Hb```f`` @1pq L . Altar Servers are not the only assistants of the officiant during Mass: generally readers, choristers, acolytes move alongside them. They may be used as a basis for developing diocesan guidelines. The term "altar boys" should be replaced by "servers". Sneakers (trainers) are not usually accepted, but black sneakers may be as long as it is not a special occasion. a mature Christian - qualities that transcend chronological age. On Sundays and other more important occasions, two or more servers should be employed to carry out the various functions normally entrusted to these ministers. That is why, recently, when I was asked by an altar server seeking advice from my Tiktok account, I shared to them two things, First, Maintaining the atmosphere of prayer consists in having a proper decorum. I wouldnt say that a good altar server is someone who knows how to use all the sacred vessels. They should consider whether they ought to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation ahead of time, and, if needed, make appropriate arrangements. The candles are used at the Gospel reading. J_$;]&"As^Vj{F"p/Bzug3QZz[W/CWXoUFwaQA nzAp?9?p>-Wby~$I!nC?L^8qEh06$>|_O_WMSK BRZVa Y9z*\EA7 C6f6u~[bL~|z{.i'jsf/V5R%~!B\Z{%*vwYV5d-Z%MWmZ$q^ B`FVHF#GQF3-,966 G8a].+J41]+\:lcOJ^\k;CG}'._Xubwl``(z8tggEb);{@~vKtrDvfQ[-s# Mt#eP N/,ELt*o.UUM S?}|l!-[Ah This means they are called to serve as prayer leaders within their families. 6 0 obj Serving at the Altar of God is to serve Jesus Himself. So do what you do reverently and carefully. Responsibility. 'Qwj\8ZeS\*uYU);Q%;*c-/ XA8e\ | YD=D: Editors note: The United State Conference of Catholic Bishops website includes an 11-point list of requirements potential altar servers must fulfill before service. Once they arrive at the altar, the Crocifero lays the cross next to him and sits down. Come properly dressed. Third, a good altar server spends time with Jesus. 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. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Last Updated: April 3, 2022 news, news about Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Catholic prayers, Catholic Mass Times and a church directory for The reason why he serves must be his relationship with God, his prayer life. %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 In addition to giving the celebration the necessary solemnity, the passage of the Crociferi also serves a very strong symbolic function, particularly during funeral processions: in fact, the passage of the cross symbolises the passage from death to life, which involves all the faithful who are supporters. Follow the local custom when receiving the Holy Communion. To even devout Catholics it appears simple, yet the Mass requires that its youngest participants fix their attention on the smallest details to ensure the ceremony flows seamlessly. 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 . the altar, you should learn all matters concerning liturgical worship and strive to grasp their inner spiritual meaning. At that time two servers were scheduled for a two week shift; the first week we served the 6:30 Mass, the second week we served the 8:00 Mass. T[tL)AJ+B The term "server" should be used for those who carry out the functions of the instituted acolyte. Youve most likely seen them at Mass, up by the altar, helping the priest to keep the Mass running smoothly. They also join in singing the hymns and other chants of the liturgy. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Therefore, the best preparation is not just to do it with counts and steps. Msgr. This simply means that when an altar server serves, he must have the proper haircut, not necessarily the fad or, The Holy Eucharist calls us to love like Jesus. Actions Speak Louder Than Words You should should look good for Mass. Nothing about your appearance should draw attention to itself. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. When lighting candles or handling fire, keep the flame away from your vestments and hair. During processions, the Navicularius walks alongside the Thurifer, so much so that sometimes both roles can be merged into a single Altar Server. Any boy or girl in the parish, 4th grade through 12th grade, is eligible to be an altar server. This means offering up ones life. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Serving at the . He must recognize that he moves within the atmosphere of prayer. Altar Servers must follow the example of Jesus, who did not hesitate to place himself at the whole of humanitys service, and even sacrificed himself. Always go to the bathroom before mass. Second, it is because you are there to serve. Experienced or past sacristans, or even priests or deacons are willing and happy to train a new sacristan. Servers should be seated in a place from which they can easily assist the priest celebrant and deacon. Although once prohibited in the Catholic Church, female altar servers are now allowed to serve provided that the diocesan bishop and the parish priest allow the practice. Its helpful for young teens and tweens to become part of the altar-serving ministry because its the most significant way to make a meaningful contribution to the liturgy, Dawson says. This is commonly known as a sign of friendliness and respect. A good altar server must recognize that the Holy Mass should be translated into action as a way of offering up our lives in real life. Sometimes robes simply go on over your head. Contact your parish priest. When there are only two Altar Servers, there will be no candles in the opening and closing procession. CNS PHOTO/SAM LUCERO, THE COMPASS, usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/frequently-asked-questions/guidelines-for-altar-servers.cfm, VALENTINE FUN AT ST. COLUMBANS WINTER FORMAL, CLERGY HONORED AT ANNUAL KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS DINNER, BE PERFECT, JUST AS YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS PERFECT, SANTA MARGARITCATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT-ATHLETES MAKE IT OFFICIAL. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Never rush. He is open. 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 Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Servers respond to the prayers and dialogues of the priest along with the congregation. Altar Servers should come to Mass prepared to meet the Lord at His Holy Communion. 5. In most churches, the lead server will get it when the priest says "Let us Pray". INTRODUCTION These guidelines are intended to assist both new and experienced altar servers in understanding the important role that the altar server plays in the holy celebraon of the Mass.The dues and responsibilies of the server must be taken seriously. 11. Very much linked with the last point, when you start to understand why we do something you get so much more from it. Do you aspire to become an Altar Server? The best preparation is to pray. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. An Altar Server is a member of the Church who participates in the celebration with the understanding that they are leaders of the assembly. Take pride in being a servant of the altar of the king! 8 0 obj Candidates should know how to make the sign of the Cross. You may know it all but you are not good if you are not willing to learn. % of people told us that this article helped them. 9 0 obj Others turned out to be Catechists, teaching Children the basics of faith in the online sphere. 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. Father Christopher Smith, Executive Editor References. If you don't know the words, sing the title or main verse over and over, or stand quietly. 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. St. Stephen is often depicted with stones, a Gospel Book, a miniature church and a martyr's palm frond. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. After the Collect (opening prayer) you will sit down, as will the congregation. 5 0 obj The altar server role is a development of the order of acolyte which was a minor order for priest held only by males. Attentiveness. Flip Flops?? 0Z.%Y`( Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. by Fr. Prior to communion, EM's should notify you of the location of persons in the middle two sections who need Regarding this service, I would like to suggest some points for your reflection. Being an altar server instructs children in order, care and poise. <> 0000004606 00000 n Crazy nail polish or an extreme hair do? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If something goes wrong, don't show it! It is a privilege to be called and a responsibility to be present and ready to serve! This is great because it allows you to both fully appreciate his human side while also appreciating much more the sacramental grace hes been given in holy orders! Altar service contributes to a servers maturity as they learn lessons and put their knowledge into practice. jv3gofPIEQ2m=/,[g_~cM:@4 @%W*9[)O First, a good altar server is willing to learn. A good altar server should always be ready to lead a prayer. You dont have to wear dressy clothes because your cassock will cover that, but what people can see should look good. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Altar Servers, more commonly known as altar boys, are children or teenagers who assist a priest during Mass. Some heeded the call to volunteer for the Social Communications Ministry to livestream our liturgical celebrations. sik\-J;%QrKh\q{ rPVe@E@P8R>0P!qM)} ~[{sev\| &Rr )EpJg=i Cz~JtQ)]X\-L_qRJ 2. Poise. 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. 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. 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. Furthermore, the minister should be comfortable inviting and/or directing others in a welcoming and . This is proper etiquette that is required. 0000002125 00000 n Remember to choose an alb that fits you, coming down to your shoes. The priest and deacon will usually stop at the entry of the church to talk to the congregation as they leave. 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. When is Empathy Unhealthy? <> You may be a skilled server but if you are not active in your ministrys formation, practices, and meetings, you are not a good altar server. This is because we are live in a very fast paced life and to hear God we have to be silent and to go at Gods pace we have to slow down. It is a concrete way of participating in the community of faith.. Thats why sometimes they show up late or dont show up at all. endobj 2 0 obj >Kl gd}fC]~]#yP!h'hHA7rf4 That is why, recently, when I was asked by an altar server seeking advice from my Tiktok account, I shared to them two things, First, "Hindi kayo kurtina. During the Preparation of . Contact If young, the server is commonly called an altar boy or altar . <> Nowadays, the Servers mainly use it at the time the bread and wine is consecrated, or during processions to announce the blessing is imminent. Try to wear it at around the same length as the other servers, but if you are unsure, again, ask a member of the clergy. One needs not to be extravagant in attaining this. 0000000987 00000 n Poise. Altar servers are REALLY important, but too often they dont know why. Candidates can be of any gender as long as their church agrees with the practice of including altar servers of another gender. Maverick is a member of Caritas Mariae, a youth group whose charism is to aid the poorest of the poor. To create this article, 57 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Punctuality. xMk@@aRo) CAu; Everything you do should focus attention on the altar not the altar server. If you will not be receiving Holy Communion, please do not serve. You Are Un-necessary - Whoa! Altar Servers minister to either the Priest or Deacon during Liturgies such as (e.g., Mass, Confirmation) or devotional worship services (e.g., Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Stations). My parish priest then at . There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. 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. 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. <> Wild tattoos and piercings? In the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches, the nearest equivalent of acolyte is the altar server. Hang up your vestments after using them. Our website provides Catholic 10. <> The place next to the priest is normally reserved for the deacon. Qualities of Senior Servers include: A demonstrated knowledge of all the gestures and actions proper to their function as Altar Servers. Candidates should know how to genuflect correctly. "k!Ub\pn "{utT) No distinction should be made between the functions carried out in the sanctuary by men and boys and those carried out by women and girls. n|x]'j VMntVE"_I m"c~^fs!]+>U@"; J5Q^s!?kT >uKzsmdx9{ Altar Servers are about the same height and in the same grade, decide among yourselves before Mass who will be "Cross/Book" Server and "Candle" Servers. :Upv8*)/:I@&b~)A")G6{s_H& ucme&Ue5]u8) r65Hm]DLE'yju9U:p6`g.- My vocation to become a priest was enriched when I became an altar server at St. Marys Academy of Caloocan City. Even if you are not discerning priesthood, by altar serving you learn so much more about the priest you work with. The Holy Eucharist calls us to love like Jesus. The server must be able to understand the Mass as well the server's role in the celebration. His face should at least be presentable not appearing bagong gising or beautified by facial cosmetics (Simbang Gabi weakness of Altar Servers). 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. 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 . But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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 . The altar server must not open the Missal nor turn over its pages. Albs can either catch fire or in some cases even melt and stick to your body, depending on their type. If you are carrying a candle, bow your head before the altar. Benefits of being an altar server. Attentive and a full participant in the Mass (not daydreaming, yawning, or falling asleep). Perhaps most important, Dawson notes, altar service encourages youngsters to consider others needs before their own and encourages their contributions to the greater good. Here are ten things you should tell your altar servers: 1. [1] Latin Church [ edit] With a great range of ages and experiences, youll meet some fantastic people youd probably meet nowhere else. As you process into church you are leading everyone into the presence of God. Reply to Steve Hays' Caricatures of the Papacy. The following is a list of specific responsibilities that the altar . A Critique of Unfettered Do you care about the feelings of others? 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