Confirmation in our local church

Yesterday, Sunday, I had the privilege of witnessing the confirmation of 5 children. This was also the first time I have had the chance to see inside our village church - a very simple recently rebuilt church but with a lovely sense of peace and calm within.

It was standing room only but I was fortunate enough to be grabbed by the arm by our friendly neighbour (the oranges and eggs lady!) as she squeezed through to make her way up a narrow little staircase to the balcony where we found the choir - and from where I had a wonderful view of everything!


All in Spanish of course but a beautiful ceremony to witness all the same and the singing was absolutely beautiful - a large group of both men and women accompanied by a single guitar. Fortunately it was so hot I was dabbing at my moist face with a tissue so I'm sure no-one noticed the odd tear being mopped up too! They sang with such passion - what is it about the Spanish when they sing? I just can't put my finger on it nor find the words to describe but it seems to come from deep within - somewhere from their roots from way, way back.

As the ceremony was drawing to its conclusion, each child was handed something by the priest - a large red love heart, another a cross made quite simply from 2 little branches, some wheat - I shall find out the meaning of these next time I pay one of our Spanish neighbours a visit.

I had just got back indoors to relate all this to Michael, when we heard singing outside the house - there was a procession making it's way up the street past the house - the 5 confirmed children, the priest, 'something' they were carrying aloft (I shall have to find out what all this is really about!) and so many villagers - so we joined them as it made its way slowly up and around the steep little lanes of this village finally coming back to the church. During the procession everything came to a standstill for a few moments where neighbours and placed little 'altars' and hung pretty shawls over their balconies - all very basic and simple yet so meaningful and a very happy experience.



I also realised how many faces amongst all those people, are now so familiar in this village of 400 or so. This is no longer (neither has it been for some while now) the unfamiliar place full of strangers, but somewhere we feel most comfortable, very welcome and happy.

And I shall find out more about the significance of some of the more unusual elements of their confirmation ceremonies.