When I moved to standard four I became an altar boy in the church. We were about six altar boys. The chaplain of the convent was Fr. Valiaveettil and stayed in the rectory across the school. The Holy Mass was said in Syriac language at that time. He gave us a small book which contained the altar boy's part of prayer in Syriac but printed in Malayalam. We learned the prayers without knowing their meanings. I could still remember those prayers in Syriac. Our duties were to light the candles before the mass, ring the altar bell at the appropriate times, administer water to the priest as he ritually washes his hands during the mass, carry the burning incense for consecration and carry a processional canopy during a procession with the Blessed Sacrament. I attended the mass regularly every morning and served as an altar boy. In the evening after the school, I attended the Eucharistic adoration and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament before I went home. Ammachi used to come for the benediction. My faith was formed in those days. I was involved in all church activities. The nuns in the convent loved me. They considered me as their own younger brother.

Mother Chanthal (Chanthalamma), the first member of the Adoration convent Vazhappally was still there. She was always immersed in prayers and spent most of her time in the church. After benediction in the church, she used to come out of the church and call other altar boys and me to her side. Her tunic pockets were filled with Champa fruit (Java Apple) and Loovika (West Indian cherry). She emptied them and gave us. Her eyes glowed with motherly affection. We talked and laughed. She advised us the importance of faith, compassion and love. She was a saintly nun.

I had my first holy communion in 1958. I could still remember the prayers I learnt, the first confession I made, the white dress and crown I wore, my brother Jose and my mother who accompanied me to the Metropolitan church Changanassery, the Archbishop Mar Mathew Kavukattu who administered the Holy Communion to me, the food (Aval and banana) I ate after the holy communion, the good wishes I received and the ecstasy I had. It was the holiest of the holy moment in my life.

The most important day at the adoration convent was the passing of the Novitiate phase of a sister to become a full-fledged nun. The vows are made during a Liturgy celebrated by the Archbishop, attended by the family and friends of the sisters. We the altar boys were excited to serve the Archbishop's Mass. I will be holding the golden MITRE (the headgear) of the archbishop during the ceremony. The ceremony would last for three hours. After the ceremony, the altar boys were served with food at the convent guest room. A few sisters would be serving food for us. Mother Chantal would be there. There would be palappam made of white rice, duck curry, chicken fry, vegetable stew, and fruits. The room would be filled with the aroma of the spiced curry. I could still feel that aroma.