How did the custom of having boys serve on the altar come about?

[a83192]

In the TLM how did the custom of altar boys come about? Why the young ones when, way back, that was an ordained acolyte’s job right? How did that evolve?

 

[SonCatcher]

I think that altar service was regarded as an early stage for those who were considering the priesthood. Boys were probably allowed to state an intent to pursue ordination as young as 7 (when they achieved the age of reason). Thus they were allowed to serve at the altar at young age.

 

[callmeChris]

In addition to the great information above I would like to add my own post to this thread
Watch this video. Cardinal Arinze also explains to us why female Altar servers are a ‘no no’
youtube.com/watch?v=KWByiwHE4MY

 

[BlueShadow123]

I think it was a way of getting ready for priest-hood, or just their way of serving god themselves.

Me and my mom are the ones who do communion at our church, and thats our way of serving god and participating in the church.

And I mean we get the stuff ready and then clean it up.

 

[Bob_Aliano]

I don’t go that far back but in about 1951 I was given the opportunity to apply to be an altar boy. As I remember I was recommended by my cousin who was two years older and a fully proficient altar boy, given permission by my parents, interviewed by one of the priests, and accepted to begin training. There was a fair amount of Latin study/memorization involved, hours of practice and finally progressive levels of responsibility in the various liturgies.

There was an expectation that altar boys would be prime candidates for the priesthood, I don’t know what percentage actually went that route though. Neither my cousin nor I did although we both did seriously consider it.