The primary role of the altar server is to assist the priest in the celebration of the liturgy during Mass. This is done through specific actions and by setting an example to the congregation by actively participating in the liturgy (hymns, responses, etc.), by looking alert and sitting or standing at the appropriate times.
Servers carry the cross, the processional candle(s), 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/deacon during the preparation of the gifts or assist him when he receives the gifts from the people, wash the hands of the priest, and assist the priest celebrant and deacon as necessary. Servers are seated in a place from which they can easily assist the priest celebrant and deacon.
Altar servers must attend every Mass that they have been scheduled. When a server cannot be present he or she must arrange for a replacement.
Altar servers are on duty from the time they enter the sanctuary at the start of Mass until they finish cleanup after the end of Mass. During the Mass their duty station is the sanctuary and a server may not leave the sanctuary except as directed by a priest, deacon or bodily necessity.
Altar servers must have received First Penance and Holy Communion before they can assist in the celebration of the Mass.
It is a great honor and privilege to serve at the Altar of our God, as Pope John Paul II indicated in his inspiring address to altar servers on August 1, 2001. In that address the Pope encourages altar servers to understand the responsibility they have in this service to the Church. He said, “The altar server has a privileged place in liturgical celebrations. Those who serve at Mass present themselves to a community. They experience from close at hand that Jesus Christ is present and active in every liturgy . . . In the liturgy you are far more than mere “helpers of the parish priest”. Above all, you are servants of Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest.”
Our Lady of Pompeii has a training session for all new and interested young boys and girls. Click on the link for a form and our next upcoming session.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehOpWKQeza-QSi-7ar_KhMxxLUiIaod4PpQG-umEBfnQOxVQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
Servers carry the cross, the processional candle(s), 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/deacon during the preparation of the gifts or assist him when he receives the gifts from the people, wash the hands of the priest, and assist the priest celebrant and deacon as necessary. Servers are seated in a place from which they can easily assist the priest celebrant and deacon.
Altar servers must attend every Mass that they have been scheduled. When a server cannot be present he or she must arrange for a replacement.
Altar servers are on duty from the time they enter the sanctuary at the start of Mass until they finish cleanup after the end of Mass. During the Mass their duty station is the sanctuary and a server may not leave the sanctuary except as directed by a priest, deacon or bodily necessity.
Altar servers must have received First Penance and Holy Communion before they can assist in the celebration of the Mass.
It is a great honor and privilege to serve at the Altar of our God, as Pope John Paul II indicated in his inspiring address to altar servers on August 1, 2001. In that address the Pope encourages altar servers to understand the responsibility they have in this service to the Church. He said, “The altar server has a privileged place in liturgical celebrations. Those who serve at Mass present themselves to a community. They experience from close at hand that Jesus Christ is present and active in every liturgy . . . In the liturgy you are far more than mere “helpers of the parish priest”. Above all, you are servants of Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest.”
Our Lady of Pompeii has a training session for all new and interested young boys and girls. Click on the link for a form and our next upcoming session.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehOpWKQeza-QSi-7ar_KhMxxLUiIaod4PpQG-umEBfnQOxVQ/viewform?usp=sf_link