Placing of Christian Symbols

ALTAR SERVER INSTALLATION (2014)

Presider: Will those who are to be commissioned as Altar Servers please come forward: ______

These young women and men, your relatives and friends, are to be installed as Servers of the Lord’s banquet table. Consider carefully the ministry to which they will be promoted.

It will be their duty to help the priest and ministers around the altar area. They will be responsible for preparing the altar for Liturgy, for leading the ministry and assembly in processions, for handling the sacred books and candles to be used in the sanctuary, for handling the gifts offered by this community, and for setting in place the sacred vessels used to serve the Lord’s Body and Blood to others.

From the way that they prayerfully and reverently go about these duties, may you, the people of God, recognize them as disciples of Jesus, who came to serve, and not to be served.

My young sisters and brothers, before you are raised to the office of Altar Server, you must declare before the people your intention to undertake this sacred office here at the Church of St. Mary.

(Presider turns to the new Altar Servers)

1 And so I ask you: 1) Are you resolved to assume the office of Altar Server with humility and respect in order to assist the priests and ministers?

R/ I will. 2) Are you resolved to bear the Cross of Christ as an Altar Server, and will you try to the message of the Cross every day of your life?

R/ I will.

May God who has begun the good work in you, bring it to fulfillment. (All extend hands for blessing.) Lord, look with favor on these servants of yours, whom we now dedicate to the office of altar server, to minister at your altar. Send forth upon them the Holy Spirit that they may be strengthened by the gift of your grace to carry out faithfully the work of their new ministry. We ask this through Christ our Lord… R/ Amen.