When St. Lawrence, patron saint of chefs (see blog 11-17 August 2008) was asked by his persecutors to bring out the treasures of the church entrusted to him, he brought out the sick and the poor. He had already sent the Holy Grail to his mum's house for safe keeping. As a custodian of sacred objects or 'sacristan', he did a pretty good job and was roasted to death for his efforts. The modern equivalent is the 'sexton' or 'verger' (in German 'Mesner') and the newly appointed Mesner of Maria Alm church is Simon. There probably won't be any need to send any relics and treasures to his mum, he is not required to do the original grave digging duties of the sexton, although there will be a lot of bell ringing (sadly not of the English variety). He shouldn't face too much persecution but could however still expect a roasting when the Catholic attention to detail is affronted by his general cluelessness about his duties.
