Young people: look towards the altar and realise that Our Lady is with you

My name is Anthony. I am 12 years old, and I have two brothers and two sisters.

I have loved altar serving since I was five. At first, it was just my older brother and me. A few months later, our younger brother asked the priest if he could serve too. Putting on my cassock and being close to Jesus, especially during the Consecration, feels very special to me. I love the quiet moments when I can focus on the altar.

My love for Our Lady began at home. My mum taught us to pray the Rosary, but she taught us something even more important: whenever we are stuck in life, pray to Our Lady. When we are worried, frightened, or confused, we can always turn to Her.

You might say, “What does a 12-year-old know about faith?” Not everything, that’s for sure! But even at my age, I have experienced times when suffering felt too heavy for me or my family. Those were the moments when I heard, “Let’s pray the Rosary.”

Mum would say the same when something very great happens. She taught us that whenever life feels too heavy, or we become overwhelmed, we should “run to Our Lady.” And we literally do. When things go wrong, she asks, “Would you like to go to Knock?” I have experienced how prayer, the Rosary, and Holy Mass can bring peace in difficult moments. Mum always reminds us that Our Lady is the perfect Mother. She will help us always.

There are days when I don’t know how to pray, what words to use, or even feel like praying. So I just tell Jesus that I love Him. Especially when I am serving at Mass, I feel very close to Him.

Model

At the Rosary Rally in Knock, I had the privilege of serving at Mass on both days. I had been to the Basilica many times, but serving there for the first time felt different. I was deeply touched. One day, I hope my brothers and I will have the privilege of serving Holy Mass with the Pope.

I worked on every detail using cardboard, paper, paint, wooden sticks, hot glue, golden paper, a 3D pen, LEGO, an ice cream cone for the tower”

That experience became part of my model.

I bought more than 600 sugar cubes to build the Basilica. My brothers ate some, and others were damaged, so I had to leave the back open. At first, I was disappointed. Then I had another idea: I would create the altar inside, exactly where I had served. I worked on every detail using cardboard, paper, paint, wooden sticks, hot glue, golden paper, a 3D pen, LEGO, an ice cream cone for the tower etc. I made the fountain with a sponge and a glass lid. The windows were the hardest, so I used transparent, glittered sheets to create a light effect.

Experience

As I have grown older, I have sometimes wondered about faith. Why do people believe differently? Is our faith the right one? I ask these questions because I want my faith to be real, not simply something I was told to believe.

What gives me confidence is my own experience of God. I have felt His presence at Holy Mass, in prayer, during Adoration, and especially while serving. I believe the souls in Purgatory have helped me and my family as well. I do not have all the answers, but these experiences deepen my trust in God.

I have also been blessed with many good priests in my life. My brothers and I have had fun with them, helped around the parish house during work weekends, and enjoyed trips and retreats. Most importantly, they showed us their human side and allowed me to see their reverence, joy, and love for God.

Outside church, I am an ordinary 12-year-old boy. I love GAA, and I am fascinated by living things”

I love Adoration because I do not need perfect words. I can simply sit with Jesus. Sometimes I say nothing. Sometimes I tell Him I love Him. He already knows my heart. And once you experience this goodness of God, you want to experience it again and again.

Outside church, I am an ordinary 12-year-old boy. I love GAA, and I am fascinated by living things such as insects and plants. I have a little polytunnel where I grow plants and seeds so I can examine them closely. I love noticing tiny details. It reminds me that God is present even in the smallest parts of creation.

Mass

Winning the competition brought me joy, but the greatest reward was the journey. While building my little Basilica, I thought about the altar, Our Lady, my family, and the people who welcomed me at Knock. I enjoyed it, and my brothers had fun eating the sugar cubes!

I hope that other young people will discover what I have discovered: Mass is not boring or something that belongs only to the old. It is powerful and beautiful. Jesus is there.

If even one young person looks towards the altar and realises that, then my little model has done something much bigger than I imagined.

Home is the first place where we learn about faith. If two parents can love their children so deeply, imagine how great the love of God and Our Lady must be for us.

Now I am praying for a very personal intention, perhaps you could help me with your prayers too.

Whenever you feel lost or stuck in life, remember what my mum taught me:

Run to Our Lady. She will always lead you to Her Son.

Anthony Buday is from Tuam, Co. Galway. He recently won first place in the National Knock Basilica Art Competition with his model made primarily out of sugar cubes.