IN THE PARISHES

SPRING 2022

Altar Servers Help Lead Us to a Deeper Devotion to Christ

Installation of new altar servers at the Church of St. Augustine, New City. // Photo by Paul Undersinger.

AS THE ALTAR SERVERS ARRIVE, the church is nearly empty. They come in from the street to the hush of high ceilings and stained glass, walk past the altar, and exchange quiet greetings with other early arrivals: choir members, Eucharistic ministers, ushers. In the sacristy – a room off the altar where priests and lay ministers prepare for the Mass – the altar servers find their way to a closet hung with vestments, don their albs or cassocks, and ready themselves for service.

By the time the church has filled – the faithful settling into the pews, shedding jackets, silencing phones – the servers have gathered in the sacristy with the lay ministers and the priest, awaiting the cue to enter. At the back of the sanctuary, the organist begins playing and the choir starts to sing. The sacristy door swings open, and the altar servers step out of the sacristy and into the aisle.

These young men and women occupy a place of distinction. With cross held high, they walk at the head of a procession that stretches back for centuries.

Every Sunday, all over the Archdiocese of New York, altar servers help priests bring Christ’s grace to the people of their parishes. It’s a humble yet profound role. Through it, they touch the faith lives of their families and their community, and set themselves on a path toward a life of deeper spiritual connection with God.

Through their images and voices, Archways would like to introduce you to a few of the thousands of altar servers who offer up their time and devotion to enrich the Mass experience for all of us. 

New servers at the Church of St. Augustine. // Photo by Paul Undersinger.

 

"I’ve been training to be an altar server for one month. I like seeing my friends at church. It’s a little hard when you’re in front of everyone at church. My family is very proud that I am an altar server. It makes me feel happy when my family comes to see me at church, and it makes me happy when I ring the bell."

– Laila Skrypack, 4th grade; St. Augustine, New City

Suiting up for service at St. Anthony Church, Yonkers. // Photo by Ricardo Paiba.



St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Manhattan. // Photo by Chris Sheridan.

 

"I remember how proud my grandmothers were when I became an altar server. Altar service gives me a stronger connection to God, which will stay with me forever."

– Daniel Riolo, 8th grade; St. Anthony, Yonkers

Preparing the credence table at St. Anthony. // Photo by Ricardo Paiba.



Getting ready for the procession at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. // Photo by Chris Sheridan.

 

"We trained to be altar servers about four weeks ago. Remembering all the steps is a little hard, but if I forget, I review the sheets Deacon Jim gave us. Our family is excited that we are altar servers."

– Oke Okelezo, 4th grade; St. Augustine, New City

New altar servers in procession at St. Augustine. // Photo by Paul Undersinger.



Preparing for the procession at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. // Photo by Chris Sheridan.



At the credence table, St. Anthony. // Photo by Ricardo Paiba.

 

"I enjoy having an active role in the mass, especially participating in the preparation of the Eucharist."

– Lucas Lanzo, 6th grade; St. Augustine, New City

Holding the missal for Opening Prayer at St. Patrick's Cathedral. // Photo by Chris Sheridan.



Straightening the credence table at St. Anthony. // Photo by Ricardo Paiba.



Helping with Communion at St. Patrick's Cathedral. // Photo by Chris Sheridan.



Ringing the altar bells at St. Anthony. // Photo by Ricardo Paiba.

 

"The first time I served, it was the 10 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass. I struggled to stay awake sitting next to the priest. My family thought it was funny, but worried I would fall off the chair. Being an altar server taught me that helping out in the Mass might mean I could help out other people too."

– Eric D. Morales, 9th grade; St. Anthony, Yonkers

Kneeling during the consecration at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. // Photo by Chris Sheridan.



Carrying the candles at St. Charles Borromeo, Harlem. // Photo by Spirit Juice Studios. 

 

"I was an altar server for 7 years, from 5th grade to 12th grade. Being an altar server has shown me how much goes on behind the scenes during the Mass, especially during Holy Week and the Masses leading up to Easter Sunday."

– Marcos A. Morales II, college freshman; St. Anthony, Yonkers

Leading the recession at St. Anthony. // Photo by Ricardo Paiba.



Holding high the cross at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. // Photo by Chris Sheridan.

 

"I became an altar server at the age of 7 in my local parish. I began serving at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in 1993, when I was in high school. I have had the honor of serving three archbishops of New York: Cardinal O’Connor, Cardinal Egan, and Cardinal Dolan.

"My favorite task is carrying the cross in procession.
I raise it as high as I can so that people automatically look up at it. I can always see people bowing or looking intently at the cross as it passes the pews.

"As a server, I not only witness the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, but I am a part of how the Mass unfolds on the altar. I feel the mystery of the Mass in a powerful way. I serve at the foot of Calvary and am always humbled by this privilege. Serving the Mass is about keeping Christ at the center, and that experience affects me every day by keeping Christ at the center of all that I do.

"Altar servers set an example for the congregation. Unlike the lector or priest, we do not have speaking parts at the Mass. We serve in silence, with reverence and devotion, and by this example we hope to make people aware that the Mass is truly Calvary come to life. Christ will come down on that altar at the moment of consecration and be present with us not as bread and wine but as His true body and blood. The servers need to be aware of this truth and set the example of veneration and awe at the mystery of Christ alive in our midst."

– Mario Bruschi, Senior Vice President and Finance Director, IPG Health; altar server, St. Patrick’s Cathedral

After Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. // Photo by Chris Sheridan.



Leading the recession at St. Charles Borromeo. // Photo by Spirit Juice Studios. 

SIDEBAR: For a breakdown of the altar server's tasks: ALTAR SERVER DUTIES: A Short Sequential Guide