It was my first time to a quinceanera. The day was long since Felipe volunteered to do the photography and videography along with some help from Phil.
We got to Maria's house around 9:30am. Her family was busy setting things up at the house for the after party. Her grandparents were watching old Spanish movies. Maria was in her bedroom getting her hair and makeup done with "Jersey Shores" playing on the TV as background entertainment. I watched with my bagel and coffee while Felipe started taking pictures.
Finally, she was ready to go. Her four chambelanes or escorts were waiting in the living room looking sly with their white suits on and matching watermelon colored vests. We had to be at the Holy Cross Catholic Church by 12 so we piled in our cars and were on our way.
There was a 10 piece mariachi all set up to play at the church. Other than Phil, I was positively the only white person there. ...Don't worry...I fit right in. I sat next to some of our other Young Life kids. It seemed a little strange to me that while these kids had been to these services numerous times, when I asked what was going on, they seemed to have no clue. It made the hour long service that much more hilarious along with it only being in Spanish. I was clueless. Stand up. Sit down... I just followed what they did minus some hand gestures.
During communion, I asked one of the girls, Jenny, why not everyone would go up to take communion. She quickly explained to me that you have to go through your "first communion",yada yada yada (some other things), "and you have to confess within a year". Having little knowledge of Catholic rituals and only a baptist background...along with being unable to resist a hilarious moment with this girl, I said "What do you mean 'confess'? Like go in that little room and confess to the priest that you know is on the other side of the wall and there is just that little gated window in between?" "YEAH! that one!" "Oh yeah! I've seen that in the movies!" That made her crack up. Maybe my timing wasn't so great because we were supposed to be being serious.
The service was over and the pictures began. Felipe and Phil took a lot of pictures with Maria's family and friends before we went to the Courthouse to take some more pictures of Maria and her escorts. I can't wait to see them! The pictures are going to be great!
For the rest of the evening, we ate, socialized, listened to the mariachi for about an hour, watched Maria's choreographed dance that she has been working on with her chambelanes, and ended the night with the cutting of the cake. We were exhausted and left around 9:30pm. What a full day!
I couldn't help, but think about my silly conversation with Jenny though. I really don't know anything about Catholicism. But I do know that the veil was torn a long time ago. I'm so glad that I can have a personal relationship with God. He knows me in and out--my deepest thoughts and secrets don't have to be told through a gated window. It made me think of this song:
Take me past the outer courts
Into the Holy Place
Past the brazen altar
Lord I want to see your face
Pass me by the crowds of people
And the Priests who sing your praise
I hunger and thirst for your righteousness
But it's only found in one place
Take me into the holy of holies
Take me in by the blood of the lamb
Take me into the holy of holies
Take the coal, touch my lips, here I am
Thank you, Jesus.
