While at the Vatican it seemed appropriate to perform a few of the available sacraments in the most official church in the world.  I am not catholic.  I was not raised catholic.  I don't have any devout catholic friends.  This said I have been through many religious rituals and I thought navigating them would be quite easy.

Confession indeed came quite easy.  In a certain way we have spent a fair amount of time confessing our sins to eachotehr and the camera this entire trip.  But what authority do your friends and a camera have over your sins, I would have to say no more than any priest.  But there was something special about the process of preparing myself for a confession to someone who I knew was going to take it seriously and indeed expected me to take it very seriously.  He was a priestly figure, but the face and soft spoken broken english was all grandfather.  In the end I was proclaimed absolved of my doubt and I was given a few pieces of advice to work with.  Nothing earth shattering... but I am working them over as valuable nonetheless.  You need joy in life and faith is not something anyone can give to you... its a gift from God.

Participating in Holy Communion was a different issue.  To set things up honestly I have to say that I kindof stumbled on the opportunity while wondering through the main hall of the vatican.  They were finishin up a mass and I thought I would jump in for the opportunity to take communion in the vatican.  I paused and reflected on my life and current relationship with God as I have done many a times before when getting ready for communion in my protestant life.  Then I got in line and walked forward to recieve the waifer.  I have done this before at a catholic mass, but my inexperience in the particulars soon become a spectacle.  I took the waifer (that is now Christ's very body according to catholic theology) and I started to walk back to my spot to eat it.  This was a no no.  I made it about 3 maybe 4 steps when the vatican gestapo halted me, the priest called out to me, everyone looked at me, and the lady sitting next to me motioned to eat the waifer.  I knew to eat the waifer... I just wanted another moment to reflect before doing so... well you dont do that here.  Before I knew it, the waifer was snatched from my hand and I was pushed to the side for faith interogation.  After the whole event settled down I was called back in for a briefing from the priest.  The priest really wanted me to know what was going on and I think he handled my mishap pretty well.  The Vatican security officer then informed me that there were many other churches in the city and perhaps I should try one of them instead.  I did not take communion in the vatican that day and I now suppose I will wait till I get back to a familiar faith community...

Vatican City, Rome Italy

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