This month, our regular columnists, Crystal and Kevin, ask their daughter Christina to speak about her experience of being a mother—especially its spiritual dimension.
Crystal
As a lay couple whose contributions to this magazine reflect thoughts which come from living out our sacramental vocation of Matrimony, we pondered what to write about parenting that would contribute to an understanding from our unique perspective. Our days of ‘active’ parenting are over. Of course, as a mother and father, there is never a time when you can say you are “done”. But the difficult years of day-to-day formation and discipline and loving attention are now behind us. For this reason, we asked our daughter Christina, herself a mother of three young children (7, 5, 2 ½) if she might be willing to share anything from her own experience as a young Catholic mother who is doing her best to raise her children in the faith.
Christina
You’d be hard-pressed to find a person who doesn’t express some fear, apprehension, or even downright terror about the prospect of taking part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation these days. The idea of baring our souls, showing our weak spots, putting it all before God… this leaves even the holiest souls feeling tremulous at times. But as I was trying to explain the Sacrament to my four-year-old the other day, I began wondering why it is that so many of us are still apprehensive about receiving this beautiful sacrament, and how I can prepare my children to participate joyfully and without fear when it’s time.
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Crystal & Kevin Sullivan
