Mass

Part of our coursework is to keep a field journal recording observations of our visits to refugee centers in detail, and reflecting on our personal experience.  Thus, please forgive my over- or under-reporting of events, since I am essentially keeping two different journals with two different purposes and intended audiences.

On Sunday, we attended Catholic mass at the Jesuit Community Chapel near the University of Malta.  This was quite different than the Papal Mass we attended on New Years’ Day in Rome.  There were approximately 35 people in attendance, mostly originally from Nigeria.  We soon made friends with the children in attendance, even having the opportunity to hold and pass around several adorable babies.  We were surprised at how the mothers did not seem at all anxious or worried that their babies were being passed around by complete strangers for quite a long time.  During the mass, there was a lot of singing, and at the end one man even got out a drum and everyone was clapping and swaying back and forth.  After the mass, we headed downstairs to the “reception” of sorts, where tea, coffee, and sweets were offered.  Everyone went around the room and introduced themselves and their country of origin.  Then, to our complete surprise, one of the leaders of the group stood in the center of the room and asked all of the newcomers to stand up one by one.  A sort of friendly interview then took place, where he would ask a series of questions such as “what is your favorite food,” “what is your hobby,” “what is your favorite color,” etc.  He was very playful and would repeat the answers to his “audience” over his shoulder or make jokes about the responses.  Though I was nervous about being put on the spot in such a way amidst a room full of strangers, the process was very welcoming and by the end we felt like part of the community.