It was in 1888, the Jubilee Year of the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIII. At one of the altars of St. Peter’s Basilica stood two priests: one was a Roman prelate and canon of the Vatican Basilica; the other was the bishop of an Italian diocese, who had come to Rome to attend the jubilee celebrations.
The Roman prelate, preparing to celebrate Mass, looked anxiously around, for his server had not appeared. The Bishop, who was kneeling nearby, approached with great simplicity and said:
“Allow me, Monsignor, to serve your Mass.”
“No, Your Excellency, I cannot permit it: it is not fitting for a Bishop to act as an altar boy.”
“Why not? I assure you I shall manage.”
“Of that I have no doubt, Your Excellency; but it would be too great a humiliation. No, I cannot permit it.”
“Be at ease, my friend. Quickly to the altar; begin: Introibo…”
Having said this, the Bishop knelt down, and the prelate had to yield. Assisted by his new server, the Roman prelate continued his Mass with ever-growing emotion.
When the Mass was finished, the celebrant expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Bishop.
That pious and humble server, twenty years older than the Roman prelate, was the glory of the Diocese of Mantua, Bishop Giuseppe Sarto, the future Pope Pius X, today canonized by Pope Pius XII.
For the little Crusader, a fervent friend of Jesus in the Eucharist, there should be no greater honor or glory than to devoutly assist the priest at the altar.
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