OUR LADYS JUGGLER

by Anatole France

Anatole France was a French poet, journalist, and novelist. He was born in Paris, and died in SaintCyr-sur-Loire. He was a successful novelist, with several best-sellers. Born: April 16, 1844, Paris, France Died: October 12, 1924, Tours, France Full name: Franois-Anatole Thibault Education: Collge Stanislas de Paris

DIFFICULT
Minstrel - a medieval singer or musician, especially one who sang or recited lyric or heroic poetry to a musical accompaniment for the nobility.
Ex. They listened to the minstrels singing songs of knightly prowess.

Discernment - the ability to judge well. Ex. Spiritual discernment is the skill of separating divine truth from error.

Cult - a system of religious veneration and devotion directed towards a particular figure or object. Ex. People are dying to see the cult of St. Olaf.
Prudence - the quality of being prudent; cautiousness. Ex. In such instances there is a need to exercise prudence in preparation of the financial statements.

Lament - to feel loss, sorrow or regret, often expressed in a physical way Ex. His amiable disposition acquired him a large circle of friends, who deeply lament his death.

Sacrilege - desecration or violation of something that is held sacred

Ex. Making a mocking picture of Jesus is an example of something that would be described as a sacrilege.

MODERATE

Murmur - a soft and often indistinct sound or whisper Ex. Suddenly we heard the murmur of goose song to our right. Pewter - a grey alloy of tin with copper and antimony (formerly, tin and lead). Ex. These lockets are made of gold, silver, or pewter.

Prowess - courage or skill

Ex. He comes from a strong extended family background of sporting prowess at various levels. Monastic - characteristic of monks or nuns or their way of life; ascetic, austere, etc. Ex. Ours was an entirely masculine, almost monastic society.

Merit - an excellent achievement, honor, value or quality that is deserving of approval Ex. We are studying about composers of outstanding merit. Halo - a ring of light that encircles something bright, or a ring of light over the head of an angel or other spiritual being, or a feeling of glory or reverence that surrounds a person or thing Ex. Hes so kind that I every time I look at him, I see a halo.

 Descend - to go downward, to become lower in pitch, reaching an undesirable state or can refer to a surprise attack or unwelcome visit Ex. Elephant seals descend on California beaches for breeding season.

This is a story about a poor juggler named Barnabas who became a monk who lived a life of simplicity and faith to the Lord.

 He doesn't have a permanent home, he traveled from city to city performing what he does best, juggling.

However, it had been hard for him to make enough money for his own living. Besides, he was unable to work as much as he wants to.

 One time, he went to church and a monk saw him. He was asked why he was wearing that kind of clothing. He told the monk that he wants to live like him. He wants to give praise to God and that he would gladly give up what he's doing just to be in the monastery. The monk was touched and helped Barnabas to get in. And Barnabas became a monk.

 He assured Barnabas that he would enter the said monastery. Then, the feast came when each and every brother would offer something that involves ones talents and skills that God has given them.

 The monks expressed their love to Mother Mary through writing books, carving statues, composing hymns and writings, and creating beautiful paintings. Secretly, Barnabas performed at his best in front of Marys statue.

The Prior, together with two of the oldest brothers, saw this incident. They accused him of sacrilege and decided to remove him from the chapel when they saw Mary descending from the altar. She wiped the sweat from the jugglers forehead and the three monks bowed down to the floor.

QUESTIONS
1. What is Barbaras characteristic that makes him different from other jugglers or street performers? 2. Aside from being a juggler, what else did Barnabas want to be? 3. When Barnabas become a monk, what made him so depressed? 4. What did Barnabas do for the honor of the Holy Virgin?