From the Knights of the Altar Handbook
HISTORY OF SERVERS
At a very important time in Jesus’ life, He accepted the services
of a young boy. This young boy provided five loaves and two fish for
that very momentous miracle with which Jesus launched his teaching on
the Holy Eucharist. The Sacred Writers do not tell us the name of the
young boy, only his deed, and his act of service. Altar servers also
perform a great deed of service.
In past centuries, only priests or those ordained to the office of
Acolyte were allowed beyond the Communion rail to assist in the
Worship of God. The Order of Acolyte is a step toward the priesthood. It
is the highest of the four minor orders, before a man seriously commits
himself to the priesthood with the three major orders.
As seminaries grew, the Order of Acolyte became for the
seminarian a step to the goal of Priesthood, and thus not as many
remained Acolyte to assist priests in the Sacred Services. Therefore the
Church allowed lay men to perform the duties of that office.
As it became more necessary for men to work steady hours to
fulfill their duties as fathers and breadwinners, and young men were
called to serve in war time, boys were taught to take on the
responsibilities of assisting the priests in their service of God.
more…
sanctamissa.org/en/serving/knights-of-the-altar.pdf