Altar Servers: Training Ground for the Priesthood

Two Sense Films

The following video from Two Sense Films aptly depicts why boys serving as altar servers is a gateway to discerning a vocation to the priesthood.

Altar Boy

If you are like me, you served as an altar boy when you were young. I actually served all the way through my high school years. I remember I how much I enjoyed putting on the cassock and the surplice (these are the black and white garments that look like the priest's); it made me feel "priestly." In fact, while I never formally discerned for the priesthood, serving as an altar boy gave me pause to think about the priesthood as a vocation (of course I didn't know at the time that was what I was doing). I remember thinking that serving on the altar was serious stuff. 

Fathers & Sons

I have very strong opinions about the need to get more young men and boys active as altar servers. I believe this is the training ground for future priests. The purpose of this post is not to criticize the relatively recent move to permit girls as altar servers. Instead, I am simply saying that it is an opportunity to give young men a glimpse into the possibility of the priesthood as a vocation. Countless priests have said their vocations began on the altar, serving as altar boys. I believe fathers have a responsibility of encouraging their boys to serve in this capacity. Two things we can focus on : 1) they will be serving God and their community and 2) they will belong to a special team. Boys like belonging to teams.

The Altar Server

Two of our Acolytes next to Father Mathew and our two Deacons

Altar Boy
If you are like me, you served as an altar boy when you were young. I actually served all the way through my high school years. I remember enjoying to put on the cassock and the surplice (these are the black and white garments that look like the priest's); it made me feel "priestly." In fact, while I never formally discerned for the priesthood, serving as an altar boy gave me pause to think about the priesthood as a vocation (of course I didn't know at the time that was what I was doing).  I remember thinking that serving on the altar was serious stuff.

Fathers & Sons
I have very strong opinions about the need to get more young men and boys active as altar servers. I believe this is the training ground for future priests. The purpose of this post is not to criticize the relatively recent move to permit girls as altar servers. Instead, I am simply saying that it is an opportunity to give young men a glimpse into the possibility of the priesthood as a vocation. Countless priests have said their vocations began on the altar, serving as altar boys. I believe fathers have a responsibility of encouraging their boys to serve in this capacity. Two things we can focus on : 1) they will be serving God and their community and 2) they will belong to a special team. Boys like belonging to teams.

Altar Server Training
Perhaps one of the things that needs to happen in altar server programs is a careful focus on the formation of the altar servers. They need to know what and why they are doing what they are doing. Can you imagine how truly awestruck they will be when they really comprehend that they are on the altar when the bread and wine transform into the Body and Blood of Christ?

The following video from Kolbe1019 is a must see for altar servers and I dare say for anyone who serves on or near the altar.

Are we raising future priests and nuns?

When I was a boy, I would pretend to be a priest using Pringles as communion hosts. While I don't recall my parents specifically promoting vocations to priesthood or the religious life, I do remember that they always displayed a great deal of respect for our priests. Whenever they would invite one of the priests from  our parish over to the house, I remember it was big deal. While I never became a priest, I did consider it and even discussed it with our parish priest.

The above video was posted by Brandon Vogt, author of The Thin Veil blog and editor of The Church and New Media. I loved this video because it demonstrates that Brandon and his wife are raising their children in an atmosphere in which priests are respected.

I have a good friend who has four children ranging from elementary school age to college bound. He and is wife have always discussed all vocations with their children. This included discussing marriage as a vocation. This doesn't mean we force our children in to considering the religious life, but it does mean that we should explain that they should be open to serving God in that way.

What are you doing to promote vocations in your household?

A Priest, Two Deacons and Acolytes

Last week I posted that seven men in our parish would be installed by Bishop Kevin Vann as Acolytes. Six of the seven (one had a work conflict) were installed Saturday and served at Mass this Sunday. It was great to see Father Mathew have a complete team of helpers. At the 5pm Mass yesterday we had two deacons, two acolytes and three altar servers. This coupled with the chanting of many of the prayers, added a nice solemn touch deserving of the Mass.

I am proud to say that five of the six acolytes are regular attendees at Joe Catholic and the other has attended some of the gatherings. More importantly, I am thankful that these men answered the call to serve the Lord and our parish in this capacity. I can only think that they will serve as role models for boys to become altar servers. Perhaps some young men may even become open to the vocation to the priesthood.