Serving at my first High Mass

[Glaurung]

As I have already mentioned I have been attending the Personal Ordinariate (Our Lady of the Southern Cross) for just over a month. As beautiful as the services are I never intended to be an altar boy, but these past three Masses at the kindly behest of the priest I have been just that. Luckily I have not been alone, otherwise I would have been completely lost. And it's always fun to get to wear a cassock.

Anyway tomorrow is the Assumption of Mary and once again I've been asked to serve, only this time it will be a High Mass. I've been assured that it's not all too different from the Mass I have been serving so far (Tridentine Low Mass in the vernacular), only that it will be sung and there will be a subdeacon (and more incense) involved. So I'll be praying tonight that I don't fumble up tomorrow too badly.

I'll update this later to let my readers know how it went.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

As I have already mentioned I have been attending the Personal Ordinariate (Our Lady of the Southern Cross) for just over a month. As beautiful as the services are I never intended to be an altar boy, but these past three Masses at the kindly behest of the priest I have been just that. Luckily I have not been alone, otherwise I would have been completely lost. And it's always fun to get to wear a cassock.

Anyway tomorrow is the Assumption of Mary and once again I've been asked to serve, only this time it will be a High Mass. I've been assured that it's not all too different from the Mass I have been serving so far (Tridentine Low Mass in the vernacular), only that it will be sung and there will be a subdeacon (and more incense) involved. So I'll be praying tonight that I don't fumble up tomorrow too badly.

I'll update this later to let my readers know how it went.

I don't have a question. Just want to say congratulations. If I could think of a question, I'd probably ask what lead you to be an altar boy? A calling? But I let you talk among your peers. Congrats again.

 

[Glaurung]

A calling?

You could say that. It was mostly the insistence of the priest. He pulled me aside after Mass a few weeks ago and asked me if I would help serve at the altar. I'm under no obligation to actually do so but I don't have the heart to refuse him. It's an honour to serve anyway, so I'm happy to do it.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Congrats. I've been a server at the cathedral here before. I still have my alb. It's truly beautiful and rewarding. Just don't pass out from all the incense.

 

[Glaurung]

Just don't pass out from all the incense.

Don't worry about that. I'd be far more likely to pass out from the heat under my cassock. I live just south of the Queensland tropics, it gets hot here.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

You could say that. It was mostly the insistence of the priest. He pulled me aside after Mass a few weeks ago and asked me if I would help serve at the altar. I'm under no obligation to actually do so but I don't have the heart to refuse him. It's an honour to serve anyway, so I'm happy to do it.

The first priest I went to told me honestly to wait before taking the sacraments. I should have. I find that most priest are very knowledgeable with a person's spiritual walk if you find one who listens and is with you in your walk with Christ (or going into your walk with Christ as in my case).

I can't think of another question; but, I'm sure you will keep everyone updated. I always go to the Easter Vigil to see Catholics come into the Church. Very beautiful.

Question for technically, when do you start serving as at the altar?

More talk in interfaith, if you like? I don't mind if you say no.

 

[Glaurung]

Question for technically, when do you start serving as at the altar?

Three weeks ago.

More talk in interfaith, if you like? I don't mind if you say no.

I don't mind non-Catholics participating in my DIR threads, (although perhaps the mods might) so long as they uphold the spirit of the DIR. I'm not a DIR sticker.

If you wish to create your own thread then by all means. Or if there's something you really want to know you can always PM me.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Three weeks.


I don't mind non-Catholics participating in my DIR threads, (although perhaps the mods might) so long as they uphold the spirit of the DIR. I'm not a DIR sticker.

If you wish to create your own thread then by all means. Or if there's something you really want to know you can always PM me.

Well, all I can say on that topic is I can only post questions here. I can't have small talk. Last question but I'll create an interfaith thread later to comment on the answer if so be.

Ummm. Hmm, thinking of the far future, would you be a priest if the chance befalls you?

 

[Glaurung]

Ummm. Hmm, thinking of the far future, would you be a priest if the chance befalls you?

This is something I have to think hard about. I don't want this response to be taken as a definitive hint of any plans, but it is not inconceivable that in a few years I may be in a position where I may find myself seriously considering the priesthood. However, it would be reckless right at this moment to commit to anything while there's still a lot for me to figure out.

 

[chlotilde]

Anyway tomorrow is the Assumption of Mary and once again I've been asked to serve, only this time it will be a High Mass. I've been assured that it's not all too different from the Mass I have been serving so far (Tridentine Low Mass in the vernacular), only that it will be sung and there will be a subdeacon (and more incense) involved. So I'll be praying tonight that I don't fumble up tomorrow too badly.
.

Nice! I have never been to a Tridentine Mass. One day, i hope to try it out...I'm old enough to remember the days when we still practiced many of the the Tridentine traditions that are now long gone....one memory being how the Kiss of Peace travelled down the pew. Which makes me wonder... Is that how it is done in the Tridentine?

 

[Glaurung]

I am a little late in updating this, but it went well. Most of the differences involved with the High Mass had little direct effect on my duties.

one memory being how the Kiss of Peace travelled down the pew. Which makes me wonder... Is that how it is done in the Tridentine?

The Mass I attend is not strictly speaking the Tridentine, but it's very close. In any case there is no sign of peace. At least not by the laity in the pews.

 

[obry]

Good topic.
Here where I live there are very few adult altar boys. It's done almost always by kids and boys from 7 to...Say, 16 y.
We have, say, 15 altar boys ("chierichetti"), if I understood the role you've been talking about.

 

[columbus]

Congratulations. Glad it went well.

Anyway tomorrow is the Assumption of Mary and once again I've been asked to serve, only this time it will be a High Mass.

For those unfamiliar with Catholic culture, it's like getting your first speaking role in a real theater production. Except that instead of the viewers just being people, God Himself is in the audience. It is a big deal.
Tom