As you have all probably noticed, I am not a very good writer. In fact, before my application to
Christendom, I think that the last paper or essay that I had written was way back in 5th grade. It just wasn't something my mom made me do, and I was fine with that... It gave me more time to read! In fact, the first course I was required to take in college was actually Grammar 101. Isn't that awful?!
(One of the benefits of home educating though, is that I can learn along side my children! So hopefully my writing will improve with time.) However, I
do love taking pictures, and since "a picture is worth a thousand words," I am usually able to
share stories with the help of pictures here on my blog.
That said, I am going to
try and continue the story of our
trip to Nebraska. I hadn't forgotten, it has just been super busy lately. I left off with the
First Mass and First Holy Communion.
That Mass was so incredible that I didn't want to share
this story in
that post. I wanted you to see all the beauty first, and now, I will tell you about the crazy part of that day... without photos... I didn't have a chance to take any... Sorry!
☺As I mentioned briefly, in a
prior post, Snuggles had not been feeling well since the day of the
Ordination. He was no longer throwing up, but he was extremely cranky.
After we arrived at Carmel, and Captain made his First Confession, we went into the chapel (which was already almost full, minus the row in the front reserved for us) and sat down. Snuggles started crying
immediately. I tried snuggling him, and then nursing him, but
nothing could calm him down. I took him outside.
At this point, I was trying to accept the fact that it was very likely that I was going to miss the First Mass and our oldest son's First Communion. I stood there fighting back the tears, wondering "WHY now?" as I bounced my baby. You see my children are *usually* very well behaved during Mass.
Then an angel came my way. A sweet woman, a friend of my brother-in-law's, walked up to me, and asked if I would let her take care of my baby so I could attend the Mass. I wanted to let her, but I also felt awful that she would be so distracted during the Mass. She insisted, saying she had to stay in the courtyard anyway since the chapel was full, took Snuggles (who then calmed down
for her), and I went back into the chapel.
The Mass WAS beautiful, and everything WAS going perfectly... until...
Until,
all of a sudden, shortly after the Consecration, my daughter peed all over the floor.
We were given no warning. It just happened. There was a HUGE yellow puddle of pee all over the white tile, and my skirt was soaked as well. To make matters worse, we were in the
very front row, and the puddle was
right in front of the communion rail, which would be needed soon for communion.
The weird thing is, Chiquita has been potty trained
since last November, and she
never has accidents!
Anyhow, since I didn't have the baby, I didn't have ANYTHING to dry the floor. No blanket. No diaper bag. NOTHING!
In a panic, and without thinking, hubby and I grabbed our daughter and jetted out the nearest door, since the aisles of the overflowing chapel, were full of people kneeling.
The plan was to get to the courtyard, grab one of the baby's blankets and get back into the church and clean it up AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, since Captain would be making his First Communion in just a few minutes.
The door slammed shut behind us (oops!), and we were not quite prepared for what happened next. My hubby later described it as feeling like we had climbed into the wardrobe and found ourselves in Narnia -- basically, we found ourselves somewhere we were NOT expecting to be.
A number of "OH NO's" hit all at once:
"Oh NO! There is a dog!" (As Chiquita started screaming!)"Oh NO! How are we going to get out of here?" (We were in a small yard with a solid, super tall fence, with a locked gate.)"Oh NO! Our son will be receiving his First Communion ANY minute!" (We have to get out of here, and back into the chapel!)
"Oh NO! Did we just enter the cloister?" (Outsiders are not allowed to enter a
Cloistered Convent without the permission of a bishop, under the penalty of
excommunication.)
"Oh NO!!! ARE WE EXCOMMUNICATED???"The door we had come out had locked behind us, so my hubby tried to find a way to get though or over the fence. In the meantime, I found an open door, which apparently led to a garage. By this point I figured out that we must be in Monsignor's quarters.
Whew!!! We were not excommunicated! Nevertheless, we HAD to get back inside the chapel to be present for Captain's First Holy Communion, and to clean up that floor!
We went through the garage to the other door, and thankfully it was unlocked as well! We were now
inside Monsignor's kitchen! Have you ever broken into the home of a Monsignor before? It was the first time for us... and hopefully the last time! Anyhow, we hurried to the front door and out into the courtyard.
We took a **deep breath** as all of the people in the courtyard turned to stare at us... I'm sure they were wondering *just what* we were doing in there during Father's First Mass with Monsignor on the altar as well!
Hubby immediately ran to grab a blanket, and another sweet new friend I made on the trip ran over to take Chiquita from me (as I was removing her soaked shoes and tights) saying, "HURRY! GO!!! I'll take care of her!"
So, we took another deep breath as we tried to recollect ourselves and make our way back into the chapel, and into our seats
just as the Master of Ceremonies signaled Captain to approach the communion rail. Aahh! We made it!
All's well that ends well, right? And it sure ended well... It was absolutely heavenly and totally
picture perfect!
For a seven year old serving his first Latin Mass, the position of Boat Bearer was a good starter and instructions were given by the more experienced. The beauty of the Latin Mass is that every action has a purposeful and significant spiritual meaning. Those accustomed to the Latin Mass understand the significance of each action and it was edifying to see it practiced to the detail. We are grateful to the Altar Boys of Omaha for graciously passing this on to our son.
Although a little nervous around the older more experienced crew, it was apparent to Captain that he was among the best of the best, the Navy Seals of Altar Boys.
Vestments are carefully prepared in the sacristy before the Traditional Latin High Mass.
The Latin High Mass is celebrated by a Priest, assisted by Deacon and Subdeacon (the assistant roles often are filled by other priests, in this case, they were filled by Father's two ordained brothers).
Processing to the Altar.
The Beauty and Splendor of the Ancient Liturgy. The Latin High Mass is celebrated with all the solemnity of Gregorian chant, incense, and full ceremonial.
Pie pellicane, Iesu Domine,
"My Second Holy Communion!"
The Final Blessing:
The Altar of Sacrifice facing East towards the Heavenly Jerusalem.
At the reception, Father cuts the cake with some joyful humor.
Captain's Aunt/Godmother with her husband and children.
Enjoying quality time with cousins.
After Mass we returned to Valparaiso to visit with the Cloistered Carmelite Nuns. Sorry, no pictures to prove it.
