Module 1 – What is an Altar Server

Module 1 – What is an Altar Server

The Basic Teachings of the Faith:
4 Pillars of Faith:
 Creed
 Commandments
 Sacraments
 Prayer
12 Articles of Faith (Creed):
 I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth,
 and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
 who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
 suffered under Pontius Pilate,
 was crucified, died and was buried;
 he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead;
 he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
 from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
 I believe in the Holy Spirit,
 the holy catholic Church,
 the communion of saints,
 the forgiveness of sins,
 the resurrection of the body,
 and life everlasting. Amen
The 10 Commandments:

 I am the Lord thy God, thou shall have no other gods besides me;
 Thou shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain;
 Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day
 Honor thy Mother and Father
 Thou shall not kill
 Thou shall not commit adultery;
 Thou shall not steal;
 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor;
 Thou shall not covet your neighbor’s wife;
 Thou shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.

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The 7 Sacraments:
 Baptism (Binyag)
 Holy Eucharist (Banal na Komunyon)
 Confirmation (Kumpil)
 Holy Orders (Banal na Ordinasyon)
 Holy Matrimony (Kasal)
 Confession (Kumpisal)
 Anointing of the Sick (Pagpapahid ng Langis sa Maysakit)
Sacraments of Initiation:
 Baptism (Binyag)
 Holy Eucharist (Banal na Komunyon)
 Confirmation (Kumpil)
The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and
receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. By means of these sacraments of Christian
initiation, they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance
toward the perfection of charity.” (CCC, 1212)
Sacraments of Healing:
 Confession (Kumpisal)
 Anointing of the Sick (Paglalahid ng Langis sa may sakit)
“The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the
paralytic and restored him to bodily health,3 has willed that his Church continue, in the
power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own
members. This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance
and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.” (CCC, 1421)
Sacraments of Vocation/Service:
 Holy Orders (Banal na Ordinasyon)
 Holy Matrimony (Kasal)
“Two other sacraments, Holy Orders and Matrimony, are directed towards the salvation of
others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that
they do so. They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the
People of God.” (CCC, 1534)

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Module 1 – Introduction to the Ministry of Altar Servers
Being an Altar Server, you are called a minister, a person who serves the parish community. As
a minister, you should assist the community to celebrate the sacred liturgy, which is to serve
God. You are mainly serving the priest to lead the community to God in prayer which is the work
of the priests. You appear in public, but you are never a performer. By your faithful duty, you
remain always a servant of God in your Parish. Blessed John Paul II said “you are far more than
‘helpers of the priest’. Above all, you are servants of Jesus the Eternal high Priest.” Basic Prayers

Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth,
as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive
those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the
fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour
of our death. Amen.

Glory Be
Glory be to the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now
and ever shall be. Amen.

Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only
Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under
Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he
rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the
Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy
Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the
resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen

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What is an Altar Server? Identity:
The primary role of the Altar Servers is to assist the priest in the celebration of the liturgy,
especially during Mass. This is done through specific actions and by setting an example to the
congregation by active participation.
There is nothing that prevents girls from becoming Altar Servers however, for practical reasons,
and as a venue to attract vocations to the priesthood; it is highly recommended that boys are
appointed for this ministry.
Ideals of an Altar Server:

Reverence – Reverence for God and for sacred objects is most important when they serve.
Reverent actions, peaceful and dignified behavior and gestures should be seen by the people
when you stand at the sanctuary, for this adds solemnity to the celebration of the liturgy and
contribute to the active participation of all.
Discipline – With good training and proper discipline, the rituals and ceremonies of the liturgy
can be carried out in an orderly and solemn manner. But, as always, training involves discipline.
Discipline among Altar Servers is expected in the following:
 During the celebration of the liturgy, especially the mass
 As they actively participate in the celebration;
 As they avoid unnecessary movements that may cause distraction to others;
 As they pay attention to every part of the Mass, at the same time being aware of the
responsibilities and tasks;
 As they avoid loitering and congregating in the sacristy or other places around the church;
 As they work diligently with other lay liturgical ministers and even with priests
 Outside of the celebration
 In their relationship with others, especially with their family, friends, classmates and other
persons whom they encounter;
 In their care and concern, respect and reverence for the materials they use for the celebration of
the liturgy, as well as the church and its other areas (e.g. sacristy);
 In their respect for their elders;
 In their willingness to undergo on-going formation and training.

Decorum – decorum means “what is proper.” Decorum requires a sense of dignity. Servers
should not only do their work well, they should not just train well, they should, likewise, have a
neat and tidy appearance since this adds to the dignity and beauty of the liturgical celebrations.
This is shown in the following ways:
 By keeping their uniforms neat and clean at all times, especially as they wear it during liturgical
celebrations;
 By being groomed;
 By moving in dignified manner, with confidence and reverence for the liturgical celebration.

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Piety – Piety does not mean they look holy whenever they serve at the altar. It means that they
carry within themselves a great love for God and his people, even if they are not serving in the
Church. Piety involves:
 A good prayer life;
 A special love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament;
 A devotion to the Blessed Mother;
 A deep love for the Eucharist and other Sacraments;
 Reading the Bible and learning from it

Brotherhood – An Altar Server has an attitude of team-work, in serving you should understand
that you are a part of a larger group. Always remember that in serving you should be united in
the service of God. Brotherhood involves:
 Witnessing – a life of witnessing that involves
 Doing good to others at all times;
 Being faithful to their responsibilities, not only in the church, but in their families, in School, in
other places;
 By avoiding bad habits and vices;
 By being good example to others.
 Teamwork – Serving at the altar is never a solo task. It is always done as a team of brothers. This
is shown in the following ways.
 By being aware of their own responsibility and the responsibility of other ministers as well;
 By helping each other, being friendly and kind, not proud, boastful or competitive.
 By welcoming newcomers and teaching them patiently;
 By praying together with other ministers before and after liturgical celebrations;
 By being a brother to their fellow servers.

Roles and functions of an Altar Servers

 To assist ministers of higher rank during the liturgical celebrations, especially the Mass,
namely:
 Instituted Acolytes;
 Deacons;
 Priests;
 The Bishop.
 To work together with other lay liturgical ministers in the preparation and celebration of
the liturgy, especially the Mass, namely:
 Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion;
 Lectors and Commentators;
 Ushers, Greeters, and Collectors;
 Music Ministry
 Sacristans

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