I have to say that (except for the afore-mentioned cleavage distraction) I took the responsibility very seriously for a 12/13/14 year old. A couple of the other guys were always fooling around or trying to make a joke out it but I distinctly remember feeling a sense of gravitas every time I put on the cassock and surplus, and behaving accordingly. I believe that I am better for it, even forty years later.
I agree. I really loved it. When I stopped doing it they gave me a little lapel pin “knights of the altar”. Unfortunately, when I went off to college my mom cleared out my dresser and closet, gave away my vast collection of baseball cards, matchbox cars and my pin.
I also really loved the tradition cassock vice todays one piece thing.