I didn’t know any altar boys when I was young, probably because I went to public school and because my family didn’t go to church all that much. But I did always want to ring the bells during consecration. I doubt, however, I would have made a good altar server; I would have been too busy looking for familiar faces in the congregation. And besides, at that point in time in that parish, serving wasn’t an option for girls.
This morning at Simbang Gabi, we had youngest altar boy I’ve ever seen. He was small in stature, and I suspect made his First Communion earlier this year. But he was big in every way that it counted.
His eyes were on the priest every minute of the Mass, whether he had a task coming up or not. He didn’t scan the crowd looking for familiar faces, or play with his shoes, or yawn. The look on his face was grave and attentive, not scared or uncertain or tired (and what kid wouldn’t be, serving at a 5 a.m. Mass?). And when he folded his little hands as he assisted in accepting and preparing the gifts, well, you couldn’t help but smile.
The Mass was good, as it always is, and I’ll be acting on the priest’s guidance to do a good work in secret today, with a loving heart. But my lasting memory of Simbang Gabi Day 5 will be of the little altar boy crossing himself reverently after receiving the Eucharist. His devotion was a good work in public.
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I also attend the Simbang Gabi masses at St. Charles Borromeo. Today’s altar server was noticed by a number a people. As small in stature as he was, it was only he who I noticed in the procession to the altar. I believe he did indeed put a smile on many faces this morning (and his parents must be extremely proud).
I bet the altar boy is not always that well-behaved!
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