THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING AN ALTAR SERVER

To serve at the altar of God is great privilege and a tremendous blessing. When the server puts on the cassock and surplice, he enters the company of many great saints – men who served God first as altar servers and later, in all walks of saintly life. When the altar server enters the sanctuary, he also joins the ranks of the angels themselves, who attend to the Holy Sacrifice, therein adoring Almighty God. It is fitting, indeed, that the server who is so privileged should proclaim, as he goes unto the altar of God, that it is God who gives joy to his youth. 

Moreover, Altar Servers must follow the example of Christ, who did not hesitate to place himself at the whole of humanity’s service, and even sacrificed himself. Not only during services, but also throughout everyday life, Altar Servers must live by following His example of love, generosity, commitment and precision. Altar Servers are Jesus’ ‘friends’, full of enthusiasm and willingness to take part in the activities of the Church by offering their contributions of love and devotion. 

In the history of the Church there have been many characters who could represent the ideal model for Altar Servers, like Saint Tarcisius, who lived in the era of the first Christian communities in Rome and was killed by his pagan peers because he had made himself available to carry the Blessed Sacrament to Christians prisoners, or Saint Dominic Savio, who had Saint John Bosco as a teacher and guide, and devoted his (unfortunately short) life to his brothers and the community…etc. We must imitate the saints to deepen our love in serving Christ. 

REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME AN ALTAR SERVER AT THE CHAPLAINCY:

All servers must meet the following requirements before they will be accepted to serve in our apostolate in the Archdiocese of Canberra.

QUALIFICATIONS

– Servers or Servers’ families must be registered members / regular attendees of our chaplaincy.

– Servers must actively practice the Catholic faith and should regularly receive Holy Communion.

– Servers must be 7 years of age and above.

• Servers who are 18 yrs or above must have obtained a valid working with children check or Working with Vulnerable People card.

– Servers should try to participate in our regular server’s practices and gatherings.

• Servers must arrive on time when they are on duty.

– Servers must be willing to memorise the responses in Latin.

INTENTIONS

New servers must meet with the priest to answer this question, “Why do you want to be an altar server?” Altar servers must serve because they feel a personal calling to service. If you feel parents or others are pressuring you to serve, but you don’t want to serve, quietly let the priest know. The priest is here to assist you. They are happy to help you determine if this is the right time for you to begin altar serving. If this isn’t the right time, then you are welcome to start again when you are ready. Servers also must be prepared to meet the commitment required of them. They should understand the principles of Devotion, Dedication, and Discipline.

KNOWLEDGE

A new server must be willing to become very familiar with the Mass. They must understand why the Mass is important, and what happens during Mass. Before they serve for the first time, a server will be required to demonstrate that they know the Order of Mass, the prayers of the Mass, and the postures and responses during Mass. All of this will be taught during the new server training period. Altar servers must also demonstrate the ability to make use of the “tools of the trade,” such as matches, candles, candle lighters, books, and setting up vestments. All of these will be taught in the training section.

ATTIRES AND PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

When you are serving, you must look your best!

– Dark dress shoes, dark socks and dark trousers (not shorts) are worn while serving on the altar. If a server has been to a function earlier in the day that requires that he wear shorts and time does not permit him to go home first to change he should carry a pair of trousers in his bag and change into them in the sacristy before serving on the altar.

– Cassock should be washed regularly.

– Surplice should be washed and ironed regularly.

– In order to protect surplice from sparks and charcoal dust, the Thurifer or any server does not wear the surplice during the lighting and fanning of the coals.

– Servers should present themselves for serving with their hair combed.

– Servers should cut their finger nails regularly.

– Long hair, Earring, or any bodily piercing is not allowed.