Every Sunday, as the congregation gathers at the Basilica of San Albino, a group of dedicated young individuals quietly takes their place at the heart of the liturgy. They are the altar servers, the unsung heroes who ensure the Mass unfolds seamlessly, allowing worshippers to immerse themselves in prayer. Far more than assistants, these servers embody an ancient tradition in the Church’s liturgical life, one that fosters faith, community, and even vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Altar servers are lay assistants who support the clergy during Christian liturgies, performing tasks such as carrying the cross, ringing bells, handling incense, and presenting liturgical books. In the Roman Catholic Church, they are sometimes called acolytes, a role detailed in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, which outlines the duties of these “other ministers” alongside instituted acolytes. Historically, altar serving was a male-only role, but the 1983 Code of Canon Law opened the ministry to all lay persons. A 1992 interpretation by the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts, followed by a 1994 clarification from the Congregation for Divine Worship, confirmed that women and girls could serve at the altar, making the role inclusive while leaving the decision to local parishes.
At San Albino, the altar server ministry thrives as a vibrant reflection of the parish community, balancing male and female participation. Pastors are encouraged to nurture this ministry, recognizing its potential to spark vocations. “Pastors should see to it that this ministry reflects the parish and that there is an appropriate balance of male and female servers,” notes Church guidance. Indeed, the role has historically been a seedbed for priestly and religious callings, offering young people a front-row seat to the sacred mysteries of the Mass.
For those who serve, the experience is transformative. “To serve at the altar for liturgical celebrations is a great opportunity to increase your faith and knowledge of the Sacrifice of the Mass,” explains a San Albino ministry leader. “The Sacrifice of the Mass is the greatest event in the world, and your job as an altar server is to assist the priest so that Sunday Mass runs smoothly and parishioners can pray and worship better and with less distraction.”
To become an altar server at San Albino, one must be a practicing Catholic and complete the parish’s training sessions. The commitment is significant, but the rewards are profound. Two of San Albino’s altar servers, Chris and Elizabeth, shared their experiences, offering a glimpse into the joys and challenges of this sacred role.
“I’m Elizabeth. I’m an altar server, and I am a knight,” says Elizabeth, a young woman whose journey began at her former parish, a private Catholic school where students assisted at Mass. “I thought being an altar server looked pretty cool, helping the priest, so I was like, that’s fun.” Her enthusiasm is palpable, fueled by the chance to contribute to the liturgy and grow in faith.
Chris, a seasoned server, took a different path. “I’m Chris. I’m an altar server here at San Albino, and I’m the archbishop’s knight,” he says with pride. Initially reluctant, he joined after persistent encouragement from his mother. “I really didn’t want to do it. And then my mom kept bugging me over and over and over again. Finally, I showed up to their training, and I had a lot of fun, and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
The role of an altar server is dynamic, requiring adaptability and teamwork. “Kind of our main role is assisting the priest up there during Mass, but we’re kind of like the jack of all trades. Whatever Father needs us to do, we’ll do,” Chris explains. The ministry at San Albino is structured with ranks—squire, knight, bishop’s knight, and archbishop’s knight—each marking a progression in responsibility. Squires handle basic tasks like carrying the cross or candles, while knights take on complex duties, such as managing incense or serving at major liturgies like Christmas and Easter. Bishop’s knights, like Elizabeth aspires to be, serve alongside the bishop, handling sacred items like the mitre and crosier with special care. “You’re not allowed to touch his mitre. Only he’s allowed to hold it,” Elizabeth recalls, describing the delicate task of holding the bishop’s mitre with a cloth-covered hand.
Chris, as the “archbishop’s knight,” earned his title as the first bishop’s knight in the parish, a nod to his years of service. “I worked my way up through the ranks, starting with the cross, the candles, the book. And then I went up to serve with the bishop and a number of important Masses, starting to MC those Masses, so to be the master of ceremonies,” he says. His knighting ceremony was a memorable event, complete with a sword and shield, symbolizing his commitment. “It was a full event,” he laughs.
For Elizabeth, the path to bishop’s knight is within reach. “I still have to serve with the bishop and I think do incense and boat still. And then I think that’s all I need,” she says. Her ambition is clear: “I just want to serve more for the church.” She dreams of wielding the ceremonial sword and serving more frequently with the bishop, whether at San Albino or beyond.
The ministry isn’t without its challenges. Chris recalls the complexity of being the master of ceremonies for an Easter Vigil Mass, coordinating seven other servers with precision. “So many moving parts to that one Mass. I have my binder, my cheat sheet, but I got to make sure that everyone does their job right,” he says. For Elizabeth, handling incense is tricky. “Burnt myself a few times,” she admits, recalling a rehearsal where the priest taught her to swing the thurible.
Mistakes happen, and both servers laugh about their missteps. Elizabeth once left the altar prematurely during a 7:30 a.m. Mass at her old church, while Chris skidded down the steps in new boots while fetching the gifts. “The whole front row is laughing,” he recalls. Yet these moments build resilience and camaraderie.
Serving with the bishop adds another layer of complexity. “Serving with Father Chris? It’s a routine at this point. I could probably do the Sunday Mass in my sleep,” Chris says. “But serving with the bishop, there’s a lot of little differences.” Elizabeth, who served with the bishop once, found it rewarding but intense, especially while holding his mitre with restricted arms.
The rewards of altar serving extend beyond the liturgy. “I’ve made a lot of my close friends through altar serving, friends I still see to this day,” Chris says. “It creates a community, but it also creates a sense of pride whenever you climb your way up through the ranks.” Elizabeth agrees, urging others to join: “It’s fun. You make friends, help with the church.”
For young people discerning a vocation, altar serving can be a powerful catalyst. “If that person’s an altar server, they’ve already discovered how it feels to be up there on the altar, in the Mass during the sacraments,” Chris advises. “I would tell ‘em, maybe become an altar server if they don’t want to, at least talk to a priest, talk to multiple priests, and just spend time in adoration and prayer, trying to help discern what God wants for them.” Elizabeth, inspired by a family member who became a nun at 14, simply says, “Do it.”
Reflecting on their journeys, both servers encourage others to seize the opportunity. “Take the opportunities that you get and run away with it,” Chris urges. “Being ambitious in everything, all of my achievements inside this organization have really helped for me and how I am.” Elizabeth echoes, “Just take a chance because that chance probably won’t be there later in life.”
At San Albino, altar servers like Chris and Elizabeth are more than helpers—they are witnesses to the sacred, stewards of tradition, and beacons for the next generation. Their stories remind us that in serving at the altar, one not only aids the priest but also deepens their own faith, builds lasting bonds, and perhaps even hears a call to something greater. For those considering the role, their advice is clear: step forward, serve, and let the journey unfold.