THE watching priest-monk kept trying to stand up, but some irresistible weight pressed him down. He was resolved, though, that if he ever moved again from his seat he would follow the Bishop’s every step.* Meanwhile every rite which the mass-book appoints was performed. At the time of the consecration, the saint even bestowed his episcopal benediction on people and clergy alike. When everything was done, he left as he had come, with fitting dignity. All this the priest-monk was able to see and hear, but thanks to the dazzling light he could discern only the outline of their faces. Even so, the Bishop’s likeness to icons of St Cuthbert was unmistakable. When it was all over, he felt light of body, and exhilarated in soul.
At this point the lay brother woke up, eager to resume his duties. But the priest dared not celebrate twice on the same altar,* and explained what he had seen. Both wept tears of joy, the one glad his brother had seen such a thing, and the other consoling him for missing out. Of all this Reginald was thoroughly informed by that brother, and his testimony is sure.*
* That of course explains why the irresistible weight was placed on him; he would only have been in the way. “For in the midst of such sacred mysteries” commented Reginald “he was hardly to be permitted to rise by himself.” Moreover, when it all ended he could not follow the Bishop where he was going, not yet at any rate. See John 13:36.
* It is not usual to celebrate the communion liturgy more than once in the same day on the same altar.
* Reginald is picking up on what John the Evangelist wrote at the end of his Gospel, regarding ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’: “This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.” In other words, this is an eye-witness account. See John 21:24. Reginald told a similar tale about an appearance of St Nicholas to Godric of Finchale one Easter. On that occasion it was Reginald who missed out. See When Godric Sang with Angels.