—by Mary Ellen Holmes

I was delighted to get hired to play for a “25th anniversary mass” celebration. “Only we and our three sons will be there, along with the photographer, priest and church coordinator,” the wife told me. She was beautiful, early 40s. The husband was movie-star handsome. Their three sons towered over both of them, even at ages 16, 13, and 8. The family entered, said hello, and all five knelt down to say the rosary (which, if you’re not familiar, includes many “Hail Marys”). So, I played “Ave Maria” about 15 times, softly in the background, since the mass hadn’t really started. 

…”Ave Maria” really flowed by that 16th time through.

If you’ve ever played “Ave Maria,” you may agree that it’s tricky because it’s mainly single notes in both hands. The melody is exposed and very well known. It’s hard for me.

The priest whisked in from another obligation to hold their mass. The boys had to take off their suit coats and ties and put on black cassocks and white altar boy “server surplice.” One took the incense censer and swung it, and the other two boys held candles.

All of this was done in an almost l00-year-old stone church, built on a rock (reachable only by two huge flights of steps), and stone cold, literally. The various pieces requested for the ceremony went well, especially since “Ave Maria” really flowed by that 16th time through.

Suddenly, the youngest son clutched his mouth, overcome by the incense fumes. The father ran up, scooped him up, and took him outside. They left the door open, letting in the cold winter air, so it was even colder than before. The husband’s exit caused the priest to stand there like a deer in headlights since the wife and husband were to have repeated their vows. Since the husband was outside with the son, everything froze (literally and figuratively). “Ave Maria” to the rescue!

Five more repeats of “Ave” and the little boy recovered enough to stand next to his parents. The ceremony proceeded to its finish. The wife, who’d choreographed it all, was determined to have a dance (outside in the snow), so I moved my harp to the inside of the door while they danced to the forbidden-in-the-church song, “When You Wish Upon a Star.” But I confess I was disappointed that I couldn’t finish with a 22nd round of “Ave Maria.”  •