Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)— Friend extraordinaire of the Possum. After years of controversy, Bonaventure's newly discovered manuscript, "Po Man, Po Possum", proves - beyond a shadow of a doubt - what so many scholars have suspected for centuries! Namely, that Francis of Assisi owned and operated a Possum Farm in the Spoleto Valley near the town of Bevagna for over 35 years. "Francis's life was an inspiration to others, there is no question." says Dr. Jane Goodale, executive director of the Possummist Theological Seminary in Berkeley, CA. "It's just that his humble life of poverty redefined discipleship for the church in the 13th century. And now, with this discovery...we find out his possum trade made him one of the wealthiest men of his time. It's jarring. It makes us all pause and reconsider what pro-possumist views Francis must have held. This discovery [Bonaventure's manuscript] has the potential to redefine discipleship and wealth for the 21st century church. The possible rammifications are endless. It's mindboggling! This could change everything!" "To smell the possum is to begin to understand the possum," said Francis. "It is only by seeing the world through the beady little eyes of the possum that one can begin to see himself." |
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Do It Yourself Possum Blessing: c. 1235 (insert Possum's Name in blanks) Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of Possums and Hens*. On the fifth and sixth days of creation, you called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all animals his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this Possum, _______ . By the power of your love, enable [him/her] to live according to your possum plan. Strengthen [his/her] intellect to live a long life, away from headlights and greed, Protect ______'s little possum piggies from the pain of hot pavement on long summer days. Lord our God, in all your ways, bless Possums everywhere throughout eternity! Amen. * Scholars believe the mention of hens in line 2 of Bonaventure's "Do It Yourself Possum Blessing" refers to St. Francis' belief that all God's creatures lay eggs. |
 Last Month's Feature:Baal — Lord of the High Places. So omnipresent was worship of this wild god of the hilltop possums that his name was carried across prehistoric Europe. The Irish feast Beltain and the Norse god Balder are but two inheritors of this bull-horned deity’s potency. Here he is depicted on the Ras Shamra (Syria) stella, wielding thunder-club & lightening bolt spear. Represented as an upright stone or lingam, Baal was consort to Astarte since at least 1700 BCE. |
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