It is a treat honor and privilege to serve at the Altar of our God, as Pope Saint John Paul II indicated in his inspiring address to Altar Servers on August 1, 2001. In that address, the Pope encouraged Altar Servers to understand the responsibility they have in this service to the Church. He said, “the Altar Server has a privileged place in liturgical celebrations. Those who serve at Mass present themselves to a community. They experience from close at hand that Jesus Christ is present and active in every liturgy … In the liturgy, you are far more than ‘helpers of the parish priest,’ above all, you are servants of Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest.”

 

The primary role of the altar server is to assist the priest in the celebration of the liturgy during Mass. This is done through specific actions and by setting an example to the congregation by active participation in the liturgy (singing, responding, etc.), by looking alert, and standing, sitting, or kneeling at the appropriate times.

 

Servers carry the cross, the processional candles, hold the book (Sacramentary) for the priest when he is not at the altar, carry the incense and censer, present the bread, wine, and water to the priest during the Preparation of the Gifts, or assist him when he receives the gifts from the people. They wash the hands of the priest and assist the priest celebrant and deacon as necessary.

 

Here at St. Peter, young men and women who have received Holy Communion and are in fourth (4th) grade, are eligible to become Altar Servers. Altar Servers are more than welcome to serve through their senior year of high school and beyond.