The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass celebrates what is occurring in heaven. Altar servers reflect the heavenly Mass in an earthly manner, which gives focus and meaning to all the promptness and reverence that altar servers give. Altar servers reflect the service of the angels and saints in heaven to Christ at the altar. The altar server reflects the true reality that is already occurring, which gives deeper meaning and understanding to why the altar server is reverent. They receive special training to understand the reality of the Mass and become familiar with the names of the objects on the altar.
Altar servers lead the way for the priest to go up to the altar to begin Mass. They hold the Bible and lectionary open so that the priest can recite the daily prayers out loud. They receive the gifts of the altar from the priest before the offertory begins. They ring the bells during the holiest part of the Mass, the consecration. The takeaway is that this unique experience — to sit on the altar, not with the congregants — elevates the role being performed. Altar servers benefit from the bird’s-eye view, so to speak, of singularly witnessing the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ up close by the side of the priest. Altar servers also participate when the sacraments are being celebrated. They assist the celebrant at baptisms, funerals, first holy communions, confirmations, and weddings. Altar servers fulfill a special role in the church. It is a place of honor. They need to display quietness, attention, support, and reverence.
If you wouls like to be an Altar Server please call the Parish Office. 928-428-4920
