Father Emilio

“Hello, my child. How many days has it been since your last confession?” A warm paternal voice asked the familiar phrase.

“Three days, Father,” Isabella responded.

“My child, I don’t recognize your voice. Are you new to the area?” The male voice asked.

“Yes, Father. I arrived early from Wisconsin to school here at University.”

“Ah. Welcome to St. John’s. Would you say a prayer with me before we begin?” Isabelle could feel the warmth flowing from the voice, and she allowed herself to let her guard down. What she said here was between herself and God. This priest was the go-between.

“Of Course!” Together they spoke the Lord’s prayer, and both felt connected on a spiritual level. So, it was with levity and forgiveness that the priest heard Isabella’s confession.

“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. Last night I did something heinous and wrong and lustful,” Isabella took a second deep steadying breath.

“Take your time, child. The house of God is here for you and you alone right now,” The priest kindly said.

After taking a moment to formulate her words, Isabella continued, her voice nearly cracking at the end, “Last night I could hardly contain myself. It was the first time I spent alone. Away from my sister’s and family, I mean. And almost the moment I knew that I was alone, I-i gave into my lust. I stripped down and I masturbated. I tried to resist, but it felt so good and so wrong that I couldn’t stop. Not only that, but I didn’t feel like myself. And the worst thing is, the first thought I had this morning was if I had time to do it again. I prayed for strength to resist, but I couldn’t slake my hunger.”

The priest, mindful of his own words now spoke gently. In a near whisper, he asked, “My child, how old are you?”

“18, Father.”

“And this is the first time you’ve masturbated openly?” He asked in that same gentle manner.

“Yes, Father.”

“I see. And you grew up in Wisconsin?” The priest queried.

“Yes, Father.”

“Well. First, let me commend your parents for raising you to be such an upstanding Catholic. It’s rare that someone your age has the discipline necessary to control their lust. Second, you are not alone in your suffering. Nearly every adult confesses similar ‘problems’ to me. God forgives you,” The priest gently announced.

“Oh. Thank you, Father!” Isabella nearly wept at having her sin absolved. Truly, she couldn’t understand those who didn’t seek God’s forgiveness, like that heathen couple from the cafeteria.

“Your penance shall be five Hail Mary’s and the appropriate reflection,” He directed. After hearing her assent, the priest continued, “after you have finished your penance, come find me. I have an inkling on how you might curb your predilection toward lust. I’ll be minding the Garden.”

“Yes, Father.”

Isabella left the confessional and found a pew close by the altar to pray her penance. Afterward, with levity in her soul, Isabella stood and sought out the priest. He was easy to find, minding a tomato plant.

A tall man, the priest was of clear Hispanic descent. His tanned face betrayed his middling age, and he sported a neat haircut that emphasized the gray in his hair and a closely trimmed salt and pepper beard. Though he still wore the collar of his office, he garbed himself in jeans and a tight-fitting short-sleeve button-down. He turned and waved at Isabella, his brown eyes sparkling in the sunlight.

“Greetings, Child! I am Father Emilio. It’s so great to meet you properly,” Father Emilio said, pulling off his gardening gloves and offering a hand to Isabella.

“Hello, Father!” Isabella returned the handshake and continued, “I’m Isabella Kyvat. I just moved here to attend University.”

“That is heart-warming!” Emilio cracked a smile. “Come, sit on the bench. There’s a proposition I have for you.”

“OK. Anything for the church, Father,” Isabella nodded her head graciously and allowed herself to be led.

Sitting down across from each other, Isabella couldn’t help but feel at ease around Father Emilio. His body language alone made her feel comfortable.

“I listened when you communed with God, child. And I’m glad you came to the church for help. Too many youth today seek out the internet and find that nasty pornography that sets their soul’s a-peril,” Father Emilio began. Now that she could see him properly, Isabella noticed he emphasized and gestured with his hands a lot. “I would like to offer you your choice of salvation from this issue. There are two models that I am familiar with. Both are difficult trials. And both have been successful. As part of the program, I cannot apprise you of any detail of either program before you commit. Know only their names. The first is the trial of temptation. The second is the trial of penance.”

Determined to overcome the weakness of her flesh, Isabella thought long and hard before responding, “I choose the trial of….”