Alter Server Requirements

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krokal

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One must be Catholic to become an alter server? Is there canon law on the matter or is it up to the diocese?

I’m currently enrolled in RCIA and would love to be an alter server.
 
A server can be any person who attends this Church regularly, has received First Communion…
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Parish 1
Altar servers must be in the 3rd grade or older (some are adults).
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Parish 2; that’s the only requirement listed.
We are actively seeking more altar servers. Candidates must have at least received the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist.
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Parish 3
 
According to the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal:

“107. The liturgical duties that are not proper to the priest or the deacon and are listed above (cf. nos. 100-106) may also be entrusted by a liturgical blessing or a temporary deputation to suitable lay persons chosen by the pastor or rector of the church. [Footnote 89: Cf. Pontifical Commission for interpreting legal texts, response to dubium regarding can. 230 § 2: AAS 86 (1994), p. 541.] All should observe the norms established by the Bishop for his diocese regarding the office of those who serve the priest at the altar.”

So if the bishop wants female altar servers (or does not) this should be followed.

The term “pastor” means the parish priest. If catechumens are dismissed for the Liturgy of the Eucharist then the parish priest is unlikely to select one as an altar server.

There is a question of what is required to be a “lay person”. Is it only the baptised? Does it include catechumens? Those planning to become catechumens? This could be part of the parish priest’s decision.
 
They also need to be properly trained and committed as well. No greater honor
 
So non-Catholics being alter servers doesn’t violate canonical law then, right?
 
I don’t know what game you are trying to play here Mr. Kroger, and it’s a shame that people didn’t read your question more thouroughly before spouting off an answer.

Yes, an altar server is required to be catholic. Is there canon law regarding it, nope, but the requirements set forth by the USCCB pretty much infer that said boy (or girl uggh) would be catholic as they are filling in for what would have in the past been the role in one of the minor orders on the path to priesthood. i.e. an acolyte.

usccb.org/liturgy/current/servers.shtml

If they have had their first communion and baptism, one would normally assume that said person would be catholic.

I don’t know what your intention is on asking the question, but I do have some qualms about your motives.
 
My motives are that I’m in RCIA, love the Catholic church, and want to participate more in mass.

I don’t appreciate your condescending post. Where do you get the impression that my intentions are other than good? I’m not trying to beat around the bush; no one gave me a clear answer, so I trying to clarify it.

Did you honestly think I was trying to sneak my way into the Catholic mass?
 
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