Adult Altar Servers

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AlwaysCurious

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Please understand that I am asking this as a convert–I didn’t grow up in the Church so I don’t know the unwritten rules/expectations regarding many things.

Should there be adult altar servers? Would the laity look up there and think, “whoa, what is that guy doing up there when our kids ought to be doing that? Is he some kind of weirdo?”

I just turned 30 and have been discerning vocations since my time in RCIA (about 3 years ago). A friend recommended this would be a good way to nourish that discernment process, in much the same way, I suppose, that it can help children think about vocations. I am already a lector so I’m used to being near the altar. In terms of discernment, I have gone on several retreats and visited monasteries, but I am not at the point of applying anywhere. I have also tried to give due thought to marriage, and have essentially ruled out the diocesan priesthood. Still, I think it could be beneficial and even fun to help in this way.

At any rate, the basic question is whether this is generally acceptable or not. Our parochial vicar is okay with it (he’s my age), but I think it would be a little strange to be standing up there between a couple of 15-year olds on Sunday. I attend daily Mass so I guess that could be one option, since it’s usually just the priest and a retired deacon. Any thoughts?
 
Nothing wrong with it at all. Indeed, serving at altar may be a more rewarding participation in the Mass for you. There’s no way to know until you try it. 👍
 
AlwaysCurious said:
Please understand that I am asking this as a convert–I didn’t grow up in the Church so I don’t know the unwritten rules/expectations regarding many things.

Should there be adult altar servers? Would the laity look up there and think, “whoa, what is that guy doing up there when our kids ought to be doing that? Is he some kind of weirdo?”

I ?
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it is actually preferred, but not common for a lot of reasons, mainly getting adult males to commit
 
Am a 43 year old female and am an Altar Server. Admittedly Anglican. And its great at own church because there is a real mix of us from the youngest who is about 11 years old and the oldest is retired. There are 6 of us. Two of us female. I being the original one of that church who helped fought for female servers though back in 1987 and finally won in 1988 though I haven’t served for all that time. I lasted six month back then. And last year got roped into it ‘again’ and much more settled etc.

I don’t know why young boys are ecouraged in RC churches apart from that it helps them be apart of the church and encourages them to be there and learn the services etc.

It is often thought of very good training for the priesthood in young adults especially if the priest is aware what that individual is aspiring toward.
 
Nothing wrong with adult altar servers. I do it. We need a good mix of adults and kids, adults would give direction to the kids on what to do.
 
It’s fine. I think having kids do it is ideal since it gets them to think about the priesthood, etc., but there is certainly nothing at all wrong with adult males doing it. In many places those are the only servers available.
 
rhiannonh said:
I don’t know why young boys are ecouraged in RC churches apart from that it helps them be apart of the church and encourages them to be there and learn the services etc.

It is often thought of very good training for the priesthood in young adults especially if the priest is aware what that individual is aspiring toward.
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The second sentence answers the question posed in the first. :tiphat:
 
The othe rposters are right.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with serving the priest in any way, especially at the altar, which is a great privilege to be able to do. The fact that it is done with children has no bearing on that. I am a server at age 48 and sometimes serve with children. It was a treat for me to serve with my daughter once. We also have a server who serves with the kids on Wednesday school Mass to ensure that the kids don’t make mistakes.

I would encourage the OP to try it, and if at all possible, to make an attempt to serve at funerals. I was a bit anxious when I served my first funeral, and it was emotional, but when the family expressed their gratitude to the servers afterward, it made it all worth it.

-Tim-
 
I pretty much attend the EF Mass and we have several Altar servers that are elderly, bald-headed or gray haired. They are very much welcomed by the parish and the priest.
 
Ask the parish priest about having instituted acolytes. These must be adult Catholic men, and they are formally instituted into the ministry. Not only do they serve at the altar, but they are first in the pecking order of EMHC’s.
 
My Dad just became an Altar Server recently, and he’s nearly 60. He was one when he was young, but dropped his religion for a decade or so, and recently he felt like he wanted to do more.

He’ll be able to serve at the Mass when my little fellow gets baptised in a couple of weeks. 🙂

I don’t think there is a preference for young or old servers (I think it’s merely any male who has made their first Communion can become one), but if a man starts young, he’ll have more years to contribute, and it’s a good opportunity to discern a vocation. I
 
SonCatcher said:
Nothing wrong with it at all. Indeed, serving at altar may be a more rewarding participation in the Mass for you. There’s no way to know until you try it. 👍
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I certainly find the hour and a bit flies by when serving. Not that is a reason why am doing so. But participate much more. You get to understand and feel a whole lot more too.

I got targeted because the priest who was looking after us in interregnum asked my dad if he would and me being me and knowing my dad, jumped in with both feet with humour, which meant my dad got out of having to say ‘no’ and the priest turning on me:D. As it was, it was all very good timing because I was feeling more and more ill in church with the with what I know now due to the sound system affecting my balance and was nearly at the stage of not going and rejoining the serving team I discovered that I could manage the sound system from the Altar, which is also carpeted. The sound system has also been repaired and the new priest looks at me when I’m around if anyone asks about it… 🙂

But yes one does feel much apart of the service (and I sing in the choir too alternate weeks)
 
It isn’t common anymore, but it is done. It can be an inspiration to see an adult serving. We had an adult serving at one of the masses on a regular basis at our previous parish. Our kids weren’t serving then, but when the man had a heart attack our kids started serving in his place. My husband has also served on occasion.

When adults do something like that, it really makes people sit up & notice. They realize that serving at the altar is important.
 
puzzleannie said:
it is actually preferred, but not common for a lot of reasons, mainly getting adult males to commit
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In some Eastern churches, including mine, it’s common.

For that matter, it’s usually me 🙂

We are, however, filling in for the subdeacons that are virtually impossible to find these days . . .
 
We do not have any adults who are on the regular rotation for altar servers. all the boys are between 4th grade and high school. However, at daily Masses, if the scheduled servers don’t show, an adult will fill in. The men were all altar servers as boys and now serve at EMHCs, ushers, or lectors.

If you are usually at daily Mass, offer to serve then. It helps the priest and allows you the vocational development you are looking for, without making you possibly self-conscious to be up on the altar at a Sunday Mass.
 
In our parish, our regular altar servers are in their 80s.

Definitely not a problem to have adults assisting the priest at the altar. After all, you would be unlikely to give the role of MC to a 12 year old…
 
DexUK said:
In our parish, our regular altar servers are in their 80s.

Definitely not a problem to have adults assisting the priest at the altar. After all, you would be unlikely to give the role of MC to a 12 year old…
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"Why not if the 12 year old is happy to do so and have a clear voice and comfortable. Some are well into Show Bizz and do a great job of being M/C in other words Master of Ceremony. 😃
 
I’ve never seen anyone older than 18/19 years old serving at the OF Masses.

I’ve seen a wide variety of males serving at EF Masses, ranging from 7/8 years old to retirement aged men. Several of the masses have the large age range, and it is great to have them serve together.
 
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