Pues Llamame Padre (Just Call Me Father)

The first big event was the investiture ceremony for all freshmen and new students to Ascension. This took place on a Sunday Morning ceremony including mass in which our cassock and Roman Collars were blessed and then we would put them on signifying our dedication to what they stood for. All of us had been altar boys and therefore had worn cassocks before to serve mass. It was the Roman Collar that we were all excited about. The Archbishop himself was present. We all lined up and received our blessing from the Archbishop and then Monsignor Turner would help us put on the cassock and Roman Collar. We would now wear the cassock and Roman Collar at Sunday Mass and anytime we went to religious ceremonies at the Cathedral. “Pues, llámame padre,” I said with pride to many of my classmates as we all stood outside after the ceremony. I had always imagined people calling me padre or father. It had such a tone of distinction and respect.