Adult Altar Servers

[Dicerning]

Maybe ask about serving during daily mass instead of Sunday mass?

Also, for for the older group, are you possibly being called to the Diaconate? Consider it.

. Immersing oneself into charity is a much bigger indicator of a potential deacon.

I am in my final 18 months of formation (7years total) and I always point out that assisting at mass is a very small portion of a deacons ministry. In fact If all a man desires is to preach and assist at mass then the diaconate is not for him.

 

[gh4]

I can’t really explain the reasons why but adult female servers are a HUGE turn-off to me. It’s something instinctual that I don’t really understand. I suspect to some degree it’s the actual individuals who try to serve but there is something more which I can’t explain.

The feeling is strong enough that I would consider switching parishes if most of the servers were adult females.

It seems like others in my parish feel the same way because when an adult female starts to serve, they typically stop fairly soon thereafter. I live in a very “progressive” diocese that no doubt champions this sort of thing but for some reason it just doesn’t work in my parish.

I do understand where you are coming from. However, our parish has an average of 25 people attend the Saturday Vigil Mass, and an average of approx. 50 people attend the Sunday mass. Add another 10 people who come only on Easter or Christmas and you have a parish of maybe 100 people in the winter with the snow birds and 70 in the summer without the snow birds. We have 5 young men of the age to serve and all attend Sunday mass with their families and none attend daily mass. So if the adults didn’t serve, we’d not have anyone. We have 4 women and 1 man who regularly serve and one other man who is trained to serve but never has. No deacon.
Without the women servers, we’d not any servers at most daily masses and on Saturday.
Our priest has a VERY bad back and most often must use a cane. If he has no server it’s difficult for him to prepare for the Eucharist alone.
Bottom line, there was a need, no one else stepped forward, so we women did step forward. If any man in the parish doesn’t like the women serving, then he needs to volunteer. If other women don’t like it, then they need to get their hubby’s to step up and become servers.
We’re just doing the best we can. We all wear many hats as well, I’m also a lector, an EMHC, Sacristan for Saturday Vigil and Sunday mass, and I am a musician as well. There are times I long to go to a mass and just be a person in a pew!

 

[fall_fox]

I’m 18 and my church won’t allow me to serve. Just depends on the priest.

fall fox

That is insulting, I would understand that you shouldn’t be partnered with an eight year old, but it is commendable that you have the desire to serve God in this way. Good for you ! ! ! What reason has you priest given? I would think if you were to serve alone or with someone your age, it would encourage others to do the same.
I’m 67 and I serve Mass during the week, it allows me to be closer to God serving Him.

 

[DasErlibnis]

The altar server position is historically reserved for the parish priest to help groom young men to consider the priesthood.

For adults, and for men in seminary formation, you cannot be an “altar server”, however, you can become the Acolyte.

The duties are the same, but its purpose is different. One has the purpose of preparing, and they usually serve during Sunday mass. The other has the purpose of being prepared, and usually serves during weekday mass.

 

[curlycool89]

For adults, and for men in seminary formation, you cannot be an “altar server”, however, you can become the Acolyte.

Not in Canada. The position of Acolyte is restricted to seminarians on their way to Holy Orders here. So the proper term for a non-seminarian here is always alter server regardless of age.

 

[jfmarm81]

My father is 62 and has served at Sunday Mass on occassion. Usually, it’s only when the servers don’t show up. This is actually pretty rare at our parish, which is a good thing. I think it’s awesome when the youngsters take their responsibilities at Mass seriously.

 

[BettyBoop416]

I have been feeling ‘called’ to be an Altar Server. I have not yet consulted with my Parish Priest if this is possible in our Church. But I was encouraged by many of the responses that people posted regarding adult servers in their Churches. I’m 51, and just don’t want to look like “the oldest living Altar Server” still surviving !!!

One of our altar servers is a 75 year old man. He began serving in this parish when he was 12 years old and has never stopped. His explanation: “They keep putting me on the schedule, so I keep coming back.”

…I would consider switching parishes if most of the servers were adult females.

This gentleman’s altar serving “partner” is usually his 71 year old wife.

 

[Phemie]

One of our altar servers is a 75 year old man. He began serving in this parish when he was 12 years old and has never stopped. His explanation: “They keep putting me on the schedule, so I keep coming back.”

Dad started when he was 12 and served continuously until he was 40. Then he served again after he retired from his job at 64 and kept at it until he could no longer navigate the steps to the sanctuary at some point in his 80s.

In our parish we never have child altar servers on weekdays and even at the Saturday evening Mass it’s hit and miss. Three people, 2 women and 1 man, take turns doing this as required. They are not vested; the man is African and often wears his native dress, the women are as different as chalk and cheese, one always dressed in what she’d have worn to work in an office, the other rarely in anything other than pants and even shorts. When it comes to the women I wish they’d wear albs, but not the nightgown-looking thing the child servers wear, but properly fitting albs and cinctures.

 

[Aran_Houlihan]

Im 22 and i am the MC