What is it Like to Serve at Mass?

[cbcatholic]

“How does one become a server?”
Well in my parish and with the priest who I serve for, the young men of the parish who have usually recieved their First Holy Communion ask him or myself “as I act as the Boy Bishop though not actually instated as he is the associate pastor at the time period now” about becoming an Altar Boy. I then usually work with them before CCD on Wednesdays and they start serving at Saturday morning Masses since there are the least amount of people and they won’t get so nervous.

“How long have you been serving?”
I have been serving now for about 10 years and I have loved every minute of it.

“Do you serve in the OF or EF?”
I serve in the Ordinary form, though there is nothing ordinary about a Mass. I really would love to serve in the Extraordinary form as well as I am very attracted to the Latin Mass.

"What do you most like about serving? "
The thing that I like most about serving would be: " the closeness felt as I pray there, kneeling behind the Altar as my Lord and my God comes down to earth in the most humble form. I always think and ponder over if I am really worthy to be there when that happens.

“Do you have a set time to practice? How often?”
We do not usually have a set time to practice except whenever we are having a special ceremony included within the Mass or outside of it. (processions, Sacred Triduum, Bishop visits, etc.) I would like to have altar boy training sessions for regular Mass ceremonies twice a year though as they could become recertified and we make sure that we are serving top notch.

“Do you get nervous?”
When I first started serving in third grade, I was so nervous walking up the aisle that I would smile and my face would get all red. Now though I am able to keep fully composed while singing, yet looking joyful. The main thing that made me nervous recently was removing the Bishop’s zuchetto at our recent Confirmation. (He ended up taking it off before I could though…lol)

“What is the primary thought in your mind while serving?”
Besides praying during it, my next thought is what is my next move going to be. As an Altar Boy your serving is perfect when your actions start to dissapear and the beautifullness and sacredness of the Liturgy begin to emerge.(another reason for practice)

“Has serving helped you in your spiritual life?”
Serving has helped me immensley in my spiritual life. The Altar Boys that my priest trains would always pray the LOTH before early morning Mass and after Late night Mass including all throughout the Sacred Triduum, thus now I pray it every day.

"Has serving helped foster in you, or a server you know, the desire to become a priest? "
Yes it has, being an Altar Boy I was exposed to the sacredness and beautifulness of the Liturgy at a early age when I was just starting to understand things better. After Prayful determination and discernment I will be starting the application process this summer…please pray for me, because I truly need it! The Priesthood is a life of service, just like the job of an Altar Boy, the Priest serves Christ just in a more depthful and sacred way.

 

[TrueLight]

The Missa Cantata is a Low Mass.

I am in fact referring to a missa cantata. There is a schola and the Priest chants the readings and gospels and everything else. The congregants responds with the “et cum spiritu tuos” etc and the “sed libera nos a malo”.

So another thing. This same person who stands by the priest also holds his vestments when he does the elevation during the congregation. It is like he is his personal assistant.

Does a low mass always have a deacon have any role that would differentiate him from the other servers?

 

[TrueLight]

.

"What do you most like about serving? "
The thing that I like most about serving would be: " the closeness felt as I pray there, kneeling behind the Altar as my Lord and my God comes down to earth in the most humble form. I always think and ponder over if I am really worthy to be there when that happens.

“Has serving helped you in your spiritual life?”
Serving has helped me immensley in my spiritual life. The Altar Boys that my priest trains would always pray the LOTH before early morning Mass and after Late night Mass including all throughout the Sacred Triduum, thus now I pray it every day.

That is awesome.

I always wondered whether the servers get together outside of mass for spiritual enrichment maybe through Bible study or prayer.

Do you do that at your parish?

 

[ProVobis]

The Missa Cantata is a Low Mass.

It looks like the nomenclature was changed in 1960. I guess some parishes like mine were unaware of that.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missa_Cantata

 

[TrueLight]

It looks like the nomenclature was changed in 1960. I guess some parishes like mine were unaware of that.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missa_Cantata

So that answers one part of my question, I think. There are no deacons or sub-deacons at the low masses I have been attending?

 

[ProVobis]

So that answers one part of my question, I think. There are no deacons or sub-deacons at the low masses I have been attending?

If he was dressed as a server and it’s the Sung Mass or Missa Cantata then it sounds like he was the MC, who obviously has to go through a lot of training and/or he just follows the priest’s cues. He has to be somewhat familiar with the all-Latin altar missal as he finds the right page for the priest. Does this description fit what you witnessed?

 

[Aramis]

I’m sorry to bump up this thread, but I just read another thread where the following types of servers were mentioned: deacon, subdeacon, MC, accolytes, and thurifer."

Just yesterday at an EF mass, I was wondering about the servers. There must have been 6-8 and I have no idea what their different functions are.

I thought it would be better to ask in this thread then start a whole new thread.

Is there a way to identify a deacon or subdeacon?

What is a thurifer, accolyte, MC? How can I identify them?

What are the purposes of the different servers?

Thanks.

The Deacon and Subdeacon, properly, are a deacon and an instituted acolyte, with a priest being able to vest as a deacon or subdeacon, and deacon able to vest as a subdeacon to fill those roles. His Holiness Paul VI wasn’t too kind about that; he didn’t approve of downvesting, and essentially ordered that, if a deacon was actually present, he should be the vested deacon in the mass. Note that, prior to HH Paul VI, the Roman church had a separate order of Subdeacons, but, like deacons, the role was usually filled by a man who had been ordained to those orders, but had later been ordained to a priest. Rome has no more ordaned subdeacons, but all the churches in union with Rome do; Only in the Roman church was subdeacon a major order.

The order of Acolyte was a minor order (no celibacy), and a server could do most of the Acolyte’s job without the minor orders ordination. Acolytes still exist, being installed by the bishop (called institution); a man instituted into that order is called an “Instituted Acolyte”; he may, if roman, be called a subdeacon, as well. (Thanks to HH Paul VI.)

Servers do many of an acolyte’s jobs; several assigned roles for the acolyte exist…
Thurifer - carries and tends the incense
Crucifer - carries the processional cross
Master of Ceremonies (MC) - directs traffic in the sanctuary, often gives the directives to the faithful.
Miter and Crozier bearer(s) - in a pontifical mass, the servers or acolytes who attend on the bishop, and carry his miter and crozier when he’s not wearing them.

There are several other roles, usually shared if few servers, and not listed here.

 

[TrueLight]

The Deacon and Subdeacon, properly, are a deacon and an instituted acolyte, with a priest being able to vest as a deacon or subdeacon, and deacon able to vest as a subdeacon to fill those roles. His Holiness Paul VI wasn’t too kind about that; he didn’t approve of downvesting, and essentially ordered that, if a deacon was actually present, he should be the vested deacon in the mass. Note that, prior to HH Paul VI, the Roman church had a separate order of Subdeacons, but, like deacons, the role was usually filled by a man who had been ordained to those orders, but had later been ordained to a priest. Rome has no more ordaned subdeacons, but all the churches in union with Rome do; Only in the Roman church was subdeacon a major order.

The order of Acolyte was a minor order (no celibacy), and a server could do most of the Acolyte’s job without the minor orders ordination. Acolytes still exist, being installed by the bishop (called institution); a man instituted into that order is called an “Instituted Acolyte”; he may, if roman, be called a subdeacon, as well. (Thanks to HH Paul VI.)

Servers do many of an acolyte’s jobs; several assigned roles for the acolyte exist…
Thurifer - carries and tends the incense
Crucifer - carries the processional cross
Master of Ceremonies (MC) - directs traffic in the sanctuary, often gives the directives to the faithful.
Miter and Crozier bearer(s) - in a pontifical mass, the servers or acolytes who attend on the bishop, and carry his miter and crozier when he’s not wearing them.

There are several other roles, usually shared if few servers, and not listed here.

Very informative. Thank you Aramis.

I went to a High Mass recently which was in celebration of a priest’s 10-year anniversary and I know the celebrant thanked one of the priests who attended for acting as a server. Interesting that Pope Paul VI didn’t like downvesting.

 

[ProVobis]

I went to a High Mass recently which was in celebration of a priest’s 10-year anniversary and I know the celebrant thanked one of the priests who attended for acting as a server.

Incidentally upon reading further in that article, I found this:

The Roman Rite of Mass, as revised in 1970, now allows parts of the Mass to be sung on all occasions, and the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 147 even states: “It is very appropriate that the priest sing those parts of the Eucharistic Prayer for which musical notation is provided.” The revision thus abolished the hard-and-fast distinction between Missa Cantata and Low Mass, but the distinction is still maintained in the 1962 edition of the Roman Missal,[2] whose use as an extraordinary form of the Roman Rite is authorized in accordance with the conditions indicated in the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum.

 

[TrueLight]

Incidentally upon reading further in that article, I found this: The Roman Rite of Mass, as revised in 1970, now allows parts of the Mass to be sung on all occasions, and the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 147 even states: “It is very appropriate that the priest sing those parts of the Eucharistic Prayer for which musical notation is provided.” The revision thus abolished the hard-and-fast distinction between Missa Cantata and Low Mass, but the distinction is still maintained in the 1962 edition of the Roman Missal,[2] whose use as an extraordinary form of the Roman Rite is authorized in accordance with the conditions indicated in the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum.

Yes!

I find that even TLMs who use the 1962 missal still have a lot of sung parts. Is this what is called organic change?

Also, this refers to the priest right? Is there any documentation about the congregants doing some of the responses with the schola?

 

[ProVobis]

Also, this refers to the priest right? Is there any documentation about the congregants doing some of the responses with the schola?

If I’m reading right in the Missa Cantata, yes it is in reference to the priest, although the choir/scholar is expected to sing the Introit, Gloria (when it is in season), Gradual, Credo, Offertory, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and Communion. The congregation has no specific instructions, although I think that may be changing to more encouragement in the 1962 Missal.

 

[TrueLight]

If I’m reading right in the Missa Cantata, yes it is in reference to the priest, although the choir/scholar is expected to sing the Introit, Gloria (when it is in season), Gradual, Credo, Offertory, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and Communion. The congregation has no specific instructions, although I think that may be changing to more encouragement in the 1962 Missal.

Good. I love singing the Asperges me, alternating verses with the choir.

I wish all masses were dialogue masses, but that’s just my preference.

 

[Aramis]

Very informative. Thank you Aramis.

I went to a High Mass recently which was in celebration of a priest’s 10-year anniversary and I know the celebrant thanked one of the priests who attended for acting as a server. Interesting that Pope Paul VI didn’t like downvesting.

The problem with downvesting is that it leads to misunderstandings.

For example, the misunderstanding that the priest is the sole person to be allowed to touch the holy vessels with bare hands. (The deacon may, as well. And also the sacristan, be he cleric or layman, and those repairmen who may be required, and the artisans who make them…)

Pope Paul VI had no problem with priests serving in the deacon’s stead, but he wanted them in priestly vestments when so doing, and not if there was a deacon who was not also a priest present.

Note also: cassock and surplice is simply clerical choir vesture, not specific to servers. (In fact, lay servers wear it only by an indult so old it’s become tradition…) Since acolytes proper are rare these days, a priest who is not serving as deacon or subdeacon may vest in choir vestment (cassock and surplice) and assist as the Acolyte he was instituted (or, if old enough, ordained) as in the formation .

 

[itslaylay]

I used to be an altar server in elementary school. Every year they offered the opportunity for both boys and girls from fourth grade and above. We’d have 2-3 lunch breaks of training in the church and they’d always assign a new server with an older one for the first masses. There was also a roster where we were scheduled to serve at weekend masses, although I remember there was one girl who only turned up once and never bothered to serve again Most of the previous servers who I served with (now in high school) never went near the church since they graduated

Nevertheless, it was a great way to be more involved at church :angel1:

 

[cbcatholic]

We have never gotten together for Bible study, but prayer yes. When serving it is always important to remember that you are there to serve our Eucharistic King, that you are in fact the Honor Guard to Christ. Therefore one of an Altar Boy’s main job is to pray, We always gather before Mass and say a few prayers and ask for our Parish Saints’ intercession and then after Mass we gather in order around the crucifer and say a short prayer together in Latin. Each of us says the vesting prayers as we kiss our vestments before putting them on, the group usually during Holy Week will lead the parishioners in prayer esp. on Good Friday as we take turns leading the Rosary, chaplet, LOTH, etc. We also are encouraged to spend time in adoration in between the server practices and activities during the Triduum as well.

(Mitre & Crozier Bearer??) We call them Vimps (because they carry the Vimpas)

 

[JLASchofield]

How does one become a server?

I became a server by accident. There had been an announcement at Mass that more servers were needed and later in the hall my dad was talking about how he had once been a server. suddenly another parishioner asked me whether I would like to be a server. I didn’t, but I answered yes anyway because I hoped that would end the conversation quicker. Instead, he called over the head server, and because I didn’t have the courage to back out of my previous statement, I served my first Mass two weeks later.

How long have you been serving?

7 years

Do you serve in the OF or EF?

OF

What do you most like about serving?

Being able to assist in the Sacrifice of the Mass.

Do you have a set time to practice? How often?

We used to practice just before Christmas and Easter, as well as about halfway in between them, but now I am in charge it is more whenever I feel the need.

Do you get nervous?

I might have originally, my memory is rather vague, but now I never feel nervous, which is strange because I am usually very shy.

What is the primary thought in your mind while serving?

My train of thought usually runs like this:
Unnecessary thought NO! Concentrate. - Oh, Father’s talking about something I know quite a lot about, let’s smile like a maniac.

Has serving helped you in your spiritual life?

I wouldn’t say it has helped me spiritually, but in my pre-teen years it was probably the only reason I went to Mass, so it has done some good there.

Has serving helped foster in you, or a server you know, the desire to become a priest?

Yes

 

[SanctaMommy]

This is most unusual. Aside from ushers, EMs, cantors and lectors, all the help at mass is done by preteens. I have never seen an adult altar server.

 

[TheMc]

This is most unusual. Aside from ushers, EMs, cantors and lectors, all the help at mass is done by preteens. I have never seen an adult altar server.

Really? Never?

 

[TrueLight]

This is most unusual. Aside from ushers, EMs, cantors and lectors, all the help at mass is done by preteens. I have never seen an adult altar server.

That’s interesting. I have never seen a preteen at any of the masses I’ve attended. I was starting to wonder if this is to avoid scandal with all the abuse accusations.

 

[asia53]

This is most unusual. Aside from ushers, EMs, cantors and lectors, all the help at mass is done by preteens. I have never seen an adult altar server.

Wow! We have a mixture, and so do surrounding parishes. I know this due to an erratic work schedule, I attended Mass at 5 different parishes in my area.

Daily Masses, during the week are adult males. Anticipatory and Sunday Masses are a mixture of male/ female preteens, male/female teenagers, and adult males. I’ve noticed, they pair off the preteens with the teenagers, or if no teenagers, the preteens are teamed with an adult male.

The Altar Server coordinator is an adult male. He handles all the training, and scheduling. Father seldom has to whisper/gesture to the servers. If anyone whisper/gesture, it’s the coordinator.