Altar Servers

Altar servers play an important role in the celebration of the Mass and other liturgical functions. In order for the priest to celebrate Mass well, he needs the help of many ministries, e.g., reader, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, leader of song and of course the altar server. The server is responsible for many things during Mass: he or she leads the procession to the sanctuary, holds the sacramentary for the priest for the opening and closing prayers, prepares the altar at the offertory, helps to receive the gifts of bread and wine, assists at incensing the altar when that is called for and most importantly sets an example for the congregation by the way he or she responds to the prayers and sings the hymns. Servers are assigned to assist at daily and Sunday masses, funerals, weddings and other liturgical functions. 

Until the mid ‘90’s only boys and men were permitted to serve in this ministry. For boys it was and still is considered a good way to be exposed to the Sacred Mysteries and so is a seed-bed for priestly vocations. Girls and women are now allowed to serve in this ministry if there are an insufficient number of boys to fill the needs of a parish.

In our parish, boys and girls are called to this ministry after they are fully initiated in the Church, i.e., Baptized, have received the Holy Eucharist and are confirmed. Their ministry generally lasts two years but some have chosen to continue after they graduate from grammar school. We also have several adult members of our parish who serve in this ministry at daily mass and occasionally at a funeral.

We are all called by our Baptism to serve and build up the Church is some capacity. Serving at the altar is certainly one of the most rewarding ways that is accomplished.

Deacon Iannucci

May, 2004