Europe Archives - Q Spirit

Gweddi Grist yr Enfys (Rainbow Christ Prayer in Welsh)

A Welsh (Cymraeg) translation of the Rainbow Christ Prayer shows the many faces of the queer Christ. Rainbow Christ, you embody all the colors of the world. Rainbows serve as bridges between different realms: heaven and earth, east and west, queer and non-queer....

Regnbogabæn (Rainbow Christ Prayer in Icelandic)

by Kittredge Cherry | | Calendar

An Icelandic version of the Rainbow Christ Prayer shows the many faces of the queer God. The Icelandic “Rainbow Prayer” is not a literal translation, but a free translation that incorporates God the Creator and the Holy Spirit in addition to Christ. Regnbogabæn (frá...

La preghiera del Cristo arcobaleno (Rainbow Christ Prayer in Italian)

by Kittredge Cherry | | Calendar

An Italian translation of the Rainbow Christ Prayer shows the many faces of the queer Christ. I colori della bandiera arcobaleno rivelano molte facce del Cristo queer nella preghiera del Cristo arcobaleno della scrittrice lesbica Kittredge Cherry e del teologo gay...

Gay Catholic priest reveals his journey in cartoon-style memoir “My Life” by Jan Haen

by Kittredge Cherry | | Artists, Books

A gay Roman Catholic priest reveals his adventurous life and ministry in the cartoon-style memoir “My Life: as a Boy, Priest, Gay Man, and Artist” by Jan Haen. During more than a half-century of priesthood, Jan Haen found surprising ways to unite his inclusive...

Gay saint John Henry Newman and his “earthly light” Ambrose St. John shared romantic friendship

by Kittredge Cherry | | Feb 16-29, Oct 1-15, Saints

John Henry Newman, a 19th-century British scholar, theologian and cardinal, was canonized by the Pope as a Roman Catholic saint in 2019 amid rampant speculation that he was gay. Newman’s feast day is Oct. 9 in the Roman Catholic church, Feb. 21 in the Episcopal Church...

Galla and Benedicta: Queer Roman saints — and lovers?

by Kittredge Cherry | | Oct 1-15, Saints

Saint Galla of Rome was a sixth-century widow who avoided remarriage by growing a beard. She founded a hospital and convent, and begged to have her female beloved Benedicta accompany her into heaven. Galla’s feast day is Oct. 5 and Benedicta’s is May 6. Galla was...

Francis of Assisi: Queer side revealed for saint who loved creation, peace and the poor

by Kittredge Cherry | | Oct 1-15, Saints

Historical records reveal a queer side to Saint Francis of Assisi, one of the most beloved religious figures of all time. The 13th-century friar is celebrated for loving animals, hugging lepers, embracing poverty and praying for peace, but few know about his love for...

Good (Gay?) King Wenceslas loved his page Podiven

by Kittredge Cherry | | Saints, Sept 15-30

There’s good reason to believe that Good King Wenceslas was gay. Yes, the king in the Christmas carol. His feast day is Sept. 28. Saint Wenceslaus I (907–935) was duke of Bohemia (now the Czech Republic). The carol “Good King Wenceslas” is based on a...

Hildegard of Bingen and Richardis: Medieval mystic and the woman she loved

by Kittredge Cherry | | Saints, Sept 15-30

Hildegard of Bingen was a medieval German mystic, poet, artist, composer, healer and scientist — and likely lesbian. She loved another nun named Richardis and wrote with ecstasy about the Virgin Mary. She celebrated God’s green web of life as “viriditas.” Her...

Maurice and Theofredus: Same-sex paired saints and martyrs of Thebes

by Kittredge Cherry | | Saints, Sept 1-15

Maurice and Theofredus are third-century martyr-saints and soldiers of Thebes with a homosocial bond. They are shown as a same-sex pair in Renaissance art. Maurice’s feast day is Sept. 22 in the Catholic tradition and Dec. 27 in the Orthodox tradition. Theofredus is...