![]() ![]() We were lucky because Father Hyland, demanding as he was, knew us. It took a year or two for most of us to get it “almost” right. A few of us got through it somewhat unscathed, but for some reason, most of us suddenly had marbles in our mouths and what would come out was a language of unknown origin. The part of the response highlighted above gave us all fits. In Latin the priest says, “Orate Fratres, ut meum ac vestrum sacrificium acceptabile fiat apud deum Patrem omnipotentum.” The altar boys would promptly respond, “Suscipiat Dominus sacrificium de manibus tuis, ad laudem et gloriam nominis sui, ad utilitatem quoque nostrum, totiusque, ecclesiae suae sanctae.” I included the above in English to give you an idea what we fifth graders had to learn in Latin way back when. Today, in the Novus Ordo Mass at the end of the Offertory, the priest, facing us, says: “Pray, brethren, (brothers and sisters), that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.” The congregation responds, “May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all His holy Church.” When you got to the Suscipiat Dominus sacrificium etc., at the end of the offertory prayers, there was a tongue-twister that gave all of us trouble. Learning to speak in Latin and when to respond was a challenge. The last thing I remember of that meeting was him saying, “Be here tomorrow after school.” Learning to speak Latin Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meum and underneath was printed Ad Deum qwee lay tif ee cot yu ven tu tem mayhem (or something like that). This was so we could learn to pronounce every syllable correctly. All I can recall is being handed a small booklet with the Latin responses printed out phonetically. I do not remember how I answered or what I said. After all these years, I only remember the first question, “Well, son, tell me, why do you want to be an altar boy?” ![]() I can still remember how terrified I was when my turn came. We stayed after school for the “interview.” Father was in a classroom, and the “wannabe” candidates would stand out in the hall. ![]() And the aftershave lotion he wore was so intense that it took several seconds to get used to the powerful fragrance. His white, cellulose priest collar seemed so tight that you thought he might choke at any moment. We were youngsters, and Father Hyland, in his wrinkle-free, black cassock and shiny black shoes, was an intimidating figure. Your teacher would then inform Father and he would personally interview you. If you wanted to become an altar boy you had to let your teacher know. This was the earliest age Father Hyland would allow us to enter “service to the Lord.” Recruiting and training altar boys was serious business to Father Hyland. I began my tenure as an altar boy in fifth grade. The CDWDS further clarified the ruling in 2001 saying “that diocesan bishops could not oblige priests to implement a diocesan policy allowing for female altar servers.” (See here for more information.) In 1994 the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments (CDWDS) issued a ruling saying that the correct interpretation of Canon 230.2 allows for girls to be altar servers. Pope Paul VI issued the motu proprio Ministeria Quaedam. Traditionally boys became acolytes (altar servers) as the first step in the “minor orders” of a seminarian’s training for the priesthood. They called us Altar Boysīack then, I was part of a unique group of young men called “altar boys.” Boys historically served at the altar during Mass to encourage priestly vocations. As I stared at that picture, however, my memory jumped into overdrive. The photo was taken from the church balcony, but what the occasion was, I do not know. ![]() In the picture, the church was filled with all the kids from the school and many parishioners. Just like that, it escorted me back in time. It was taken inside the church in the parish where I grew up (circa late 50s to early 60s). Recently I found an old picture from my grade school days. ![]()
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