Stage Fright for a wannabe altar server

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Many, many years ago, I took lessons to become an alter server. Back then called alter boys.
But when the day came for me to serve for the first time, I faked being sick. Why? Because I was scared to death to be up there in front of a large congregation of parishoners.
I never did become an alter server.
To this day, I feel some guilt for not following through to become an alter server.
One of my biggest fears to this day is having to give a speech or to stand in front of a group of people for some sort of talk.
I know I was a kid back then. Hopefully, God forgave me back then and forgives me today.
 
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God absolutely forgives you 🙂 There’s nothing wrong or sinful about stage fright.
 
You remember the parable about the mustard seed? The seed was planted in your heart as a child, when you had stage fright and skipped out on being an altar boy, probably even before that. Took some time, some wandering, but wow, YourNameHere, all I see is that seed has grown into a tree and you’re posting, asking about confession, opening your experience with others … how much more evidence do we need to see the fruits of the Spirit stirring within you? I think that’s great, worth rejoicing!

God has forgiven you for your stage fright, though it doesn’t really look like a real sin. Make it official and complete, go get the sacrament of reconciliation!
 
I’m surprised they would start you off on a mass with a large attendance.

Isn’t the usual protocol in most place to start the rookie altar servers on the 6:30 a.m. week day mass said for a few dozen at most?
 
You got me :man_shrugging:t2: There was no standard training procedure. It was “Serve Mass by the Seat of your Pants”. What happens? Who knows !
 
Or at least put a younger server with older servers so they can show him what’s up
 
I was the complete opposite -
All the other altar boys - would call me - ( as a back up )
Guilt ? Regret ?
And you STILL - have stage fright ??
Who knows - maybe God wanted to overcome that fear of yours at a young age -
too bad - you still have hesitation concerning things like that.
Just use Holy water - bless your self - 5 minutes before big events.
 
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There was not protocol back then. I think is was a 9:30 or 10 a.m. Mass.
It was a looooooooong time ago. It Mass was still being said in Latin.
 
All I can offer is some food for thought in the form of a quote from Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe. “Each indecision brings its own delays and days are lost lamenting over lost days… what you can do or think you can do, begin it. For boldness has magic, power, and genius in it.” Be well.
 
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