When the day finally came, it was a far fuller and busier day than I would have preferred. We arrived none to early, and got them both name-tags and bulletins for the service.\u00c2\u00a0 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, 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.<\/p>\n Before too many more minutes the service began with a song, a reading from the book of Sirach, a Psalm, and a Gospel reading.\u00c2\u00a0 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.\u00c2\u00a0 Jacob strongly preferred to go to Fr. Lankeit, so we made for the line outside his confessional at the back of the church.\u00c2\u00a0 As we stood with the children in the line, Mrs. Kottoor came by.\u00c2\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n 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!\u00c2\u00a0 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.\u00c2\u00a0 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.\u00c2\u00a0 It seemed to take forever, and I did<\/em> 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.\u00c2\u00a0 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.\u00c2\u00a0 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.\u00c2\u00a0 His father then knelt beside him and they prayed together.\u00c2\u00a0 He slid back up onto the seat, and I put my arm around his shoulder and asked, “Well, how do you feel?”\u00c2\u00a0 And he literally beamed at me and exclaimed, “ReFRESHED!!!”\u00c2\u00a0 What a joy!!<\/p>\n As Jacob had returned to us, it was Geneva’s turn, and a short while later she made her way to the front.\u00c2\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n I needed to stay for choir rehearsal, but walked them out to the car first so that we could present them with their gifts.\u00c2\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n The style worn by these Spanish girls,<\/p>\n and their mothers…<\/p>\n <\/a> \n And for Jacob, and really, what can compete \n We often recite this prayer after Mass: <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel 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. <\/em>However,<\/em> I was already quite comfortable with the Catholic doctrine of the communion of the saints<\/a>, and as this request seemed to be perfectly in keeping with St. Michael’s position in the heavenly hierarchy<\/a>, I concluded that embracing this prayer was a good and salutary thing indeed.<\/p>\n \n Two very happy young people!<\/p>\n What a great day it was, ~*~*~*~*~<\/p>\n For more information on the Catholic teaching regarding Confession\/Penance\/Reconciliation: ** Confession<\/a> <\/em>& Forgiveness of Sins<\/em> Good As New: Understanding Reconciliation<\/em><\/a>
\nThere 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.\u00c2\u00a0 After Great books it was off to theater class with the middle two girls.\u00c2\u00a0 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).\u00c2\u00a0 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.\u00c2\u00a0 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<\/span> second sacrament (the first was, of course, baptism!).\u00c2\u00a0 Then it was back home,
\nserve 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.<\/p>\n
\nHmm, we should probably sit on this side where everyone else is!<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/adoptedjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/Spanish-Girls-334x450.jpg\" "\\"Spanish")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/adoptedjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/Semana_Santa_Sevilla_Mantilla-294x450.jpg\" "\\"Semana_Santa_Sevilla_Mantilla\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/adoptedjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/Spanish-Mantilla-308x450.jpg\" "\\"KONICA")
<\/a>
\nthough absolutely fabulous<\/em>,
\nis perhaps a bit too bold a statement for this side of the pond, even in a Latin Mass…
\nso I got her this:<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/adoptedjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/20110317_133528-337x450.jpg\" "\\"20110317_133528\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/adoptedjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/20110317_133600-337x450.jpg\" "\\"20110317_133600\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nI wanted something equally inspiring,<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/adoptedjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/20110317_133704-354x450.jpg\" "\\"20110317_133704\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nin the heart and imagination of a boy,
\nwith
\nSt. Michael the Archangel<\/a> ?!<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/adoptedjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/20110317_133734-337x450.jpg\" "\\"20110317_133734\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/em><\/strong><\/span>Saint Michael the Archangel,
\ndefend us in battle;
\nbe our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
\nMay God rebuke him, we humbly pray:
\nand do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
\nby the power of God,
\nthrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
\nwho prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
\nAmen.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/adoptedjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/20110317_135222_bw-450x376.jpg\" "\\"20110317_135222_bw\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nand what a blessing to walk beside our children as they experienced this for the first time.
\nThanks be to God for the gift of Reconciliation!<\/p>\n
\n*\u00c2\u00a0 The Sacrament of Penance<\/a><\/em>
\n(a rather lengthy article from the Catholic Encyclopedia at NewAdvent.org)<\/p>\n
\n<\/a>(two articles from Catholic.com)<\/p>\n
\n(an article by Deacon Greg Kandra)<\/p>\n