Altar Server?

[BamaRider]

My 24 year old, strappling firefighter, and recently married nephew asked me what I thought about him becoming a altar server.

Currently our altar servers are 60-40 young females to boys, they are the traditional ages of most parish servers. I told him it was a great idea, but he needed to find at least one other guy his age so they could serve together.

His unique work scheudle would make him available to serve during the weekday Masses and help father at funerals and weddings. Currently we have no servers for weekday stuff.

I told him his presence might encourage other boys and young men to step forward and help Father, and show them serving the at the Altar is not “wimpy.” I don’t have any hard evidence, but the proliferation of girls at my parish has had a effect on the boys, they don’t wanna do it seems. At least 1 weekend Mass all 3 servers are female.

I don’t wanna come off unappreciative, but at a recent Entrance Procession, the little girl with the incense really struggled. She was not able to swing the cistern effectively, and basically had to just hold it by her side.

My question to my fellow Catholics is this- Would such a server as my nephew seem odd to y’all and would ya have a problem with it? What would be some negatives? He says he won’t do it if it gonna make him look “dumb” (his words). I think it would be ok if he came in leading the younger boys, but I dunno. He says he’ll take the job seriously meaning he won’t wear white Nikes while serving. LOL.

I asked him what his young (recently converted) wife would think, if he was unable to sit with her at Mass because of serving. He said he didn’t know, but we sit as a family anyway so she won’t be alone.

Ever since he saw the server wearing the white gloves that attends the Holy Father’s staff, he has been interested.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

I think it’s a great idea. At our Easter Vigil mass three of the servers were over 6 feet tall. I think the older servers were there because of the length of the mass and the late hour and because they were reliable.

At two of our weekday masses there is a young man, looks to be about 18, who is the only server. So your husband could begin by serving the weekday mass until he is confident about it. The pastor might like a man to serve on Sunday too. He could be a good role model for the boys. I don’t think it would look dumb at all. Maybe in another ten years or so he might discern a vocation to the permanent diaconate.

 

[NicPais83]

I’m 24 years old and an Altar Server! I think if there’s a need, and you’re respectful, why not?

 

[bilop]

My 24 year old, strappling firefighter, and recently married nephew asked me what I thought about him becoming a altar server.

Currently our altar servers are 60-40 young females to boys, they are the traditional ages of most parish servers. I told him it was a great idea, but he needed to find at least one other guy his age so they could serve together.

His unique work scheudle would make him available to serve during the weekday Masses and help father at funerals and weddings. Currently we have no servers for weekday stuff.

I told him his presence might encourage other boys and young men to step forward and help Father, and show them serving the at the Altar is not “wimpy.” I don’t have any hard evidence, but the proliferation of girls at my parish has had a effect on the boys, they don’t wanna do it seems. At least 1 weekend Mass all 3 servers are female.

I don’t wanna come off unappreciative, but at a recent Entrance Procession, the little girl with the incense really struggled. She was not able to swing the cistern effectively, and basically had to just hold it by her side.

My question to my fellow Catholics is this- Would such a server as my nephew seem odd to y’all and would ya have a problem with it? What would be some negatives? He says he won’t do it if it gonna make him look “dumb” (his words). I think it would be ok if he came in leading the younger boys, but I dunno. He says he’ll take the job seriously meaning he won’t wear white Nikes while serving. LOL.

I asked him what his young (recently converted) wife would think, if he was unable to sit with her at Mass because of serving. He said he didn’t know, but we sit as a family anyway so she won’t be alone.

Ever since he saw the server wearing the white gloves that attends the Holy Father’s staff, he has been interested.

I think it’s a great idea! I believe it could encourage more boys to serve, and even foster vocations.

At a TLM I go to sometimes, 2 of the 3 servers are over 70!

I’m learning to serve the TLM, too, for my brother-in-law the priest. I’ve got the Latin responses down, but the rubrics still baffle me.

Adult servers (acolytes) were originally the practice, and altar boys were something of an indult when the Church started abandoning the minor orders (acolyte, lector, sub-deacon, etc.).

Tell him to go for it! Maybe join him yourself!

God Bless

 

[Joe_Kelley]

We usually have one older-boy for the weekday masses; sometimes two. They rotate the job. For funerals we usually have two.

 

[MrS]

I would bet his priest would welcome him… especially at the early weekday Masses. Has he approached the priest yet?

 

[Larowyn]

I was an Altar server for 13 years and retired when my parish priest roped me into becoming a “substitute” lector. For the last six years of my tenure I was a mentor to the younger servers, most of whom were in middle school or freshmen in high school. The younger servers all respected me and always turned to me for advice and cues before and during Mass, but the priest had a policy that the laity could have no more than one role during a Mass, so I had to stop serving. When I could also no longer make the meetings, the coordinator told me that they all missed having me around and the meetings were much more somber. Most altar servers stopped serving after being Confirmed, and they usually also stopped going to Mass as well. I often tried to convince them to keep going to Mass anyway and to also consider vocations, but it never worked.

I think that having an older and more experienced server around helped out the younger altar servers, especially the new ones. On the other hand, as I was always Mass leader, it didn’t give other servers an opportunity to lead the servers and make decisions. Also few actually wanted to hold the thurible, much less cense the priest and the people with it, and I ended up having to be the one to do it.

 

[rwoehmke]

It is a wonderful idea. During our weekday Masses and Funeral Masses the servers are retired men. One for daily and usually 3 or 4 for a funeral Mass. They wear albs, a cross on a cord around the neck, and generally do a fine dignified job of it…

 

[LRThunder]

It is a great idea. In fact, at the Easter Vigil when the bishop celebrates Mass, he uses the seminarians the diocese has sent as altar servers. At daily Mass, the altar server is an adult.

 

[Anacharius]

My 24 year old, strappling firefighter, and recently married nephew asked me what I thought about him becoming a altar server.

I started serving the TLM at age 31 ( due too lack of servers ) and still am ( age 47 now ) and since Oct 07 have been serving the Dominican Rite Mass where I live ( due too lack of servers somewhat ).

 

[bpbasilphx]

I know of at least two parishes where many server teams are fathers and sons. I think it’s a GREAT idea!

 

[NicPais83]

BamaRider;3772841:

My 24 year old, strappling firefighter, and recently married nephew asked me what I thought about him becoming a altar server.

I started serving the TLM at age 31 ( due too lack of servers ) and still am ( age 47 now ) and since Oct 07 have been serving the Dominican Rite Mass where I live ( due too lack of servers somewhat ).

Yeah, Tom and I serve the same Mass together…a Tridentine Mass.

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

My question to my fellow Catholics is this- Would such a server as my nephew seem odd to y’all and would ya have a problem with it?

Not in the least! At our Sunday Masses, we regularly have altar servers who are young men (including, but not limited to, seminarians who happen to be staying at our parish) joining the younger altar servers. At our weekday Masses, the altar servers are always grown men, of all ages – even elderly men.

 

[Spiller]

My 24 year old, strappling firefighter, and recently married nephew asked me what I thought about him becoming a altar server.

Currently our altar servers are 60-40 young females to boys, they are the traditional ages of most parish servers. I told him it was a great idea, but he needed to find at least one other guy his age so they could serve together.

His unique work scheudle would make him available to serve during the weekday Masses and help father at funerals and weddings. Currently we have no servers for weekday stuff.

I told him his presence might encourage other boys and young men to step forward and help Father, and show them serving the at the Altar is not “wimpy.” I don’t have any hard evidence, but the proliferation of girls at my parish has had a effect on the boys, they don’t wanna do it seems. At least 1 weekend Mass all 3 servers are female.

I don’t wanna come off unappreciative, but at a recent Entrance Procession, the little girl with the incense really struggled. She was not able to swing the cistern effectively, and basically had to just hold it by her side.

My question to my fellow Catholics is this- Would such a server as my nephew seem odd to y’all and would ya have a problem with it? What would be some negatives? He says he won’t do it if it gonna make him look “dumb” (his words). I think it would be ok if he came in leading the younger boys, but I dunno. He says he’ll take the job seriously meaning he won’t wear white Nikes while serving. LOL.

I asked him what his young (recently converted) wife would think, if he was unable to sit with her at Mass because of serving. He said he didn’t know, but we sit as a family anyway so she won’t be alone.

Ever since he saw the server wearing the white gloves that attends the Holy Father’s staff, he has been interested.

Tell him to go for it!

As a firefighter he knows the importance of a sharp uniform and drill/ceremony. Ask him to bring that to the Mass.

Be forewarned though about vesture. I come from the hooded beige alb environment. At an Easter morning Mass a few years back I wore a black cassock and cincture, a Vatican-style surplice and white gloves. The oldsters in the procession were slack-jawed (in a good way) during the procession. During the recession some women were misty eyed and even touched my surplice as I processed by. I think the garb helped them to recall some very powerful memories and it was fairly emotional for me too.

NB: A cistern is a vessel to hold liquid – usually water. A thurible or censer is used to generate incense smoke.

 

[Anacharius]

Anacharius;3775344:

Yeah, Tom and I serve the same Mass together…a Tridentine Mass.

 Huh??????????????????

 

[Fitswimmer]

We have a young adult male server at our chapel and I believe he is an inspiration to the younger boys. We also have a married man who has two very young sons, it’s adorable to watch his 18 month old wave at Daddy when Mom brings them up to communion.

Tell him to go for it!!

 

[Larowyn]

After about 16 or so, people usually start to comment on how old you are or think you should be a priest. Or both. I wonder what BIZARRO WORLD parishes people belong to where adult altar servers are A-okay.

 

[NicPais83]

NicPais83;3776018:

Tom…it’s Ed.

 

[kleary]

My 24 year old, strappling firefighter, and recently married nephew asked me what I thought about him becoming a altar server.

Currently our altar servers are 60-40 young females to boys, they are the traditional ages of most parish servers. I told him it was a great idea, but he needed to find at least one other guy his age so they could serve together.

His unique work scheudle would make him available to serve during the weekday Masses and help father at funerals and weddings. Currently we have no servers for weekday stuff.

I told him his presence might encourage other boys and young men to step forward and help Father, and show them serving the at the Altar is not “wimpy.” I don’t have any hard evidence, but the proliferation of girls at my parish has had a effect on the boys, they don’t wanna do it seems. At least 1 weekend Mass all 3 servers are female.

I don’t wanna come off unappreciative, but at a recent Entrance Procession, the little girl with the incense really struggled. She was not able to swing the cistern effectively, and basically had to just hold it by her side.

My question to my fellow Catholics is this- Would such a server as my nephew seem odd to y’all and would ya have a problem with it? What would be some negatives? He says he won’t do it if it gonna make him look “dumb” (his words). I think it would be ok if he came in leading the younger boys, but I dunno. He says he’ll take the job seriously meaning he won’t wear white Nikes while serving. LOL.

I asked him what his young (recently converted) wife would think, if he was unable to sit with her at Mass because of serving. He said he didn’t know, but we sit as a family anyway so she won’t be alone.

Ever since he saw the server wearing the white gloves that attends the Holy Father’s staff, he has been interested.

And I thought this was the Traditional Catholic Forum…

Time for a new forum Catholic Answers -

Can we please have an “Extradordinary Form of the Roman Rite” forum to replace this one?

No females allowed to serve in the “Traditional Mass” - and that is the Traditional practice.

 

[BamaRider]

Thanks for the feedback. I relayed y’alls thoughts and he’s all fired up.

Be forewarned though about vesture. I come from the hooded beige alb environment. At an Easter morning Mass a few years back I wore a black cassock and cincture, a Vatican-style surplice and white gloves. The oldsters in the procession were slack-jawed (in a good way) during the procession. During the recession some women were misty eyed and even touched my surplice as I processed by. I think the garb helped them to recall some very powerful memories and it was fairly emotional for me too.

He’s always liked uniforms etc and the attention to detail he saw by the young man attending the Holy Father’s Staff left a positive impression on him. He commented what a honor that would be.