On these occasions in particular, the role of the Thurifers becomes extremely important. 9 0 obj The Priest will open it and the server will stand holding the book in the proper position. A national survey of men being ordained priests found that three-quarters of new priests were at one time altar servers. $.' CNS PHOTO/SAM LUCERO, THE COMPASS, usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/frequently-asked-questions/guidelines-for-altar-servers.cfm, VALENTINE FUN AT ST. COLUMBANS WINTER FORMAL, CLERGY HONORED AT ANNUAL KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS DINNER, BE PERFECT, JUST AS YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS PERFECT, SANTA MARGARITCATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT-ATHLETES MAKE IT OFFICIAL. Every vocation (whether marriage, consecrated singlehood, religious life or priesthood) is awesome and leads us to a greater and deeper understanding and relationship with God. Serving at the . Ruskin Matthew Tan, an altar server of San Roque Cathedral Parish, serves beyond the altar of liturgy. Ten Things You Should Tell Your Altar Servers. It doesnt mean that when you are the priests favorite, you are a good one. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. *$!kOhQh~6!`(/ =W*KUM!Oc5w('mN g&/WEDf"Z7+-194ns}ZMF#dahU]niY^ soS\y\+| x/rC`A.`F:%)M)|/; These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Ofomah Stephen. endstream The procession is more than just walking into church The procession is an ancient religious ceremony in itself. They recall a So there were four servers on the schedule every week. by Fr. You Are Un-necessary - Whoa! 0000002353 00000 n Last Updated: April 3, 2022 Altar servers must memorize the Mass and commit to a regular schedule of service. References. 0000002575 00000 n Editors note: The United State Conference of Catholic Bishops website includes an 11-point list of requirements potential altar servers must fulfill before service. <> 8 0 obj The altar server retains a genuine and vital role in the liturgical assembly. Servers may not distribute holy communion unless they have been mandated for this function by the bishop. Do I need to change the pages for the priest if I'm an altar server? stream The Guild of St. Stephen was founded in 1904 by Father Hamilton McDonald when he formed a society of altar servers at the Convent of the Sacred Heart (now Woldingham School) in London. Proper Decorum means maintaining a dignified external appearance. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Your commitment to the altar is not only a duty but a great honor, a true holy service. Altar servers are REALLY important, but too often they dont know why. If young, the server is commonly called an altar boy or altar . The customer must be approached as early as possible and should receive their food as soon as possible. It is a great gift to God as we celebrate the 500th anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines. 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. 714.282.3000, Editorial Council Chair 11. 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. This booklet contains an overview of the ministry. An altar server is a prayer leader, to the extent that his/her actions during the Mass assist the people in knowing what to do. endobj It would be distracting and disrespectful to be chewing or eating something before or during the Mass. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Servers are required to arrive early to each Mass in order to determine their roles, prepare items and dress in their albs. One needs to appear clean because as the saying goes, cleanliness is next to godliness. At that time two servers were scheduled for a two week shift; the first week we served the 6:30 Mass, the second week we served the 8:00 Mass. In many Catholic churches, the priest likes to have three to six altar servers to help them do the Mass. news, news about Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Catholic prayers, Catholic Mass Times and a church directory for A Critique of Unfettered Do you care about the feelings of others? Any boy or girl in the parish, 4th grade through 12th grade, is eligible to be an altar server. Altar service contributes to a servers maturity as they learn lessons and put their knowledge into practice. (You can unsubscribe anytime). Once they arrive at the altar, the Crocifero lays the cross next to him and sits down. endobj A good solution would be to check with what the senior servers are doing and follow suit. This article has been viewed 198,811 times. Maintaining the atmosphere of prayer consists in having a proper decorum. 0000040441 00000 n )$H$?]\VTg?+uQMWjgTg|jY}o]}34V!4yZ4#T: FhN ^->nuTYu6Y7fsH T(U|~b9w9I#n85pgd^EY U zc2{=\H ZCVPg*~=L*M'-f{7 \F}>UnqHPA 0000002614 00000 n 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. In fact, besides cooperating with the Divine Server by helping him arrange what is required for the Eucharist, placing the liturgical objects on the altar and bringing the Missal, the Altar Servers also have to pray together with the believers, accompany them with hymns and, in general, operate as the priests servants and guides for the congregation. Altar Servers, more commonly known as altar boys, are children or teenagers who assist a priest during Mass. To create this article, 57 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. 193 of the. Altar servers learn the deeper meaning behind each step of the liturgy. If you don't know the words, sing the title or main verse over and over, or stand quietly. Here are seven reasons why becoming an altar server might be one of the best things you could choose to do. 0000000758 00000 n By serving, the altar server grows in his/her own faith and devotion. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. The Altar Server retains a genuine and vital role in the liturgical assembly. The custom of carrying the cross in a procession is very ancient. 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. Catholic churches and information about Catholic schools within the London and Hertfordshire area and in the The altar server role is a development of the order of acolyte which was a minor order for priest held only by males. 2 0 obj Come properly dressed. He takes it easy. When there are only two Altar Servers, there will be no candles in the opening and closing procession. Read these other ninethings to find out what they are. Characteristics of a Server . We use cookies to make wikiHow great. 3 0 obj Careers Workplace and Religion Columnists, Recreation Outdoors and Religion Columnists, Religious Music and Entertainment Columnists, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Biblical Support for the Authority of the Pope, Explaining Mary Redemptrix to an Evangelical. x]qI"* xN*v*U~,Gu8%aUh4I2?\^\&^'}2*UMSu~!K&W:F5:xJ5yoGr]oh>{+*Jo}~}sprpp}oUF( = 7#,zd?&sfY1i#\r{4)Fi>[wTQdvp=F[XYB}f\5Unj?ByZ6}(U^|;_tuQt4a2G~M1r*@|4-?;+BB}+b,z>UZE'o(P\__ |6[# UEM`;QL&tomq([*uYi9[~rP+96@p]QV) .1Sdoeq!}r%4N6\X#_0q itB}q?nB}7kkZ6EjEO4i(j2\P "k!Ub\pn "{utT) They carry the candlesticks with the candles in their hands, and, having reached the end of the procession, place them on the sides of the altar. Senior Altar servers heeded the call as well to become eucharistic ministers. Wearing smart clothes is not imperative as the congregation cannot see what you are wearing. 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. 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. You're supported by all your fellow servers, you have quite a large responsibly and rules to guide you. <> Even if you are not discerning priesthood, by altar serving you learn so much more about the priest you work with. That doesnt sound like a great place to start, but its true Father can do all the stuff you do at Mass. Servers should also receive appropriate guidance on maintaining proper decorum and attire when serving Mass and other functions. 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. If any of the albs are ripped or torn, let the priest or deacon know. 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 altar server's function is to hold the book for the priest to read from while holding his hands up to God. The suggested guidelineswhich predate the Apostolic Letter motu proprio Spiritus Domini (2021), opening the instituted ministry of acolyte to womenhave been slightly revised according to the third edition of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. Requirements for Altar Serving Candidates, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Be-an-Altar-Server-in-the-Catholic-Church-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Be-an-Altar-Server-in-the-Catholic-Church-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Be-an-Altar-Server-in-the-Catholic-Church-Step-1.jpg\/aid378464-v4-728px-Be-an-Altar-Server-in-the-Catholic-Church-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"