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Sunday, 27 March 2005 11:18 am
You all know what happened last night...
It's official. I'm a neophyte.
I had been excited, in my typical quiet way. The same excitement I'd expect to feel upon marriage, as it's a public statement of loving commitment that essentially increases one's family. The obvious differences: (1) more than two people are the center of attention, (2) we have less control over the arrangements of the ceremony, and (3) we don't have to deal with the legal system.
I should not have been surprised that my entire immediate family was coming. They didn't realize that one row was reserved for my guests; they wound up at the back where I couldn't see them and they could see little. In a way, tho, that was good for them: the better not to be noticed when not praying or partaking in the Eucharist. The miking was quite sufficient, so they could follow. I know they at least enjoyed the music, which sounded more orchestral than any of us had previously heard in a religious service (Bach and Handel may have helped). Since they had never attended a mass in English before, the Gregorian chant was most strange to them. It was interesting to hear me addressed as Francis, as was the catechumen before me. We also enjoyed the reception afterward, tho it was late enough that we all agreed not to stay long.
The poor monsigneur was coughing a lot. I have not heard him cough before. I pray for him.
When I've been waiting for an event for the best part of a year -- two years, really, since I wanted baptism before I decided on Catholicism -- a little disappointment is to be expected when it comes. But how do I feel now? Freer, And, Fuller. Loose from various temptations. Readier to get industrious. Slower to non-righteous annoyance. Quicker to compassion. With a greater capacity to love and receive my God.
We'll see how long the feeling lasts and whether the transformation gets evidenced in my behavior. But even if it turns out merely a psychological phenomenon, it's just superb. Too bad cradle Christians usually don't remember their initiation.
I had been excited, in my typical quiet way. The same excitement I'd expect to feel upon marriage, as it's a public statement of loving commitment that essentially increases one's family. The obvious differences: (1) more than two people are the center of attention, (2) we have less control over the arrangements of the ceremony, and (3) we don't have to deal with the legal system.
I should not have been surprised that my entire immediate family was coming. They didn't realize that one row was reserved for my guests; they wound up at the back where I couldn't see them and they could see little. In a way, tho, that was good for them: the better not to be noticed when not praying or partaking in the Eucharist. The miking was quite sufficient, so they could follow. I know they at least enjoyed the music, which sounded more orchestral than any of us had previously heard in a religious service (Bach and Handel may have helped). Since they had never attended a mass in English before, the Gregorian chant was most strange to them. It was interesting to hear me addressed as Francis, as was the catechumen before me. We also enjoyed the reception afterward, tho it was late enough that we all agreed not to stay long.
The poor monsigneur was coughing a lot. I have not heard him cough before. I pray for him.
When I've been waiting for an event for the best part of a year -- two years, really, since I wanted baptism before I decided on Catholicism -- a little disappointment is to be expected when it comes. But how do I feel now? Freer, And, Fuller. Loose from various temptations. Readier to get industrious. Slower to non-righteous annoyance. Quicker to compassion. With a greater capacity to love and receive my God.
We'll see how long the feeling lasts and whether the transformation gets evidenced in my behavior. But even if it turns out merely a psychological phenomenon, it's just superb. Too bad cradle Christians usually don't remember their initiation.
