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Story
April 25, 1904
Las Vegas Daily Optic
Las Vegas, San Miguel County, New Mexico
What is this article about?
Historical description from Mr. Mills' 'History of the Crusades' of cat veneration on Corpus Christi and sacrificial burning on St. John's Day in medieval Aix, Provence, involving public admiration, incense, and clergy-led rituals.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Roasting Cats as a Sacrifice.
The cat, says Mr. Mills in his "History of the Crusades," was a very important personage in the religious festivals of the times which he describes.
At Aix, in Provence, on the festival of Corpus Christi, the finest tomcat in the canton, wrapped like a child in swaddling clothes, was exhibited in a magnificent shrine to public admiration. Every knee was bent, and every hand strewed flowers or poured incense, and grimalkin was treated in all respects as the god of the day.
But on the festival of St. John, June 24, poor Tom's fate was reversed. A number of cats were put into a wicker basket and thrown alive into the midst of a large fire kindled in the public square by the bishop and his clergy. Hymns and anthems were sung, and processions were made by the priests and people in honor of the sacrifice.
The cat, says Mr. Mills in his "History of the Crusades," was a very important personage in the religious festivals of the times which he describes.
At Aix, in Provence, on the festival of Corpus Christi, the finest tomcat in the canton, wrapped like a child in swaddling clothes, was exhibited in a magnificent shrine to public admiration. Every knee was bent, and every hand strewed flowers or poured incense, and grimalkin was treated in all respects as the god of the day.
But on the festival of St. John, June 24, poor Tom's fate was reversed. A number of cats were put into a wicker basket and thrown alive into the midst of a large fire kindled in the public square by the bishop and his clergy. Hymns and anthems were sung, and processions were made by the priests and people in honor of the sacrifice.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Curiosity
Extraordinary Event
What themes does it cover?
Providence Divine
What keywords are associated?
Cat Sacrifice
Corpus Christi Festival
St. John Festival
Animal Veneration
Medieval Rituals
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Mills
The Bishop And His Clergy
Where did it happen?
Aix, In Provence
Story Details
Key Persons
Mr. Mills
The Bishop And His Clergy
Location
Aix, In Provence
Event Date
Times Of The Crusades; Festival Of Corpus Christi; Festival Of St. John, June 24
Story Details
In medieval religious festivals in Aix, Provence, a tomcat was venerated like a god on Corpus Christi, but on St. John's day, cats were sacrificed by burning alive in a public fire amid hymns and processions.