altar server ministry

“BUT BE SURE TO FEAR THE LORD AND SERVE HIM FAITHFULLY WITH ALL YOUR HEART; CONSIDER WHAT GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE FOR YOU.” 1 samuel 12:24

Serviam is a half-day retreat for all altar servers and captains. It will be an opportunity for formation, training, fun, and fellowship. It will start with Mass in the Church at 8am, and end after lunch in McCann Hall at 1pm. All altar servers and captains are expected to be there. It will also be an opportunity for new servers and new server captains to be trained. Register below.

altar servers

The ministry of altar server in the Catholic Church is very unique, other than the priest and deacons; no one else has the opportunity to participate so closely in the preparation of the Eucharist.  At St. Patrick, altar servers are chosen from those young men and women who display a desire for an intimate union with our Lord. Everything they do is a witness to their love of Jesus in the celebration of the Mass.  Great care is taken to instruct each server on how to perform all duties and responsibilities with dignity and reverence. 

Requirements to serve as an altar server:

  • Be a registered member of St. Patrick or another Catholic Church

  • Regularly receive the sacraments

  • Must be in 4th grade

  • Be enrolled in a Faith Formation program through school, church or home study

altar server captains

Server Captains are young men in 8th grade or older, who love the Lord, his Church and desire to lead the younger altar servers at Mass. The Server Captain arrives 20 minutes prior to the beginning of Mass.  He will dress in a cassock and surplice, black pants and black shoes.  Server Captains do the following at each Mass:

  • Check the credence table before Mass to ensure the Roman Missal and all the vessels are set out properly

  • Make sure the other altar servers know their respective roles (book, chalice, or cross) before Mass begins

  • Assist altar servers in choosing the appropriate length alb and correct color cincture

  • Throughout the Mass, anticipate what comes next and remind altar servers to be ready for their next move (especially if they seem to be forgetting)

  • Give guidance in the moment if an altar server makes a mistake in his/her assigned duties

  • Discreetly and gently silence other altar servers if they are talking or fidgeting during Mass

  • Remind altar servers of correct posture throughout Mass (how to sit when seated, how to hold hands, how to properly carry vessels, etc.)

  • Assist the priest if he signals you to come to him for something unexpected (such as a forgotten item, glass of water, batteries for microphone, etc.)

  • At the end of every Mass, take a few minutes to give encouragement and correction to all the altar servers so they can know how to improve next time

  • When incense is used, the Server Captain will be the thurifer

For additional information about our Altar Server Ministry including trainings and schedules, please contact our Liturgy Coordinator below.

Carlene Demers

Liturgy Coordinator
(810)-229-9863 Ext. 221
cdemers@stpatchurch.org