Close to the Mass

Altar Server: 101
I always wanted to be 'close to the Mass.'
And so, just before my eighth birthday, I was accepted into the ranks of Altar Servers in my parish.

Preparation, in those days, was not as easy as it sounds (today, it's so much easier!):
Here are some of the skills you had to master:
-- memorize and recite in unison (you were always assigned a partner) a long series of prayers ... in LATIN!
-- all the ceremonial rites, and how to walk reverently in processions.
-- how to carry large missals, candles, Communion plate, censor, holy water fon6, etc.
-- look after and wear a long black robe / sutane / cassock, with a white surplice.
The Latin presented the highest degree of difficulty.
Although you could read the prayers from a laminated card in front of you, they were written in a language you had never heard (except at Church), and you had to recite them without hesitation at a rate dictated by the Father.
If you are Catholic and 'of an age,' Dear Reader, you will easily remember some of the prayers of the Traditional Latin Mass.
Every Mass began with the "Prayers at the foot of the altar" (which were dispensed with, thank heavens, by 'Vatican II'):
-- 'Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.' / To God, who gives joy to my youth.
-- 'Confiteor Deo omnipotento, beatae Mariae semper Virgini ...' / I confess to Almighty God, to Blessed Mary ever Virgin ...
It got slightly easier, as you kept on going:
-- 'Et cum spíritu túo.' / And with your spirit.
-- 'Kýrie, eléison.' (not Latin, this one, but Greek) / Lord, have mercy.
-- 'Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth.' / Holy holy holy, Lord God of hosts.
-- 'Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: miserere nobis,' / Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
-- before Communion: 'Dómine, non sum dígnus, ut íntres sub téctum méum:'/ Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof.
— And, at the end of Mass: 'Deo Gratias.’ / Thanks be to God.
Although you still had to lead Father in procession back to the Sacristy, by then you could finally breathe a sigh of relief!
Remember, that if you were in the Choir, you had to learn to SING all the hymns in Latin!
Some other challenges included:
-- picking up the large missal and its stand on the right side of the altar after Father recited the Epistle, walking down three steps, genuflecting, and climbing three steps to place it on the left side of the altar, for the Gospel.
-- carrying the large cross, or candles in their stands in procession.
-- presenting the water and wine cruets for Father at the Offertory, and holding the basin and hand towel at the washing of hands.
-- leading Father at the Communion rail -- walking backwards -- holding the plate under the chin of each kneeling communicant.
Extra points if you remembered the 'Communion rail'?
And of course, you had to carry out all these duties as required, as if you knew what you were doing!
I found it difficult at first, but as I paid attention and learned by experience, the effort became very rewarding.
I was able to attend and serve Mass each day over my four years at St. F.X., where I learned new skills at Mass.
You might ask how 'important' are Altar Server skills?
Many years later, I witnessed the Vicar General (the number two official of the Archdiocese), carry out all these Altar Serves duties quite effortlessly during Sunday morning Mass.