Question about wording for altar boys

[DoulaMama]

This will sound rather odd, but the way it was said just doesn’t sit well with me…

Several weeks ago, I was driving my teen son and some of his friends to a social event. We passed the parish church of a couple of the boys in the van and one of them said “Hey, I know that place” and the other said “Yeah, me too, I’m on the altar there every Sunday**.” The other boy replied “So am I”. Both of these young men are servers there and are great Catholic kids, but I was offended by the wording. I know it was a casual way of saying they were servers, but I found it a little off. Apparently my son did too, since he leaned over and mentioned he thought it was only Our Lord that was on the altar.

So, that being said, is this an appropriate way to refer to serving Mass?

 

[LoyalViews]

Now, they could have worded it better, like “I’m in the sanctuary every Sunday”, or “I serve every sunday there”, but, there intention was clear. I understand why you were a little bit offended, I sort of was too, but I understand what they meant. In other words, “no biggy”.
God Bless!

 

[JohnDamian]

It’s probably just loose speech, like someone would say “I’m on shift” - in general you can’t take peoples word too literally with regards to religious wording - particularily when it’s children and has to do with specific and technical wording. I would highly doubt they would be literally “on the alter” (which would be highly unorthodox).

I’d let it pass, and if you hear it again just correct them and say “you mean serving it, you wern’t actually on it!”

If adults can be imprecise or confused, it’s no surprise Kids might be a bit imprecise or ambiguous - after all it’s nice that they are making a contribution!

 

[DoulaMama]

Thank you both!

Should this happen again, I’ll be able to nicely “correct” them by inquiring if “they meant they were serving”! They really are great kids and it’s a traditional parish with TLM available, so I know it wasn’t meant disrespectfully.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I have often heard adults say “on the altar” when they meant “in the sanctuary”, e.g. re EMHC’s coming up for Communion. It seems a fairly common way to refer to the location, though technically incorrect.

 

[MarkThompson]

I have often heard adults say “on the altar” when they meant “in the sanctuary”, e.g. re EMHC’s coming up for Communion. It seems a fairly common way to refer to the location, though technically incorrect.

Yeah, maybe it’s a regionalism or something. Someone posted a month or two ago, complaining that during some non-Mass event at his parish there had been, I forget exactly what, I think a band, or kids putting on a Passion Play, “on the altar.” I was pretty surprised, but it turned out that he just meant “in the sanctuary.”

 

[Famule]

This will sound rather odd, but the way it was said just doesn’t sit well with me…

Several weeks ago, I was driving my teen son and some of his friends to a social event. We passed the parish church of a couple of the boys in the van and one of them said “Hey, I know that place” and the other said “Yeah, me too, I’m on the altar there every Sunday**.” The other boy replied “So am I”. Both of these young men are servers there and are great Catholic kids, but I was offended by the wording. I know it was a casual way of saying they were servers, but I found it a little off. Apparently my son did too, since he leaned over and mentioned he thought it was only Our Lord that was on the altar.

So, that being said, is this an appropriate way to refer to serving Mass?

Its not inappropriate. Its an old fashioned way of saying serving Mass. Its cultural. It does not require correction. They know what they mean.

 

[diggerdomer]

This will sound rather odd, but the way it was said just doesn’t sit well with me…

Several weeks ago, I was driving my teen son and some of his friends to a social event. We passed the parish church of a couple of the boys in the van and one of them said “Hey, I know that place” and the other said “Yeah, me too, I’m on the altar there every Sunday**.” The other boy replied “So am I”. Both of these young men are servers there and are great Catholic kids, but I was offended by the wording. I know it was a casual way of saying they were servers, but I found it a little off. Apparently my son did too, since he leaned over and mentioned he thought it was only Our Lord that was on the altar.

So, that being said, is this an appropriate way to refer to serving Mass?

yes