Confirmation

with the pendant from Uncle Bill

Emma's Confirmation preparation started in spring of last year with a parent meeting. We got a little bit of information and a schedule of activities. I filled out a few forms and then Emma embarked on a path of service and reflection. Emma put in her service hours over the summer. In the fall Emma went to small group meetings and went on retreat with her fellow Confirmadi. She met with her sponsor, her godmother, Aunt Mary, and gained encouragement and insight. She spoke with our deacon and walked through the elements of the Rite. Jim and I were only called upon to keep track of the schedule and more importantly to pray. As she went through the process there were many people along the way but this was Emma's journey of growth and faith.

Emma was ready. She finished her preparation, Grandma Kate had arrived to celebrate and the Baltimore grandparents were planning to attend. My dad would vest for the Mass. Emma had a longer process deciding what to wear and picked a dress that I bought to ring in the year 2000 and had been hanging in the closet unnoticed for years. Emma was just a toddler when I got the dress but now as a young woman she would wear it full of anticipation and openness. She was aglow.

Aunt Mary and Emma gathered with the other 70 candidates and their sponsors in the hall below the church. Originally there were going to be 2 Masses, but our Archbishop was being elevated to the College of Cardinals and one of the Masses had to be dropped. We had an assigned half pew in the church, so Jim, the girls, myself, Grandma Pat and Grandma Kate squeezed in. Bishop Madden was incredibly cheery and seemed to take great joy in his duties.

The Mass was beautiful and the little sisters did really well despite not being able to see much. They were able to see Emma as she walked up the aisle, she happily returned a subtle wave to her sisters. Grampa was on the alter next to the bishop so the girls took turns peeking at him as well. Emma looked so composed and expectant. The sacred music helped us maintain a reverent tone throughout, but when we hit the 2 hour mark the girls and I headed straight out to the bathroom. It was good to stretch our legs in the process and we settled back in for the remainder of the service. We mentioned the 2 1/2 hour length in conversation with Emma and she looked surprised. "It didn't seem long to me." she said. She was energized and floating, buoyed by the Holy Spirit.

To celebrate we all went to the Candlelight Inn for dinner. Uncle Henry and his fiance Donna joined us with her son , Chad, who was also confirmed as well as her sister Caroline. This was the first fine dining experience in a long time and the girls enjoyed the specialness of the day. Emma sat at the head of the table and smiled throughout. She received many thoughtful gifts including a Holy Spirit pendant from her Godfather Uncle Bill, which she wore to the Mass, and cross stitch blanket that Aunt Becky began for her before her baptism. Emma was blessed with many gifts from family and also gifts from the Holy Spirit.

That evening as I hugged her goodnight I breathed deeply the smell of Holy Chrism, which anointed her head as an infant in Baptism and again as she confirmed her faith. It was the smell of heaven. Emma had a cold and because of congestion couldn't appreciate it. So I had her press a tissue to her head and save it in her new bible. She pulled it out today, took a deep breathe and for a moment had a look of sheer contentment.

Emma is confirmed and embarks on living her witness in Christ.