THE ALTAR BOY’S FEAR

Saint Peter of Alcántara, so called after the place where he was born (1499), entered the Franciscan Order at the age of 16. He was one of the most penitential saints and most favored by God in his time. Saint Teresa of Ávila, who knew him well, tells us that Saint Peter spent 40 years sleeping no more than an hour and a half a day.

The saint did not lie down but remained seated, with his head resting against a piece of wood by the wall. This was the penance that cost him the most. In addition, he wore harsh hair shirts and sometimes went three days, and even eight, without any food except Holy Communion.

In view of all this, it is no wonder that he reached the highest contemplation and that Jesus favored him with ineffable consolations, especially during Mass and Holy Communion.

It is told that, in a certain convent, the altar boy who served the saint’s Mass was an innocent and good child. One day, returning from church, he went to his mother and said:

— Mother, I no longer want to serve Father Peter’s Mass.

— Why, my son? Why would you not serve Father Peter, who is such a holy priest?

— Mother, when I serve his Mass, I often see a beautiful, very beautiful child in his hands; and at the moment of Communion, he eats that child. Mother, I am afraid that he might eat me too.

The mother, who knew Father Peter’s holiness, immediately understood the mystery and said:

— Do not be afraid, my son; it is the Child Jesus who is in the Host... How blessed you are to see Him with your innocent eyes!

From then on, the boy was no longer afraid and served the saint’s Mass with great joy and devotion.