Sicilian Love Story

Father Cosimo shuffled about the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, preparing for the funeral Mass, it would begin in a half hour.  Elena the organist was practicing, making mistakes, irritating Father Cosimo. 

            The church felt cold and drafty despite the warm sunshine outside.  Candles flickered in front of the statues casting up eerie images on their faces, changing their expressions.  St. Anthony seemed to be winking as the shadows moved about his face.  Others like the village girls noticed it too and came into the church when there was no mass going on, just for this amusement.  In an austere society like Corleone, Father Cosimo did not begrudge them a measure of fun.

            The good father had asked for a replacement priest, since his health was deteriorating rapidly.  Three years had passed and he was still asking. He felt that the bishop must be losing his mind, telling Cosimo he would consider it. Parishioners wrote about their concern and received the same answer.   

            This day, the door opened and the altar boy Ciccio ran in breathless.  His hair was unkempt and his face dirty.

            “Ah, you’re on time.”  Father Cosimo said..

            “Si, padre.”  Ciccio was pulling the habit over his head.

            “Your face is dirty.” Father Cosimo admonished.

            “The water was shut off.  I couldn’t wash it,” was the boy’s excuse.

            The sacristy door opened again and this time it was Charlie Cascio, son-in-law of Adalina Patina, whose casket was en route to the church.

            Charlie was bringing in a wheelchair.

            “For you, Father,” Charlie said.

            “Grazie, I’ll use it after mass.”  Father argued.

            “You can’t even stand up, use it now.”  Charlie insisted.

            “Father, I’m ready,”  Ciccio said.

            The old priest grimaced “For what?  You’re still dirty.”

            Ciccio was embarrassed.  He turned his back, spit on his hand and rubbed his face.  His face was flushed and he looked down.  Father Cosimo turned.  People were entering the church and the casket was about to be rolled in.  Elena continued to play.  The organ music flowed softly, for which the priest was grateful.  He hoped that she too would soon retire.

            The family and friends took their place and sat quietly until the casket was in place.  Then the crying began.  A select group of professional mourners who didn’t even know Adalina Patina, cried loud, and Father Cosimo threw them a dirty look.  Ciccio handed the priest the container with the incense and the priest started to cough.  He handed it back to Ciccio and waved him on to do the honors and walk around the casket swinging the incense.  The crying stopped and Father took his place at the podium.

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