What is it Like to Serve at Mass?

[TimothyH]

I was speaking to an EF altar server yesterday and I asked him if it is easy to focus on the mass while serving.

This is what he said:

– sometimes he gets so into the mass he misses a cue
– he prefers the low mass because the chant can be distracting
– it is awesome to see what is happening on the altar

So my question is, do servers sometimes find it hard to remain in a prayerful spirit when you also have to make sure you are doing the right things?

Note, he did not say he has a hard time remaining in a prayerful spirit, but I am wondering about your experiences.

Sometimes it is difficult to remain in a prayerful spirit. This was expecially true when I first started and struggled to get all the mechanics right. Note that I serve at the OF.

I try to focus on the priest, to unite my heart and spirit to his heart and spirit. I don’t put myself in his place, that wouldn’t be proper, but I watch him, sit when he sits and stand when he stands, and generally try to anticipate his needs, if he seems to be a little rushed or if he is in a really great mood and is taking his time. They are human, and the focus for me, is always on the priest. And sometimes that kinda gets in the way of just praying.

Other times, it is so awsome. To see the heat rising from the candles, the snow white linens, gold chalice studded with blue sapphires in honor of Our Lady, gold paten with host about to be consecrated as I pour water over the priest’s hands for purification… the first time I stood that close it scared the crud out of me. I moved to the sancutary steps during the sanctus and just knelt there shaking so hard that the other server asked me later if I was OK. Who was I to be so close to the miracle about to happen? I almost quit then. God’s presence up there is real. It is palpable. And God was showing me how great a gift it was for him to allow me to be up there.

But the other night we had a special Mass in honor of Blessed John Paul II. I was struggling to see the altar over the ambo as I knelt, and when we stood for the Lord’s Prayer, the sight was spectacular. It was like Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, gleaming white and shining like lightening. It took my breath away to the point where I moved my lips to say, “Lord, I am not worthy to recieve you…” but no sound came out of my mouth. It is times like that when I feel so humble and so lucky to be there, to see what most people never get to see. Sometimes it is difficult to hold in the emotion.

I did miss ringing the bells once. I was so into the Mass that I just didn’t think to ring them. I was busy praying and listening to the priest say the words of consecration and overcome by the whole thing that I just didn’t think to do it. The priest raised the host and I remember thinking for a moment that something was missing… There were no bells… No one is ringing the bells… Then I realized that I was the one who was supposed to ring the bells!

Then there are the times when whacky stuff happens. The concelebrating priest turns around and motions you to come to him. He doesn’t think the microphone at the ambo is on or wants you to change to a different type of incense right in the middle of the Mass or the deacon taps you on the shoulder as you process down the aisle and whispers, “You are doing the second reading.” I think one day a priest is going to ask me to run to the vestry and order a pizza for him for after the Mass.

Hey, I don’t ask questions. I just do what I’m told.

And then there was the time when the priest lifted the pall, turned to me and made a motion like he was consecrating and said, “I need a two inch host.” I looked at the paten and it was empty. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Yea, I check the paten now before every Mass. It can be a circus and a soap opera, with the sacristan and the priest arguing about some palm plant or some picture of Mother Theresa in the women’s lounge.

But I wouldn’t give it up for the world. Not for the whole world.



-Tim-

 

[TrueLight]

Other times, it is so awsome. To see the heat rising from the candles, the snow white linens, gold chalice studded with blue sapphires in honor of Our Lady, gold paten with host about to be consecrated as I pour water over the priest’s hands for purification… the first time I stood that close it scared the crud out of me. I moved to the sancutary steps during the sanctus and just knelt there shaking so hard that the other server asked me later if I was OK. Who was I to be so close to the miracle about to happen? I almost quit then. God’s presence up there is real. It is palpable. And God was showing me how great a gift it was for him to allow me to be up there.

But the other night we had a special Mass in honor of Blessed John Paul II. I was struggling to see the altar over the ambo as I knelt, and when we stood for the Lord’s Prayer, the sight was spectacular. It was like Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, gleaming white and shining like lightening. It took my breath away to the point where I moved my lips to say, “Lord, I am not worthy to recieve you…” but no sound came out of my mouth. It is times like that when I feel so humble and so lucky to be there, to see what most people never get to see. Sometimes it is difficult to hold in the emotion.

Thank you. This really blessed me.

Thank you everyone for sharing.

 

[TheMc]

But the other night we had a special Mass in honor of Blessed John Paul II. I was struggling to see the altar over the ambo as I knelt, and when we stood for the Lord’s Prayer, the sight was spectacular. It was like Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, gleaming white and shining like lightening. It took my breath away to the point where I moved my lips to say, “Lord, I am not worthy to recieve you…” but no sound came out of my mouth. It is times like that when I feel so humble and so lucky to be there, to see what most people never get to see. Sometimes it is difficult to hold in the emotion.

I did miss ringing the bells once. I was so into the Mass that I just didn’t think to ring them. I was busy praying and listening to the priest say the words of consecration and overcome by the whole thing that I just didn’t think to do it. The priest raised the host and I remember thinking for a moment that something was missing… There were no bells… No one is ringing the bells… Then I realized that I was the one who was supposed to ring the bells!

Then there are the times when whacky stuff happens. The concelebrating priest turns around and motions you to come to him. He doesn’t think the microphone at the ambo is on or wants you to change to a different type of incense right in the middle of the Mass or the deacon taps you on the shoulder as you process down the aisle and whispers, “You are doing the second reading.” I think one day a priest is going to ask me to run to the vestry and order a pizza for him for after the Mass.

Hey, I don’t ask questions. I just do what I’m told.

LOL! I can totally relate!

 

[Te_Deum]

– sometimes he gets so into the mass he misses a cue

That’s happened to me a couple of times. Luckily I’ve always had another server with me to pick up the slack.

– he prefers the low mass because the chant can be distracting

Until he’s rang the bells on the Angus Dei because there were two men bellowing in his ear two feet away he cannot complain .

– it is awesome to see what is happening on the altar

Definitely. Much better view without the low altar in front of you.

So my question is, do servers sometimes find it hard to remain in a prayerful spirit when you also have to make sure you are doing the right things?

Note, he did not say he has a hard time remaining in a prayerful spirit, but I am wondering about your experiences.

Yes. So much so that I am considering giving up serving when the time comes. I do feel I have an obligation to continue serving right now though. For now I’m just going to have to spend more time after Mass praying.

 

[tbtcom1213]

How does one become a server?

Today, you approach the Head Server or coordinator in the sacristy after Mass. An appeal for altar servers is made in the announcements which precede the homily.
The way I came to serve Mass was that the Pastor inquired if I wanted to be an altar server and I said yes; I was trained by the MCs and started serving a month later.

How long have you been serving?

I have been serving for two years and ongoing!

Do you serve in the OF or EF?

I serve in both the EF and OF; they are one and the same sacrifice represented:byzsoc:

What do you most like about serving?

The privilege to be very close to the Blessed Sacrament; to lead others in holy prayer; to facilitate the worship of God in the company of the angels and Saints!

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

One is trained initially for Low or Sung Mass. At Low Mass you start out as an acolyte; At Sung and Solemn Masses you start out bearing torches; Gradually over time and at the discretion of the MCs you learn also how to perform the other duties (Crucifer, thurifer, MC et cetera)

Practices are held for Holy Week and instructions are given and clarified for Solemn Masses and to anyone who asks.

Do you get nervous?

Yes.The way to dispel that is to keep vigilant and to pray

What is the primary thought in your mind while serving?

To lead others in prayer. To perform my function to the best of my ability. To receive the graces from Our Lord via the intercession of Mary, the angels and saints

Has serving helped you in your spiritual life?

Yes. I am prompted to pray more and everymore, in private, in public and drawn to his presence in Word and Sacrament.

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

Yes

Saint John Berchmanns patron saint of altar servers, pray for us!

Saint Tarcisius, patron saint of acolytes pray for us!

 

[CompSciGuy]

I am an altar server and a thurifer at mass. I have to say that I think serving at mass takes the mass experience to a whole new level. It’s quite a wonderful thing.

To become an altar server, you usually speak to your priest or liturgy coordinator and they will train you.

 

[anruari]

Those are altar servers.

They may (if formally instituted) be acolytes.
Acolyte is the formal title for the job, but you don not have to be formally instituted as an acolyte to perform the functions.

Similarly - an ordinary lay-person who reads the 1st, & 2nd readings & the Psalm is probably a “Reader” - but may be a formally instituted “Lector”.

The formal institutions are rare except within Religious Orders (where Brothers may be formally instituted) or within seminaries where candidates for ordination must be formally instituted to each of these positions in turn during the years prior to Ordination.

 

[USNCorpsman]

The priest asked me to be an altar server for next Sunday…I’ll only have a practice session 20minutes before the Sunday mass and I am incredibly nervous!!! Any helpful advice??

 

[Aramis]

The priest asked me to be an altar server for next Sunday…I’ll only have a practice session 20minutes before the Sunday mass and I am incredibly nervous!!! Any helpful advice??

1. Relax.
2. if wearing Cassock or Alb, wear a dress shirt that’s not too warm - the cassock or alb will add warmth.
3. Comfortable dress shoes.

 

[MartyrForJesus]

For those who serve or have served in the past:

How does one become a server? Ask the priest
How long have you been serving? 5-6 months, can’t really remember.
Do you serve in the OF or EF? OF
What do you most like about serving? All of it. Being thurifer and bell ringer is cool.
Do you have a set time to practice? How often? Once fortnightly, I sometimes practice more often.
Do you get nervous? I did at first, however when you get used to it it’s like instinct.
What is the primary thought in your mind while serving? Doing it properly and being reverent.
Has serving helped you in your spiritual life? Yes.
Has serving helped foster in you, or a server you know, the desire to become a priest? Yes.

Thanks for being patient with my curiosity. No problemo.

 

[MartyrForJesus]

The priest asked me to be an altar server for next Sunday…I’ll only have a practice session 20minutes before the Sunday mass and I am incredibly nervous!!! Any helpful advice??

Watch the priest and he will help you out if you are stuck.