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Chapter IV: The Training, Part 2
The days leading up to the next training session are filled with a flurry of schoolwork for Liz and Wyn. Though the assignments are challenging, Liz keeps her spirits high, drawing inspiration from her memories of Bennett. She recalls how he used to review her lessons and motivate her with encouraging words.
"You've got this, Liz," his voice echoes in her mind as she tackles a difficult math problem one evening. "Just focus and take it one step at a time."
The day of the next training session finally arrives. Liz and Wyn head to the campus ministry office early, eager to see what Bro. Padilla has in store for them. This time, Bro. Padilla greets them with a collection of colorful garments laid out across a table.
"Good morning, everyone!" he says with a warm smile. "Today, we'll discuss the roles of a deacon, a priest, and a bishop, as well as the garments they wear during their ministry."
He clicks a button on the projector, and a slide displaying a vibrant array of priestly garments appears on the screen.
"Does anyone know what this is called?" Bro. Padilla asks, pointing to a colorful outer vestment.
Liz's mind drifts momentarily to a memory of Bennett. She recalls a time when they were in the cathedral, and he was explaining the significance of each garment.
"This is a chasuble," he had said, lifting the ornate vestment.
"It symbolizes the yoke of Christ and the priest's role as a servant to the people."
Snapping back to the present, Liz confidently raises her hand.
"It's a chasuble, Brother."
Bro. Padilla's face lights up.
"That's correct, Liz! Well done."
Wyn leans over to her and whispers,
"How do you know all this?"
Liz simply smiles and replies,
"It's a secret."
Next, Bro. Padilla holds up a long strip of fabric.
"And this?"
The room falls silent. One boy hesitantly raises his hand.
"Uh, is it a table runner?"
The room bursts into laughter, and Bro. Padilla shakes his head.
"That's one creative guess, but no. Minus one for that answer."
Liz clears her throat.
"It's a stole," she answers confidently, remembering Bennett's patient explanation of how it represents the authority of the priest.
"Excellent!" Bro. Padilla exclaims.
"The stole is indeed a symbol of authority, and it's worn by deacons, priests, and bishops, each in their unique way."
Wyn nudges Liz again.
"Seriously, how do you know all this?"
Liz shrugs, hiding the bittersweet memories of Bennett's teachings.
As the session progresses, Bro. Padilla delves deeper into the roles and garments of the clergy. He gestures toward a mannequin dressed in a deacon's attire.
"A deacon," he begins,
"is a minister who assists the priest or bishop during the Mass. Their vestments include the dalmatic, a long tunic with wide sleeves, often adorned with simple embroidery. They also wear the stole diagonally, across the left shoulder and tied at the right side."
Liz listens intently, picturing Bennett's voice explaining the same details.
Bro. Padilla then moves to a mannequin dressed as a priest.
"A priest," he continues,
"acts as the shepherd of a parish. His vestments include the alb, a long white garment symbolizing purity, and the chasuble, which is the outermost layer worn during the Mass. The stole is worn around the neck and hangs straight down."
Finally, Bro. Padilla gestures to a mannequin dressed in the ornate attire of a bishop.
"An archbishop or bishop oversees a diocese or archdiocese. Their vestments are similar to a priest's but with additional elements, such as the mitre, the ceremonial hat, and the crosier, a staff symbolizing their role as a shepherd of the flock."
As Bro. Padilla speaks, Liz is transported back to a memory of her and Bennett walking through the cathedral's sacristy. Bennett had shown her the various garments, explaining their significance with a mix of reverence and humor.
"The bishop's mitre," he'd said, placing it gently on her head,
"isn't just a fancy hat. It's a sign of their authority and responsibility." Liz had giggled at the sight of herself in the mirror, the oversized mitre wobbling precariously on her head.
The memory brings a smile to her face, but it quickly fades as she wonders, yet again, where Bennett might be now.
Bro. Padilla's voice pulls her back to the present.
"Any questions so far?"
Wyn raises her hand.
"Brother, why are there so many rules and garments for each role?"
"Good question," Bro. Padilla replies.
"Each garment and tradition has deep symbolism, rooted in the history of the Church. They remind us of the sacred responsibilities and unity of the clergy as they serve God and His people."
The session ends with a prayer, and as they leave, Wyn turns to Liz.
"I don't know how you do it, but you're amazing at this."
Liz smiles faintly.
"I'm just... inspired."
As Bro. Padilla continues his discussion about the roles of deacons, priests, and bishops, Liz feels her mind drifting. The lecture's pace slows in her perception as a vivid memory emerges, pulling her back into the past.
In the flashback, Liz and Bennett stand just outside the sacristy of the Grand Catedral Metropolitana de San Pablo. The air is cool, carrying the faint scent of incense. Liz's curiosity gets the better of her, and she points to a large, mysterious door on the side of the sacristy.
"What's behind that door?" Liz asks, her voice hushed.
Bennett glances around, ensuring no one else is near. With a finger pressed to his lips, he shushes her. A metal plaque on the door reads: Authorized Personnel Only in bold, foreboding letters.
Despite the warning, Bennett turns the knob, the door creaking open to reveal a pitch-black interior.
"Follow me," he says softly, stepping inside.
Liz hesitates at the threshold.
"It's dark in there," she whispers, her voice tinged with fear.
Bennett's voice echoes gently from within.
"Don't worry. Watch this."
She hears a faint click, and suddenly, the room transforms. A line of torches, mounted on stone walls, bursts to life, their flames flickering warmly. In the middle of the vast room, a grand chandelier illuminates the space, its crystals refracting light in mesmerizing patterns. Liz's fear dissolves into awe.
"Whoa," she breathes, stepping fully into the room.
What lies before her sends chills down her spine—rows upon rows of ornate graves, some adorned with intricate carvings of saints and angels. The air is thick with reverence.
Bennett gestures toward the graves.
"This is the crypt of the past archbishops of our archdiocese," he explains solemnly.
Liz's eyes widen as she approaches the largest grave, which resembles a monument more than a tomb. Atop the structure stands a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, her serene expression illuminated by the chandelier's glow.
"This one is special," Bennett says, stepping beside her.
"It belongs to the very first bishop of the then-diocese."
Liz runs her fingers gently over the marble surface, tracing the carved name.
"It's incredible," she murmurs, captivated.
"Come here," Bennett calls from across the room.
Liz joins him, finding him standing before a life-sized statue of St. Augustine, his bishop's mitre perched regally on his head, his staff gripped firmly in one hand.
Bennett points to the statue.
"See how his mitre and staff are different from what a priest would use? Bishops have symbols of authority specific to their role. The staff, or crozier, symbolizes the bishop's duty as a shepherd of his flock."
Liz nods, absorbing his explanation. She admires the intricate details of the statue, from the folds of St. Augustine's robes to the serene yet commanding expression on his face.
Suddenly, Liz snaps back to the present as the sound of Bro. Padilla's voice fills the room. She blinks, disoriented, and glances at Wyn, who is jotting down notes.
"You okay?" Wyn whispers, noticing Liz's far-off look.
Liz forces a smile.
"Yeah, just thinking."
Wyn shrugs and returns to her notes, but Liz's thoughts linger on the memory. She silently thanks Bennett for the knowledge he shared and the inspiration he continues to provide, even in his absence. As Bro. Padilla resumes the lecture, Liz resolves to channel her memories of Bennett into her dedication to this new chapter of her life.
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