It Was All a Bit Confusing

If forced to explain any number of worldly ceremonies taken for granted but never investigated, many would find themselves in the state described by the above title. It proved a fitting caption for an item appearing in the London Catholic Herald of April 14, 1950, in reference to such a ceremony in the midst of this world’s political upheaval. The item follows:

“A letter received in Hong Kong from a village in Communist-held China tells of an odd ceremony at the opening of a new term at the little Catholic school. The Communist flag was hung on the classroom wall. Then a large holy picture was hung in front of it. Three bows were made to the flag—and three to the holy picture. The new national anthem was sung, followed by three Hail Marys. A Communist official made a speech, and then came a talk by the Catholic teacher. Finally ‘God bless China’ rang out amidst the traditional burst of fireworks.”