History
Past Heads Of The Sodality
Newton Fernandes
Gracious Joseph
Viju Varghese
The Altarboys of the Cathedral have, for more than a decade, fallen under the able and caring guidance of the Deacon Sylvester D'souza. He assumes the role of our 'Spiritual Director' and helps clear any doubts about the service, or handle any complaints that may arise during service at the Altar. The Deacon Sylvester has always been the spiritual director of the altarboys of the cathedral since 1992, and is regarded as a paternal figure by all the boys. The Deacon of the Cathedral is also responsible for other groups of the 'minor order', such as our Eucharistic Ministers.A Deacon is the first step towards priesthood, and there are permanent Deacons. A permanent deacon is not called "Father" as a priest would be, but as "Deacon”.
In the Vicariate of Kuwait, there have been altarboys serving as early as the year 1966, as per church records under Msgr. Sanmiguel, the second Bishop of Kuwait. This means we are more than 40 years old.
Other Groups
There are two known, smaller altarboy groups in the cathedral with which we have no association on record.
- Filipino altarboy group
- Maronite group
Other Parish
Where there is a church, there is an altarboy. This is true in the parishes of Salmiya and Ahmadi, but then again there is no association on record with them.
Pontifical masses (with maximum participation) are usually held in the Cathedral and our sodality has been entrusted with the task of service for time immemorial.
Head over the years ....
VIJU VARGHESE
( - 2003)
Viju Varghese was the first known leader of the altarboys of the Cathedral.
Appointed directly by the Deacon to look into matters of discipline at the Altar during masses, he came to be known as the Altarboy Supervisor.
As per the rules at that time, Viju Varghese stepped down in 2003 upon reaching his age limit.
More Data Currently Unavailable
NEWTON FERNANDES
(2004-2006)
Emeritus Speaks
In 2004, the need was felt for a leader, and in that year, Newton Fernandes was elevated to the post of 'supervisor' by the Deacon.
It was not until mid 2005 (at the Installation of the Bishop Camillo Ballin) that Newton was known as the cathedral's first Head of Altarboys.
It was also for the first time that an Assistant Head was chosen to help manage the growing numbers of altarboys (which had swelled to nearly 85), and this position was given to Neal Vaz.
GRACIOUS JOSEPH
(2006 – 2008)
By April 2006, Newton Fernandes decided to step down to make way for a new leader for the boys as he was reaching the end of his tenure.
Following an election, debate and the consensus of several priests along with the approval of our Spiritual Director, Newton announced Gracious Joseph as his successor, and Rahul Gomes to be the New Assistant Head (as Neal Vaz had also stepped down by then).
On April 15, 2006, in a first-time ever ceremony that would mark the start of a long tradition, Newton Fernandes formally transferred his title to Gracious Joseph in the private ceremony that was held in the Bishop's Chapel, before the Easter Vigil for the year.
The Deacon anointed the new Head with holy water and blessed him as well as the outgoing Head, who would now be referred to as an 'Emeritus'. A laminated Appointment Letter was presented to Gracious along with a Letter of Blessings sent all the way from Rome by the Archbishop Emeritus of the Arabian Peninsula and Kuwait, His Excellency Giuseppe de Andrea.
As a final start to tradition, Gracious was adorn with a new cassock and cross which he would wear to all masses during his tenure.