Ceci Giltenan(53)
“Here we ask St. Stephen’s blessing on horses and livestock. Father will bless the hay, salt, and oats during Mass and it will be distributed amongst the farmers. Then the blessed items will be given to sick or injured animals during the year. Father will also bless the horses in my stable after Mass.”
Katherine had never heard of this custom and asked, “Why? St. Stephen was a martyr who was stoned to death because of his faith in Christ. What is his connection to livestock?”
Niall’s eyes twinkled as he said, “There are several answers to that question, lass. The first is according to legend, St. Stephen had a horse that he loved, but the horse became very ill. Christ cured St. Stephen’s beloved horse and that is why Stephen’s faith was so strong.”
“It sounds as if ye don’t believe that legend.”
“Well, sweetling, I have had some fine horses in my life and I surely would thank God if he intervened to save one of them. However, I’m not sure I would face a stoning for the love of a horse.”
“But it wasn’t for the love of a horse, it was—oh never mind,” she said when she realized he was teasing her. “What are the other reasons for blessing livestock?”
“Some say because little work is done between Christmas and Epiphany, it is a holiday for the livestock as well, particularly for beasts of burden like horses and oxen. Since St. Stephen’s day falls on the first day after Christmas, it is a good a time as any to bless them.”
“I guess that is reasonable, but I can tell by your grin there is more.”
“Now, ye see, lass, in ancient times, before we all became God-fearing Christians and heathens roamed the land, it is said horses were sacrificed at the winter solstice. When Christians put a stop to animal sacrifices, the horses in the Highlands, being good Christians themselves, were exceedingly grateful and thanked the first saint whose feast day fell soon after the solstice. St. Stephen would have been an ungrateful sot if he had refused to be their patron, so it was really a case of the Highland horses picking the saint as opposed to the other way round.”
Katherine laughed and Niall found himself thanking all the saints for giving him this beautiful lass, whose laughter must surely be sweeter than the songs of angels.
~ * ~
The celebration continued the next day on the Feast of St. John the Evangelist. Father Colm blessed kegs of wine called, “The Love of St. John” in the morning to be served later at the feast. This was a tradition Katherine was familiar with, however the Clan celebrated in another way, as well. Because St. John lived to be a very old man, the eldest members of the clan were honored at this feast and sat with Niall and Katherine at the laird’s table. Niall watched her with pride as she listened to their stories, laughing merrily with them. Once more he realized how fortunate he was she accepted his clan as her own and treated these elders with the kindness and respect they were due. His mother, Lady MacIan in name only, didn’t even attend this feast.
When the music started he claimed Katherine for dance after dance until she begged him to stop.
“Aren’t ye tired of me stepping on your feet yet?” she laughed.
“Was it ye who was stepping on my feet? I thought sure it must be Turcuil,” he said with a wink and laughed at her mock outrage. “Truthfully, Katherine, I would rather dance with ye all night and suffer bruised toes than dance with any other partner, regardless of how skilled she might be.”
Katherine laughed, saying, “That is the Love of St. John talking.”
Niall laughed, too. He suspected love had something to do with it, but perhaps not the blessed wine. Taking her in his arms, he said, “Have I thanked ye yet?”
“Thanked me for what?”
He motioned to the celebration around them.“For this.”
“Planning a feast is no great ordeal.”
“Not for planning it, pet. The MacIans haven’t had much to celebrate, and nothing to celebrate with, for the last few years. It is only because of ye the clan is safe and whole.”
“Nay, Niall, ye sought the king’s help, saving me and Tomas in the process. I have a home and family again.” The warmth and love Niall saw in her eyes took his breath away.
Fingal, who stood nearby, said, “Perhaps ye would honor a member of your new family with a dance, then?”
Katherine laughed saying, “If your toes can stand it, I suppose I can.”
~ * ~
The third day after Christmas was Childermas, honoring the young boys in Bethlehem who were killed by King Herod. In the same way that elders were honored on the Feast of John the Evangelist, sometimes children were given special treats on Childermas.