Third, a good altar server spends time with Jesus. Here are ten things you should tell your altar servers: 1. <> He takes it easy. First, a good altar server is willing to learn. 0000002614 00000 n . The Holy Eucharist calls us to love like Jesus. Remember to choose an alb that fits you, coming down to your shoes. At the beginning of the Mass the altar servers process into the church with the Priest, and they bring religious symbols such as the cross or candles into the sacred space. The altar server must not open the Missal nor turn over its pages. That doesnt sound like a great place to start, but its true Father can do all the stuff you do at Mass. <> It is my prayer for you to seek holiness in life as you serve at the Altar and beyond the Altar. They recall a Reply to Steve Hays' Caricatures of the Papacy. Particular acolytes, called Ceremonieri, have the task of bringing the sacred items needed to celebrate the Eucharistic from the sacristy to the altar, and vice versa, starting with the chalice, with the corporale (the square cloth used to cover the chalice which is then laid down on the altar during the offertory), and the purificator (the small cloth used by the priest to dry his lips after drinking and cleaning the chalice and paten), and then brings the paten (the plate containing the host) and the ampoules of wine and water. By becoming an altar server you begin to learn these things and it makes all the symbols of the Mass so much more understandable and interesting. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Others turned out to be Catechists, teaching Children the basics of faith in the online sphere. fDvmp$8f4@f4:$G4K ^>DI,G4K ($D# %rPwKgRf3BghL$ %#[D2A$ADs#/=^EH|gW'%b]"\({>aXoRc.G!y>j:(HaG2\ m6: Jy| n|x]'j VMntVE"_I m"c~^fs!]+>U@"; J5Q^s!?kT >uKzsmdx9{ Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Maverick De Vera is also an altar server who desires to translate the Holy Eucharist in his life through social action activities. Turn and process to the back of the church by walking up the main aisle. kERUuv\DtChm 0qK. A good solution would be to check with what the senior servers are doing and follow suit. If young, the server is commonly called an altar boy or altar girl. The reason why he serves must be his relationship with God, his prayer life. 3 0 obj jv3gofPIEQ2m=/,[g_~cM:@4 @%W*9[)O Do not dump them on the floor of the cupboard, which is disrespectful to your church custodians. Put on your alb correctly by buttoning it up or zipping it up all the way. [1] In 1905, Pope Pius X, gave his approbation to the canonical establishment of the Guild at Westminster Cathedral. Altar servers learn the deeper meaning behind each step of the liturgy. And many more forms of serving beyond the altar. One needs to appear clean because as the saying goes, cleanliness is next to godliness. Maintaining the atmosphere of prayer consists in having a proper decorum. Or relay the message to someone that you are having trouble remembering and they can help you. Home Religion The roles of Altar Servers. Youd be surprised how the worship changes when the altar servers are top notch. 12 0 obj << /Linearized 1 /O 14 /H [ 758 229 ] /L 77975 /E 57718 /N 2 /T 77617 >> endobj xref 12 16 0000000016 00000 n They have to support the book whilst its being read, where this is necessary, and bring the lectionary and place it on the altar during the entrance procession. Contact Altar servers must memorize the Mass and commit to a regular schedule of service. You must attend mass regularly, be a member of St. Laurence Catholic Parish or a student at St. Laurence Catholic School, and have a strong . <> His face should at least be presentable not appearing bagong gising or beautified by facial cosmetics (Simbang Gabi weakness of Altar Servers). It is not enough to serve at the altar, a good altar server must also encounter God through his prayers. Morethan this though, by serving at the altar you pay more attention to the whole Mass to help you remember where your part fits in. An altar server attends to supporting tasks at the altar such as fetching and carrying, ringing the altar bell, helps bring up the gifts, brings up the book, among other things. Even if you do something wrong, nobody in the congregation notices so basically its always a winning situation! Martin is the founder of Padyak Klasrum, a youth group whose mission is to teach children and aid the poorest of the poor. c'FV8C-"k7f8 The altar servers help the Priest throughout the liturgy. Thats why sometimes they show up late or dont show up at all. The function of the Ceremonieri and Caudatario, How to become a deacon: duties and education, 10 liturgical lectern covers for your church, Ecclesiastic hierarchy within the Catholic Church, Saint Matthew, apostle, evangelist and martyr, Mind-Blowing Statistics About Christianity You Need to Know, Way of the Cross for children: how to tell your child about the 14 stations, The apparitions of Our Lady of Guadaloupe. 4. Incense has always been used during religious ceremonies, to give them solemnity and sacredness. 12 0 obj At one time there was a rank of minor clergy called the taper-bearer () responsible for bearing lights during processions and liturgical entrances.However, this rank has long ago been subsumed by that of the reader and the service for the tonsure of a reader begins . a mature Christian - qualities that transcend chronological age. An altar server who does not attend these is not good at all. Qualities of an altar server 1:- Altar server are humble and obedient 2:- Altar servers are always neat and smart 3:- Altar severs are faithful Christians 4:- Altar servers pray without ceasing 5:- Altar servers are peace maker 6:- Altar server possess a forgiving spirit 5050 20 Comments 16 Shares Share The Altar Server retains a genuine and vital role in the liturgical assembly. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Sneakers? God saunters. $.' With a great range of ages and experiences, youll meet some fantastic people youd probably meet nowhere else. i,BZDL ;R h`=sp rs!MZV#nl@>yn's:T4?5v1S It doesnt mean that when you are the priests favorite, you are a good one. Catholic churches and information about Catholic schools within the London and Hertfordshire area and in the Servers should receive proper formation before they begin to function. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If something goes wrong, don't show it! This goes back to the Old Testament when they used to go into procession up the hill to Jerusalem and into the temple of God. I admire many altar servers who responded to the necessity of their parishes as we face this pandemic. 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Although institution into the ministry of acolyte is reserved to lay men, the diocesan bishop may permit the liturgical functions of the instituted acolyte to be carried out by altar servers, men and women, boys and girls. Experienced or past sacristans, or even priests or deacons are willing and happy to train a new sacristan. It's okay if you don't know the words, few servers sing at church, and Jesus and the people you serve with are the only ones who will hear it. An Altar Server is a member of the Church who participates in the celebration with the understanding that they are leaders of the assembly. Ruskin Matthew Tan, an altar server of San Roque Cathedral Parish, serves beyond the altar of liturgy. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. A parish can create an atmosphere of reverence and duty at Mass that reinforces in young people the joy of serving the Lord. Girls tie your hair back neatly. What should I do if I forget what to do in the middle of mass? You may bow your head, however). The vestments worn by altar servers are very special. %PDF-1.7 Do you have all or some of these marks? 0000002575 00000 n The candles are used at the Gospel reading. Their age ranges from sevenupwards and theyre normally wearing robes which look very similar to that of the priests, but have you ever considered doing the same? However, you can consent to just necessary cookies by clicking "Necessary Cookies Only". In some Christian denominations, altar servers are known as acolytes. start distribution to the altar servers and choir immediately). As your friendship develops, youll end up having many friends who all share your faith and this can lead to some brilliant conversations and great memories. 6 Ask to be trained. <> The procession should therefore be done at a stately pace with solemnity and dignity. (You can unsubscribe anytime). It doesnt also mean that when you are the one asked to serve when the Bishop is around, you are already the good one. The altar server's function is to hold the book for the priest to read from while holding his hands up to God. This pandemic has given our parish, San Roque Cathedral Parish, a chance to start a SERVING AT HOME program for our young altar servers who are not yet permitted to serve within the parish due to quarantine restrictions. In many Catholic churches, the priest likes to have three to six altar servers to help them do the Mass. %PDF-1.3 % Punctuality. You are not a mere display. Second, it is because you are there to serve. Its important to take time and take care. Remember, everything you do people are watching. Youre better than that! To serve at the altar also means knowing Jesus whom we serve. Altar Servers. During the Preparation of . On these occasions in particular, the role of the Thurifers becomes extremely important. Servers should be seated in a place from which they can easily assist the priest celebrant and deacon. <> Their role is recognized by the Conciliar Constitution as an integral part of the liturgic office, and as such demands conduct and behaviour from those who serve that is in keeping with it. 0000002125 00000 n Follow the local custom when receiving the Holy Communion. %PDF-1.5 % 1 0 obj <> endobj 3 0 obj <> endobj 4 0 obj [/Indexed/DeviceRGB 255 5 0 R] endobj 6 0 obj <> stream Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. Msgr. Why a Former Evangelical Loves the Rosary. Take pride in being a servant of the altar of the king! 0000054891 00000 n 0000000758 00000 n Nothing about your appearance should draw attention to itself. Altar service contributes to a servers maturity as they learn lessons and put their knowledge into practice. He takes it up again at the end of the ceremony, to accompany the priest to kiss the altar, to put the Blessed Sacrament into the tabernacle, and during the final procession. The reason of an altar server why he serves should not be the following: to be famous with his peers and to look more holy than them, and. In most churches, the lead server will get it when the priest says "Let us Pray". Attentiveness. By using our site, you agree to our. Serving on the altar is a great place to start building these skills. References. These are the candle holders who bear the candles. Father Christopher Smith, Executive Editor The altar server role is a development of the order of acolyte which was a minor order for priest held only by males. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". stream Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. One needs not to be extravagant in attaining this. Remember to get a good night's sleep first - there's nothing worse for a congregation to look at than a tired server! Actions Speak Louder Than Words You should should look good for Mass. <>/Metadata 14221 0 R/ViewerPreferences 14222 0 R>> This means offering up ones life. TRAINING MANUAL . They also join in singing the hymns and other chants of the liturgy. Here are seven reasons why becoming an altar server might be one of the best things you could choose to do. You may know it all but you are not good if you are not willing to learn. The Priest will open it and the server will stand holding the book in the proper position. The procession is more than just walking into church The procession is an ancient religious ceremony in itself. 8 0 obj news, news about Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Catholic prayers, Catholic Mass Times and a church directory for The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Read these other ninethings to find out what they are. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. This means they are called to serve as prayer leaders within their families. Come properly dressed. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The place next to the priest is normally reserved for the deacon. % of people told us that this article helped them. As we mentioned when we were talking about the Ceroferari, the Crosifero or cruciferi is/are the minister charged with carrying a processional cross, or a cross mounted on top of a long pole, which usually leads religious processions. Wearing smart clothes is not imperative as the congregation cannot see what you are wearing. 0000002353 00000 n This booklet contains an overview of the ministry. Proper Decorum means maintaining a dignified external appearance. When lighting candles or handling fire, keep the flame away from your vestments and hair. Furthermore, the minister should be comfortable inviting and/or directing others in a welcoming and . >Kl gd}fC]~]#yP!h'hHA7rf4 187 - 190 and no. Serving at the altar, the pope told the young people, is a privileged way to draw closer to Jesus, which in turn enables you to open yourselves to others, to journey together, to set demanding goals and to find the strength to achieve them.. 27) Sign up to receive our fortnightly email with our latest news, features and events. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. By taking up a responsibility at Mass you start to recognise more and more people in the church in general. )$H$?]\VTg?+uQMWjgTg|jY}o]}34V!4yZ4#T: Contact your parish priest. This is proper etiquette that is required. That doesn't sound like a great place to start, but it's true Father can do all the stuff you do at Mass.. He was my mentor as a sakristan, as a seminarian, and until as an ordained minister, a deacon, at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of San Jose de Navotas. <> Ten Things You Should Tell Your Altar Servers. Always go to the bathroom before mass. I became a loyal altar server following the server schedule printed in the bulletin when it was my turn. *, Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from OC Catholic. Punctuality. After the priest or deacon sings or says the dismissal, all of the servers will move to the entrance to the sanctuary in their pairs, usually in the same order that they processed up in. Senior Servers have usually completed the seventh grade and shown extraordinary service. :/l1d,,5,XJ|TBVRGTV^B@Bk)wj"0n \VMsU{U |_\DbA6.,0G:y\G8lFcD(F1+[ . :Upv8*)/:I@&b~)A")G6{s_H& ucme&Ue5]u8) r65Hm]DLE'yju9U:p6`g.- Your role, through your actions and conduct, is to bring the assembly to a fuller understanding of the liturgy and a greater love of God. Altar Servers, more commonly known as altar boys, are children or teenagers who assist a priest during Mass. 0000001287 00000 n Senior Altar servers heeded the call as well to become eucharistic ministers. In addition to contributing their support to the liturgical celebration, altar servers develop certain qualities through their service, Dawson notes. Never wear shoes with flashing lights. If they are capable, a good altar server first studies it and volunteers later in such endeavors. 5 0 obj It is a concrete way of participating in the community of faith.. ALTAR SERVERS . Caudatories were assigned to the Pope, Cardinals and Bishops, and for each of these positions, the ceremonial included different talari robes and a different ritual. S mile. Editors note: The United State Conference of Catholic Bishops website includes an 11-point list of requirements potential altar servers must fulfill before service. 0Z.%Y`( [1] Latin Church [ edit] Not only during services, but also throughout everyday life, Altar Servers must live by following His example of love, generosity, commitment and precision. A movement in harmony is not just through our unified steps, a movement in harmony is a grace from the Holy Spirit. 11 0 obj Particularly solemn ceremonies, such as on the occasion of important religious feasts, will require a bigger number of Altar Servers. 10. Most priests' first memories of serving the Lord are as altar servers. Theres no specific name for them, its usually a task performed by one acolyte, whos assigned to the missal and the lectionary the book containing passages from Holy Scriptures that are read during liturgical celebrations throughout the year, as well as the prayer books, and books of hymns, etc. % This simply means that when an altar server serves, he must have the proper haircut, not necessarily the fad or uso haircut. A good altar server should always be ready to lead a prayer. Heres an idea: print out this post and give it to the person who trains your altar servers or make copies for the kids and their parents. endobj Sure, swinging the censer (the smelly incense thing) is kind of fun but why is it that we do it? By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Participating as altar servers allows boys and girls the satisfaction of functioning as part of the liturgical team, explains Katie Dawson, director of faith formation for the Diocese of Orange. They should not be serving if they are not present in these events. Serving at the . h[G`Ak9)k`q Its use is nonetheless optional, and occurs at different times of the Mass, usually at the beginning, on the entrance of the priest and his assistants, when the Gospel is being preached or before the consecration. Poise. Prior to communion, EM's should notify you of the location of persons in the middle two sections who need As Pope Paul VI would say, they are invited to be little priests in their families. Attentive and a full participant in the Mass (not daydreaming, yawning, or falling asleep). Boys comb or brush your hairand will you please wash that bit of breakfast off your face? Therefore, the best preparation is not just to do it with counts and steps. endobj endobj Distorted Devotions Do Catholics Honor Mary Too Much? Youre supported by all your fellow servers, you have quite a large responsibly and rules to guide you. 2 0 obj They learn to serve with love and to perform the smallest details beautifully. Altar Servers are not the only assistants of the officiant during Mass: generally readers, choristers, acolytes move alongside them. After the Collect (opening prayer) you will sit down, as will the congregation. Servers may not distribute holy communion unless they have been mandated for this function by the bishop. The missal should never be placed on a chair or on a pew while the priest speaks. The ministers serving the altar also have to prepare the water and purificator with which the celebrant washes his hands. Since my mom serves as the Worship Commission head at our parish, she volunteered myself to become an altar server of our parish to which my parish priest accepted. The following is a list of specific responsibilities that the altar . Refrain from wearing trainers, high-heels or flip-flops. I was a fourth grade student when I became an altar server. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. Everything you do should focus attention on the altar not the altar server. When should I get the book for the priest to read? Garden Grove, CA 92840 The duty of the Navicularius is to hand the priest the incense boat, so he can draw the grains of incense, pour them into the thurible and bless them. This article has been viewed 198,811 times. They may be used as a basis for developing diocesan guidelines. Servers are required to arrive early to each Mass in order to determine their roles, prepare items and dress in their albs. A tendency of an altar server is to treat his service as a mere dance step. Sometimes they dont seem to take pride in their job because maybe no one has told them why theyre so important. Sign-Up to receive updated stories from OC Catholic. You dont have to wear dressy clothes because your cassock will cover that, but what people can see should look good. a `u"F-s{30/ncPc`jQfb K endstream endobj 27 0 obj 117 endobj 14 0 obj << /Type /Page /Parent 9 0 R /Resources 15 0 R /Contents 21 0 R /MediaBox [ 0 0 612 792 ] /CropBox [ 0 0 612 792 ] /Rotate 0 >> endobj 15 0 obj << /ProcSet [ /PDF /Text ] /Font << /TT2 17 0 R /TT4 16 0 R >> /ExtGState << /GS1 23 0 R >> /ColorSpace << /Cs6 20 0 R >> >> endobj 16 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /TrueType /FirstChar 32 /LastChar 86 /Widths [ 250 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 722 667 722 722 667 611 778 778 389 0 0 667 0 722 778 0 0 722 556 667 722 722 ] /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding /BaseFont /PLPLOM+TimesNewRoman,Bold /FontDescriptor 19 0 R >> endobj 17 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /TrueType /FirstChar 32 /LastChar 122 /Widths [ 250 0 408 500 0 0 0 180 333 333 0 0 250 333 250 278 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 0 278 0 0 0 0 0 0 722 667 667 0 611 556 722 722 333 0 0 611 889 722 722 556 0 667 556 611 722 722 944 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 444 500 444 500 444 333 500 500 278 278 500 278 778 500 500 500 500 333 389 278 500 500 722 500 500 444 ] /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding /BaseFont /PLPLNL+TimesNewRoman /FontDescriptor 18 0 R >> endobj 18 0 obj << /Type /FontDescriptor /Ascent 891 /CapHeight 656 /Descent -216 /Flags 34 /FontBBox [ -568 -307 2000 1007 ] /FontName /PLPLNL+TimesNewRoman /ItalicAngle 0 /StemV 94 /XHeight 0 /FontFile2 22 0 R >> endobj 19 0 obj << /Type /FontDescriptor /Ascent 891 /CapHeight 656 /Descent -216 /Flags 34 /FontBBox [ -558 -307 2000 1026 ] /FontName /PLPLOM+TimesNewRoman,Bold /ItalicAngle 0 /StemV 160 /FontFile2 24 0 R >> endobj 20 0 obj [ /ICCBased 25 0 R ] endobj 21 0 obj << /Length 1917 /Filter /FlateDecode >> stream Your commitment to the altar is not only a duty but a great honor, a true holy service. endstream Other occasions, like processions, burials and blessings, allow the use of incense. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Never rush. 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 or assist him when he receives the gifts from the people, wash the hands of the priest, assist the priest celebrant and deacon as necessary. In 1994, the Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments said that a bishop could allow women and girls to be altar servers, though that role is distinct from . stream The role of Altar Servers is particularly delicate if we think of them as representing a point of union between those who celebrate the Mass and the believers who have gathered to hear it. ALTAR SERVER TRAINING MATERIALS - 1 2015 ALTAR SERVER TRAINING . The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 11. When you carry the cross solemnly at the head of the procession you are saying to all the faithful, See, we all are called to take up our cross and follow Christ. Enjoy! U rgency. If you will not be receiving Holy Communion, please do not serve. Pope Francis acknowledged the important role of altar servers during a special evening meeting and prayer that drew 9,000 youth from throughout Europe to St. Peters Square in early August 2015, according to the National Catholic Reporter. YD=D: ? Altar Servers are Jesus' 'friends', usually young people full of enthusiasm and willingness to take part in the activities of the Church by offering their contributions of love and devotion. Pope Benedict XVI 1927-2022 tribute page and access to resources here. Since my mom serves as the Worship Commission head at our parish, she volunteered myself to become an altar server of our parish to which my parish priest accepted. 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