Adoration Animates The Fraternity of Altar Servers

Instituted Acolytes | Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter

[ 7 minute read ]

Dear Servers,

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament helps us recall that we serve Jesus Christ our eternal High Priest.

The source and summit of our bond of friendship with Jesus.

The Catholic Church teaches that altar servers have a privileged place in liturgical celebrations. They are not just "helpers of the parish priest," but rather, they are servants of Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest [1]. When altar servers serve at Mass, they experience the presence and activity of Jesus Christ in every liturgy. Jesus is present in the community gathered to pray, in the words of Sacred Scripture, and above all, in the Eucharist [1]. Altar servers have the opportunity to be close to Jesus in the Eucharist, which is the source and summit of their bond of friendship with Him [2].

Evangelization

The role of an altar server goes beyond the church walls. They are called to be witnesses of Jesus Christ in their everyday lives, shining the light of the Gospel in their schools, families, and different social contexts [3]. Altar servers are encouraged to deepen and foster their friendship with Jesus, discovering that in Him, they have found a true friend for life [1].

Authentic Liturgical Service

The vestments worn by altar servers have a special meaning. The white cotta or surplice symbolizes the baptismal garment, which represents being welcomed into the community of Jesus Christ [1]. Through their service at the altar, altar servers participate in the "authentic liturgical service" alongside bishops, priests, and deacons [1].

A Note to Preachers

Dear Reverend Fathers, a homily on altar service would emphasize the privileged place of altar servers in liturgical celebrations, their role as servants of Jesus Christ, and the importance of their friendship with Him. It would also highlight the significance of their service extending beyond the church, as they are called to be witnesses of Jesus in their everyday lives. The symbolism of the vestments worn by altar servers can also be explained, emphasizing their connection to the baptismal garment and their participation in the liturgical service of the Church [1].

References

1. General Audience of 1 August 2001
2. General Audience of 2 August 2006: Special catechesis for the European Pilgrimage of Altar Servers

The Character of the Altar Server

Not everyone is called to altar service. Altar service requires one to observe decorum at all times. If you are prone to fidgeting or, for example, you are constantly looking for attention, then the sanctuary is probably not the place for you. Of course, boys of a certain age can find it difficult to remain still, and should be provided guidance to help them remain focussed. Typically, the deeper the knowledge of the reason for an act or the actions performed helps the server attach meaning to his service. Given reason for his service in a way he can understand the importance of his act or actions, and the more frequently he is given responsibility for necessary acts, the more likely he is to commit to his task with habitual enthusiasm and focus.

The sanctuary cannot be a forum for conversations (chit chat) that distract others from praying the Mass. Remaining attentive to the moment, to one's duties, requires maturity, an awareness that one is serving Jesus Christ.

Accompanied In Formation

Altar service does not replace nor suspend the duty of parents to work with their children to acquire reverence and faith in the Holy Eucharist. One way - a most sublime way - that parents can help is to share with their children time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. There - in the Presence of Jesus - we respond to Jesus' invitation to spend time with Him. That time in communion reinforces our ability to recognize Jesus Present - Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity - when we receive Him in the Mass.

If children are to develop an awareness of the love of God for them, and are to discover their vocation in life, they benefit greatly by having a parent spend time with them in a serene environment dedicated to being present to God, to listening to and to speaking with God. The refinement of those spiritual faculties requires practice. That practice is a response to the grace God gives to elevate our lives and our ability to love, to hope and to believe in Jesus Christ. At the same time, God provides us the grace to grow in confidence as disciples called to witness to others the eternal salvation that Jesus offers.

Adoration during Mass

During Divine Worship, the Mass of the Ordinariates, we make the Sign of the Cross at the elevation of the Sacred Host and again at the elevation of the Precious Blood of Christ, to acknowledge with awe the Real Presence. At those elevations, bells are rung in joy at the coming of the Lord. When the priest turns toward the congregation at the Ecce Agnus Dei, again the bells are rung, and we again make the Sign of the Cross in silent adoration before we expand our hope in Jesus' saving power by thrice repeating the phrase of the centurion (St Matthew 8:8), Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof, but speak the word only, and my soul shall be healed. That same phrase is accompanied by striking one's breast to signify humility, to open the door to one's heart, to make felt the appropriate disposition of the heart, that of hospitality toward the Divine Guest, at the advent of our Lord and Saviour.

Christian silence is about encountering Jesus.

Young people, especially during these cacophanus times saturated with constant online/on-phone noise, need a forum in which they can be free to live life in the way God is calling them to live. The silence of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is an encounter with Jesus. Therein that encounter we allow ourselves to be spoken to by Jesus, to learn His way of service that leads to holiness and to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness that leads to authentic service.

Altar service can gently awaken in a young man the beauty of the priesthood and an attraction to priestly service. Through altar service, God provides His grace to awaken in a young man his potential, whether that is to become a good and holy priest or a man of Christian virtue.

A Prayer Before The Blessed Sacrament

Loving Father, Almighty God, teach me how to best serve Thee. Help me to listen carefully to the scriptures read at Mass so that my thoughts may be illuminated by Thy truth. Help me to model my life on the lives of the saints who have kept the commandments of Thy Son, Jesus Christ. Gant me a heart that is willing to embrace every challenge with love and serenity, and grant me a mind for truth and goodness. I humbly beseech Thee, grant me the assistance of Thy Holy Spirit to help me serve in the Mass with reverence and joy, so that others may be led more closely to Jesus, our Saviour. If it be Thy will, help me become a good and holy priest, and if not a priest, a man of Christian virtue, so that I may live well the Holy Gospel and be welcomed into Thy Presence when Thou dost call me home. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

To Serve and Protect

The fraternal partnership between altar servers is one that grows through shared dedicated service. Effective service depends on a shared conviction to honour the Lord and each other. Mutual respect and support are hallmarks of our fraternity.

There is a close spiritual bond between servers and their priests and bishops. We are brothers, and our brotherhood has been tested by those who have taken advantage of servers' trust. We must be vigilant, especially for the sake of the health and well being and innocence of our younger brothers. We older servers have a shared responsibility to mentor and protect those boys who lovingly serve our Lord Jesus Christ.

Catholic Mutual Group (CMG) Connect - cmgconnect.org, cmgconnectcanada.org - provides training for adult volunteers. In the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter, adult volunteers who serve alongside youth must complete criminal record checks and participate in mandatory safe environment training. The Catholic Church, more than any other public organization, has responded to the abuse crisis in public institutions by ensuring that robust safe environment programs are in place in every parish and Church-sponsored institution to protect young people and at-risk adults.

Given the full exposure of hundreds if not thousands of assaults, is any additional example needed to convince Catholics of the devastation that can be wrought when evil gets a toehold in the Church? There will always be those who attempt to prey on the vulnerable. We must be ever vigilant to ensure those predatorial individuals do not find their way into positions of trust whereby they can exploit others. 

We can never be too vigilant in our attempts to ensure that each and every volunteer honours and cherishes in word and deed the sacredness of every person who is created in the image and likeness of God. In other words, we must pray continually for insight and the guidance of the Holy Ghost to help us defend our brothers and help them grow in faith, hope and charity.