The Religious Life
Chapter 3: "Leave everything and follow me..."
Disclaimer: Ug Ug, me one man, no own big anime called Hellsing, ug ug.
Extra note: Sorry for the long, long lapse in updates, I got hit with all
the things associated with being a high school senior, and I just about
forgot of this fic. I apologize that this will be a boring chapter, but
after this things will start to pick up!
The entire Anderson family decided to dress their best today; since it would be the day their only son would be devoted to the Church. They were amazingly quiet in the car ride there. Alex's mother was especially in shock. Her only son, one who was always so busy with his friends, wanted to give up his life so early to the service of God? A part of her was happy for him, and another part of her wanted to lock him in his room and never let him out. That was just her motherly protection talking though. Alex had to be free to decide what he wanted to do with his life, and the Church would be a great place for her son to learn about himself. She hoped God's fire would burn in him.
Alex's father couldn't help but notice Alex's fervor during Mass either. He was forceful in everything he had to say, as if he was trying to make God hear it Himself. He was surprised at the sudden change in his son's demeanor. Usually Alex was quiet, albeit keenly interested in the homily. But everything else in the mass was dogmatic nonsense to him, until now. Whatever happened to him last night must've knocked some sense into the boy, Alex's father thought.
Soon, the mass was over, and most people had filed out. The priest had went to the family quickly and chit-chatted with them until only they remained. "Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Anderson, Alex," the priest's accent on the last name certainly proved what he was most interested in, "I'm very happy to see you all here. You've come to a decision, I take it?' Alex was the first one to speak up, "Yes Father, I've decided to do what God has asked me to do." The priest nodded, an honest smile covering his face, "I'm very glad to hear that," he looked towards the rest of the family, "and your parents agree with you?" Mr. Anderson spoke up, and Mrs. Anderson nodded her head slowly while he spoke, "Of course. I've never seen a boy so young be willing to give his life to God. How could we deny him?" The priest nodded, collecting his thoughts, "Alright then. Tomorrow morning at eleven there is a flight from here to Vatican City. I need Alex to accompany me there." The entire Anderson family was startled. Mrs. Anderson was the first to bring her feelings to light, "Vatican City? Why? Not even would-be priests go directly to the Vatican..." "My good Mrs. Anderson," the priest replied simply, "Alex is has been given a gift from Almighty God, one that is meant for dire service. Alex only need pack for a week's time, and meet me back here at the church at ten tomorrow morning. Oh, and Alex, welcome to the Church." With that, the priest nodded his head and walked away, leaving the family to contemplate matters on their own.
"It'll only be for a week Mom, you don't have to be so sad." Alex tried in vain to comfort his mother, who seemed unreasonably alarmed that her son was going to the Vatican. "I know honey," she responded, still with emotion in her voice, "this just seems so unreal." Alex though silently for a moment, and then tried to rehearse a verse he had read in his Bible which he had seriously begun reading last night, "'If God is for me, who can stand against me?'" Mrs. Anderson seemed slightly stunned by the statement, and then smiled a small, relenting smile, "Yes, I guess you're right Alex...go on now, and take care." Alex's father then stepped in. "You've been given a great gift, my son, and I know you'll do great things with it. I can't wait to hear what the Church has planned for you." "Thank you Mom, Dad," Alex replied, "I'll send you a postcard from Vatican City!" With that, he got out of the car that was sputtering outside the church's doors, and waved goodbye to his parents before entering his new life.
Inside the empty church, the priest was sitting in the first pew, kneeling in prayer until he heard the large doors close with a thud. He stood up and gazed across at Alex standing inside the doorway with two suitcases beside him. "Hello Alex, are you all ready to go?" "I am." "Alright then, follow me." The priest and Alex walked to a side exit, where there was another black car waiting for them. Something didn't seem right with it, Alex thought, but he still had that new faith that God was with him through everything, and he waved off the feeling as jitters.
Through the car ride, the priest, finally identifying himself as Father O'Brien, and Alex talked about their experiences. O'Brien seemed very interested in Alex's history, all 13 years of it, and his theological beliefs. The trip seemed to pass in a blink of an eye, and soon he was on a plane, heading out of Irelend and into a whole new world.
The entire Anderson family decided to dress their best today; since it would be the day their only son would be devoted to the Church. They were amazingly quiet in the car ride there. Alex's mother was especially in shock. Her only son, one who was always so busy with his friends, wanted to give up his life so early to the service of God? A part of her was happy for him, and another part of her wanted to lock him in his room and never let him out. That was just her motherly protection talking though. Alex had to be free to decide what he wanted to do with his life, and the Church would be a great place for her son to learn about himself. She hoped God's fire would burn in him.
Alex's father couldn't help but notice Alex's fervor during Mass either. He was forceful in everything he had to say, as if he was trying to make God hear it Himself. He was surprised at the sudden change in his son's demeanor. Usually Alex was quiet, albeit keenly interested in the homily. But everything else in the mass was dogmatic nonsense to him, until now. Whatever happened to him last night must've knocked some sense into the boy, Alex's father thought.
Soon, the mass was over, and most people had filed out. The priest had went to the family quickly and chit-chatted with them until only they remained. "Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Anderson, Alex," the priest's accent on the last name certainly proved what he was most interested in, "I'm very happy to see you all here. You've come to a decision, I take it?' Alex was the first one to speak up, "Yes Father, I've decided to do what God has asked me to do." The priest nodded, an honest smile covering his face, "I'm very glad to hear that," he looked towards the rest of the family, "and your parents agree with you?" Mr. Anderson spoke up, and Mrs. Anderson nodded her head slowly while he spoke, "Of course. I've never seen a boy so young be willing to give his life to God. How could we deny him?" The priest nodded, collecting his thoughts, "Alright then. Tomorrow morning at eleven there is a flight from here to Vatican City. I need Alex to accompany me there." The entire Anderson family was startled. Mrs. Anderson was the first to bring her feelings to light, "Vatican City? Why? Not even would-be priests go directly to the Vatican..." "My good Mrs. Anderson," the priest replied simply, "Alex is has been given a gift from Almighty God, one that is meant for dire service. Alex only need pack for a week's time, and meet me back here at the church at ten tomorrow morning. Oh, and Alex, welcome to the Church." With that, the priest nodded his head and walked away, leaving the family to contemplate matters on their own.
"It'll only be for a week Mom, you don't have to be so sad." Alex tried in vain to comfort his mother, who seemed unreasonably alarmed that her son was going to the Vatican. "I know honey," she responded, still with emotion in her voice, "this just seems so unreal." Alex though silently for a moment, and then tried to rehearse a verse he had read in his Bible which he had seriously begun reading last night, "'If God is for me, who can stand against me?'" Mrs. Anderson seemed slightly stunned by the statement, and then smiled a small, relenting smile, "Yes, I guess you're right Alex...go on now, and take care." Alex's father then stepped in. "You've been given a great gift, my son, and I know you'll do great things with it. I can't wait to hear what the Church has planned for you." "Thank you Mom, Dad," Alex replied, "I'll send you a postcard from Vatican City!" With that, he got out of the car that was sputtering outside the church's doors, and waved goodbye to his parents before entering his new life.
Inside the empty church, the priest was sitting in the first pew, kneeling in prayer until he heard the large doors close with a thud. He stood up and gazed across at Alex standing inside the doorway with two suitcases beside him. "Hello Alex, are you all ready to go?" "I am." "Alright then, follow me." The priest and Alex walked to a side exit, where there was another black car waiting for them. Something didn't seem right with it, Alex thought, but he still had that new faith that God was with him through everything, and he waved off the feeling as jitters.
Through the car ride, the priest, finally identifying himself as Father O'Brien, and Alex talked about their experiences. O'Brien seemed very interested in Alex's history, all 13 years of it, and his theological beliefs. The trip seemed to pass in a blink of an eye, and soon he was on a plane, heading out of Irelend and into a whole new world.