The decorum of the server at Mass

The Altar servers’ ministry is important in the Church especially during the Eucharistic Celebration

Nov 20, 2014

Dear Editor,

The Altar servers’ ministry is important in the Church especially during the Eucharistic Celebration

The servers are in the House of God. When they process into church, they are leading the whole people of God into the presence of God. Simply by their presence, their reverence, their listening to the Word of God with an attentive ear, they will help to lead the worship and encourage those who see them. They do something far greater and more noble, more beautiful and more true.

The primary role of the altar server is to assist the priest in the sanctuary. They are on duty from the time they enter the sanctuary at the start of Mass until they finish cleanup after the end of Mass. During the Mass, their duty station is the sanctuary and a server may not leave the sanctuary except as directed by a priest, or for a bodily necessity.

However, in a particular church, almost all of the servers leave the sanctuary when the sermon starts and ¾ of them are absent for the profession of Faith and the prayer of the faithful. One or two who are present will take a catnap. Some are sloppy and casual in their attitude and posture, which distracts the people from Christ. In spite of all that, we remind ourselves…“No one is perfect, and they are not adults.”

When you serve at Mass, there is no payment. There is no reward — except the reward of knowing that your heart is right with God, and that you have spent an hour on the threshold of heaven, for which you will be most richly blessed This altar you see here is a reflection of the altar in heaven.

Catechist
Petaling Jaya

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