Leon Served at the Easter Vigil Tridentine Latin Mass
Leon served as an altar server for six hours straight for an Easter Vigil Tridentine Latin Mass. The Mass has remarkably longer Holy Week devotions, and the priest sings the entire rite with the assistance of the servers.
Leon’s Role
Leon held a cross outside the chapel while the priest blessed the New Fire and blessed the Five Grains of Incense. Leon held the breviary on his head for our priest to read for the singing of the 12 Prophecies in Latin, Blessing of the Baptismal Font. He accompanied the other servers in singing the litanies and helped during the Mass Proper and vespers.
This was quite an achievement for him because it was his first time serving, and Leon fasted along with all of us, even though it wasn’t expected of him. Previously, he would only stay outside the chapel and watch over the dogs who traveled with us to keep us safe since the chapel is 48km or 30 miles from our house.
How did homeschooling help you achieve your goal?
Leon sees the altar servers in the Seton Books that he and his older sister like to read. They show small chapels with well-dressed young children attending mass with a priest who they can call by name and who knows them well.
Incidentally, much of the art depicts children growing up before the 1950s. The innocence and purity of the children must have inspired him in these photos.
What are your interests?
Leon likes cars, reading, and running around with his dog, with his stick and bow and arrow, after taking care of the chickens on our neighbors’ lots.
What are you inspired to do with your life?
A visiting priest liked him so much that he was invited to their seminary in Cebu, Philippines. At 6 years old, we don’t know if Leon wants to pursue a religious life yet, but he always looks forward to serving with the older boys who are his friends.
What are your favorite subjects and why?
He likes science because he gets to learn how the world works.
The photo was taken at a nascent tropical chapel in Los Baños City, Province of Laguna, in the Philippines. Leon is holding the breviary on the left for our priest, and many hours later in the evening, he is kneeling 3rd from the right.