We met at the Calvary hospice where I worked then again at the university where we were studying. Each Thursday I would discuss their ethical subject of that morning from a non-Catholic female viewpoint while they provided me with a vegetarian lunch on the lawn
Contraception, abortion, couple relationships and many more topics were discussed at length. Their lecturer in theology studies was another priest and what would he know about such topics?
The year was ending and we all about to graduate so they invited me for the most romantic picnic. Two RC priests and a couple of women.
They had meat and drink
while I basked and feasted well
on companionship
Gina hosts a picnic haibun at dVerse
aroused 
I love when people disregard the externals and laugh and celebrate together
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What fun to, as true adults, sit and converse about various subjects whether you agree or not. What a wonderful picnic. Fun.
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This made me chuckle a bit, but at the same time, it sounds like you had a wonderful time with a stimulating exchange of ideas and conversation–feast for body and mind.
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I like the feasting on companionship.
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Interesting — I was expecting a surprize ending, however. 🙂
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sorry to disappoint!
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Yeah, LOL, I was expecting the priest to leave the priesthood. Smile
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lol I would never do that altho some women work hard to ‘convert’ gay guys and priests I respect their choice!
What a fascinating life you’ve led … all that travel and study … I’ve done the travel and got three bits of paper but nothing to compare with your quals!
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Couldn’t agree more about handsome Australian jesuits! We had a few and they had most of the girls swooning!! As Gina said, this is so original!!
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Companions! Crunchy-Veggie-Lunch! Conversations!
Sharing thoughts, feelings, points-of-view in a picnic setting! Nothing better! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
PS…that pic… Dominic Cooper!!! 🙂
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lol knew you’d get it … soulful food and conversation … hugs to you and Coop 🙂 xx
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I love when people can share ideas, beliefs, experiences, etc…in a loving way…and learn from each other. We need more of that these days! 🙂
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You were spoiled, Kate !
Love ❤
Michel
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I was indeed, they know how to treat women and I so enjoyed the intellectual interaction Michel 🙂
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Your picnics were a feast for the mind as well. I enjoyed hearing about your experiences. Well written!
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companionship, we long for it and treasure the moments when we connect with beautiful humans. your haiku has so much warmth, i love your haibun, it tells a story, one that captivates my heart, we don;t always have to agree or disagree, just talking and knowing what others think is so important for personal growth, you wrote this beautifully, broke all traditional notions of a picnic, this one really stands out for originality
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I often laugh that the most romantic picnic I ever had was with a couple of handsome young priests … they really spoiled me Gina 🙂
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they know how to treat a woman like a lady and intelligent conversation is so attractive on anyone, i would feel just as pleased as you to have those two attentive around me…LOL!!
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ah the Jesuits that I volunteered with in the inner city …
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I spent a bit of time at university once (or twice). I majored (the first time, anyway) in philosophy and religious studies, and I have always struggled to come to terms with the fact that pious individuals can be so inspiringly beautiful and be so totally misguided at the same time.
Many of them can be very dangerous too, of course.
Now that I am saying it, mind you, I realise that there is something a little bit beautiful about being unswervingly wrong. Something inspirational, in other words, about faith itself.
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“pious individuals can be so inspiringly beautiful and be so totally misguided at the same time.” is SO true!
Agree that there is something inspirational about faith itself but not the misguided or fanatical kind 🙂
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It’s the fanatical kind, perhaps unfortunately, that does most of the inspiring.
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lol sorry they never inspire me …
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Well …. Ghandi and Mother Teresa were fanatics.
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true but of the better kind … guess its the spiteful vengeful kind I stay clear of 🙂
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I apologise if that comes across as terribly arrogant. I am myself, as you know Kate, more often wrong than not.
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not arrogant at all just you!
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Is that a backhanded compliment or just the voice of a daughter who is sick of listening to the same old crap?
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I honestly didn’t detect any arrogance at all
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Interesting picnic companions and discussions.
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nothing too frivolous for me Norah 🙂
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Nice one
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thanks!
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Nice and u made your point in these beautiful words, Kate.
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