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When they drove through Center City so that Bray could show them why he loved Philadelphia so much, she was speechless. The architecture was magnificent and although she’d seen pictures, none had done these historic buildings justice.
She suddenly understood why Braydon had wanted to attend school in such a bustling place. Here, even the pavement pulsed with life.
They ate lunch at a corner delicatessen that considered eight pounds of food an appropriate serving size for one person. None of them finished their meals. She felt Luke looking at her throughout lunch, but kept her eyes averted from his gaze. She knew he was worried she would tell the others his secret. She wouldn’t, but figured to let him worry, serve him right for being ashamed of having a relationship with Tristan. Tristan was a good man and he deserved better than that.
When they arrived at Saint Peter’s, Colin was off somewhere out of sight, likely spending his last moments as an independent man reflecting on the enormity of what he was about to commit to. The others at the monastery welcomed them and allowed them to use their facility to freshen up before the ceremony.
Saint Peter’s Cathedral was a beautiful structure. She had been so sure she’d never leave Center County, yet, since arriving to this part of Pennsylvania, she was no longer so certain. The city definitely had its appeals. In the past twenty-four hours, so many things she assumed were absolutes had changed. She dreaded to see what other dependable truths would surprise her as being only illusions.
Many had come to watch her brother become an ordained priest. Bishop Adrian sat with his back to the center of the pulpit, his tall mitre gleaming under the chandeliers. Colin looked impeccably handsome in his white robes and golden sash. It was the first time Sheilagh could recall that her eldest brother looked nervous.
The ceremony began with a prayer and then the bishop questioned other priests about her brother’s worthiness. When Bishop Adrian announced his approval of the others’ choice everyone clapped. Once the applause quieted the bishop began to question Colin directly.
Colin stood with his back to the pews and faced the bishop who sat comfortably in a throne like chair.
“Colin McCullough,” Bishop Adrian began. “Before you enter the order of priesthood you must declare before the people your intentions of such an undertaking. Do you resolve, with the help of The Holy Spirit this charge, without fail, the office of priesthood as a worthy fellow worker with the order of bishops in caring for The Lord’s flock?”
Colin’s voice echoed through the large church. “I do.”
“Do you resolve to exercise the ministry of the word, worthily and wisely, preaching the Gospel and teaching the Catholic faith?”
“I do,” Colin answered and her mother fished a handkerchief out of her purse to dab her lashes.
“Do you resolve to celebrate faithfully and reverently in accord with the churches tradition the mysteries of Christ especially the sacrifice of Eucharist and the sacrament of reconciliation in the glory of God and the sanctification of the Christian people?
“I do.”
“Do you resolve to implore with us God’s mercy upon the people and entrusted to your care by observing the command to pray without ceasing?”
“I do.”
“Do you resolve to be unitedmore closelyeveryday to Christ, the high priest who offered himself for us, to the Father as a pure sacrifice, and with him to consecrate yourself to God for the salvation of all?”
The parishioners waited quietly for Colin’s reply. This one was perhaps the biggest vow of all, a promise to never put another before God and hold his relationship with God above all others. When Colin hesitated a moment Sheilagh leaned forward straining to hear. The bishop seemed to be waiting as well. Father Tucker, the priest they had met earlier, shot a sideways glance at another rather large priest, yet no one said a word. Everyone simply waited for Colin to continue with his vows.
When she heard her mother hiss, “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” she began to worry, but then Colin cleared his throat and began to speak.
CHAPTER19
The start of the school year was a blessing. Samantha had been so busy readying her classroom and preparing lesson plans she was left with little free time to think of her own personal turmoil, too exhausted to hold much of a thought in whatever free time she had. On the other hand, her business led her to overlook other things that normally would’ve come to her attention sooner had she not been so preoccupied with her new job. Important things.
Late October, one Sunday evening, Sam was helping her mother change the linens of the B&B section of the house. They had just centered a beautiful Victorian quilt onto the bed in one of the more posh rooms when her mother asked her to sit for a moment at the room’s small floral sofa.
“I want to talk to you about something, Samantha, and I don’t want you to get upset with me.”
Whatever her mother had to talk about, it sounded serious.
“What is it? Is Daddy okay?” She always worried about her father’s health since he had gotten sick.
“Daddy’s fine. I want to talk about you.”
“Me?”
She nodded. “Do you like your new job, honey?”
Sam knew her mother didn’t want to talk about her job. They talked about it everyday. There was no need for a formal discussion, but Sam humored her anyway.
“Yes.”
