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The Mass Server Ministry: Drawing Nearer to the Lord for the Good of the Church
In days gone by, altar servers were the only people at Mass responding to the prayers said by the priest. Today, they still offer essential support to our clergy and inspiration to our faith community.
“The importance of the servers centers around giving of ourselves for the glory of God,” says Fr. Godfrey Mullen, OSB. “Their presence in the presbyterium can be an inspiration for all of us to draw nearer to the Lord and to offer ourselves for the good of the Church.”
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The Mass servers at St. Benedict Cathedral Parish are involved in the liturgy in a variety of ways. For example, they carry in cross and candles and assist with setting the altar and with incense when it is used.
“While many of these elements are now carried out by the priest because of the pandemic, the ministry provided by servers assists with a smoother flow and greater solemnity in the celebration,” Fr. Godfrey says.
Mass Server at St. Benedict Cathedral Parish
Any person in fifth grade or older — boy or girl — is welcome to be trained and then to serve at weekend Masses. St. Benedict Cathedral School students also typically serve at student Masses during the week.
Kendrick Wittmer first became an altar server because it seemed like a great way for him to become more involved in the parish and to interact with the Mass more.
“The best part is being able to see the entire congregation, along with being involved with the Eucharist,” Kendrick says.
Servers for weekday Masses are generally retired and take a regular day or two each week.
“For the past year, we have generally used servers only for Masses with the bishop and for funerals,” Fr. Godfrey says. “Ordinarily, server training happens in the spring for students, and we strive to schedule newer servers with more seasoned ones.”
On a fundamental level, servers are closer to the altar, where bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. But the act of serving requires more careful attention to the Mass, knowing what needs to happen when.
“That is the vocation of all Catholics — to be more attentive to God’s actions and Word,” Fr. Godfrey says. “Serving at the altar also is, in its own way, a gift of self, in prayer, for the sake of all. And when we serve others, we become more like the One who served by giving His life.”
At first, Gabriel Wittmer thought serving at Mass would be difficult and confusing, but after serving for the first time, those fears dissipated, and his faith life increased.
“I would say that my relationship with God has gotten stronger because I am more involved with the parish and the Eucharist,” Gabriel says.
Not having servers during the past year has been somewhat strange for Fr. Godfrey, but he remains very grateful for the commitment that so many of our servers show in serving when they’re scheduled and sometimes even when they are not.
“I’m also grateful to their parents for getting them to Mass in a timely fashion,” Fr. Godfrey says. “That extra commitment enhances the liturgy for everyone. We all have skills we’re able to share, and I look forward to the days when our servers are regularly back in place for Mass.”
