by Lenny Barretto
lbarretto@earthlink.net
Of the many memories that come to mind, none is more vivid than that of me as
an Altar Boy. Before I became fluent with all my prayers in Latin, I asked my
older partner, "How do I answer or say prayers that I don't know in Latin?"
He said, "No problem; when you get to that part, you just mumble."
I got away with it for sometime, till the old priest caught on! Then, after
a few kicks on my behind, I quickly learnt my prayers. I was drilled, by one
of the senior altar boys, in the complex Latin prayers, which required a lot
of memorizing. I also learnt the art of carrying the missal with the stand from
one side of the altar to the other, and how to swing the censer that sent up
the holy smoke, without scattering the coals.
I disliked serving at the early morning Masses at the nuns’ convent chapel. It was difficult waking up at 4:00 a.m. to serve the 5:00 a.m. Mass. It was also an experience serving at the nuns’ chapel during Lent. It seems that the nuns fasted for days during that time. I could hear, all the way up to the altar, their stomachs gurgling and growling. It was always special to be selected to serve at Midnight Mass, with the Church filled to capacity, the bright dazzling altar lights, the numerous candles lit by the servers, the smell of incense and the choir in full swing and at their best. I also enjoyed serving at the school Mass, when my 'buddies' came to receive Holy Communion. It was such fun to 'nick' them with the paten and hear them squeal. All of us altar boys liked to serve at Wedding Masses, as we received a gift or a tip from the newlyweds. We always got a 'Thank You' from the Parish Priest on feast days and holy days, when he would give us a great tea party, with the most delicious pastries and a special cake from the best caterer in town. We also looked forward to receiving a special gift and a group photograph of all the boys. Once a year the Parish Priest would arrange for a full-day picnic to the beach or to a resort located in the countryside.
Many of my altar-boy friends became priests, and some were
made bishops and archbishops. They all came from good, comfortable homes and
many have willingly given up much to work in the remote villages and remote
faraway areas in Pakistan.
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Born and educated in Karachi, Leonard (Lenny) Barretto also spent a few years in Bombay, returning to his homeland at the time of Partition. In Pakistan, Lenny enjoyed working with the Goan Community, organizing Goan Cricket and Hockey teams, which qualified to compete at the National level. Working for the US Government, he eventually emigrated to the US with his wife Lydia and their daughter and son. Now retired, he is presently compiling essays of his days in the sub-continent.