Altar Server Program 
Serving the Church and our parish
community, Altar Servers are young men and women, aged 10 through 18 who have made a
commitment to assist the acolytes, deacons and priests during Mass, Benediction,
Weddings, Funerals and other religious Rites, Liturgies and Ceremonies.
Guidelines for Altar Servers
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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. Such persons
may carry out all the functions listed in no. 68, para. 2 and nos. 142-147
of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.*1 |
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2
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Servers
should be mature enough to understand their responsibilities and to carry
them out well and with appropriate reverence. They should have already
received holy communion for the first time and normally receive the eucharist
whenever they participate in the liturgy. |
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Servers
should receive proper formation before they begin to function. 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.
Servers should also receive appropriate guidance on maintaining proper
decorum and attire when serving Mass and other functions. |
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Since
the role of server is integral to the normal celebration of the Mass,
at least one server should assist the priest. 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. |
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Servers should normally be vested. This is within the tradition of the Church and prevents difficulties regarding appropriate dress for these ministers. All servers should wear the same liturgical vesture.*2 Note: At Saint Thomas à Becket, our altar servers are vested in monastic albs (hooded). The alb should completely cover any non liturgical clothing and so, should be of a suitable length. Dress shoes are required. No athletic shoes are permitted. |
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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.
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Servers
respond to the prayers and dialogues of the priest along with the congregation.
They also join in singing the hymns and other chants of the liturgy. |
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Servers should be seated in a place from which they can easily assist the priest celebrant and deacon. The place next to the priest is normally reserved for the deacon. Note: Altar servers are seated adjacent to the sanctuary as members of the congregation of faithful and enter the sanctuary as necessary to fulfill their liturgical duties assisting the priest, deacon and other ministers as may be required. |
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Servers
may not distribute holy communion unless they have been mandated for this
function by the bishop. |
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The
Order for the Blessing of Altar Servers, Sacristans, Musicians, and Ushers
(Book of Blessings, nos. 1847-1870) may be used before servers first begin
to function in this ministry. |
Footnotes
*1 Number 70, para. 1, the second sentence no longer applies (this restricted
the liturgical functions in the sanctuary only to men).
*2 The alb is the preferred vestment for servers (see General Instruction
of the Roman Missal, no. 298.)
__________________________________
Committee on the Liturgy
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194 (202) 541-3060
November 10, 2002 Copyright © by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops