Reconciliation

Yesterday marked a wonderful milestone for Jacob and Geneva.  After 7.5 months of Wednesday night classes in preparation, they were able to experience the joy of their first  Reconciliation.

As a lifelong protestant, Reconciliation (also known as the Sacrament of Penance* or Confession**) was one of the doctrines of the Catholic church that took a little while to sink in.  But as I have studied and thought and prayed, I have grown to appreciate it very much, and am looking forward (albeit with a little trepidation) to my own first Reconciliation before the Easter Vigil.

When the day finally came, it was a far fuller and busier day than I would have preferred.
There was Megan’s morning class, during which, besides schooling the younger two, I put together the soup I had promised to bring to the church for the first of the Wednesday night Lenten Soup Dinners, the proceeds of which are used by the St. Vincent de Paul ministry to the poor and homeless.  After Great books it was off to theater class with the middle two girls.  Home again, do some more school, finish my research on curriculum for next year, then pack up the soup and Laurent and make for church, via the grocery store to buy some bread (which I had also promised to bring, vainly hoping that I would have time to bake).  Got Laurent, the soup, and the bread, delivered to Smith Hall at the designated time, which also happened to be the time Megan and Geneva were being dismissed from class about 15 miles away, which is why Paul went directly there to pick them up, without passing GO or collecting $200.  After saying adios to Laurent, who was staying there to help serve, I walked over to the gift shop where I picked up a couple of gifts for the two youngsters (from their uncle Jeff, Oma, Dad and me) to celebrate their first second sacrament (the first was, of course, baptism!).  Then it was back home,
serve everybody there a bit of leftover soup, make sure the youngun’s were clean and shiny and ready to go, then head back to the church.

We arrived none to early, and got them both name-tags and bulletins for the service.  We sat together near the middle of the back of the front of the cathedral on the left side, but were soon directed over to the front of the other side, which had remained empty because more and more people coming in saw that nobody was sitting there, and thought, as did we,
Hmm, we should probably sit on this side where everyone else is!

We got ourselves settled, and I took note that Geneva was very quiet and thoughtful, while Jacob was quietly wired, sitting still for the most part, but spinning his silver 1-decade rosary (a gift from Mrs. Kottoor to her class upon her return from visiting her homeland of India a few weeks ago) around on his finger and bouncing his leg, seemingly eager to get down to business.

Before too many more minutes the service began with a song, a reading from the book of Sirach, a Psalm, and a Gospel reading.  Then a brief welcome by Fr. Lankeit who explained the process and pointed out where the 7 priests would be stationed to hear confessions throughout the cathedral, a prayer, and then everyone made their way to form a line and await their turn.  Jacob strongly preferred to go to Fr. Lankeit, so we made for the line outside his confessional at the back of the church.  As we stood with the children in the line, Mrs. Kottoor came by.  She was making the rounds to all of her class members, reminding them of the proper procedure, and directing their attention to the crucifix over the altar, and asking them to quietly meditate upon the sacrifice of Christ for their sins.

We continued to wait together there, whispering reassurances to Jacob that it was not surprising that it should take some time, since everyone else had to confess “a lifetime” of sins just like he did!  Nonetheless, Mrs. Kottoor came over to our line and encouraged us that another priest was available, so we crossed the cathedral and Jacob and Geneva found themselves at the front of the new line.  Jacob was soon called, and as I watched him toe-walking hesitantly away from me and toward the corner where the priest awaited him, clutching his paper in hand with a reminder of the proper procedure, I began praying… praying that he would remember what he was about, praying that he would not talk the priest’s ear off… and praying that he would be blessed.  It seemed to take forever, and I did begin to worry that he was talking the priest’s ear off, but at last he returned the way he had gone and was met at the aisle by Mrs. Kottoor.  The children were supposed to go to the front row to do their penance, but when Jacob saw us sitting there, he asked if he could say his penance beside us, and Mrs. Kottoor, who has always been very understanding with him, said of course.  He slid into the row between us, and whispered, “I have to say two “Our Father’s”…” and I pulled the kneeler down for him.  His father then knelt beside him and they prayed together.  He slid back up onto the seat, and I put my arm around his shoulder and asked, “Well, how do you feel?”  And he literally beamed at me and exclaimed, “ReFRESHED!!!”  What a joy!!

As Jacob had returned to us, it was Geneva’s turn, and a short while later she made her way to the front.  I watched her from halfway back in the church, kneeling there with such poise, grace and devotion, and felt a surge of love as tears welled up, recognizing in that moment the transition from little girl to young lady had occurred some time when I wasn’t looking.

Before we left, Mrs. Kottoor gave each of them a small gift bag, containing several pieces of hard candy, and a beautiful picture card of Mother Theresa, with many of her inspirational sayings on the back.

I needed to stay for choir rehearsal, but walked them out to the car first so that we could present them with their gifts.  First, for Geneva, who has been frequently attending the Latin Mass with her Uncle Jeff, I knew that she did not possess a mantilla, which is worn by most ladies there, both young and old.

The style worn by these Spanish girls,

and their mothers…

though absolutely fabulous,
is perhaps a bit too bold a statement for this side of the pond, even in a Latin Mass…
so I got her this:

And for Jacob,
I wanted something equally inspiring,

and really, what can compete
in the heart and imagination of a boy,
with
St. Michael the Archangel ?!

We often recite this prayer after Mass:

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle;
be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray:
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

Now, I must tell you that, coming from a protestant background, and hearing this on the very first Sunday we visited Ss. Simon & Jude, I had to examine the wording rather carefully to assure myself that it wasn’t some kind of idolatry. However, I was already quite comfortable with the Catholic doctrine of the communion of the saints, and as this request seemed to be perfectly in keeping with St. Michael’s position in the heavenly hierarchy, I concluded that embracing this prayer was a good and salutary thing indeed.

Two very happy young people!

What a great day it was,
and what a blessing to walk beside our children as they experienced this for the first time.
Thanks be to God for the gift of Reconciliation!

~*~*~*~*~

For more information on the Catholic teaching regarding Confession/Penance/Reconciliation:
*  The Sacrament of Penance
(a rather lengthy article from the Catholic Encyclopedia at NewAdvent.org)

** Confession & Forgiveness of Sins
(two articles from Catholic.com)

Good As New: Understanding Reconciliation
(an article by Deacon Greg Kandra)

And for a wonderfully descriptive account of the first confession of an Irish lad,
The First Confession
by Frank O’Connor