The Altar Server Ministry: Growing In Faith Through Service

Altar servers have an important and special role in the Catholic Mass. In many important ways, they help “lighten the load” for our priests and deacons. As Pope Francis stated, “Serving at the altar is a privileged way to draw closer to Jesus, which in turn enables you to open yourselves to others, to journey together, to set demanding goals and to find the strength to achieve them.”

Jodi Stauffer, our Director of Children and Family Ministries, calls altar servers the “mini managers of the Mass.” Any boy or girl in fifth grade and above can get involved as an altar server and help ensure that Mass runs smoothly.

Serving on the altar is an important task and a privilege, Jodi says. Altar servers can Sydney Fisher serves on take great pride in their work with our Lord and the priest.

“If an altar server is doing their ministry correctly, it allows the priest to concentrate on his duties with the celebration of the Mass,” Jodi says. “This allows the community to have an inviting and inspirational experience with the Lord.”

Altar servers can also strengthen their faith through this ministry. Jodi calls this an important step in the life of a young Catholic.

“When we are baptized, we are brought into God’s family,” she says. “We become brothers and sisters to Christ. When you are part of a family, there are or should be responsibilities, expectations, and rites of passages.”

Jodi says the best way to participate in the Mass is in an active way, like serving at the altar.

“Just like chores at home teach responsibility, so does participating in Church functions, activities, and ministries,” Jodi says. “Being an altar server builds character, leadership, responsibility and a stronger connection to the faith.”

The ministry of our altar servers is meant to take place behind the scenes, without drawing attention to those serving.

“The glory you receive is serving others,” Jodi says. “You are serving God, and by serving God you become closer in that bond.”

Even if youth don’t realize this when serving, they may reap the benefits years down the road. Most servers fill this ministry until they graduate from high school, but Jodi says she has had some servers of college-age and older jump in when needed.

A few years back, Jodi asked some former servers to reflect on their experience and the impact this ministry has had on their lives.

“Being an altar server allows you to be part of the Mass, which helps you understand it and appreciate it so much more,” said Mitch Fisher, senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “It gives you a different feeling of union with Christ that can’t be accomplished in the pews. Overall, it makes Mass more enjoyable and fills you with joy on Sunday.”

“Everyone has a responsibility to participate in the things they take part in,” said Steven Stauffer, a former altar server. “Sitting back and doing nothing results in those things dissolving. You can’t always expect someone else to take charge or step in, especially when it’s something important or requires many hands. This ministry helped me develop a deeper reverence for Mass and a greater appreciation for the flow and order. I also paid more attention to what was going on.”

If you would like to learn more about becoming an altar server, please contact Jodi Stauffer at jodi@saintleos.org.

Sydney Fisher serves on Holy Thursday 2019.