Wear black shoes. Remember to get a good night's sleep first - there's nothing worse for a congregation to look at than a tired server! To be an altar server, you must be 10 years of age and entering into the 5th - 12th grade, have received your First Holy Communion, know how to genuflect properly and how to make the sign of the cross. Serving at the . 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. Dont just go galumphing into your place. That draws attention to yourself. You may know it all but you are not good if you are not willing to learn. One needs not to be extravagant in attaining this. When walking or sitting, hands should be held in one of two positions, locked together either at the chest or waist. I was a fourth grade student when I became an altar server. 12 0 obj The function of the Ceremonieri and Caudatario, How to become a deacon: duties and education, 10 liturgical lectern covers for your church, Ecclesiastic hierarchy within the Catholic Church, Saint Matthew, apostle, evangelist and martyr, Mind-Blowing Statistics About Christianity You Need to Know, Way of the Cross for children: how to tell your child about the 14 stations, The apparitions of Our Lady of Guadaloupe. Hb```f`` @1pq L . Once you arrive at the sanctuary, genuflect if you are not carrying anything. One needs not to be extravagant in attaining this. endobj " TDVuO You Are Un-necessary Whoa! The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 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. 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. 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. Let your true good qualities shine through, and you are sure to be accepted as a decent candidate for the job. Communication, teamwork, perceiving what needs to be done and doing it, punctuality, self-confidence, and the list goes on. 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 . 8 0 obj 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. How to Select a Saint for Your Confirmation Name, Visit a Catholic Mass: Etiquette for Catholics and Non-Catholics, Catholic Confession: How to Perform the Sacrament of Penance, How to Be an Altar Server in the Catholic Church, https://uploads.weconnect.com/mce/8b583aa0ac7f15508192f2ea1c56b9a07eb48e38/LiturgicalMinisterSchedules/Altar%20Server%20Handbook.pdf, https://www.kencollins.com/glossary/vestment-01.htm, https://www.holyart.com/blog/religious-items/roles-altar-servers/, https://stphilip.org/worship-liturgy/altar-servers/altar-server-guidelines/, http://www.stchrismi.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Altar-Server-Guidelines.pdf, http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/frequently-asked-questions/guidelines-for-altar-servers.cfm, Diventare Ministrante nella Chiesa Cattolica, Ser um Ajudante de Altar na Igreja Catlica. In most churches, the lead server will get it when the priest says "Let us Pray". Act as if everything is going on as normal as the congregation will not notice. What should I do if I forget what to do in the middle of mass? by Fr. . 7 0 obj 5 0 obj the altar, you should learn all matters concerning liturgical worship and strive to grasp their inner spiritual meaning. Girls tie your hair back neatly. Particularly solemn ceremonies, such as on the occasion of important religious feasts, will require a bigger number of Altar Servers. [1] In 1905, Pope Pius X, gave his approbation to the canonical establishment of the Guild at Westminster Cathedral. 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. The vestments worn by altar servers are very special. The Altar Servers therefore carry out various tasks in the context of the Mass, and are named after them, to distinguish themselves from each other. Waxwell House, 125 Waxwell Lane, Pinner, London, HA5 3EP. This means offering up ones life. :/l1d,,5,XJ|TBVRGTV^B@Bk)wj"0n \VMsU{U |_\DbA6.,0G:y\G8lFcD(F1+[ . Take pride in being a servant of the altar of the king! This is our banner for battle. Their name comes from the Latin word ministrare which means to serve. An Altar Server is a member of the Church who participates in the celebration with the understanding that they are leaders of the assembly. Catholic churches and information about Catholic schools within the London and Hertfordshire area and in the `7.C-seF+;.ysuZ4-KSyF9L@z/uBm+5`#Cb(AcIlc 'GAg\3 Attentiveness. One needs to appear clean because as the saying goes, cleanliness is next to godliness. Msgr. )$H$?]\VTg?+uQMWjgTg|jY}o]}34V!4yZ4#T: I wouldnt say that a good altar server is someone who knows how to use all the sacred vessels. Far and away the best reason to do altar serving is that it helps you discern your vocation better. 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. Often the Thurifer accompanies a Navicularius, the Altar Server assigned to the incense boat. 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). We constantly hear that there are too many demands on us. 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. So do what you do reverently and carefully. Do you aspire to become an Altar Server? Here are ten things you should tell your altar servers: 1. 0000040363 00000 n Reply to Steve Hays' Caricatures of the Papacy. n|x]'j VMntVE"_I m"c~^fs!]+>U@"; J5Q^s!?kT >uKzsmdx9{ *$!kOhQh~6!`(/ =W*KUM!Oc5w('mN g&/WEDf"Z7+-194ns}ZMF#dahU]niY^ soS\y\+| x/rC`A.`F:%)M)|/; T[tL)AJ+B By serving, the altar server grows in his/her own faith and devotion. endobj <> Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. 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. By using our site, you agree to our. In the past it was the Altar Servers who had to support the train of the high priests during solemn celebrations. Such persons may carry out all the functions listed in no. When you first arrive at the church, be sure to remove any gum or candy you have in your mouth. 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. Youve most likely seen them at Mass, up by the altar, helping the priest to keep the Mass running smoothly. Ive been an altar server since then and my memories of serving at the altar are treasured within my heart. bWOmL@? 193 of the. endobj If young, the server is commonly called an altar boy or altar . You dont have to wear dressy clothes because your cassock will cover that, but what people can see should look good. With a great range of ages and experiences, youll meet some fantastic people youd probably meet nowhere else. OUR LADY OF MERCY CHURCH . 0000000758 00000 n The Eucharistic Prayer states. If any of the albs are ripped or torn, let the priest or deacon know. Sign up to receive our fortnightly email with our latest news, features and events. 10. 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":"