May you always be friends and apostles of Jesus Christ! – Benedict XVI to altar servers, 2006

Altar servers do exactly that, they serve at the altar.  Like a fine banquet, those trained in this ministry carry, hold, remove or bring items to the Eucharistic table so that the sacred meal of our Lord can be carried out with dignity and without interruption. 

Who can be an altar server? Here in the Archdiocese of Toronto boys and girls, men and women can carry out this sacred function provided they have been baptized in the Faith, and have a deep respect for the Eucharist which is the body, blood, soul and divinity of our Lord.[1] 

What time commitment is necessary? Initially, altar servers would commit to attending a training session set forth by the parish.  Once trained, they would then commit to serving at a specific mass (usually the one they attend) on a rotational basis. It is also important that those in this ministry arrive approximately 15 minutes before the start of mass to prepare spiritually and physically (e.g. getting ‘vested’; receiving any last minute instruction) for the celebration.

Contact: Tony Pham – tuanphamca@yahoo.ca

[1] Redemptionis Sacramentum, par. 47