Whose Idea was Mont Saint Michel?
Has anyone ever nagged you so much about one thing in particular, that they actually end up poking you in the head with their finger? You put this one thing off for so long that the nagger has to physically push your head with their thumb. No, me neither. But this did happen to a monk back in the early 700s. He said he thought it was the devil telling him to build an oratory, which is why he procrastinated. Why would the devil ask him to build a church? You would think the devil would tell him not to build a church.
His name was Bishop Aubert from Avranches and the archangel Michael poked him so hard that he broke his skull. Jeez Louise buddy, take it easy. That skull is on display at the Saint Gervais Basilica in Avranches.
Today the abbey is overseen by monks and nuns from the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem. They run the Abbey and daily services. There are 7 priests and 5 nuns. I met a young nun at the post office. Her name was Claire. She smiled in a shy way and said they do not usually have their picture taken. She had already lived on Le Mont for 12 years. “So, you’ve been here since you were twelve?” I said. The post office worker behind the counter said something in French about that being a compliment. But, really she looked like she was 20. I asked if she would stay there for the rest of her life. She said she will go where the Fraternity sends her.
Rush Limbaugh once said, “If you ever get the chance, go see Mont Saint Michel.” So, I did get the chance and I went.
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