Chapter 2: Alexandra's Wisdom Quilt

By Mary Jo Saavedra
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I designed Alexandra’s Wisdom Quilt while attending a world religion symbolism class at Marylhurst University in Oregon. This class was instrumental in bringing together the elements of what I imagined a Wisdom Quilt to be. Learning the foundation of universal symbols from which to pull, I planned her quilt with the following elements.

I chose a traditional quilt pattern, the “Bear Paw.” The bear represents strength, courage and gentleness, all of which Alex will require to be a woman. The colors of her quilt also have significance. The paws are red, the color of the life force. The centers of the paws are black which represent sorrow, time and rebirth. A special corner stone paw of blue was added to represent her father and his influence on her life. Blue signifies faith, compassion, peace and intellect. All of the paws are set on a background of white, signifying purity.

In the white squares that alternate with the paws, there are signatures from all the women in her life that love her: her great grandmother, grandmothers, mom, aunts, cousins, special teachers and friends. Each has written an endearment message just for her that will provide wisdom and strength as she follows her path. Her dad, the only male symbol on the quilt, wrote a beautiful passage of confidence to her. From these writings she will always know those from which she came.

I designed this quilt and Joanne Lewis with Penelope Hercha helped to construct and machine quilt it.

CELEBRATIONS

Alexandra’s Coming of Age will hold many rites of passage similar to celebrations like her first dance, obtaining her driver’s licenses and even voting. But to mark this as a very special transition into womanhood, we will have a wonderful meal shared by all her women friends and family. Then she will take the final initiation sacrament of her Catholic faith, Confirmation.

PASSAGE CELEBRATION

The meal celebration that Alex and I have designed was inspired by a Jewish initiation called Rosh Hodesh. We have only adapted one part of this beautiful four-part ceremony for her celebration. However, this entire celebration can be found in Lynn Gottlieb’s book, She Who Dwells Within, on page 145.

Alex will invite the special women in her life to a simple gathering to share a meal she has prepared. She prepares this meal to show her abilities and to honor the women who have come to help her celebrate and those who have already been very active mentors in her life. We will begin the celebration with all the women sitting in a circle around Alex. Going around the circle, each woman will present Alex with a paper leaf that she has brought for her with words of wisdom written on it. As each woman gives Alex the leaf she will tell her the wisdom written on it that will help carry her through this passage. Alex then ties the leaf on her ceremonial tree, which she will plant at a later time.

Alex will then recite her blessing that she has written honoring seven of her gifts from God and how she will use them to better her world. When she is finished I will present her with her Wisdom quilt and say a prayer over her. Alex will then invite everyone to join in the meal she has made. This meal will include wonderful braided Challah bread.

CONFIRMATION

Her Confirmation will be her spiritual initiation. As described by Rev. John E. Pollard in Exploring Our Catholic Faith, the sacrament of Confirmation, together with the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist, compose the sacraments of initiation. Through the celebration of these sacraments of initiation, a person enters full communion with the church and is fully incorporated into the Body of Christ, the People of God.

The preparation for Confirmation usually takes one year. During this time Alex will attend a weekly youth mass. She will participate in the “Sharing of Liturgical Gifts” process. This entails trying three different liturgical ministries during these masses. She will also go through training to become a liturgical Minister. Serving the community after two of the masses is also required.

Throughout this year she will participate in a study group and explore and refine her commitment to her faith. Five or so papers of her reflections on specific topics will be required. During this training Alex will have a mentor that she has chosen to sponsor her, who is also Catholic. As further support of her faith journey, she will choose the name of a Saint, one that she admires or feels a special connection to. This can provide a special prayer connection and a spiritual mentor as well. The name of the Saint is then taken at Confirmation and added to her baptismal name.

Before the actual Confirmation she will go on a two-day retreat and she will also receive the sacrament of Reconciliation. Alex and her sponsor will then participate in the Rehearsal of the ceremony.

After the Bishop completes the Confirmation ceremony there is a reception, where the community welcomes each of the confirmed into their circle.