Altar server

Short description: Assistant to a member of the clergy

A Czech altar server

Template:Catholic Church hierarchy sidebar An altar server is a lay assistant to a member of the clergy during a Christian liturgy. An altar server attends to supporting tasks at the altar such as fetching and carrying, ringing the altar bell, helping bring up the gifts (the bread and wine to become the body and blood of Jesus Christ) and bringing up the liturgical books, among other things. If young, the server is commonly called an altar boy or altar girl. In some Christian denominations, altar servers are known as acolytes.[1]

## Contents

* 1 Latin Church
* 1.1 The term "acolyte"
* 1.2 Female altar servers
* 1.3 Duties at Mass
* 1.4 Vestments
* 2 Lutheran Churches
* 3 Byzantine Rite
* 4 Anglican Church
* 5 Eastern Catholic, Eastern Lutheran, Oriental Orthodox and Assyrian and Ancient Church of the East churches
* 6 Other churches
* 7 Gallery
* 8 References
* 9 External links

## Latin Church

Fifty altar servers, during a celebration of a 50-year-old church, Gennep, Netherlands, September 2004

The Second Vatican Council's Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy confirmed that altar servers featured among those who "exercise a genuine liturgical function" within services such as the Mass.[2] According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, "Mass should not be celebrated without a minister, or at least one of the faithful, except for a just and reasonable cause."[3]

While the function of altar server is commonly associated with children, it can be and is carried out by people of any age or dignity.[4]

### The term "acolyte"

As in other churches,[5][6] altar servers are sometimes called acolytes in the Latin Church.[7][8] Pope Benedict XVI spoke of Saint Tarcisius as "presumably an acolyte, that is, an altar server".[9] However, within the Latin Church, the term "acolyte" is also used in a more restricted sense, often specified as "instituted acolyte",[10] to mean an adult woman or man who has received the instituted ministry of that name.[11][12] Acolytes in this narrower sense are not necessarily preparing for ordination as deacons and priests.[13] They are authorized to carry out some functions, in particular that of cleansing the Eucharistic vessels, that are not entrusted to ordinary servers.[14] Those who are to be ordained to the diaconate must be instituted as acolytes at least six months previously.[15] This ministry was long classified in the Latin Church as a minor order, as by the Council of Trent.[16][17] The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, which does not use the term "server" and instead speaks of altar servers generically among "other ministers", treats in detail of the functions of the "acolyte", often specifying "instituted acolyte".[18]

### Female altar servers

Main article: Religion:Female altar servers

Since the 1990s, girls may serve at the altar

The 1983 Code of Canon Law altered the juridical situation: without distinguishing between male and female, it declared: "Lay persons can fulfill the function of lector in liturgical actions by temporary designation. All lay persons can also perform the functions of commentator or cantor, or other functions, according to the norm of law."[19] On 30 June 1992, the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts issued an authentic interpretation of that canon declaring that service of the altar is one of the "other functions" open to lay persons in general, without distinguishing between male and female.[20]

In reference to this authentic interpretation, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments sent on 15 March 1994 a circular letter to presidents of episcopal conferences, clarifying that the canon in question is only of permissive character. It does not require the use of female altar servers. It is thus for each diocesan bishop to decide whether to allow them in his diocese.[21] A later document from 2001 states that even if a bishop permits female altar servers, the priest in charge of a church in that diocese is not obliged to recruit them, since no one, male or female, has a right to become an altar server. The document also states that "it will always be very appropriate to follow the noble tradition of having boys serve at the altar".[22]

As priests in charge of churches are not obliged to avail of a diocesan bishop's permission in this matter, those belonging to traditionalist Catholic groups such as the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, the Institute of The Good Shepherd, the Society of Saint Pius X and the self-professed Catholic CMRI and some other priests do not.

In the United States, after the Arlington Diocese's decision to allow them, the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska in 2006 became the only diocese in the country that did not allow females to be altar servers.[23] However, it was joined by a church in the Diocese of Phoenix in August 2011, when it was announced that girls would no longer be allowed to altar serve.[24]

### Duties at Mass

An altar server carrying a thurible is called a thurifer

In the absence of instituted acolytes, some of their functions at Mass may be carried out by altar servers.[25]

* Servers hold liturgical books for the priest when he is not at the altar and is proclaiming the presidential prayers with outstretched hands. They bring and hold such things as books, thuribles, the lavabo water and towel, vessels to hold the consecrated bread, and microphones.[26]
* Entrance: The entrance procession is led by a thurifer with burning incense (if incense is used at the Mass) and a cross-bearer carrying a processional cross, who is flanked on either side by another server bearing a lighted candle.[27]
* Proclamation of the Gospel: If incense is used, a server presents to the priest at the Alleluia or other pre-Gospel chant the thurible and the incense that he puts in the thurible and blesses,[28] and servers, who may carry the thurible and lighted candles, precede to the ambo the deacon or priest who proclaims the Gospel there.[29]
* Preparation of the Gifts: One or more servers assist in arranging the corporal, the purificator(s), the chalice(s), the pall(s), and the Missal on the altar, leaving it to the deacon to take care of the sacred vessels.[30] (At a concelebrated Mass without participation by a deacon, a concelebrating priest carries out the functions assigned to the deacon.)[31] If, as is appropriate, the bread and wine for the Mass are presented by the faithful, servers assist the priest or deacon who receives these and perhaps other gifts and carry the bread and wine to the priest, placing other gifts in a place distinct from the altar.[32] They present the cruets of wine and water for the priest or deacon to pour some into the chalice.[33] If incense is used, a server presents the thurible and incense to the priest, who incenses the offerings, the cross and the altar, after which the deacon or a server incenses the priest and the people.[34][35] When the priest then washes his hands standing at the side of the altar, a server pours the water over them.[36]
* Consecration: An altar server rings a bell shortly before the consecration, generally at the epiclesis (when the priest extends his hands above the gifts). In accordance with local custom, a server also rings the bell when, after the consecrations of the bread and wine, the priest shows the Host and then the Chalice. If incense is used, a server incenses the consecrated host and the chalice while these are being shown to the people.[37]
* Sign of Peace: The priest or deacon may give the sign of peace to servers, while remaining within the sanctuary.[38]
* Distribution of Holy Communion: In some places it is customary for servers to assist at the distribution of Holy Communion by holding a communion-plate for communicants.[39] Whether it is to be held by communicants or by a server, a communion-plate is placed on the credence table before Mass.[40][41] Its use (held by the communicants) is prescribed when Holy Communion is given by intinction.[40]
* Recessional: The servers lead the priest and any other clergy as at the entrance procession, except that a server who acted as thurifer at the entrance now follows the cross-bearer.[42]
* If a bishop celebrates Mass solemnly, two servers, wearing vimpae, hold the mitre and the crosier, and present them at the appropriate times.

### Vestments

Altar servers in cassock and surplice and one in alb Altar Boy in Holy Day Vestments (1965)

The vestment common to all ordained and instituted ministers of whatever rank is an alb, which is to be tied at the waist with a cincture unless the alb is made to fit without cincture.[43] Acolytes, readers and other lay ministers (such as altar servers) may wear either an alb or other appropriate attire as determined by the local episcopal conference.[44]

Servers often wear cassock and surplice, with black and red being the most common colors for a server's cassock.[45]

## Lutheran Churches

In the Lutheran Churches, altar servers (acolytes) have various responsibilities, such as ringing the church bells and lighting the candles in the chancel.[46] The various acolytes in the Lutheran Churches have different roles during the celebration of the Mass:

* Crucifer
* Thurifer
* Torchbearer
* Biblebearer
* Bannerbearer

An example of altar servers and priests in a lutheran church, in this case St. Mary's Church in Sigtuna belonging to the Church of Sweden

Certain acolytes are assigned the role of crucifer or thurifer, who carry the processional cross and thurible respectively.[46] The torchbearer stands to the side of the crucifer to carry candles, during the procession and recession. The bannerbearer typically carries a gonfalon in processions and recessions.[46] The Bible bearer is tasked with placing "the Bible on the altar or missal stand until the Gospel procession."[47][46]

Acolytes typically wear albs and the cincture used may reflect the colour of the liturgical season in the Christian calendar.[48]

The role of the acolyte is considered important in Lutheranism as those who serve in these roles, typically youth, often develop an interest in holy orders.[46]

## Byzantine Rite

Ukrainian Catholic bishop and priests during the Divine Liturgy, with altar servers in front (note the crossed oraria the servers are wearing)

In the Byzantine Rite, altar servers assist the higher clergy during services. They might carry the cross, candles or liturgical fans in processions and entrances; maintain the censer, ensuring it has enough live charcoal, loading it with incense and handing it to the priest or deacon when required; preparing the hot water (zeon) in time for it to be added to the chalice at the Divine Liturgy; prepare the antidoron for the people to receive after Holy Communion; and any other necessary tasks so that the priest need not be distracted during the service. An altar server is vested in the sticharion only.

In the early Church, before someone could be a server he had to be tonsured. Nowadays, in many places it is not necessary to be tonsured before one is allowed to serve (since the tonsure must be done by a bishop or higher-ranking priest). The rites of "Setting Aside a Taper-bearer" and "Tonsuring a Reader" have now been combined into one service. It is the custom in some traditions, such as the Greek Orthodox or Melkite Catholic, to allow tonsured altar servers to also vest in the orarion, worn crossed over the back like that of a subdeacon but with the ends hanging parallel in front. Among the Russians, however, the orarion is not usually worn by servers, but only by duly ordained subdeacons and deacons, with the exception that laymen who are blessed to perform some of the functions of subdeacons may sometimes be blessed to wear the orar.

Before vesting, the server must fold his sticharion and bring it to the priest for him to bless. The priest blesses and lays his hand on the folded sticharion. The server kisses the priest's hand and the Cross on the vestment, and then withdraws to vest. Any server who has not been tonsured must remove the sticharion when he receives Holy Communion, because communicants receive the Mysteries according to their order within the Church (so tonsured clergy vest while laymen remove their vestments). Before divesting at the end of the service, the server must receive the priest's blessing.

The minimum age varies by local circumstance, but boys must be mature enough to carry out their duties without disrupting the sanctity of the altar. Although it is common in North America for boys to act as altar servers, in some places this practice is virtually unknown and these duties are always carried out by adult men. In other places where altar servers are normally boys, adult men will not vest if called upon to serve. In yet other places, boys are not permitted to serve in the Altar on reaching their teens on the grounds that the young man is no longer innocent enough to serve in the altar.

Altar servers, regardless of age, are subject to all the normal restrictions for those not of higher clerical position. Anyone who is bleeding, or has an open sore, is not permitted to enter the altar. They may not touch the altar table or anything on it under any circumstances, nor the prothesis without a blessing. They may not touch the sacred vessels, the chalice and diskos (paten) at any time. They may not stand directly in front of the altar table or pass between the front of it and the iconostasis, but must cross between the altar and the High Place if they need to move to the opposite side.

In general, women do not serve in the altar except in women's monasteries. In that case they do not receive the clerical tonsure (though they must be tonsured nuns), and do not vest in the sticharion, but wear their normal religious habit for attending services, and serve at a certain distance from the actual altar table. Normally, only older nuns may serve in the altar; but the Hegumenia (Abbess) is permitted to enter even if she is younger. A few parishes have begun to use women as altar servers.

## Anglican Church

In Anglican churches of Anglo-Catholic churchmanship and some Episcopal Churches, the vast majority of roles associated with an altar server are the same as those in the Latin Church, and the same titles for each individual role are retained from Catholic tradition – mostly restored during the Oxford Movement in the 19th century.

Unlike the Roman Church, lay servers and sacristans were not conferred into the minor order, as defined by the Council of Trent. These orders were not continued in the Anglican tradition.

## Eastern Catholic, Eastern Lutheran, Oriental Orthodox and Assyrian and Ancient Church of the East churches

In the Eastern Catholic, Eastern Lutheran, Oriental Orthodox, and in the Assyrian Church of the East and Ancient Church of the East churches, altar servers are commonly young and often play a role in their church or community.

## Other churches

Main article: Religion:Acolyte

In many Methodist churches,[49][50] all who serve in the above positions are called acolytes.

## Gallery

* Altar servers in art
* Altar server, by Giacomo di Chirico

* Escolanets, by José Benlliure y Gil

* Ministranten beim Gebet by Felix von Ende, c. 1888

* Palm Sunday mass by Zdzisław Jasiński, 1891

* Statue of an altar server in the Iglesia de San Ginés in Arrecife, Lanzarote

## References

1. ↑ Eaton, Robert (2001) (in en). How to Motivate, Train and Nurture Acolytes: Five Workshops and Other Resources. Church Publishing, Inc.. p. 46. ISBN 9780819224569. ""Server" and "Acolyte" are often interchangeable words."
2. ↑ Second Vatican Council, Sacrosanctum Concilium: Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, paragraph 29, published on 4 December 1963, accessed on 8 June 2025
3. ↑ General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 254; cf. Code of Canon Law, canon 906.
4. ↑ Leonard of Port Maurice (1970). The Hidden Treasure: Holy Mass. TAN Books. ISBN 9781618905314. https://books.google.com/books?id=RjsqCgAAQBAJ&q="hidden+treasure"+"thomas+more"&pg=PT66.
5. ↑ Roger Speer Jr., Sharon Ely Pearson, I Serve at God's Altar: The Ministry of Acolytes (Church Publishing 2018)
6. ↑ Robert Eaton, How to Motivate, Train and Nurture Acolytes (Church Publishing 2001), p. 46
7. ↑ David Philippart, Serve God with Gladness: A Manual for Servers (Liturgy Training Publications 1998), p. 106
8. ↑ St. Peter Server Training Glossary
9. ↑ Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, 4 August 2010
10. ↑ Laughlin, Corinna; Riley, Kenneth A.; Turner, Paul (2014). Guide for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. LiturgyTrainingPublications. p. 57. ISBN 9781616711283. https://books.google.com/books?id=iIOgBAAAQBAJ&q="altar+server"&pg=PA57.
11. ↑ "Francis changes Catholic Church law: women explicitly allowed as lectors, altar servers". January 11, 2021. https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/francis-changes-catholic-church-law-women-explicitly-allowed-lectors-altar-servers.
12. ↑ Code of Canon Law, canon 230
13. ↑ Six lay men installed as acolytes in Spokane (Catholic News Service, 14 December 2018)
14. ↑ General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 192
15. ↑ Code of Canon Law, canon 1035 §2
16. ↑ Council of Trent, session XXIII
17. ↑ J. Waterworth, ed. (1848), The Canons and Decrees of the Sacred and Oecumenical Council of Trent, pp. 170−192
18. ↑ General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 98, 100, 162, 191, 192, 247, 249, 279, 284
19. ↑ Code of Canon Law, canon 230 §2
20. ↑ Authentic interpretation of canon 230 §2
21. ↑ Vatican Communication on Female Altar Servers
22. ↑ "The Catholic Liturgical Library". http://www.catholicliturgy.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/DocumentContents/DocumentIndex/556.
23. ↑ "USATODAY.com - Neb. diocese is lone U.S. holdout on allowing altar girls". https://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2006-03-22-altar-girls_x.htm.
24. ↑ Clancy, Michael. "Phoenix diocese cathedral won't allow girl altar servers". http://archive.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/20110821phoenix-catholic-diocese-girl-servers.html#ixzz2HBvJANlK.
25. ↑ "General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 100". http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/GIRM/Documents/GIRM.pdf.
26. ↑ "Catholic Bishops' Conference of England & Wales, Celebrating the Mass: A Pastoral Introduction (Catholic Truth Society 2005), p. 19". http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/GIRM/Documents/CTM.pdf.
27. ↑ General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 120
28. ↑ General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 132
29. ↑ General Instruction of the Roman Missal, nos. 133, 175
30. ↑ General Instruction of the Roman Missal, nos. 139, 178
31. ↑ General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 208
32. ↑ General Instruction of the Roman Missal, nos. 73, 140
33. ↑ General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 142
34. ↑ General Instruction of the Roman Missal, nos. 144, 178
35. ↑ The General Instruction of the Roman Missal makes no reference to a separate incensing of concelebrants (cf. Edward McNamara, "Incensing the Congregation").
36. ↑ General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 145
37. ↑ General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 150
38. ↑ General Instruction of the Roman Missal, nos. 154, 181
39. ↑ "Altar Boy Handbook of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Gainesville, Virginia (2009), p. 16". http://www.holytrinityparish.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Holy-Trinity-Altar-Boy-Handbook-to-Print-9-8-09.pdf.
40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 118
41. ↑ Instruction Redemptionis sacramentum, 93
42. ↑ General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 169
43. ↑ General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 336
44. ↑ General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 339
45. ↑ Edward McNamara "Colors of Cassocks and Altar Cloths"
46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 46.3 46.4 "The Duties of Acolytes" (in en-us). Concordia Publishing House. https://blog.cph.org/worship/the-duties-of-acolytes.
47. ↑ "St. John's Vocabulary" (in en). St. John's Lutheran Church. http://www.stjohnslutherancherryville.com/st-johns-vocabulary.html.
48. ↑ "On Being an Acolyte". St. Luke's Lutheran Church. 2019. https://stlukeslutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Acolyte-Instructions-2019.pdf.
49. ↑ "Acolytes and deacons". http://augustanadc.org/acolytes-and-deacons/.
50. ↑ "Glossary: acolyte | UMC.org" (in en). https://umc.org/en/content/glossary-acolyte.

## External links

* Photo of Russian Orthodox bishop surrounded by servers
* SanctaMissa.org's Online Altar Server Tutorial with Video and Guides (1962 Roman Missal)
* Altar Server Guide
* Another Altar Server Manual
* Official Website of the Ministry of Altar Servers San Roque Cathedral, Diocese of Caloocan, Philippines
* Official Website of the Ministry of Altar Servers of Sto. Niño Parish, Taguig, Philippines
* MINISTRANT PRESS

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