Day 2: Boys Program

Unfortunately, I missed yesterday due to no battery power. We're back in action..... action.... something rarely missing during the day.

The boys huddle around a chalkboard, playing I don't know what version of hang man, and all I can hear is arguing. No, you said it was this way. Yeah, but I meant it was this way. Who said that you made the rules? No, it has to go like this. .... Then, out on the field, ten minutes is spent arguing again about the rules. It isn't about feelings, or preferences as is so often the case at the girls' program. It is about principle and what is "best."

Strangely, from this chaos, you can easily step in with enough conviction and respect and get everyone's attention. You appoint the ruler, and everyone follows. That's it, no confusion. Trust seems to come in the face of confidence and claimed authority. That's enough. The problem is only have the guts to step in between 20 talking teens and pick out the guy who will make decisions with the same confidence.

Then, you fade into the not too far distance and watch as chaos turns to organized chaos.

When it is time to eat, there are no cup games, no yelling, no picking through to take out the olives. There is blessed silence except for an occasional shout "Can I get seconds yet?" If you say yes, move out from between the hungry and the food. Quickly.

As the day ends and we are in the chapel for adoration, I'm always struck by the more expressive posture of the boys. The girls are pious, to be sure, read, write, pray the rosary, silent, reflective, calm. The guys are in deep bows, on their knees, prostrate in the back of the chapel, hands out with palms up, no writing, few rosaries, only a couple sitting with their back against the wall and their heads cradled in the heads - "not sleeping." No mention afterwards - no show - just adoration "as usual." They even pray intensely.

Life must be very intense for these young men, as they pray, play, eat, and even work intensely (if you can assure them that it is a competition anyway)... so maybe just pray, play, and eat intensely. The questions are intense, and the two weapons they have to break the intensity: ridiculous humor and ignoring you completely. Adoration is the only time you see the guard fall down.

Thanks be to God there is more humor than anything this week, and next time I go to the chapel with them I'll bring the kleenex - since the "incense gives them allergies."

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