"Tomorrow," Monsignor Schrattenbach explained yet again, "when you light the Paschal candle to start the Easter Vigil ceremonies, make sure that one of your gloves falls in the burning logs and is destroyed."
"Have you taken leave of your senses man, do you know how much those gloves cost?" The Bishop was beginning to doubt the sanity of his Vicar General.
"I will gladly buy you a new pair," his companion assured him, "the gloves are not important. What is important is that when you light the Easter fire, you make sure that the entire audience sees your glove fall into the flames and be destroyed. This is critical."
As usual, the Bishop did not argue long. From a combination of laziness and confidence, he had come to trust his Vicar General and, so far, had been more than satisfied with the way the diocese was being administered.
"I never like that part of Easter," he complained, starting to put on his robes. "Why do they do this every year? It is not an official part of the Holy church's teaching or the official Easter service you know."
Monsignor Schrattenbach did know, but felt it politic not to say so. "It is a popular tradition among the Germanic nations," he said, helping his Bishop get dressed. "Early Saturday morning all the fires and shrine lights in Brno will be extinguished and no fire will be allowed in any household. The women clean the stoves, polish the lamps and prepare all the candlesticks so that they are ready for the blessed fire."
He made sure the Bishop was still listening. Then went on, "Boys bring logs to the square in front of St. Peter and St. Paul's cathedral and make a pile around the metal brazier set below the steps. A wire is attached to each log. When our Holy Saturday procession reaches the stairs before the doorway to the church you will light a candle, bless it, and use the flame to start a fire in the brazier."
"I know, I know, I've done it before," grumbled the Bishop, conveniently forgetting that in previous years Father Kohl had lit Blessed fire at the beginning of the Easter Vigil.
"Good," said Monsignor Schrattenbach, "as the logs burn the youngsters will take hold of the wires, draw them out of the fire, and rush them home swinging the glowing pieces. Their mothers will use the embers to start the family fires and light all the lamps and candles for the coming year. I've even heard it said that some of them keep the faggots as protection against storms and lightening."
"But why must I burn a perfectly good glove?" the Bishop still wanted to know.
"There is to be a miracle performed that evening," Monsignor Schrattenbach explained, "but it all depends on the audience knowing how hot the fire is and that it will destroy a common glove."
Shaking his head, the Bishop made his way out of the vestry still none the wiser. Perhaps he should start looking round for a new Vicar General.