Every family has to start somewhere. Mine happens to be from Italy. Often times stories are told of one object in particular that stands out amongst the rest. For the Reina family, that object is a confirmation ring. Catholics believe the Sacrament of Confirmation is the supernatural equivalent of the growth process on the natural level. It builds on what was begun in Baptism and what was nourished in Holy Eucharist. It completes the process of initiation into the Christian community, and it matures the soul for the work ahead. However, when my mother received her grandmother’s ring, which my grandmother had received the day of her confirmation, my mother knew the value behind it. Not only was there a strong religious purpose in having possession of the ring, there was an overlying sense of family and love in such a small object. Even though I myself was not confirmed due to coming from a multi-religious background, I still feel the same family bond as my mother and her mother before her. In having this ring present in my life I am able to appreciate where my family came from in addition to where we are now. 
 

– Mia Advocate

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more