The Wine Guy talked about Communion hosts in his last blog. That reminds me of secondary school where in the fourth form it was noticed by Father Bliss (real name) the religious master that I was 'slipping in the faith'.
His solution was to make me a Sacristan. A Sacristan had duties relating to assisting the priests (St Pats had a staff of priest teachers) in their celebrating morning mass. There were quite a number of chapels at the old school and each priest had to celebrate mass daily. I don't know why, perhaps Robert can explain since he has read the bible and has also listened to the teachings of the Roman Catholic church but it is probably like athletes having to train daily or risk getting out of shape. The role that was given to me was looking after the hosts (altar bread). These came in sealed containers daily from the Home of Compassion. I had to receive these and put in all the chapels and dispose of the old (unconsecrated) hosts. There were two types - the big ones that the priests used and the little ones that were given out to the congregation - hierarchical I know.
The job was OK and interesting to see the mysteries behind the mass. Some of my classmates showed quite an interest in what I was doing and wanted to get their hands on hosts. They were good little Catholic boys and I guess got some kind of thrill out of getting some extra body of Christ to put in their sandwhiches. They were a weird lot in 4P but not as weird as the kids further down the academic ladder (and on an earlier evolutionary scale). St Pats had a streaming policy where selection of top class and 3 lesser ones was based on entry examinations prior to entering Form 3. The system didn't encourage socialising with the 'others' so I didn't know that Richard existed until University even though we had been in the same years all through Secondary school. Anyway due to the demand I sold (traded for pies and soft drinks) unconsecrated hosts to the 4P boys for the rest of the 4th form.
I didn't progress in my career as a Sacristan which is probably some kind of apprenticeship for becoming a priest. Fr Bliss kind of gave up on me (and probably zeroed in on the newbie Robert who entered the 3rd form when Richard and I moved into the 5th).
2 comments:
I was in 4G, the next class down. There was also 4M and then 4R - known as (4 Retarded). They changed 4M to 4Com; later 4C (standing for 'Commercial' - if you were slightly thick, you were perfect for a career in the business world!) and 4R to 4M. 4M became known as 4 Moron and the whole point of the name changes seemed lost.
4P (Professional) was full of nerdy guys and fat guys and they got to study Latin. 4G ('General') did French and Bookkeeping. The smartest sports guys were in this class nd the idea, I think, was to have a 'bob both ways'. We did an easier language and also had a chance of entering the commercial world. Most guys in 4G became rugby players or teachers - those who can't quite pull it off teach. Some 4G guys also finished up in ITC, but that's another story. I know one guy who went to jail. The 4P guys became priests, doctors and wine guys.
I remember being in P2. I think they changed it in my 4th form. There was P1, P2, and I think G1and G2.
Did you know that the St Patricks school role 1885 - 1985 is available online ....
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