Earnestly Retreating

I'm calling it a mini-retreat. Technically, it was an "Evening of Reflection." For Becca's Confirmation.

We arrived at the Church a little after 4:30 pm. The evening was supposed to begin at five with Adoration and Benediction with Mass following at 5:30. But since they have Perpetual Adoration at this particular church on Fridays, we got almost a whole hour in with the King of Kings.

Mass was wonderful...as usual. It was my second Mass of the day, which I tend to enjoy especially. It really gives the readings an opportunity to sink in and take hold of your soul. The priest also gave an excellent homily.

After Mass we went "downstairs" to a room filled with chairs and, soon enough, young people. Being the typical youth group type event that it was, there were some interesting antics going on during the talks and activities. The part that moved them the most? The food. It got them excited and out of their seats quicker than anything :D

The rehearsal was...interesting. Teenagers don't seem to be able to follow directions effectively. Thus, we practiced and practiced and practiced. There will probably be some catastrophe today with the actual Confirmation, but newly filled with the Holy Spirit, the confirmandee can't stray too far.

Then the most awkward moment of the day came at the end. We did affirmation prayer for all of the candidates. They knelt on the step below the sanctuary and all of the sponsors and adults went around and laid hands upon their shoulders. We were supposed to pray for the person either quietly or in our heads and we went all the way around. So every sponsor laid hands on ever candidate. It took a long time, and the candidates were kneeling on the cold, hard, unforgiving stone step. It was also more than a little awkward for my part -- I only knew 3 of the people there (two of them very vaguely) and all of the other guys and girls were total strangers. The guys presented more of a problem. There was a whole section of them who wouldn't stop snickering. Made it more uncomfortable than the touching strange guys issue did. Nice concept, but very, very awkward.

This evening is the Confirmation. Please pray for the candidates as they receive the Holy Spirit and start their journey as soldiers of Christ.