Moving Up in the World

Well, this title may mislead you. By "up", I mean almost straight up the mountains. We went with the bishop and team to a small village (400 pop, plus some surrounding area folks)for confirmations. From our gray,cool city, our two Jeeps wound around and around, up and up, until we weren't far from the tree line. The views are indescribable, but I'll try: looking down was like out the window of an airplane. Little patches of cornfield, an occasional donkey, and great far vallleys and hills.On the roadside were charming little kids with no signs of a recent bath, and looking up, from time to time, a little dream chapel will appear on a distant hilltop, too perfect from that distance to be real. Up close, the paint is peeling, the construction is ancient, the bathrooms non existant or unusable.
When we arrived on the edge of town, the men set off fireworks to alert the neigborhood. The bang bounces off the hillsides. The air grows cooler, since the highest volcano in North America is just over the next hill.Yes, it is snow covered.

The men are lined up on one side of the road, the women on the other, the confirmands all spiffed up in white dresses or white shirts, with big name tags. As soon as the bish exits his car, all the men remove their sombreros, simultaneously. EVERYONE has to greet the bishop right then, respectfully and fondly kissing his hand, men, women and children. As usual, there are curious glances my way, the chick on the arm of the cleric in a roman collar.Later the bishop explains about permanent deacons. I'm a walking advertisement for the program (dressed today in 9 levels of warm clothing).

The small church is lime green inside, maltese crosses painted in black march across every arch. Babies are tightly wrapped up in rebozos, with little wool caps, one is happily nursing away as his mother greets our team. A sad thought: as I look at the young men, some of whom will be confirmed today, how many will stay to keep this village alive? How many will try their luck and ambition heading North? Too many.

The band is oompahing away, 150 kids are confirmed, this little place has no incense burner, the hand washing basin is an enamel bowl from the hardware store. At the offering, it takes two to carry up the enormous baskets of fruit, household supplies, hosts and wine, and an unbelievably gorgeous flower arrangement. Hard to believe such huge, perfect blooms are real.


As Mass progresses, the view outside the front door disappears, the fog has moved in and visibility is 20 ft.if you're lucky. I only hope we can get down the hill before dark. (We did, with a stop to tour our fledgling seminary on the way.)Institutional life gives me nightmares.

As yes, for you epicures: diinner after mass, served in the pastor's humble quarters was: chicken or beef soup with veggies, lightly sauteed fresh fish, more whole fish steamed in aluminun wrap with veggies and chiles, hot tortillas, refried beans, chicken in mole sauce, fish in tomato sauce, Huge platters of fresh fruit and pound cake.

I was in bed asleep by 8:30 pm. Fireworks and marching bands tody will spice up celebrations for Immaculate Conception.