big white vans and other Catholic icons

Originally published February 11, 2013

It has been a month since we downsized to the seven seater minivan. I am still a little sad. I've never been attached to or sentimental about any vehicle ever. I suspect this will be the only one I ever feel that way about.

The fifteen seater Big White Van is an icon of Catholic culture.  With three adult children out of the house and four at home, it was getting to be a rare event to have more than five or six people in a car.  Even when everyone is home, there are five drivers.  What with jobs and schedules, we inevitably ended up taking more than one vehicle, even to Mass.

 So we got a fancy new minivan with all the bells and whistles.

But the Big White Van was extraordinary.  It alone was an instrument of witness.  The Big White Second Hand Purchased from Budget Rent A Car with the pro life sticker on the bumper says so, so much.  How many kids do you have?

A few more icons of Catholic culture?

• Mom at one end of the pew, Dad at the other.  Several squirmy children in between.
  Vestments hanging in the back of the car.
  A Rosary on the rear view mirror.
  Maternity clothes hanging in the closet at all times.
  Bras in four different sizes.
  Not enough room in a king-sized bed.
  A renewal of courtship.
  Partner dancing.
  Teenage boys who love babies.

 Any others come to mind?