Welcome to Part 5 of a new weekly series on the formation journey of Josh, a first-year novice at the Marian House of Studies in Washington, D.C. Watch for a new entry every Friday.
For a Marian seminarian, the novitiate is the most important stage of formation. This is the time when the novice learns what it is like to be a member of the Marian community. The novice follows the ancient monastic tradition of ora et labora — that is, pray and work. He will learn the dynamics of prayer and the contemplative life, study the history of religious life and mysticism in the Church, and learn to reflectively read and pray through the Scriptures. He will study the Marian Constitutions, charism, spirituality, apostolate, and the history of the Congregation. Most importantly, he will study the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience in preparation for his temporary profession of these vows at the end of the novitiate year. In addition to prayer and study, the novice works at various manual tasks on a daily basis.
Father Matt and his server, Br. Steve, advanced up to the altar as Mass began. There was no music accompanying them. There wasn’t any antiphon provided for them, either. As some of the insightful novices might aptly put it, the cantor was “loafing around.”
I was cantor that day.
Father Matt proceeded to advance the Mass valiantly, acting as though nothing was amiss.
It was my first time ever being cantor for Mass. You would think that I might have asked for some tips beforehand, or consulted someone. A reasonable person might have done this. However, as Spock noted in the 1986 film “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home,” “Whoever said the human race is logical?”
I didn’t think.
Valiant attempts
It came time for me to sing the Alleluia before the Gospel Acclamation. I sang it, a bit belatedly.
Then, after the reading and Fr. Matt’s homily, we started the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. I sang the Sanctus after a short but excessive delay, and then the Agnus Dei after a delay.
At the end of the Mass, I knew we should have a recessional hymn, so I tried one. I don’t remember what it was anymore, but I do remember that I lost track of the melody while singing. Perfect time for a brain fart!
So everyone walked out to the unfortunate sound of relatively random voices.
Father Matt was a saint that day, completely relaxed about the whole thing. He didn’t have any criticisms for anyone.
After Mass, two seminarians kindheartedly took pity on my pathetic mess and approached, offering to get me some instruction sheets. I expected to receive them the following day.
Embarrassing moments happen to everybody and are part of life’s growing experiences. It’s great when you have a peaceful and fun-loving community around you when it happens!
"Unholy" alliance
Upstairs in the novice wing after supper, I met one of my easygoing companion novices, Michael. The two of us became fast friends the moment we met. He’s a lawyer, and it’s always prudent to have them on your side. I, on the other hand, have journalism training, and Michael knows well that it’s beneficial to be friends with the “press.”
Sharing in common two of the most despised professions, we form a powerful “unholy” alliance.
“How’d the Mass go?” he asked.
“I botched it up,” I stated.
“Oh,” he said, sympathetically. “Well, it can happen to anyone, I guess ...”
The sparkle in his eye and slight, suspicious tilt of his head meant he was having a go at me, so I dismissed him rudely, and we laughingly headed back to our rooms.
Nominal "fee"
I saw him again a little later, and he showed me some cantor instruction sheets for the Mass. “You know,” he said, “I can get you copies of these, for a nominal fee, of course.”
He laughed. In the end, I was able to pay him back by providing some training assistance of my own, sharpening his skills for his duties of the following day. He said, “Best nominal fee return I ever got from Josh!”
I actually am still looking forward to the moment when I can write down on my petty cash envelope, “Nominal fee to Michael,” as explanation for some of the expenditures. Or Michael and I sometimes jokingly talk about putting on our expenditures list for Fr. Jim, “Money lost in a wager.” Obviously, only small amounts might be “lost” in this way, and it’ll still be in the community. But seeing Fr. Jim’s reaction will be fun.
Embarrassing moments happen to everybody and are part of life’s growing experiences. It’s great when you have a peaceful and fun-loving community around you when it happens!
Next entry: "God’s Voice in the Breviary."
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