So as you all know, my school is a private navy and Catholic school.
Well yesterday there was a true testament to the Catholic aspect!
The Bishop of Peru came to visit our school, which was a big deal. So we all (we being eeryone in the school) went out in our tidy lines by gender and class, and stood outside because there is no space in the school for everyone! And there was alot of ceremonial entrance with some flag marchers, band, mini choir singing the national song of Peru, lifting the flag of Peru, introduction, ect.
Then he spoke! Which I am ashamed to say, was incredibly easy to zone out of... especially in spanish! Then some kids had the honor to say a thanks infront of everyone to him- the speakers and principal and some other teachers where seperated from us up above the area where we all stand. Then he walked around to each grade class and I think he blessed everyone or just said hello... as I'm tall I'm at the back of the official line!
Then later in the day we had Mass. Catholic mass is incredibly ornate!
There is also alot of standing, sitting, standing, sitting, and so on. Accompanied with alot of songs thrown into the mix. There was also.. ooh, I can't remeber what it's called, where those who have recently confessed can accept the wafer and wine as the blood and body of Christ. And I got really scared that I was gonna have to get into the line and do the same, but luckily not everyone went up, so I could just sit and watch (pheew)! It was also very long, it lasted an hour and a half, but there was alot to see!
Also related to church and school, as I am in fourth year I have to deal with the issue that everyone is going throgh confirmation, but I can't take part in everything that they are doing because I'm not catholic- though trying to explain what Unitarian Universalist is is incredibly difficult- and I was never baptized, which kinda rocked the boat. And everyones confirmation is somehow linked directly to school and so there are certain things and days that occur because everyone in my grade is doing Confirmation soon (in September).
Hi Savannah!
ReplyDeleteWow! You are experiencing the important role that religion plays in the lives of your classmates. I found the churches in Mexico and Spain to be very beautiful, a true testimony to the faith of the people. So, in this blog you describe an important aspect of your cultural experience and your reaction to it. It's very confusing at first. Keep up the good work.
Love, Kit
Savannah
ReplyDeleteGreat Blog. I posted some of it in the club newsletter.
When Lynne and I lived in Mexico we went to several special religious services at the Catholic Church. In Mexico, Catholicism is an interesting mixture of christian tradition and traditions that were carried forward from the the religion that was existing in Mexico before the arrival of the Spanish ( and the Catholic Church) It would be interesting to see if the sam thing exists in Peru. It would be more noticeable in the more rural towns.
Keep up the good work. Send us an occasional picture when you can.
Dave Bangsund
Sounds very challenging and interesting! Are your language skills developing quickly? Missed you at Andrew and DeeDee's party in S.Bend. Picked some huckleberries in the hand numbing cold rain yesterday but neat to see the clouds and fog shifting over the trees and mountains.
ReplyDeleteBig Hugs from marj and jim