We began this Third week of Advent on Gaudete (Joyful) Sunday with Mass, brunch, and a hiking excursion with the Friars. There is a German settlement 15km outside Matagalpa up the side of a mountain called Selva Negra which means Black Forest. It includes a huge coffee plantation as well as a restaurant, quaint cabins to rent, and beautiful hiking trails for visitors. Daniel and I and the children went there on Saturday afternoon earlier in December to hike and try some of their German cusine. They had some fine sauerkraut and Black Forest Ham. We immensely enjoyed getting out of town, yet only having to travel 10 minutes, to breath fresh, cool air and taking in some of the amazing gifts of God in nature. There are huge, old, twisted trees, howler monkeys and jumping streams.
Knowing the Friars would also love the place and could use some time away from the city with all its cars honking and fireworks booming (a constant noise since a few days before the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, national feast day of Nicaragua).
The Mass in the small makeshift chapel of the Friars was not the most peaceful and well-behaved Mass that I’ve attended with our children, but Fr. Francis Mary’s homily spoke eloquently of how to live St. Paul’s admonition to “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks.” So I gave thanks that we have been given children, our faith, and the Presence of Christ Jesus while Maria Victoria tried to crumple up song sheets, Juan Pablo complained about how long the Mass is, and Emmanuel whined about who knows what while throwing himself on the ground. Since the chapel is so small the Friar priests celebrate Mass ad orientum (facing the same way as the congregation). Therefore we didn’t have to worry too much about the children distracting the priest, though he commented over brunch that for the few parts in which he did turn around to face us he felt like he was seeing the photos from one of those little booths that takes several different snapshots. Each time he saw us Hinckleys, it was a different snapshot with the children in various poses from lying on the floor, practically directly in front of him, or running out of the room.
Knowing the Friars would also love the place and could use some time away from the city with all its cars honking and fireworks booming (a constant noise since a few days before the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, national feast day of Nicaragua).
The Mass in the small makeshift chapel of the Friars was not the most peaceful and well-behaved Mass that I’ve attended with our children, but Fr. Francis Mary’s homily spoke eloquently of how to live St. Paul’s admonition to “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks.” So I gave thanks that we have been given children, our faith, and the Presence of Christ Jesus while Maria Victoria tried to crumple up song sheets, Juan Pablo complained about how long the Mass is, and Emmanuel whined about who knows what while throwing himself on the ground. Since the chapel is so small the Friar priests celebrate Mass ad orientum (facing the same way as the congregation). Therefore we didn’t have to worry too much about the children distracting the priest, though he commented over brunch that for the few parts in which he did turn around to face us he felt like he was seeing the photos from one of those little booths that takes several different snapshots. Each time he saw us Hinckleys, it was a different snapshot with the children in various poses from lying on the floor, practically directly in front of him, or running out of the room.
Comments
I just had to laugh at your post!! For some reason, I've always imagined your children perfectly behaved and in love with mass. I guess I just figured that their proximity to the friars would have a supernatural affect on them! LOL! Silly me.
I couldn't stop laughnig at the priest's comment of seeing you guys in a different spot each time he turned around. LOL!!
God bless you and your work. When Isabelle gets older she wants to go visit.