Kirishima's journal entries #1
Today marks the end of my journey as a transitional diaconate, and the beginning of my journey as a fully-fledged priest. Father Sodo had given me his graces and blessed me on my first day. The church I will be ordained at is two cities away.
I had also received a letter from my good friend Hanta about his well being. It had been a while since we last wrote to each other and I'm glad to know he is doing well with taking over his father's inn. He had mentioned wanting to court our dear friend Mina. Knowing this placed a smile on my face. I sent him a letter in return, supporting him with his endeavours and sending him God's blessing, praying things on his end will go well. I had also mentioned about my beginning as an official priest.
Today is such a blessed day indeed. To finally lead the flock towards the loving grace of our Lord as a priest, I swear on our God's name that I won't lead them astray.
Father Sodo had sent me a letter, asking about how I had been doing these last few months as a newly ordained priest. It's at these times that I am reminded how he had practically adopted me as his own son, and, like a father to his children, wants to see how I have progressed since he heard last from me.
There's a sense of assurance knowing someone worries for you, and that they're praying for your safety and growth. I told him about the masses I had held for this new town, how my fellow followers of God had welcomed me with open arms. Although their response when I eventually told them about my aversion to performing exorcisms and banishment were not too warm, in the end they eventually accepted it.
He had asked if I had any trouble with other people accepting me because of my unnaturally sharp teeth, to which I quoted the verse Galatians 1:10, "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." That is one of the verses Father Sodo had taught me back when I was still a young boy living in the orphanage before he took me in.
I'm certain it'll bring a smile to his face knowing I quoted one of the very first verses he had taught me.
I had told Father Sodo that no matter how far I am from him, he would always be my home.
It saddens me how long our letters take to reach each other...
I received a letter from Hanta, and it seemed that their previous priest had passed away so suddenly. With their town being so small, they don't have the same connections with other parishes, and they didn't have a choir unlike the one I'm at right now.
Hanta mentioned that they had been suffering from a 'vampire' problem for quite some time now. And with the absence of a holy presence in town, this would only strengthen its power to terrorize them. He had mentioned that maybe it was the vampire that caused the old priest's demise. Musutafu is about a five hour ride with a steam-powered train from where I am, and about a day and a half's journey with a horse-pulled carriage. I'm positive the letter will reach him soon.
As a holy follower of the Lord, and as a good friend, I wrote back that I would gladly become their parish priest the soonest that I could.
I had informed the church of the emergency, and they're so kind as to let me go as soon as this coming Saturday. This town wouldn't have trouble finding a new priest to fill for me, with how big this church is and how well connected to it to other parishes.
The townspeople gave me small gifts for my journey, my fellow church members prayed for my safety. I may have only known them for a few months but they have become so dear to me.
I should write to Father Sodo about my transferring.
Hanta wasn't kidding when he said their church was small; made purely from stone it had all the basic parts of any Catholic Church; the Narthex, Nave, Transepts, as well as a Vestry and Sacristy. The chancel was too small to be able to contain a choir, and the pulpit was situated right in the middle of the sanctuary, with the altar right behind it. The church has an organ, however I doubt it could still play given how rusty the pipes are. At the back is a cemetery, and a small garden at the side. It doesn't have a monastery; I'll be living in the old priest's home which was quite a walk away.
This is certainly different from what I'm used to, but one must not complain; this new challenge will only help bring me closer to the Almighty. I know this is His will, and this challenge would test my abilities as a priest to be able to look past material possessions and comfort and to fully rely on the blessings of the Lord.
Hopefully I don't run into that vampire that Hanta had mentioned.
It had been a little over a week since I moved here to Musutafu, and the townspeople were quick to warm up to me. The mayor came to see me personally and everyone here is generally friendly. It was great to meet up with Mina and Hanta again after all these years. Letters never do justice compared to speaking with them personally; my heart all but burst from the overwhelming love I have for them.
I have yet to catch sight of that elusive vampire. Hanta and Mina had told me that it is very persistent, and its brash nature had struck such fear into the people's hearts. They told me that after their previous priest had passed, it came for them almost everyday.
Maybe my presence had scared it off? Maybe it felt the Holy power of our God and left?
