Pulling her up next to him he admitted, “You’re right, my heart. I wasn’t thinking clear. I’m tired, and I know you must be running on thin air. We’ve been trying to do too much too soon. Rather, I’ve been rushing you too fast to get everything done with the house. Whatever hasn’t been done, we’ll leave it undone until we get back from our honeymoon. Who knows, we might see designs or styles we hadn’t thought of for our home while over there.” He saw the worry lines ease on her forehead and hated himself for having put them there.
“Tomorrow’s a big day! I’m gonna drive you home and you go right to bed and get some rest. It won’t do for you to have dark rings under your eyes on the day of your baptism,” Jason said.
17 – DEATH BY WATER
Saturday was a hot, overcast day. Jenny’s parents had invited Jason’s family out for breakfast. They enjoyed each other’s company and she was thankful for it.
Edward Zonelli mentioned a small stock that was on the rise and Martin seemed quite interested.
Jenny was relieved to see her dad look so happy today. He’d been a little down of late and she was sure it wasn’t just her pending wedding but their finances that had him so worried.
Her mom enjoyed the church she’d attended, but only talked about it with her when Jenny’s dad wasn’t in listening range. Julian also shared her joy over it with Martha who was happy for her as well. They were becoming the best of friends and that was a good thing for their two children.
Martin bowed his head in respect when Edward gave the blessing over their meal. Raising his head he winked at his daughter and she smiled back.
Later that evening after they all arrived at the church with Jenny’s parents, her brother Thomas and his fiancée Celeste, she began to be extra nervous again. What if she slips and falls in the water? What if she forgets to say the right words? What if this and what if that?
Before she got dressed for her baptism, Jason grabbed her hands, which were clammy and said, “We’re gonna pray that Father will bring you calmness and great peace.” They prayed together and as others heard their soft prayer they too joined in.
Edward and Martha were to be her God Parents. Jason’s elder brother Jacob and Susan his wife were her sponsors for entering the Church.
Jennifer got dressed in the Social Hall ladies room with her mom and Martha assisting her. The women helped fix her hair up in a tight French twist, to help keep a lot of her long hair dry. They secured it with a comb that had real gardenias woven in it and placed a new Venetian lace short mantilla over that. She was beautiful.
Martha had the Baptismal dress made for Jennifer as a gift, as well as her First Communion dress. The baptismal dress was white, of course, but a simple sheath made of parachute type fabric that dried almost instantly, with a wide a-line flared skirt. The dress body was triple lined in the same fabric but medium cream colored, with long snug sleeves and a high neck with no collar that zippered up the back. It was much like the long dresses dancers use in religious ballets and musicals. It would remain completely modest when wet and would not cling over much to her body.
Martha handed her a pair of white ballet slippers and a one piece white under garment.
Jennifer’s mother handed her a simple silver crucifix necklace to wear.
Jenny was instructed to remove the headcovering before she stepped in the Baptismal pool and one of them would take it from her. Jennifer hugged her mom and Martha both, for a long time. The Zonelli’s had a number of gifts for her but they were to wait until she dressed for her Confirmation and First Holy Communion before she saw them. They were sealed in a white garment bag that Martha brought.
Everyone participating in the ritual of Baptism had to line up outside the Sanctuary door to await the questions Father Jose would ask of this new creature in Christ before she entered in a procession the Church this day. The Alter Servers held large candles on either side of the priest.
Soon the questions and answers were accomplished and she was walking down the isle in formal procession with Jason’s parents, her God Parents behind her, then Jason and her parents following.
The difference this evening is they always attended Sunday Mass at eleven o’clock, and this was the Saturday five thirty Mass so there were many new faces for Jennifer. A number of their eleven o’clock parishioners were here as well, which surprised Jenny tremendously. They came to celebrate with her this once in a lifetime event and she loved them so dearly for it.
Since this was a special Mass, there were reserved pews for their parents and family members. Jason’s family took four pews alone. Her parents sat beside Martha and Edward on the first pew with her and Jason and her brother and his wife-to-be.
When the time came for her to come forward and be asked the questions of her desire for baptism, she was trembling with joy, not fear. She was about to be buried with Christ, her sins washed away, gone, a completely new person in Christ, with a clean soul.
Jennifer and her God parents came forward, after Father Jose called them up, his eyes flickered to an anxious Jason and he wiggled his little finger for Jason to join them as well. The questions of Baptism were asked. Her God Parents spoke when asked and before she knew it she was headed for the Baptismal pool. Just before entering she handed Jason her mantilla. He held her hand and assisted her in, trying to help her not slip as Father Jose walked into the water as well.
Father Jose said, “I baptize you, Jennifer Franks, in the name of the Father, (one dip) and of the Son, (a second dip) and of the Holy Spirit (a third dip). And the Church said . . .”
The entire assembly yelled out, “AMEN!”
Jennifer came out of the pool smiling broadly with jubilant tears quietly rushing down her face. Before she even knew what was happening her mother and Martha were helping her arms into the warmest, fluffiest, whitest robe.
They were moved away from the pool a short distance as Jason replaced the mantilla on her head, and her Godparents received the Baptismal Candle and pledged to help guide her in the ways of Christ and the Church for her entire life. Anointing Chrism oil was placed on her as Father Jose completed the rest of the Baptismal ritual.
Jenny handed her lit candle to Jason to carry for her as he and the women left the church to help her change for the Confirmation and Holy Communion.
As soon as the church doors closed behind them Jason asked them to stop so he could hug her. Jenny knew by the shaking of his shoulders and back he was crying and trying to hide it in the collar of her robe.
“I love you so much, my Jenny,” he managed to say as he let the women hurry her to the Community Center for dressing.
She called back to him, “I love you too, my Jason.”
He followed but slower, knowing they would need him to carry the wet clothing satchel to the car and whatever else the ladies needed him to do. He was to lock up the building as soon as they were out.
They really had to rush with the clothes changes since the whole congregation was waiting for their service to continue.
Inside the social hall he heard laughter, giggling and his mom exclaim, “Oh, Jenny, sweetheart, you are so breath-taking.” Her mom added similar sentiments and he was anxious to see the dress his mom had designed for Jenny’s First Communion, she’d refused to show him.
His mother came out of the bathroom first, loaded down with the wet garments in a leather bag, along with another bag that had things like brushes and stuff. She said to him, “Run these to the car and go on into the church, I’ll lock up. Now hurry on into the church and make sure the cameras are rolling!”
He started to protest, wanting to say he would wait until he saw her, but he could tell by her expression that she wasn’t going to let that happen. So he carried the bags and took them to his parent’s SUV. He already knew his mom would dry the items and have them preserved and boxed for Jenny.
Jason had finished genuflecting after checking with two discreet camera men and returned to his seat when the church doors behind him came open and
Jenny with her mom and his mom came inside. He heard tiny gasps of admiration all around and turned to see how she looked. He had to remember to breathe. Jason heard her dad gasp and then began clearing his throat, repeatedly. Mass was still in progress, so everyone settled down swiftly. The Music Ministry had simply prolonged their singing while Jenny dressed and returned.
Jenny genuflected and sat down beside him. She was an angel in white. The dress was a simple linen sheath, to the ankles with long sleeves again and high necked scalloped collar, over the dress was a layer of chiffon that had been embroidered with roses and crosses over the entire fabric. Her prayer covering was a similar white chiffon long scarf that was wrapped loosely, crossing her neck with the ends falling down behind her back.
Jennifer was filled with elation, happiness and a sense of completion yet to occur.
Jason handed her a white box. Lifting the satin lid revealed a beautiful white pearl Rosary. Taking it out he took her hand kissed it and laid the Rosary in her palm.
The Confirmation began and she was anointed again. Father Jose turned her to face the assembly and he introduced her to her fellow brothers and sisters. Upon returning to her seat the Mass continued.
They were asked to bring the gifts to the alter, so Jennifer, Jason and his parents left their seats quietly and went to the vestibule. At the appropriate time they had a procession of the gifts and brought the basket of money offerings, the wine and the wafers to the priest at the alter. The wine and wafers would be transubstantiated when the Priest consecrated them to God and the spiritual substance would become the Body and Blood of Christ.
In only a short while Jennifer was called out to be the first to receive the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy First Communion.
To Jason’s surprise she gripped his hand and with a tiny nod indicated he was to go with her. He shook his head no, but she nodded yes, so, not understanding what she was doing he followed her lead.
Once she was almost in front of Father Jose who was holding the ciborium Jennifer held tighter to Jason’s hand as she knelt, turned lose his hand and prostrated herself before the Holy Eucharist. Father Jose stepped back a little in surprise. She kissed the floor before reaching for Jason’s hand to assist her to her knees again. She now put her hands in prayer position.
Father Jose said, “The Body of Christ” as he held it before her eyes.
She responded firmly, “Amen.”
She received the Host on her tongue and Jason took her hand and helped her to her feet. He started to return to his seat but Father Jose held up another Host and said to Jason, “Jason, the Body of Christ.”
Jason in turn responded and followed Jennifer the three steps to be behind her as she received the Blood of Christ from the Chalice Deacon Vincent offered.
The remaining church then began to come forward and receive. Those who were Catholic and prepared accepted the Host and those who were not of the Faith or had confessions to make crossed their arms and received a blessing.
That experience also was so Holy to Jenny that she cried in humble joy over her Savior allowing her to partake of Him. She knew Christ had warned, “Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood you have no life in you.”
She was now one with Him and she felt His Holy presence. When she returned to her seat to reflect upon what she had received she began to pray in a whisper while their music ministry continued their singing.
Jason knelt beside her on the kneelers and heard her praying quietly in that Heavenly language God had anointed them with. Swiftly he discovered he actually understood parts of it. God was allowing him the translation of most of her prayer, an experience he had never had before. Her spirit was sharing with God the Father her joy and exaltations. How she desired to please Him in her whole walk in life and many other wonderful things flowed quietly from her. Praise was the main component, praise and glory. Jason silently prayed himself when he could no longer interpret.
“Father,” Jason prayed silently, “Thank you for bringing Jenny here to this moment. Bless our marriage too dear Lord. Help me to always be the leader of our home You would have me be, holding the right spirit and help me in guiding my family in the paths of righteousness in a way that always pleases You. Through Jesus Christ and in His name I pray.”
When Mass was over everyone rushed to greet them in the vestibule. They quickly had to go outside where Father Jose and Deacon Vincent stood greeting everyone as they left.
“Aww, Jenny,” Father Jose crooned, “You are one with God now, huh?”
She smiled and said, “All the way Father!” They hugged and Deacon Vincent greeted them with a handshake and a hug too. There was a new seminarian standing slightly to the side, he came forward to wish them well and to say he planned to attend their wedding next Friday.
Jenny showed Father Jose the Rosary Jason had given her and he admitted that Jason had already asked him to bless it for her before putting it in the box. Jenny had learned that everything needed to be blessed by a priest as far as Catholics were concerned and she agreed whole-heartedly, loving this aspect of their walk with God.
Father Jose, Deacon Vincent and the seminarian were invited to the late dinner celebration at the Sheraton Hotel near the airport. Their families were meeting there for supper.
Jason kept near her with a hand on her elbow or waist as they managed to maneuver their way toward the parking lot. There were so many people happy for her and Jason that it was hard not to linger longer. “Darling, we have to go,” Jason whispered.
Jenny said her last thanks and allowed him to lead her to his car. “This has been so wonderful!” Jenny admitted as she laid her head back against the seat while he drove slowly out onto the highway.
“Are you ready for tomorrow at eleven o’clock Mass when everyone will want to greet you again?” Jason asked, feeling extremely happy. He only wished they could be married tonight, but he and Father Jose felt a week after her baptism would be better. Allowing her some time in the Spirit for reflection before they wed was best. He hadn’t wanted their wedding to over shadow her baptism and first communion, knowing God comes first and foremost.
The dinner celebration lasted for over three hours.
Jenny was thrilled her dad had been so good about going to the church with them tonight. She knew to him it wasn’t a big deal, being baptized, but he never acted that way. In fact, she’d seen a tear in his eyes a time or two in church.
Father Jose asked Jenny privately what prompted her to prostrate before the Host, he didn’t ask in a scolding voice but was as surprised by her action as most others.
“Father, I felt it was something God wanted me to do. It was a sign Father, for the unbelievers. I was strongly impressed to obey, so I did what He wanted,” Jennifer answered like it had been the most normal thing to have heard God and been told to do something she had never seen done and just do it.
Father Jose kept his thoughts to himself as he simply nodded his head having heard her, or perhaps understood?
The next morning when Jennifer went forward to receive the Host again, at the eleven o’clock Mass, Jason caught himself holding his breath, wondering if Jenny would prostrate again. She didn’t, she even received in her hand before putting the Host in her mouth and stepping over to the Eucharist Minister holding the Chalice for her to sip from this day. She looked glowy again and Jason decided that her smile at that moment was straight from an angel’s lips.
Growing Up . . .
18 – GRADUATION & REHEARSAL DINNER
In the mist of so many wonderful events Graduation day finally arrived that Monday after the Baptism. Jason and Jennifer where doubly jubilant and their families were rejoicing with them as they shared a combined graduation party.
The two families decided to rent the area’s community center for the celebration since many fellow graduates were not having private parties and could also attend. They made the invite extend to the whole graduation class.
About a hundred and sixty people showed u
p.
Salina and Marcus came together to help with the party, Jennifer noted without surprise.
Jennifer and about twenty other females had done most of the decorating, using over sized silver stars and parchment scrolls hanging from the ceiling they draped with twinkling lights beneath black cloth to create a night sky. On each table a large, tall frosted vase was filled with several battery operated lights amid glass marbles. White carnations with silver ribbon trim sat on silver tablecloths. They had a live band from their own school and had various singers from their school entertain as well. Even the school’s chorus sang.
Jason walked up and placed his arm around Jennifer’s waist and smiled. “Wow, Jen, you and the ladies really pulled this one off. I feel left out having only helped with hanging the stars and paper scrolls. That was the easy part. I like those pillars of silver and white balloons all around the room too.”
Jennifer laughed. “You just had to leave before Marcus finished blowing them up with the helium and Salina kept talking like a duck while tying them. Seems like every other one got away from her and Julie. See the ceiling? Those balloons up there were not planned. I had to run back to the Party Store to buy five hundred more along with extra helium.”
Jason asked with dread, “We did pay for a clean up crew didn’t we?” Seeing her frown and knowing what she was going to say, he began to laugh and shake his head. “Jenny, Jenny. Sweetheart, it would have been worth the money not to deal with it. I told you I didn’t want you worrying with it. You’ve had too many things to do this week without adding this to the list too.”
She pouted some as she said, “Well, Jason Zonelli, I’ve discovered your money doesn’t just climb itself into your wallet. You do a lot of brainwork to earn your money and I didn’t want to waste it.” Before he could say another word she swiftly added, “I asked around and managed to get five students who really needed money, so I got them a lot cheaper than the professional crew was gonna cost.”
Boswell, LaVenia Page 16
