HEADING X
ORGANIZING FEASTS
It can happen that a priest needs to prepare and set up what is necessary for a distribution of prizes for catechism, for a reception, for example, of a bishop, for the consecration of a church, for a meeting, for a feast, a contest, perhaps at times also for extraordinary funeral rites and burial, etc. It is very important that everything takes place in an orderly manner: inasmuch as one saves time, achieves better the desired effect, and everyone is well satisfied. It is not always easy and never will one ever succeed without those practical insights, through which one foresees and provides in due time: order is not improvised. For this, it is good to think first and seriously of all that is necessary, of possible inconveniences, of the needs that could arise; it is good that one, in his mind, goes through the progress of the ceremony, of the feast, and look over it with a rather pessimistic point of view: it is good to distribute with practical judgment the work to capable persons, it is good to clearly teach each one his part; it is good to reserve for one's self only the task of directing.
Thus, if it concerns the solemn distribution of catechism prizes, one ought to choose above all the most free day for the clergy, for the parents, for children, for teachers, for the authorities whom one wants to invite; then look for the most suitable place, in such a way that
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one could put up a beautiful exhibition of the prizes, the student awardees could be made to sit in an elevated area, the authorities and parents should be comfortably seated, and more, there ought to be two free passages for those who come and go from receiving the prizes: the places should not be just adequate, it ought to have many places; neither should this be freely chosen, but assigned by capable persons. There should be people to watch over the entrance, who have voices strong enough to read the names of the awardees. Let the speeches be very brief, rich in content, and the delivery and recitation almost electrifying... He who organizes the feast must know how to say a few words for everyone in thanksgiving, to grasp the occasion so to do the necessary observations.
Now for all these, a great foresight is needed: one who, for example, does not know what confusion could there be in a small place, or should one let people enter indiscriminately, without any distribution. What boredom would a long discourse, with a heavy delivery could cause?
What displeasure would there be if one missed to invited certain persons, or if one committed some distraction in assigning the seats?
To avoid these and many other inconveniences that could mar and destroy success, it is good to reflect much and to use the aforementioned means: foresee everything and provide for everything.
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