An altar server requirement

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In some Catholic churches altar servers wear a neck chain with a cross.
Is this a requirement?
 
Nope, not in the general church. Maybe in those parishes. Not even a requirement that there be servers. I guess the cross COULD replace the one required for saying Mass. 🤷
 
No, it is not a requirement.

On the contrary, I have heard it argued that only a bishop should wear a medal of any kind at Mass.

I have seen parishes where experienced and trusted servers become members of the St. Stephen Guild and then wear a burgundy tassel.
 
Well, I presume the server is not being given the pectoral cross of a prelate to wear, so that surely is not at issue, and there are religious who wear about their neck a cross or other sacramental even while in the fulfillment of a liturgical ministry.

And, no, the wearing by someone in the sanctuary of a cross about the neck does not fulfill the prescription that a crucifix is to be placed on or near the altar upon which the Holy Sacrifice is offered.

Beyond all of that, and to the original question, while it is assuredly not a requirement for an altar server to wear a cross as a universal requirement for serving (one could serve Mass in one’s street attire, for that matter) I would dare say it is required in the parish where it is the norm to do so and refusing to do so would cause needless consternation.

In such a circumstance, one should comply with such norms, provided they are within the bounds of what is legitimately normative. Some parishes use albs for servers while others use cassock and surplice. One should conform to whichever is the practice of the place…all else being equal.
 
Don_Ruggero said:
Well, I presume the server is not being given the pectoral cross of a prelate to wear, so that surely is not at issue, and there are religious who wear about their neck a cross or other sacramental even while in the fulfillment of a liturgical ministry.

And, no, the wearing by someone in the sanctuary of a cross about the neck does not fulfill the prescription that a crucifix is to be placed on or near the altar upon which the Holy Sacrifice is offered.

Beyond all of that, and to the original question, while it is assuredly not a requirement for an altar server to wear a cross as a universal requirement for serving (one could serve Mass in one’s street attire, for that matter) I would dare say it is required in the parish where it is the norm to do so and refusing to do so would cause needless consternation.

In such a circumstance, one should comply with such norms, provided they are within the bounds of what is legitimately normative. Some parishes use albs for servers while others use cassock and surplice. One should conform to whichever is the practice of the place…all else being equal.
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I was corrected by several priests when I was an MC at confirmation Mass and wore a miraculous medal outside of my surplice. I was told specifically that only a bishop should wear a medal of any kind.

I do not know if this was the case only at Mass celebrated with a Bishop or if it applies to all Masses. I now wear medals and such things inside my shirt at all Masses where I am the MC just to be safe. .

-Tim-
 
If it was a confirmation Mass, maybe the issue was wearing medals when the bishop was present. Perhaps he should be the only one when present.

At my parish, servers get a St Stephen’s Guild medal after one year. The color of the tassle changes according to number of years service. Servers do not wear crosses.
 
In our parish, servers are enrolled in the Guild of St. Stephen after they have proved themselves by serving for a year. They are given a large-ish Guild medal, which they wear round their neck on a coloured cord, outside of the cotta.

Nothing is ever said about not wearing it if a bishop is present (which happens quite a lot in our parish) so I don’t think it can be a universal rule.
 
@paperweight66 and @peter26

I get the sense that the St. Stephen’s Guild is more of a British thing. It is rare to find here in the states. I’ve only been to one parish where I have seen servers wear the tassle.
 
paperwight66 said:
In our parish, servers are enrolled in the Guild of St. Stephen after they have proved themselves by serving for a year. They are given a large-ish Guild medal, which they wear round their neck on a coloured cord, outside of the cotta.

Nothing is ever said about not wearing it if a bishop is present (which happens quite a lot in our parish) so I don’t think it can be a universal rule.
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You are correct. This usage would not be problematic. It would not be a problem, for example, for a Society of the Atonement friar or a Mercedarian to wear the distinctive medal of his religious congregation over the surplice. What one is not to do is for a lay person, who is fulfilling a liturgical ministry, to add some item of personal devotion to his or her liturgical vesture.
 
TimothyH said:
@paperweight66 and @peter26

I get the sense that the St. Stephen’s Guild is more of a British thing. It is rare to find here in the states. I’ve only been to one parish where I have seen servers wear the tassle.
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It is more common in parishes where the Extraordinary Form is celebrated.
 
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