See The Religion

For example, when I was only six and a bit years old, I was selected from the entire school (Saint Joseph's of Hawera, New Zealand), to do one of the readings at a special late night mass held in the church next to the school. Yes, selected by the nuns. Not that I displayed any great religious fervour or drive, but something in the way I spoke, aided in my selection.  You may recall that I have mentioned my mother was English (And all that that implied), so our diction was very clear and proper. I believe the nuns (many had been sent out to help in the colonies, or at least acted that way), appreciated this, and selected me of the young children available, rather than having to tolerate the apparent 'twang' (my mothers definition) of the other children.

In some ways the clarity of my diction still acts as an indicator to how tired I am, on occasion, when, after saying something, people may suddenly ask.."Are you a Kiwi?" ( I usually respond with "No, I am not a small, long beaked, flightless bird). It does make me realise I am either being very lazy, or, more likely, very tired. In explaining this, It is not that I am ashamed of my New Zealandness, it's just that the language is English, and sounds better when clearly spoken (isn't that right America?). And so it was, that due, I believe, to my mother's tongue, and, my delivery of it, I was asked to present one of the readings at the church. I was to have a few days to practice, fortunately. To get my young mouth around some of the vocabulary. Just the title alone, which would be introduced by the priest, would need to be repeated by myself as well.

On the evening of the mass, it was a 'heady' atmosphere for a young person. In the front of the congregation. Myself, a mere child. Six years of age. So close to all the wonder of ritual (that’s probably half of the attraction to many) . Sitting in a seat at the side of the alter, the candles and lights glowing brilliantly in the church, the crowd hushed. The robes of the priests and alter boys (yes, I got to try that myself in later years). Then there was the choir sounding out through the high ceiling. All very impressive and, I must say. Dramatic! Once the priest had ceremoniously completed several rituals in the presentation of the service, rituals which any religion has, or their version of similar acts (as I discovered many years later in my studies, and no, I did not go into a seminary, despite my mother's fervent wishes, originally). The ringing of bells, the swinging of incense, the chanting and vocalisation. Speaking and response. All very heady to a six year old.  Once the first reading was completed and the priest approached the rostrum and introduced the next reading. I don't remember exactly which one it was (there are so many), but I have always retained the old 'letter to the Corinthians' in my memory. If it wasn't that, can I just say, they seemed to get a hell of a lot of correspondence.

(Continued tomorrow)