“Altar servers are called in particular to be young friends of Jesus. Be determined to go deeper and to cultivate this friendship with him. You will discover that in Jesus you have found a true friend for life.”
— Pope St. John Paul II
About the Ministry of Altar Servers
Altar Servers are Extraordinary Ministers who fulfill the role of an officially instituted acolyte, who is instituted for service at the altar and to assist the Priest and Deacon. It is his place principally to prepare the altar and the sacred vessels and, if necessary, to distribute the Eucharist to the faithful as an extraordinary minister (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 98).
Posture & Attentiveness
Altar servers should always keep their hands in the prayer position when not holding items or otherwise engaged. Extending the hands outward is an expressly priestly mannerism and should be reserved for the priest celebrant alone. Holding hands during the Our Father is not a requirement of the liturgy and it is more proper for the hands of servers to be in the prayer position.
Altar servers ought to sit with proper posture, neither fidgeting nor seeming bored. The postures the server assume signal to the congregation how they ought to act as well. If the server seems disinterested, the people subconsciously can assume “permission” to disengage from full, active, and conscious participation as well.
Manner of Dress
Altar servers are ordinarily vested for service in the sanctuary, but shoes are often visible beneath the cassock and surplice or alb and scapular. Ideally, you should have your “Sunday Best” on, even if it isn’t visible. Sneakers, tennis shoes, and flip flops should not be worn under your vestments.