Altar Servers
Thank you for your interest in serving at the altar. To become an altar server you must have already received your first Holy Communion. You may continue to serve through your senior year in high school.
- Pray, Help, Pray
Your job as an altar server is to assist the Celebrant (Priest) in the celebration of Mass. You are a prayer leader too. You set an example and model to the assembly by your active participation at Mass through your actions, singing, praying, looking alert and sitting or standing at the appropriate times.
Servers prepare for Mass, carry the cross, hold the Roman Missal for the priest, carry the incense and censer, assist him when he receives the gifts from the people, set the altar before the preparation of the gifts, wash the hands of the priest, assist the Priest and Deacon when they need help. You also watch for cues from the Priest to see if he needs extra assistance.
Jesus is with you and he is present at every Mass and in the Eucharist in the tabernacle. You show that by being reverent.
Posture: Be alert!! Pray with your body: hands point to heaven, sitting not slouching, and kneeling not draping or sitting back on heels.
Gestures: Simple bow; genuflect; making the sign of the cross; reverencing the priest & the altar. Specifically - Bowing of the head is done to the priest after presenting the wine and water and after washing his hands. We bow to the altar because it is the table of the Sacrifice of the Mass.
Know and say the basic prayers of the Mass: Penitential Rite, The Gloria, Nicene Creed, Holy, Holy, Holy, Our Father, Lamb of God, and Lord, I am not worthy.
Dress Guidelines: Dress nicely for church. Your clothing will be covered by an Alb and your feet will be visible. Please wear clean shoes.
Liturgical hints: Be ready. Model. Jesus is with you. “Follow the leader”: The Priest. Act like you know what you are doing. Charity above all. Altar servers are on duty from the beginning to the end of Mass.
You can be scheduled for the Mass time that your family usually attends. To sign up please call the office at 619-445-2145. You will receive training before you are scheduled.
Thank you for considering the Altar Server Ministry