You dont have to wear dressy clothes because your cassock will cover that, but what people can see should look good. <> One needs to appear clean because as the saying goes, cleanliness is next to godliness. 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. The reason why he serves must be his relationship with God, his prayer life. 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. Others turned out to be Catechists, teaching Children the basics of faith in the online sphere. Actions Speak Louder Than Words You should should look good for Mass. As Pope Paul VI would say, they are invited to be little priests in their families. bWOmL@? Their name comes from the Latin word ministrare which means to serve. T[tL)AJ+B $.' What this means is that you are doing something in the liturgy which is MORE than just useful. You Are a Silent Witness As soon as you come to church twenty minutes before Mass starts and you put on your cassock and start to help set up for Mass you are saying by your actions to everyone at church, Look, its important to come early. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Father Christopher Smith, Executive Editor endobj endobj Come on. stream After the Collect (opening prayer) you will sit down, as will the congregation. 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. 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 focusing and understanding whats going on, the Mass can then lead you into a much deeper relationship with God and you feel the impact of Mass far greater! This article has been viewed 198,811 times. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Fourth, a good altar server is willing to serve beyond the liturgical celebrations. The formation should include instruction on the Mass and its parts and their meaning, the various objects used in the liturgy (their names and use), and the various functions of the server during the Mass and other liturgical celebrations. Wearing smart clothes is not imperative as the congregation cannot see what you are wearing. Don't start heading up the aisle until the priest tells you to or gives you a signal. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 198,811 times. Attentiveness. 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. His fingernails must be well trimmed. Nowadays, the Servers mainly use it at the time the bread and wine is consecrated, or during processions to announce the blessing is imminent. Are you an Altar Server? Let your true good qualities shine through, and you are sure to be accepted as a decent candidate for the job. Remember to get a good night's sleep first - there's nothing worse for a congregation to look at than a tired server! 13280 Chapman Ave. endobj Turn and process to the back of the church by walking up the main aisle. They may be used as a basis for developing diocesan guidelines. ALTAR SERVER TRAINING MATERIALS - 1 2015 ALTAR SERVER TRAINING . 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). endobj If you will be serving, you should be prepared in knowing what to do.". The Thurifer is, for instance, the Altar Server who carries the thurible for incensings. Do not dump them on the floor of the cupboard, which is disrespectful to your church custodians. Servers may not distribute holy communion unless they have been mandated for this function by the bishop. 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. They love to see you serving. This is our banner for battle. Very much linked with the last point, when you start to understand why we do something you get so much more from it. Serving at the Altar of God is to serve Jesus Himself. 3. 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. Servers should receive proper formation before they begin to function. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. )$H$?]\VTg?+uQMWjgTg|jY}o]}34V!4yZ4#T: He is open. A parish can create an atmosphere of reverence and duty at Mass that reinforces in young people the joy of serving the Lord. <> |zeG`zWz(+!Ju8CR4 G{@rwByiT. Senior Altar servers heeded the call as well to become eucharistic ministers. They count to attain the perfect movement. In certain cases the roles are interchangeable, but, as a rule, each of the participants keeps up his / her role, carries out his / her duties and actively participates in the celebration. Poise. Servers are required to arrive early to each Mass in order to determine their roles, prepare items and dress in their albs. Nothing about your appearance should draw attention to itself. Third, a good altar server spends time with Jesus. In the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches, the nearest equivalent of acolyte is the altar server. Your role, through your actions and conduct, is to bring the assembly to a fuller understanding of the liturgy and a greater love for God. %PDF-1.7 Sure, swinging the censer (the smelly incense thing) is kind of fun but why is it that we do it? I was a fourth grade student when I became an altar server. The altar server role is a development of the order of acolyte which was a minor order for priest held only by males. Prior to communion, EM's should notify you of the location of persons in the middle two sections who need The Diocese of Westminster is a registered charity No.233699. Hang up your vestments after using them. #/Ffr GN They should not be serving if they are not present in these events. Qualities of Senior Servers include: A demonstrated knowledge of all the gestures and actions proper to their function as Altar Servers. Acolytes, altar servers, readers, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable vesture or other appropriate or dignified clothing. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Ofomah Stephen. The procession is the royal triumph of the king going into his city. Everyone in the procession will genuflect (except if you are holding something in your hands. 0000002353 00000 n During processions, the Navicularius walks alongside the Thurifer, so much so that sometimes both roles can be merged into a single Altar Server. These are the candle holders who bear the candles. 0000000667 00000 n 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. Martin is the founder of Padyak Klasrum, a youth group whose mission is to teach children and aid the poorest of the poor. 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. This means offering up ones life. Perhaps God is calling you to serve at the Altar. :Upv8*)/:I@&b~)A")G6{s_H& ucme&Ue5]u8) r65Hm]DLE'yju9U:p6`g.- <> HWr6}W`RNo$4M If you are carrying a candle, bow your head before the altar. 6 Ask to be trained. . (You can unsubscribe anytime). Sign-Up to receive updated stories from OC Catholic. % They recall a Ten Things You Should Tell Your Altar Servers. Follow the local custom when receiving the Holy Communion. Servers should be mature enough to understand their responsibilities and to carry them out well and with appropriate reverence. A sakristan must stand dignified while he is serving. jv3gofPIEQ2m=/,[g_~cM:@4 @%W*9[)O news, news about Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Catholic prayers, Catholic Mass Times and a church directory for Read these other ninethings to find out what they are. 3 0 obj A movement in harmony is not just through our unified steps, a movement in harmony is a grace from the Holy Spirit. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. endobj 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. stream 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. Responsibility. Always go to the bathroom before mass. 0Z.%Y`( Here are ten things you should tell your altar servers: 1. (. Dont just go galumphing into your place. It can be found at usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/frequently-asked-questions/guidelines-for-altar-servers.cfm. The ministry of altar server is present for young men to develop their relationship with God but an altar server must be able to go an extra mile in spending time, praying alone with God. 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. Candidates can be of any gender as long as their church agrees with the practice of including altar servers of another gender. It doesnt also mean that when you are the one asked to serve when the Bishop is around, you are already the good one. Usually the priest will open the book and change the pages. Sometimes robes simply go on over your head. It does not store any personal data. A good altar server attends practices before serving. Girls tie your hair back neatly. No dangly earrings pleasethat means you too boys! They learn to serve with love and to perform the smallest details beautifully. Do you have all or some of these marks? by Fr. Second, it is because you are there to serve. 187 - 190 and no. 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. Why a Former Evangelical Loves the Rosary. Garden Grove, CA 92840 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. Once they arrive at the altar, the Crocifero lays the cross next to him and sits down. Which was a minor order for priest held only by males mandated for this by. Their church agrees with the practice of including altar servers: 1 include: demonstrated... Vi would say, they are not willing to serve beyond the liturgical.! Servers may not distribute holy communion main aisle sits down thanks to all authors for creating a page that been! Group whose mission is to serve at the altar cookies to improve experience... You will sit down, as will the congregation can not see you... 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