At my mother’s funeral Mass, yet again I witnessed sloppy girls (dressed as monks!) running around the altar seemingly without knowing what they were doing. In my youth and at the Tridentine Masses I’ve attended in NYC, the altar boys are so well-trained they are practically invisible. They were not and are not a part of some “show”.
Part of my boys’ training was to make themselves as unobtrusive as possible: Never rush (NEVER run!!), be dignified no matter what calamity occurs (like an accidentally spilled-over thurible that sets the carpet on fire), and remain reverent under every circumstance.
I do admit to watching them more closely than I should — at least when they first started. I just wanted to see what we had to work on at home. I no longer feel the need to watch them; they know what they’re doing.
Regards,