Before you answer the question about how often you go to church, consider going EVERY DAY! That's how often we went! No, we weren't studying to be monks and the girls didn't take their vows. We simply had to go, every day... Well, we didn't go on Saturdays. However, every other day of the week, and for two hours on Sunday, we were at the chapel. We went to church so much, we would sing the hymnals while we weren't in church.
I can remember one time, during a soccer match, I started reciting the "Litany for the Deceased." That was a part of the liturgy that gave homage to those who had passed away. So here I am, 13 years-old, remembering the dead during a soccer match.
Going to church every day was a bit counter productive for children our ages. We became desensitized by the time we got out of the school. I know some of us who refuse to ever go to church again. Some academy graduates don't even believe in God any more.
Every week day, right after we got out of school, we'd go back to the dorms and "do our homework," (I hardly ever did homework). Then at around 4:30 p.m., we'd head to the chapel for a half hour liturgy. Our dorm supervisors would round us up, in a single file, and we'd march to church in an orderly fashion. It was mandatory. You wouldn't dare NOT show up, because your gym privileges would be revoked. There was nothing worse than missing gym!
It wasn't a long church service anyway. I LOVED going to church because you got to see everyone else on campus. You got to see the big kids. Both of my brothers were in the older boys dorms, so it was a cool, daily visit with them. Best of all, the girls would have to go to church as well, and I loved to show off for them. Outside of the chapel, before the service, we'd tell jokes or just act silly. After church, we would exchange love notes, or just tell the girls how we looked forward to seeing them at gym. So, you get it, we loved church for all the wrong reasons... telling dirty jokes and pre-pubescent crushes. Not very holy, to say the least.
Sunday was the big day at church. The older boys got to serve as alter boys, and everyone looked up to the alter boys. I can remember watching my brothers serve in the alter, imagining myself in those golden robes. They were up there in front of everyone. They would usually give me a wink or a quick nod of acknowledgment when they were up there... just like holy rock stars:) They got all the communion bread they could eat. That was cool too.
I must admit, I loved Sunday's mass. We actually dressed up for Sunday's services. We also sang all the hymns. I loved mass so much, I joined the choir, lead by our principal Ms. Hellas Repanti. I could sing at the top of my lungs on Sunday. I actually felt like God could hear me sing. Praying for better days.
I only go to church on major holidays now. However, I still pray every night, even on Saturdays. In my prayers I still ask for better days. But, I also take time to thank God for answering my prayers when I was in the academy, and every day after I left.
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