hail mary, full of grace...

i was raised catholic. i have been to enough masses to save several souls, even of my calibur.

now, the catholic religion itself has never sat very well with me, and i'll get into that at some point. however, i do believe that all children need to be raised with a good, stable faith base. no matter what faith you choose, there should be somewhere that you can jump off when you reach the age to make your own decision. so, my kids are starting off catholic, regardless of my current positioning on the church. fortunately, my mother is heading up this upbringing, as i really am nowhere fit in this area, and i currently do not havea church i attend. she takes him to our home town an hour and a half away several weekends and a couple weeknites to have him participate in classes.

lil man has been going thru the first communion training process this year, which includes first confession. you learn a prayer for this and then are expected, at eight, to confess your immortal sins. he was to do this last night, and mom was picking him up after school so the morning was the last i'd see him until after he'd poured out his soul, literally. as i helped him dress, i explained that he had church clothes in his backpack, and asked him if he was excited.

"i'm anxious." (i love that he is learning new words and is trying to incorporate them into everyday life, to sound like his sister and me. "Why are you anxious bud? you've been practicing your prayers. you'll do fine."

"i'm nervous that i'll make a mistake and God won't forgive me."

awwwww...poor pickle. "oh huny," i say with a big smile, "all God cares about is that you are truly sorry and will try your hardest to make up for your sins." (see, i got this. i may not practice anymore, but i remember the schpeel.)

"but what if the priest tells everyone and they think i'm bad?"

"oh huny it's like a doctor. it's his job to keep the information you give him private. between you, him and God."

"but what if he thinks i'm bad. then God won't forgive me."

interesting. "ummm huny, what are you going to tell him?" at this point i'm somewhat concerned.

"well sometimes," he said with his chin nearly touching his chest in shame, "when i say 'huh' and you think i don't hear you, i do. i just don't feel like listening."

i had to stiffle my laugh. big sins this one has. "Well huny, i suppose you'll have to say some hail mary's to make it up to God and me."