It was an arranged marriage. An ad in the Classifieds column, and 187 kms away someone caught the 182 cms bug, came with family to "see the girl" and the girl's father would later joke that the "boy" was perhaps blind to say "yes". Boy (192 cms) was Roman Catholic; Girl on the other hand was a Marthomite. It's not very common for Catholics marrying Marthomites, you need to get converted and stuff (I know, it's complicated...and you thought Christianity was 'one' world-over!). But considering the girl was ta....ll, her folks were happy just to find a boy taller and nodded away happily. The "girl" was struck off the records as Marthomite and baptized as a Catholic (RCSC) after one month's classes at a Convent near home. She didn't really care whether she was Marthomite or Catholic, she had faith in God Almighty, and that's what mattered. Religious affiliations, diocese, congregations etc were just for convenience, she believed.
Marriage and two kids later, the "girl" and "boy" were quite happy with their lives, together. They were like two sides of a coin, poles apart, but the common space they shared was filled with love, respect and understanding. The "boy" went to a Catholic Church at walking distance from their apartment, the kids went to Mar Thoma Church with their maternal grandparents, and the "girl" was left in no man's land, feeling "out-of-place" in both Churches. Unfamiliar service in Catholic Church and Lo.....ng Service in Marthoma Church, she would say (lame excuses I'm sure). The boy and girl used to frequent an Anglo Church earlier (a service they both enjoyed), but after change of residence, "boy" grew comfortable with nearby Church, and "girl" didn't find place!
The elder kid was getting ready to receive the first Holy Communion, before which, there is a "Confession" mandatory for the kid and her parents. The "girl" or should I say ""mother", didn't have a clue what was coming her way. But she had to "confess", especially since the "boy" i.e., the "father" had a valid excuse - to get his mom discharged from hospital and bring her home. So she picked the older of the priests. Waited in line, patiently for her turn. Then "confessed", or mumbled rather (with her face turning pink with embarrassment). The priest must have been amused. The "girl" sure was, because she was not used to such rambling (confessing, if you please). The priest gave her a solution and a piece of advice too - to come for regular confessions!
The "girl" was akin to the kids, who were making their confessions for the first time. The other "mothers" and "fathers" had lengthy confessions to make, some sobbing inconsolably, some sniffing, some almost whispering and just one or two rambling like the "girl"! It was over, finally. And there was a big sigh of relief. She had "confessed", and it didn't feel as bad, she thought! Will she dare make another "confession"? Only time will tell.
Marriage and two kids later, the "girl" and "boy" were quite happy with their lives, together. They were like two sides of a coin, poles apart, but the common space they shared was filled with love, respect and understanding. The "boy" went to a Catholic Church at walking distance from their apartment, the kids went to Mar Thoma Church with their maternal grandparents, and the "girl" was left in no man's land, feeling "out-of-place" in both Churches. Unfamiliar service in Catholic Church and Lo.....ng Service in Marthoma Church, she would say (lame excuses I'm sure). The boy and girl used to frequent an Anglo Church earlier (a service they both enjoyed), but after change of residence, "boy" grew comfortable with nearby Church, and "girl" didn't find place!
The elder kid was getting ready to receive the first Holy Communion, before which, there is a "Confession" mandatory for the kid and her parents. The "girl" or should I say ""mother", didn't have a clue what was coming her way. But she had to "confess", especially since the "boy" i.e., the "father" had a valid excuse - to get his mom discharged from hospital and bring her home. So she picked the older of the priests. Waited in line, patiently for her turn. Then "confessed", or mumbled rather (with her face turning pink with embarrassment). The priest must have been amused. The "girl" sure was, because she was not used to such rambling (confessing, if you please). The priest gave her a solution and a piece of advice too - to come for regular confessions!
The "girl" was akin to the kids, who were making their confessions for the first time. The other "mothers" and "fathers" had lengthy confessions to make, some sobbing inconsolably, some sniffing, some almost whispering and just one or two rambling like the "girl"! It was over, finally. And there was a big sigh of relief. She had "confessed", and it didn't feel as bad, she thought! Will she dare make another "confession"? Only time will tell.
13 comments:
ha ha ha ha.....there is 1st time to everything :D
Loved the way you narrated this!! Seriously!
An interesting read.Confessions I think are peculiar to Christianity and may not be easy for some.Is it mmandatory for some religious functions?
Is it a story? Sounds intriguing.
Does it really matter whether you do it or not? If you have a clear conscience, what's there to confess? :)
Not talking of Christianity.
Does it matteer of you confess or otherwise?
In my opinion,you must have faith in yourself and yourdeeds/actiona and leave the rest to Him
Haha i loved your narration. Not playing down your embarrassment of course; but its too good. I could visualize the scene of confession :)
interesting one as everyone here has said boss..:)
Ha ha!! Is the confession coming up in another post ;)
Nowadays the confession thing is totally out. Very few (from the old generation) does it.
cute and enjoyable post :)
The Mar Thoma Syrian Church is not a Protestant church as written in your blog. No where in its history has it ever protested against the Catholic Church.
Protestanism came about in 1500s Europe and there was no mention of any Mar Thomite holding a protest against Vatican and the Catholic faith. Infact there was no Mar Thoma church during the time or even for that matter a Catholic church in India.
The Mar Thoma church is a reformed orthodox church and is in communion with the Anglican Church. I guess that is where the tag of Protestanism came about. The Anglicans do not even consider themselves Protestant as other early Protestant churches like the Lutherans. High Anglicans around the world have strong bonds with the Catholic church.
It's always good to get your facts correct before you write on the world wide web.
And the most important aspect. Confession is a sacrament and is one of the Seven sacraments of the Universal Church. It is very very very important for a Christian to confess (True Confession before the Almighty) his or her sins and then only take part in the Holy Eucharist.
@the corner guy, guess I got more than I begged for (Phew!). Don't want to get into a tiff with you on this topic, since you seem to have been through history watching everything unravel before your eyes. Anyway, thanks for visiting and taking time to comment. I've taken off 'Protestant' from the post, considering you may be right that we're not really "Protestant". As for the rest of it, make sure you also get your facts right before making such a strong-worded comment on my personal blog. To each, his faith... peace be unto you!
@RGB, Thank you for the history update and apologies for my strong-worded comments from the bottom of my heart. Peace be unto you too!
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