September 8, 2013

September 8, 2013

With Fr Robert returned to his monastery, we went off to Mass on Saturday evening, driving through lush green hills and past herds of cattle munching away at the unaccustomed luxury of all this greenery. The monsoon rains, such as they are, have wrought a radical change in our world. You’ve never seen it like this. Well, maybe last year, but you’ve forgotten. Then when we arrive at the church which is on a side-street in the little town of Patagonia, what should we see but what I thought was a bride. A wedding at 5:30 in the evening? No it was a quinceanera, the celebration of a girl’s fifteenth year.

Of course there will be a party. But right now, the whole group—Gabriella, her court, her family, and her parish family, are gathering in church for the Mass and blessing. Whatever mythic roots this ceremony has grown from, it is now Christian.

My favorite thing about St Therese’ church is its multi-ethnic quality. This has caused friction in the past and I am not sure that the discomfort is entirely healed. But you are thrilled at the blend of color and culture as Gabriella and her court sweep down the aisle–African, Mexican, Anglo, all together.

She is dressed in a very bouffant, ruffled white dress with a crown. Her dozens of attendants wear white and turquoise. The –oh joy—mariachi band from Nogales is playing for the Mass. They have coached us in our responses beforehand, so we can join in with gusto.

Then Rita pokes me and I see beside her our dear friend Terri with her great-grandson, who is a quiet, adorable child with huge dark eyes. There is no time after Mass to catch up on all the family news we would like to catch up on. But we carry home the joy of seeing her again. She worked with us for many years until her back situation made it impossible to continue with our heavy work. She has been the grandma-to-go-to at home, and the deepening in her eyes is extremely beautiful.

Our Priest-in-charge, in the Episcopalian usage, is gentle and kind. I have mentioned that this is something of a third career for him. He is a widower with grandchildren and very well-loved by his parishioners.

We came home quite happily—again through the green–to a quiet Sunday. And now look forward to Vespers and the beginning of another week.