WHO IS AN ALTAR SERVER?

 CATHOLIC ALTER SERVERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (CASAN)

WHO IS AN ALTAR SERVER?

A TALK DELIVERED BY SOLOMON ANETOCHUKWU ODO ON THE OCCASION OF ALTAR SERVERS ANNUAL RETREAT ON 19^TH DECEMBER, 2016.

AT

HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC PARISH, IMILIKE-ENU.

                                  NSUKKA DIOCESE.

Nearer to Altar….

Who is an Altar Server?

This question looks very simple at appearance but it very difficult to answer. I would like to start answering it with a quote from Pope Francis in his speech ‘Here I am send me’ to European Altar Servers. “Being Altar Server is call to prayer and mission”.

As we meditate on the above quote, I will rephrase the question in this way; who is not an Altar Server? Tackling this question demand that I will delineates some attributes or character that a good Altar Server will avoid. I represent them with an acronym LUCID. LUCID means clear or easily understood. Here it will stand for the following: L: Lateness, U: Uncleanliness, C: Carelessness, I: Irresponsibility, and D for Disobedience.

1.      Disobedience: an Altar Server is not supposed to be stubborn and irresponsible. He is supposed to obey every good advice or command he receives from any person. Obedience here has no boundary; you are not only expected to obey the parish priest, Bishop or CASAN officials alone but rather have to obey everybody in so far as what you are being told is good and right before God and man. Obedience is better than sacrifice.

2.      Lateness: a good Altar Server should also dissociate himself from any form of lateness at; meetings, works, mass etc. remember that punctuality is the soul of every business. Others are supposed to learn from Altar servers how to organize and attend activities on time. African time is not for Altar Server. A Server that will serve mass is expected to be at the mass venue at least 20 minutes prior to the time of the mass.

3.      Uncleanliness: this is a state of being unclean or dirty or lack of cleanliness. For the fact that Altar Servers play significant role at sanctuary during liturgical celebration, they are supposed to be very neat, clean and hygienic. Servers should brush their teeth very well with good toothpaste and water not just chewing sticks (etu oshishi),they should take their bath before serving any mass, wash and iron their clothes and vestments regularly, comb their hairs and cut it when necessary, polish their shoes and sandals, regular cleaning of vessels, washing linens and so on. We should always bear in mind that cleanliness is next to Godliness.

4.      Carelessness: this can variously come as inattention, negligence, too much playing, lack of organization, lack of coordination, noise making at mass etc. Altar Servers bearing in mind that they are participating in a great sacrifice of the Altar and are handling holy things should do whatever they are doing with utmost reverence and carefulness. Holy things should be handled holily- sancta sanctae taranta sunt. Again, Altar Servers should always be alert and observant at Altar, that is, being in position to read and understand signs and facial expression as means of communication among each other.

5.      Irresponsibility: this according to me can be seen variously as lack of self- control, e.g. being drunk or womanizing, imprudence, unaccountability, insincerity (telling lies) etc. Integrity, that is, steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code very important in the life of every Altar Server. An Altar Server should be a man of P², which stands for, principle and prudence. Humility is another indispensable virtue of an Altar Server. We are not at the Altar to showcase ourselves but to carry out our duty with reverence and humility.

Without disintegrating or extricating ourselves from these attributes, we are not even worthy to be called Altar Servers.

Who then is an Altar Server?

Having stated the above facts, let us face the main question, who is an Altar Server?

An Altar Server is a lay assistant to a member of the clergy during Christian Liturgy. An Altar Server attends to supporting tasks at the Altar such as fetching and carrying, rings the Altar bell, among other things (Wikipedia).

            We should bear in mind that it is not by right that we serve at Altar, it is only a privilege. We are allowed to serve due to insufficiency of the ordained acolytes whose duties are to minister at holy mass. It is a great privilege to serve at the Altar of our God and therefore Servers are only chosen from among those who display a desire for a more intimate union with our Lord and God, Jesus Christ. Our Loving Saviour becomes present on Altar as He was present at the last super and at Calvary. Accordingly, Servers have a solemn responsibility to carry out their assigned duties with dignity, reverence and attention.

Being a Server means serving God and His people at mass. You will be exercising a genuine Liturgical ministry by assisting the clergy and parish community as we publicly worship God.

POINTS TO NOTE

1.            Altar Servers exercise important roles; helping the priest to lead God’s people in prayer. The care and attention that Altar Servers give to their ministry allows the prayer of the church to take place with reverence and beauty.

2.            The ministry of assisting in the sanctuary enhances the beauty of the celebration for all who have been gathered together to pray…. So know what you are doing and do it well.

3.            Do not be a distraction to people who are at mass to honour and give thanks to God. Remember that you are always at sanctuary, sanctuary means mountains or elevation. Since you are at elevated area, people easily see you and what you do because you are up in the sanctuary during liturgy. The actions you perform should be done well.

4.            Becoming a good server takes time, patience perseverance and a desire for excellence. It is the journey to every Christian through life on the pathway to imitate our Lord Jesus. So if you experience difficulties and challenges, keep at it and do not give up.

5.            Remember you are serving a priest who is there in person of Christ – in persona Christi, so we are not merely serving the priest but our savior Jesus Christ.

QUALIFICATION TO SERVE

Any Catholic who has received his first Holy Communion is eligible to be trained to become an Altar Server.

Girls are also allowed to serve at mass. Canon 230 of the Code of Canon Law promulgated in 1983 allowed Local ordinaries to permit girls and woman to also serve mass. 

Altar servers regardless of age are subject to all the normal restrictions for those not of higher clerical position. Being an alter server does not mean that you are a priest, so a server should know his limits and boundary. Often, people misuse privilege given to them.

BASIC RULES FOR SERVERS

Ø   You must attend the training sessions or practice. You don’t have to perform or lead in any liturgical act without prior practice.

Ø   You must attend every Mass you are scheduled for. If otherwise, please find a replacement from the contact list and notify the coordinator or sacristan.

Ø   Must pay attention to what the priest is doing or what is happening in the mass.

Ø   You must audibly say, chant or sing the appropriate prayers and responses in a reverent manner.

Ø   There is to be absolute silence in the sanctuary and sacristy.

Ø   You should not be in the sacristy during mass but must remain at sanctuary till the end of the mass unless on the situation of sickness or a particular job that needs urgent attention.

Ø   You must be dressed appropriately to serve. No exceptions.

Ø   Remember, you are obliged to keep the Eucharist fast, one hour before receiving communion. Exception is when you are serving many masses.

Ø   You must receive communion during mass. If you will not receive communion or if you are not in the state of grace, do not serve.

Ø   Quarrelling or disputes over the assignment of duties are never appropriate and indicate that one is not ready to continue in this ministry.

DRESS CODE FOR ALTAR SERVERS

Ø   Footwear: Shoes or sandals should be worn, preferably black or brown colours. Tennis shoes, timber land, boots are not allowed.

Ø   Hair: It should be neat and trimmed appropriately.

Ø   Jewelry: Do not wear anything like necklace or chains that will make noise or will be distracting or that will cause you to have problems serving.

Ø   Shorts are not allowed.

Ø   Collared shirts are not allowed, white polo is preferable.

NB: remember you are in the sanctuary when Christ is made present on the Altar. So dress accordingly.

DUTIES TO SERVERS AT MASS

v   Acolytes or candle bearers to light and to snuff the Altar candle and carry candle during procession and gospel.

v   Crucifer to be the cross bearer.

v   Torch bearer to carry the six torches (When applicable).

v   Book bearer to carry Roman Missal to and from the priest

v   Bell ringer.

v   Thurifer to carry the thurible for burning of incense.

v   Incense boat bearer.

v   Master of the ceremony (M.C); control other servers.

I don’t think it is necessary to border us with the whole details and process of serving.

POSTURE AT MASS: ACTIONS TO LEARN

A posture is how you are using a part of your body at a particular time. A server has to carry out a number of different actions at mass and so there are number of different postures.

Ø   Folded hands: When the hands are not in use, they should be folded except when the server is seated. When one hand is in use, the other should rest on the chest.

Ø   Walking: walk with your back straight, with your head held high and with your eyes looking straight ahead. Be joyful, go ahead and smile. Don’t ever walk backwards, always turn and walk with front.

Ø   Bowing: three types of bows; simple bow or bow of the head, full bow or bow of the body or profound bow and medium bow. They are all forms of reverence during mass and at the church.

Ø   Kneeling: when you kneel, your body should be upright and your hands should be in-front of your chest, well above your waist.

Ø   Genuflecting: keep your hands in-front of your chest while you go down on your right knee. Keep your body upright.

Ø   Sitting: sit down on your chair carefully and gracefully coordinate with the other servers to maintain uniformity. Never cross your legs while sitting. Place your hands in your lap or flat on your thighs in a relaxed manner.

PATRON SAINTS OF ALTAR SERVERS

Altar servers look up to Christ our lord and to Blessed Mother Mary emulating and leading the good life they lived. They however, hove peculiar people they look up to that had been recognized by church as saints. They should be our role models because they were ideal altar servers.

ü  Saint John Berchmans and

ü  Saint Tarcisius

BRIEF PROFILE OF ST. JOHN BERCHMANS, SJ

o   Born 13^th March 1599 at Diest Seventeen Provinces situated now at Belgian province of Flemish Brabant, Flanders Netherlands.

o   Died 13^th August, 1621 (lived on for 22 years)

o   Beatified in the year 1865

o   Canonized on 15^th January 1888

o   Feast day 26^th November (until 1969) 13^th August (after 1969).

o   Attributes: often depicted with hands clasped, holding his crucifix, his book of rules and his rosary.

o   Parents: John Charles and Elizabeth Berchmans.

We should learn from Berchmans how to be dedicated to our service, spirit of sacrifice (he requested that after ordination as a priest he could become a chaplain in army, hoping to be martyred on the battlefield), intelligence and studious (he was selected by prefect of studies to participate in a discussion of philosophy at Greek College), and above all friendly and respectfulness (he was affable, kind and endowed with an outgoing personality that endeared him to everyone). Above all, we should learn to live a life of prayer from St. John Berchmans (we learnt that we cannot see Berchmans without bearing his rosary).     

SHORT STORY ABOUT ST. TARCISIUS

Much is not known about Tarcisius. He was a twelve-year-old acolyte during one of the fierce Roman persecutions on the third century, probably during that of Valerian. Each day, from a secret meeting place in the catacombs where Christians gathered for mass, a deacon would be sent to prison to carry the Eucharist to those Christians condemned to die. At one point, there was no deacon to send and so Tarcisius an acolyte volunteered to go. On his way, he met his pagan friends that turned to mob after several attempts to know what Tarcisius was hiding. They turned upon Tarcisius with fury. He instead of disclosing the holy Eucharist to the pagan chose to sacrifice his life.

            Tarcisius has always been an example of youthful courage and devotion , from him, we should learn to be heroic in suffering for our faith.

BENEFITS OF BEING A GOOD ALTAR SERVER

I will like to disabuse from us the wrong impression of scrambling or fighting for physical rewards as Altar Servers. It should be noted that no amount of physical rewards from; the parish priest, bishop, parish council, parishioners etc. will be equivalent to the services we render at the sanctuary. Our rewards come from our father in heaven who knows the amount of what we do at the Altar.

            Here are some of the helpful scripture quotes about serving. The blessings and promises for servants;

Ø  Colossians 3:23-24 whatever you do, work heartily, as for the lord and not for men, knowing that from the lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the lord Christ.

Ø  John 12:26 if anyone serves me, he must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the father will honour him.

Ø  Hebrews 6:10 for God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

Ø  Luke 22:27 for who is the greater one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

Other helpful passages are;

I Corinthians 9:13, Romans 12:1, Matthew 6:24, I Thessalonians 1:8-10, Malachi 3:17-18 among others.

CONCLUSION

      In conclusion, let us serve God in truth and Spirit, simplicity and happiness, humility and reverence. As we are proclaiming Christ here on earth through Altar service, he will surely proclaim us before his father in heaven. Let the way we appear at the Altar be the same way we appear everywhere, that is, what we are at the Altar should also be what we should be at home, school, workplace, market etc.

      Just as I started with Pope Francis quote, I will equally end with his quote; “The closer you are to the Altar, the more you will remember to speak with Jesus in daily prayer; the more you will be nourished by the word and the body of the Lord, the better able you will be to go out to others, bringing them gift that you have received, giving in turn with enthusiasm the joy you have received”.