Future Priests of the Third Millennium

A little insight into the life of seminarians from various dioceses preparing for ministry as Roman Catholic priests, including daily activities, personal interests, special events, the spiritual life, news from the seminary, and almost whatever comes to our minds!



Saturday, April 05, 2008

Pranks, in a different setting

Have you ever been at wedding and the Best Man or the Maid of Honor was giving a speech at the dinner and as soon as the second word was out of their mouth, you knew this was going to be long? Or, how about a funeral wherein Father does the Prayer after Communion and all of a sudden he looks like he's choking on a bone because he realizes that Uncle Joe has gone up to the podium and is - whether Father objects or not - bound and determined to deliver a Eulogy for Grandma Jane.


One of the pleasures of second semester in Theology III is that we finally have Liturgical Presidency I. As a part of the class, every Friday at 8:00 AM we practice some rite, whether it be a Baptism, a Funeral, the Easter Vigil, the various rites of the RCIA. Yesterday it was my turn to practice a Funeral Mass fulfilling the role of the Priest.


Now, sure, fine. I was the one who started it all. It was a minor point in that I was asked by my classmate (who was practicing as deacon in this rite) to kneel down and pray. Knowing that there were other options, I turned to the "Deacon" and asked, "Huh? Do I have to kneel?!" He looked at me, thought for a second and responded with some ire, "You may simply bow your head if you would like." Yesterday, as I was the priest in the Funeral, we got to the Prayer after Communion and I was chanting happily along the mournful prayer when suddenly I noticed in the corner of my eye what I wished I could disbelieve. I looked and sure enough. There he was. The seminarian who was playing the role of the grandson was walking right up to the ambo without my asking.


As I finished chanting the prayer, I looked over to the Deacon and he only waved me off implying, "Ah, settle down." What could I do? Run over to the "grandson" and tell him to sit down before he began speaking? That would not look good. So what was I to do? Nothing, except fold my hands in prayer and put on a smile for as long as this unexpected Eulogy was to draw on. Thankfully, it only lasted about 45 seconds, but as I looked out to my classmates, I saw a number of them smiling and giggling devilishly. At this point, I knew they had put our unsuspecting Pre-Theology brother up to getting even with me. Ah, seminarian humor. I wouldn't have it any other way.

1 comment:

Jeremy said...

Once again Mister Original has demonstrated his mastery of the art of storytelling.

Indeed the intention of the surprise-eulogy was to try to catch the otherwise flawless practive off-guard. Not surprisingly, however, the always apt Theology Three students handled the curve-ball with great tact.

As for my part, I can only say three things: 1) guilty-as-charged, 2) I'm sorry, and 3) nice recovery, Greg.

Take care, -Jeremy

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.