“Your commitment to the altar is not only a duty, but a great honor, a genuine holy service… the altar server occupies a privileged place in the liturgical celebration. The altar server presents himself or herself to a community and experiences firsthand that Jesus Christ is present and active in every liturgical act.”
Saint John Paul II
Altar Servers are a very special group of who have answered God’s call to ministry. They are one of the liturgical ministers of our parish and have special tasks to perform during the liturgies, especially during the celebration of the Eucharist at Mass.
As an altar server, you are involved in the holiest and most sacred events of Catholic worship. As you assist the priest, so you make worship more reverent, efficient, and beautiful. Your service is very important!
At the altar, your service is directed firstly to God, secondly to help the clergy, and thirdly as assistance to the people who are gathered by God for worship. Your actions are visible and public, but you are never a performer. A good server is not only skilled in craft or duty at the altar, but also a humble and sincere person. The good server is a member of a team working together in harmony with others, serving for the glory of God. The good server is careful and reverent.
Altar serving developed out of the temple servers of the Old Testament and as the church evolved, developed from the order of the acolyte. When there were not enough deacons to assist the bishop or priest in the Mass, their role was deputed to acolytes. Altar serving is part of a noble tradition that has developed in the Church and is a serious responsibility.
Altar Servers carry the cross, the processional candles, hold the book for the priest celebrant when he is not at the altar, carry the incense and censer, present the bread, wine, and water to the priest during the preparation of the gifts, wash the hands of the priest, assist the priest celebrant and deacon as necessary.
What are the Qualities of an Altar Server:
Humility – It is an honor to be a minister of the altar. However, we should never use this office to be self-righteous. As Christ humbled himself and washed the feet of his disciples at the last supper, so too are we called to humble ourselves and be of service to others. The focus of our Ministry is service to the altar, the priests and the deacons during the Liturgy. The focus should never be on us.
Gratitude – The word Eucharist is the Greek word for “thanks”. The giving of thanks and praise in the Eucharist is the central and essential action of the Church. We are thankful first and foremost for Christ; in whom are things are created equal and redeemed. We are grateful for our “salvation history” – stories of how God has walked with us in good times as well as bad and of how He has been active in our lives. We must tell our stories and listen to the stories of others.
Reverence – An attitude of prayer and reverence must always be maintained in the sanctuary. The posture and movements of an altar server should never be a distraction to others. Standing and sitting up straight is the norm slouching or lounging is never appropriate. Altar servers generally move slowly and calmly always knowing their task and why they are doing it.
Team Player - Altar servers work as a team assisting one another in completely the task at hand. Recognizing that we are all a part of the body of Christ we do our part in the Church, our homes and our communities.
Prayerful - Prayer is a conversation with God. It is important to maintain a prayerful lifestyle on and off the altar. Jesus always set aside time for prayer with His Father. We too must make ourselves available in prayer to maintain our relationship with God.
What does it take to be an altar server:
Discipline - Discipline requires teamwork. You are always part of a team when serving. Precise teamwork makes a great act of worship more beautiful, peaceful, and prayerful. It draws people deeper into worship. Discipline involves obedience. Obedience to the clergy, obedience to the sacristans, obedience to the team lead, obedience to the coordinators, obedience to the law of the Church, obedience to correct procedures.
Decorum - Decorum means "what is proper." It is important that you, as an altar server, be attentive and sensitive to the presence of God during the Mass and afterwards. God calls us to respond to his great love and mercy with a sense of reverence and gratefulness. We must all help each other to remember to show reverence to God at all times, but most especially when you are serving. You are expected to show reverence during mass by:
Decorum also means displaying a sense of dignity and reverence. It shows how to respect the presence of the Lord.
Piety - Piety is the soul or spirit of all our worship of God. It's an attitude that directs your whole life toward God. It conveys "I'm doing this for you, my God." Sincere piety recognizes that God caused me, that I came from God, and that I am going back to God. This keeps one humble. Piety is an attitude of adoration, sorrow for sins, thanksgiving for our lives, and interceding for others.
Altar Servers must have received the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist. Servers are expected to be appropriately prepared, committed to giving their time and talent to their parish community, and willing to serve God’s people. They should be able to understand the Eucharistic celebration and the other sacred rites.
At Saint Patrick, Altar servers range in age from those who have just received Communion for the first time to those who are retired. They assist not only at Sunday Mass, but if available, during the week at weekday Mass, funerals and weddings.
If you are interested in learning more about this ministry, please contact the parish office at [email protected]