E
Elzee
Guest
Our altar servers are now called “liturgical ministers”. Is this something new? Anybody else’s parish use this term for altar servers?
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
Well, in the strictest sense, no, if you consider a minister someone who administers a sacrament.
But today most parishes call anyone who has a specific role to play at Mass liturgical ministers. This would include priests, deacons, altar servers, readers, lectors, ushers, greeters, musicians, gift bearers, sacristans, masters of ceremonies, EMHCs, etc.
In the sense that all of us are called to minister to one another, but some of us have a role to play at liturgies that other people don’t have, then I would say that makes such people liturgical ministers.
My parish lumps altar servers in under the general category of Worship ministers. Other major ‘ministry’ headings are Formation, Outreach, Community Life, and Administration.
But today most parishes call anyone who has a specific role to play at Mass liturgical ministers. This would include priests, deacons, altar servers, readers, lectors, ushers, greeters, musicians, gift bearers, sacristans, masters of ceremonies, EMHCs, etc.
In the sense that all of us are called to minister to one another, but some of us have a role to play at liturgies that other people don’t have, then I would say that makes such people liturgical ministers.
My parish lumps altar servers in under the general category of Worship ministers. Other major ‘ministry’ headings are Formation, Outreach, Community Life, and Administration.
D
Daprato
Guest
No, they are not. They are neither permanently instituted, nor temporarily installed by the local bishop.Our altar servers are now called “liturgical ministers”. Is this something new? Anybody else’s parish use this term for altar servers?
J
John_Lilburne
Guest
The terms “servers”, “altar servers” and “ministers” and used in the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :
“150. A little before the consecration, when appropriate, a server rings a bell as a signal to the faithful. According to local custom, the server also rings the bell as the priest shows the host and then the chalice.
If incense is used, a server incenses the host and the chalice when each is shown to the people after the consecration.”
“175. … He is preceded by a thurifer, carrying a thurible with smoking incense, and by servers with lighted candles. …”.
“339. In the dioceses of the United States of America, acolytes, altar servers, lectors, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable vesture or other appropriate and dignified clothing.”
The term “ministers” is used most frequently, 50 times. Some examples:
“44. Among gestures included are also actions and processions: of the priest going with the deacon and ministers to the altar; …”
“100. In the absence of an instituted acolyte, lay ministers may be deputed to serve at the altar and assist the priest and the deacon; …”.
“120. … b. The ministers who carry lighted candles, and between them an acolyte or other minister with the cross;”.
“133. If the Book of the Gospels is on the altar, the priest then takes it and goes to the ambo carrying the Book of the Gospels slightly elevated and preceded by the lay ministers, who may carry the thurible and the candles.”
So “minister” here does not mean someone ordained, or someone instituted (see n. 100 above).
The term “liturgical ministers” is not used in the GIRM.
“150. A little before the consecration, when appropriate, a server rings a bell as a signal to the faithful. According to local custom, the server also rings the bell as the priest shows the host and then the chalice.
If incense is used, a server incenses the host and the chalice when each is shown to the people after the consecration.”
“175. … He is preceded by a thurifer, carrying a thurible with smoking incense, and by servers with lighted candles. …”.
“339. In the dioceses of the United States of America, acolytes, altar servers, lectors, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable vesture or other appropriate and dignified clothing.”
The term “ministers” is used most frequently, 50 times. Some examples:
“44. Among gestures included are also actions and processions: of the priest going with the deacon and ministers to the altar; …”
“100. In the absence of an instituted acolyte, lay ministers may be deputed to serve at the altar and assist the priest and the deacon; …”.
“120. … b. The ministers who carry lighted candles, and between them an acolyte or other minister with the cross;”.
“133. If the Book of the Gospels is on the altar, the priest then takes it and goes to the ambo carrying the Book of the Gospels slightly elevated and preceded by the lay ministers, who may carry the thurible and the candles.”
So “minister” here does not mean someone ordained, or someone instituted (see n. 100 above).
The term “liturgical ministers” is not used in the GIRM.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.