Our
small Catholic community was gathered and we were anxiously awaiting
the arrival of Father Lou. Knowing that it is not uncommon for our
guests and volunteers to be delayed as they attempt to enter the
facility (prison staff are tasked with many responsibilities, some of
which are unforseen, requiring their immediate attention), we waited
for a little while after their scheduled arrival.
As the fellas were becoming antsy, like a bunch of rambunctious male adolescents, an attempt was made with staff to ascertain the whereabouts of our priest - was patiently awaiting entrance or had he never arrived. As it turned out, there was no clear answer. Admittedly, this proved unsettling.
Returning to our ragtag mini-mob of Jesus freaks, it had been suggested that while we wait, in the interim, we should consider praying the Stations of the Cross or the Rosary or the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Something spiritually stirring! It would be wonderful to share with you that there was much excitement and eagerness to offer any one of these devotions, but the response was minimal, at best. Lukewarm (a pun coming next). Fittingly, as the Gospel of Luke contains the framework for the "Hail Mary" prayer (Luke 1:28b, 42b, 43b, 38), a couple of fellas liked the idea of praying the Rosary. The others were still lukewarm, but non-hostile to corporate prayer.
As we seldom pray devotions as a community - a very frustrating aspect of our contingent - it took a humiliating moment to find our bearings. Jesus was no doubt holding shaking his head in embarrassment! Once we found our groove, it was nice to recognize that everybody participated and prayed with reverence. The responses were audible and firm, not mumbled, grumbled, or abstained from. There was purpose in the Sorrowful Mysteries being prayed. A sense of euphoria and togetherness, a family was discernable. We were a whole, not a fracture.
When finished, I held up my rosary and said "thank you" to the fellas - much like Sir William Wallace in Mel Gibson's character in the iconic movie "Braveheart," where he thrusts up a fist and confidently screams the mantra type war cry - "Freedom!" - to his warriors. Okay, my rosary thrust did not carry the same oomph amongst my Bible thumping compatriots, but it was just as genuine. I was proud that all participated.
As I walked out the door to once again check on the arrival or cancellation of our guest, somebody started to clap and then abruptly stopped, as though he sensed improper etiquette. Turning with a smile to see who had committed such a heretic act (hyperbole), my eyes were treated to see a new face who was presently shrinking in his seat. I began laughing aloud and then championed: "Yeah, let's give Mary a big round of applause!" All joined in with similar elation...we were once again children.
Exiting on that note to find out the disposition of our volunteer, I encountered him walking down the hallway towards us. Was that timing, or what!
Marana tha
As the fellas were becoming antsy, like a bunch of rambunctious male adolescents, an attempt was made with staff to ascertain the whereabouts of our priest - was patiently awaiting entrance or had he never arrived. As it turned out, there was no clear answer. Admittedly, this proved unsettling.
Returning to our ragtag mini-mob of Jesus freaks, it had been suggested that while we wait, in the interim, we should consider praying the Stations of the Cross or the Rosary or the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Something spiritually stirring! It would be wonderful to share with you that there was much excitement and eagerness to offer any one of these devotions, but the response was minimal, at best. Lukewarm (a pun coming next). Fittingly, as the Gospel of Luke contains the framework for the "Hail Mary" prayer (Luke 1:28b, 42b, 43b, 38), a couple of fellas liked the idea of praying the Rosary. The others were still lukewarm, but non-hostile to corporate prayer.
As we seldom pray devotions as a community - a very frustrating aspect of our contingent - it took a humiliating moment to find our bearings. Jesus was no doubt holding shaking his head in embarrassment! Once we found our groove, it was nice to recognize that everybody participated and prayed with reverence. The responses were audible and firm, not mumbled, grumbled, or abstained from. There was purpose in the Sorrowful Mysteries being prayed. A sense of euphoria and togetherness, a family was discernable. We were a whole, not a fracture.
When finished, I held up my rosary and said "thank you" to the fellas - much like Sir William Wallace in Mel Gibson's character in the iconic movie "Braveheart," where he thrusts up a fist and confidently screams the mantra type war cry - "Freedom!" - to his warriors. Okay, my rosary thrust did not carry the same oomph amongst my Bible thumping compatriots, but it was just as genuine. I was proud that all participated.
As I walked out the door to once again check on the arrival or cancellation of our guest, somebody started to clap and then abruptly stopped, as though he sensed improper etiquette. Turning with a smile to see who had committed such a heretic act (hyperbole), my eyes were treated to see a new face who was presently shrinking in his seat. I began laughing aloud and then championed: "Yeah, let's give Mary a big round of applause!" All joined in with similar elation...we were once again children.
Exiting on that note to find out the disposition of our volunteer, I encountered him walking down the hallway towards us. Was that timing, or what!
Marana tha
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