
If he was in one of those gray clerical garbs he might pass for a Chinese government representative. They are very popular visitors to Africa these days.
Seriously, I like that he has the guts to go there and do cool things. I do wish he could get away with wearing his cassock to act as a living symbol for those people.
I would love to take him to the little Parish Church in Honduras I go to. They need so many things, but the visit of a priest would be wonderful. They have 'services' led by the local Jeffe with Bible study and some Catechism studies. They are besieged by secular values that focus on birth control over dignity and so much materialism. I bet he would be a rock star there (DOWN! clericalism! DOWN! Bad dog!)
Gene, A good point but I guess the protective value of that clerical collar would be dependent on the percentage of Catholics or other Christians in the indigenous population (as you would expect them to respect what the collar stands for). It might be near suicidal to appear in clerical garb in a largely pagan or Muslim Third World area.
SO he had to go all the way to Togo Africa to have this pic taken. Seems he could minister this way right at home! Hope you keeps this ministry spirit.
Joseph is right, but there is a nuance: He is going to stand out no matter what, even if he sings a Haugen suite dressed like Al Jolson. If you have the strength to be yourself, then people will respect that. But you still need to keep your head up and swiveled.
rcg, You don't hear Al Jolson (1886?-1950) mentioned much these days! I'm sure it probably wouldn't surprise you to know that he is my favorite singer (of secular music, that is).
I assume when you refer to being "dressed like Al Jolson" you are referring to his earlier minstrel show look with the blackened face, white gloves, oversized floppy bow tie and "high-water" pants with white socks (actually he sang in a normal look more often than the earlier minstrel look). Still, that's a pretty far-out sight to visualize--someone looking, singing and gesturing like "the World's Greatest Entertainer" while singing Marty Haugen songs. What a hoot! I guess I ain't seen nothin' yet!
11 comments:
Man, he really blends in!
It’s the cap that does it, rcg.
BTW is that really who I think it is – our own parochial vicar at St. Josephs, Father Dawid? It is a bit difficult to make out.
With his hat on backwards and no collar...ok, why is this good?
Gene, it's the $60 Underarmour shirt that is ubiquitous in central Africa.
I know, Gene, I don't like to see the backwards baseball caps, either. Nor do I like to see them sideways, worn oversized and covering the top of the ears with the visor still flat, as they come "off the shelf." My Dad, who used to play baseball in high school in the 1950's used to always show us how to roll the visor of a new baseball cap so that it would curve down on each side of the face when worn properly--with the visor facing forward. I still do this to a new cap when I get one.
Those other ways of wearing a baseball cap (backwards, sideways, oversized or flat visored with puffed up crown are a "hip hop" generation thing.
Maybe Father Dawid was trying to be "in mufti" as much as possible for his own safety, since he was not from the area. I wish we still lived in a world where priests could travel in such places dressed in white tropical cassock and pith helmet or straw hat and businessmen could travel there in a light tan tropical suit with similar headgear. Probably not a good idea in such areas of the third world these days.
If he was in one of those gray clerical garbs he might pass for a Chinese government representative. They are very popular visitors to Africa these days.
Seriously, I like that he has the guts to go there and do cool things. I do wish he could get away with wearing his cassock to act as a living symbol for those people.
I would love to take him to the little Parish Church in Honduras I go to. They need so many things, but the visit of a priest would be wonderful. They have 'services' led by the local Jeffe with Bible study and some Catechism studies. They are besieged by secular values that focus on birth control over dignity and so much materialism. I bet he would be a rock star there (DOWN! clericalism! DOWN! Bad dog!)
Joseph, And, you think a white guy without a collar is safer in these places?
Gene,
A good point but I guess the protective value of that clerical collar would be dependent on the percentage of Catholics or other Christians in the indigenous population (as you would expect them to respect what the collar stands for). It might be near suicidal to appear in clerical garb in a largely pagan or Muslim Third World area.
SO he had to go all the way to Togo Africa to have this pic taken. Seems he could minister this way right at home! Hope you keeps this ministry spirit.
Joseph is right, but there is a nuance: He is going to stand out no matter what, even if he sings a Haugen suite dressed like Al Jolson. If you have the strength to be yourself, then people will respect that. But you still need to keep your head up and swiveled.
rcg,
You don't hear Al Jolson (1886?-1950) mentioned much these days! I'm sure it probably wouldn't surprise you to know that he is my favorite singer (of secular music, that is).
I assume when you refer to being "dressed like Al Jolson" you are referring to his earlier minstrel show look with the blackened face, white gloves, oversized floppy bow tie and "high-water" pants with white socks (actually he sang in a normal look more often than the earlier minstrel look). Still, that's a pretty far-out sight to visualize--someone looking, singing and gesturing like "the World's Greatest Entertainer" while singing Marty Haugen songs. What a hoot! I guess I ain't seen nothin' yet!
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