HISTORY OF ALTAR SERVERS
An altar server is a lay assistant to a member of the clergy during a Christian liturgy. An altar server attends to supporting tasks at the altar such as retrieve and carrying, ringing the altar bell, among other things. If young, the server is commonly called an altar boy or altar girl.
While the function of altar server is commonly associated with children, it can be and is carried out by people of any age or dignity.
The 1983 Code of Canon Law altered the juridical situation: without distinguishing between male and female, it declared: "Lay persons can fulfill the function of lector in liturgical actions by temporary designation. All lay persons can also perform the functions of commentator or cantor, or other functions, according to the norm of law. On 30 June 1992, the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts issued an authentic interpretation of that canon declaring that service of the altar is one the "other functions" open to lay persons in general, without distinguishing between male and female.
An altar server is a lay assistant to a member of the clergy during a Christian liturgy. An altar server attends to supporting tasks at the altar such as retrieve and carrying, ringing the altar bell, among other things. If young, the server is commonly called an altar boy or altar girl.
While the function of altar server is commonly associated with children, it can be and is carried out by people of any age or dignity.
The 1983 Code of Canon Law altered the juridical situation: without distinguishing between male and female, it declared: "Lay persons can fulfill the function of lector in liturgical actions by temporary designation. All lay persons can also perform the functions of commentator or cantor, or other functions, according to the norm of law. On 30 June 1992, the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts issued an authentic interpretation of that canon declaring that service of the altar is one the "other functions" open to lay persons in general, without distinguishing between male and female.
DUTIES OF ALTAR SERVERS
To serve at the altar as an altar server is one of the greatest sources of graces. The altar server assists the priest at the Sacred Liturgy; (s)he is privileged to walk into the sanctuary. All altar servers must listen attentively during the Mass and should remain in a state of prayer with their hands in a prayer position. An altar server must also learn the proper name to all of the items used during the Liturgy.
Servers hold liturgical books for the priest when he is not at the altar and is proclaiming the presidential prayers with outstretched hands. They bring and hold such things as books, thuribles, the lavabo water and towel, vessels to hold the consecrated bread, and microphones
Altar servers participate in the entrance procession, proclamation of the gospel, preparation of the gifts, consecration and recessional.
For more information contact Thomas Roberts - thomaseroberts1234@live.com
Servers hold liturgical books for the priest when he is not at the altar and is proclaiming the presidential prayers with outstretched hands. They bring and hold such things as books, thuribles, the lavabo water and towel, vessels to hold the consecrated bread, and microphones
Altar servers participate in the entrance procession, proclamation of the gospel, preparation of the gifts, consecration and recessional.
For more information contact Thomas Roberts - thomaseroberts1234@live.com
