Rose's First Penance

Rose received the Sacrament of Penance for the first time yesterday. Rose Boever. You really are a perfect child. You are as sweet and perfect as could be. Goodness comes naturally to you. You are as helpful as a grown woman and have a unique way with little children and people in general always offering a pleasant smile and greet all you meet with, "How are you today?"

As pure as could be!  You told me you about cried when you went into the confessional.

Few things delight the hearts of Christian parents more than to see their child advancing in the spiritual life and walking with God.  We desire so greatly for them to know that they are a child of God, the princess of a King and an heir to the throne of heaven.  We pray they feel that in their heart. 
I came downstairs last week to find the dishwasher empty.  I said, "Someone here loves Jesus very much. Who did this?" 

Rose remarked, "I did.  I wasn't going to, but I asked myself what would a saint do so I did it."
Thank you Rose for being more mature than I am.  I was speechless.

The crew on our way to get Rose's ears pierced. 

We started the ear piercing tradition with Lillie on her First Penance.  The girls have the option of getting their ears pierced after they make their first confession if they want to. We wanted to incorporate our faith somehow into this little rite of passage of a young girl.  Just as sometimes it is hard and painful to go to confession, the grace received and the beauty of the soul are to resemble the small pain received when getting the ears pierced, but LOOK how beautiful your sparkly earrings are!  The courage it takes to endure that small amount of pain is always worth having a sparkling soul for Christ.

The crowd watching with much anticipation.  Zellie is up next year.  She has stated for months that she is NOT getting her ears pierced because she just wants to be Zellie.  Rose was on the fence also, but decided to go for it.  Upon seeing Rose's sparkling blue earrings, Zellie has crossed the line and is going for it next year.

She wasn't quite sure at all.

She said it didn't hurt at all.  Nothing.

My beautiful Rose.  She has always been beautiful since the moment I first saw that perfect face although when she was born she had a head of black hair.

A fun game of chess with Vianney.