Editorial October 23, 2000 Issue

Anyone can pray

Heloísa Gelber Rivas

It was a few days before commencement. My high school held three religious services—one Catholic, one Jewish, and one Protestant. A few days later, a big gala party. Students and parents could attend any or all of these events. As a graduating student, I didn't miss any of them. And I learned to appreciate ways of praying with which I was not accustomed. And to understand many people there who weren't in the habit of praying.

It was the first mass I'd ever attended, and the solemnity was very impressive. Eager to join in the atmosphere of devotion, I nevertheless hesitated when the congregation was invited to kneel. And as all the people around me fell on their knees, I stood up. Very embarrassed, standing tall and awkward, I realized that doing something visibly different from the rest of the congregation was totally unnecessary.

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