I was about 16 when a friend and a classmate invited me to join them for Sunday church services. She is kind, studious, talented, and always on time with our projects. Drop a good characteristic of a teenager, and she has it. I instantly said yes to her invitation, knowing she was a good influence. My parents intensely instilled in me that my friends tell something about me. So, I based, built, and grew my friendship around that idea.
The great music of the service made me attend the following week and another and another. I was hanging around with her when I noticed that her church doesn’t have a confession box. I started to ask her and she shared her answer, that she and her churchmates confess their sins directly to God through prayers. Her adult churchmate even talked with me about their confession. I remembered that instant feeling of joy where my hopes gets boosted after a good confession with the priest at the university church. How I value the words of the university priest whenever I receive the Sacrament of Confession. ( I pursued and didn’t quit Chemistry despite the seemingly endless academic challenges because the priest told me that I’m a smart student being enrolled in the University.)
So, if I Joined the church, I will stop having confidential, anonymous and life-changing confessions?
Realizing that I didn’t join her the following Sunday and all the Sundays. I went back to the church, the faith and I felt that’s the first time I fought for the gift of Catholic faith my parents have given me.
Thank you for your time.
The Chronicles of Benia 