#altarserver

Being an altar server typically refers to serving at the altar during religious services, particularly in the Catholic Church. Altar servers assist the priest in various aspects of the liturgy, such as carrying the cross or candles, holding the book for the priest to read from, and setting up the altar for the Eucharist.

Altar serving is often seen as a way for young people to participate more fully in the liturgy and to deepen their faith. It can also be a way for them to develop leadership skills and a sense of responsibility. Altar servers are typically trained by experienced servers or by the priest.

Altar serving is not limited to the Catholic Church, however. Many other Christian denominations also have altar servers or similar roles, such as acolytes or crucifers. The specific duties and requirements for these roles may vary depending on the denomination and the individual church.

I was born in a family which is very traditional and devout Catholics in which my younger days became a memorable one. Since my mother was already working abroad while I was still an infant my father always encouraged my older siblings to attend Holy Mass every Sunday and they always brought me. Annually, every Holy Thursday is my most favorite day because we do a ‘Visita Iglesia’. This practice made me more attached to churches.

In our parish when we attend Mass every Sunday my eyes are focused on one thing and that is the ‘Bell’ which we hear every start of the mass and during consecration. My father had experienced struggles with me because when we were entering the church, I always asked him if I am allowed to touch and ring the bell but, he always told me no because I was not an altar server. Therefore, I began to have tantrums. I am very consistent to do that every Sunday whenever we attend the Holy Mass.

After many Sundays of doing that, my father was compelled to our parish priest and asks if I will be given consideration to become an altar server because I am underage. Our parish priest also noticed my behaviour every time we are in the church. He then told my father that he would allow me to be a member of the Knights of the Altar. At a very young age I was able to be at the formation in becoming an official altar server together with my guardian who is my chaperone all throughout the formation class and meetings.

My time has come to be installed and become an official part of Knights of the Altar. My heart is full of joy especially when I received my vestments in which in my younger age was my biggest achievement in life but more is yet to come.

Last 2012, I was able to be a part of the official servers to be at the Pastoral Visit of the bishop of Diocese of Antipolo in our parish and yet the preparation is not easy. We have practices and most of the time; we did it at night and I got home late knowing that I have classes the next morning. Therefore, my father told me that when serving God, you must sacrifice your time. Finally, the bishop arrived and the ceremony started and it became a successful one. The following year by the grace of God I was in the service for five years already and during our renewal of vows, I received recognition.

Five years for me is memorable but God has a bigger plan as I continue my journey as an altar server. I had a chance to serve in the big and famous church at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan during our pilgrimage. The experience there was extraordinary because it was not an ordinary small church like our parish but a very huge one.

In the last quarter of 2014, our ministry started a new beginning but the connections of all the members are still strong. We called our ministry as Altar Servers Guild but for us, we are family. I started the year 2015 elected as secretary of our guild in which I have been given the responsibility and by the guidance of my fellow servers, I was able to do my job. It was a challenging task for me, having encountered different struggles in our ministry because of some members who were not cooperative but I gave my whole heart in this work and therefore I was able to perform my responsibility. I did not wish to become part of the officers all I wanted was to become a member forever but this is not a reality because as I grow older, I must accept the fact that one day, I will become a leader to our new and young members of our guild.

We faced numerous struggles but the Lord gave us refreshment because we were able to serve in the huge church again in Laguna. We enjoyed that moment and did not expect that something was coming.

But after joy, there is sadness. Our new spiritual director has a policy that every server ages 18 and above should say farewell to the ministry and to be part of other ministries instead. I am not yet 18 years old but most of the seniors who helped me were already adults. It was very difficult for me to say goodbye to them but this is a challenge to me after many years of formation to become a good leader.

Only the two of us were left behind as senior servers and as we opened the year 2018, I was appointed to become the vice president in whom our president that time is a young member. Our spiritual director challenged me to guide our young president to become a good leader.

The following year is another achievement because I have been a server for a decade. Being an altar server is not easy because it requires sacrificing my time and giving myself to serve Him and others. I encounter many things during my journey, but I give my trust to Him and everything under His care.