“From the Archives” Altar Boy Antics
No matter how cherubic they may look in the sanctuary, altar boys are BOYS. Each generation of Saint Mary servers is sure to have tales of their adventures (or misadventures).
THE CHALICE
An elderly lady recalled attending Mass around 1810 in the original Saint Mary church in the cemetery. As she was walking home on Saint Asaph Street, just a path then, she was surprised to discover a priest’s chalice lying on the ground and wrapped in a handkerchief. Altar boys, who were supposed to return the chalice to the priest’s house for safekeeping after Mass, had left it under a cherry tree while they climbed the tree and helped themselves to the tasty fruit.
THE SNOWY DAY
Nearly two centuries later, on a cold day in the 1980s, Alexandria was blanketed with snow but not enough to cancel classes at the school. Three 8th grade altar boys were recruited to serve a funeral Mass. As soon as Mass ended and the priest and mourners had left for the cemetery, the boys removed their surplices and cassocks and climbed up to the bell tower. Hiding behind the big bell, they had a fine time pelting cars, buses and pedestrians on Royal Street with snowballs. Luckily, Divine Providence was watching over them because nobody on the street was hurt and the three culprits got down safely from their perch.
“LOOK MA, NO HANDS!”
One August 15, the Feast of the Assumption, Father Joseph L. Wingler, pastor from 1965-1981, found himself without altar boys for Mass. Two rising 5th graders, who had just begun altar boy training before school ended in June, offered their services. Father Wingler was a wise and patient gentleman with many years of experience – and he had once been an altar boy – so he probably had some inkling of what was to come. Neither boy knew what to do, so Mass was a hands-on learning experience. When it came for the Sign of Peace, Father Wingler turned to the boys to shake hands. One of them, in his hurry to vest, had not properly gotten his arms in the sleeves of his surplice. When he tried to shake hands, he flapped like a large white bird – a dove maybe? Father and most of the congregation lost it. The priest paused Mass momentarily until he stopped laughing. The second altar boy was so embarrassed that he cried after Mass. Both boys recovered from the experience and were faithful – if impish – servers for many years.
– Kitty Guy, Parish Historian
Throughout 2020, the Basilica of Saint Mary will present “From the Archives.” It is a weekly feature online and in our bulletin spotlighting the history of the parish. All of our “From the Archives” features are located here.
