Boys and girls in grades 4-12 who have received their First Communion are eligible to join the program. They must complete a period of observation where they spend time watching other servers and the liturgy at the altar. After their observation period, server candidates are elevated to their appropriate server level, based on their grade and/or age and become active members of the server team.

Requirements to join the altar server program:
- Family are registered parishioners at St. Louis Catholic Church.
- Student has received their First Communion.
- Student has completed the 3rd grade or has turned 9 years old by October 1st.

Parents of altar servers partner with their child in this ministry. The baptismal rites of the Church explain that the parents are to be the first teachers of their children in the faith. Parenting an altar server is a perfect opportunity to embrace this commitment to God. We encourage parents to remember that even though they, as parents, are not serving directly in
the ministry, it is their duty to promote altar service in a professional and courteous manner, consistent with the loving discipline of our faith, the love of the sacred liturgy, and the community of St. Louis.

Altar Server Ranks

There are several ranks of altar servers.  Each rank performs certain functions during Mass.  The Altar Server Coordinators, made up of Acolytes, Parent Volunteers, and Senior Altar Servers, train all ranks of servers.

Regardless of grade status, each rank is only served for these set number of years (i.e., can only be at Senior level for 4 years, Junior level for 2 years, etc.).

Observers must serve a minimum of 8 Masses before they are eligible for elevation. Elevation is dependent on successful completion of the observation program. In addition to observers, students moving to a higher rank are also invited to elevation. Parents and altar servers will be notified by the office if they will be elevated in a particular year to the next level. The ceremony is generally held in October, and the date will be announced.

Altar Server obligations & expectations

All altar servers are expected to attend the mandatory Serviam Saturdays:

• family emergency;
• illness of the server;
• academic tutoring or other academic activity; or
• sudden transportation difficulties.

Servers are required to:

• arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled time for Mass (no exceptions--if you are late and another server has already been found as a replacement, you will have lost your position to serve that Mass);
• sign-in on the iPad (if iPad is not working, sign-in on paper);
• perform duties as designated by their assigned position;
• be respectful;
• be well-groomed; and
• wear proper attire.

All altar servers are expected to follow these important guidelines for being responsible witnesses of worship to the assembly during the Mass:

• Participate in all prayers, hymns, and responses.
• Maintain respectful posture on the altar at all times.
• Keep attention focused on the Mass.

• If a server is unable to fulfill a scheduled shift, the server must find a substitute of the same rank or higher to fill the schedule. Substitutes may be requested through the online ministry program (MSP). Please allow adequate time for yourself when finding a sub.

• All servers are required to serve at a minimum 15 times per year. There are many opportunities to substitute or volunteer for special Masses that are not Sunday liturgies.

Scheduling of Altar Servers

The altar server schedules for weekend Masses as well as Holy Days of Obligation, St. Louis School Masses, and other church services are prepared by the Office of Engagement and Worship. Any changes regarding family addresses, phone numbers, Mass preference, or recurring scheduling conflicts need to be changed in the Ministry Scheduler Pro (MSP) application and reported to the ministry coordinator.

The schedules are prepared monthly. Once the schedule is created, posted, and distributed, a server’s assigned times to serve are theirs and their family’s responsibility.

Preferred times are respected. However, due to the high number of preferences for certain Masses, some servers are not able to serve as often. Servers may serve more by being available for multiple Mass times, serving at funeral Masses, or picking up substitute requests.

Altar Servers are responsible for recruiting their own substitutes. Should an emergency occur which prevents a server from fulfilling their commitment to serve, they may request another server to substitute for them by filling out the sub request form in the MSP app. Servers should include their rank in the request. For example, in the Comments field, the server or parents should write “Illness--Junior level, please.” Servers should accept sub requests at their rank to ensure that the work of the liturgy is properly distributed. An apprentice, for instance, has not been trained to carry flags, but most juniors have. Please contact the Engagement and Worship Office for more information.

Primary Torches

APPRENTICES & SERVERS

Lead in the procession, lead out the recessional, stand in front of altar during Communion, and wash hands

Secondary Torches

APPRENTICES & SERVERS  

(Always Using Primary Torches) Proceed with the Gospel, and proceed with the Offertory

Tertiary Torches

APPRENTICES

Process and Recessional, and standing in sanctuary during communion 

American Flag

Juniors

Bring water cruet to altar before and after Communion, Help with clearing the altar at the preparation of Communion and after Communion is over, and 10 Minutes prior to Mass, light candles

Papal Flag

Juniors

Banner

Juniors

Help American Flag with duties

Crucifer

Seniors

Assists the Priest with Roman Missal 

Thurifer

SENIORS

Boat

Any Level

Assists the Priest with incense

DRESS

The server gets vested in cassock and surplice.  Servers should pick a cassock that is not too long, not too short; the cassock should come to the server’s shoe-top. 

Altar Servers wear black dress shoes when serving on the altar.  There can be found dressed black shoes in the Sacristy to wear in order to observe this requirement. 

Servers are to arrive 30 minutes before their assigned Mass.  They need to wear church clothes.  Hair should be clean and combed.  Girl altar servers should have their hair pulled back away from their face.  Fashion accessories are discouraged while serving on the altar. 

After all set up is complete the servers may put on their Surplices.  The Surplice size should match the Cassock size.

PREPARATION OF THE VESSELS AND BOOKS

Senior servers or acolytes prepare the cruets: one with fresh water, the other with wine. The PATEN or CIBORIUM should be prepared; one large altar-bread should be put on it (this duty is usually performed by the acolyte on duty).  Servers place the cruets, wine flagon, and the Paten or Ciborium on the offertory table at the rear of the church. 

The necessary books should be in their proper places in the sanctuary:  the Lectionary should be on the Ambo, unless the Lector processes in with it; the Sacramentary along with the Presider’s (priest) binder should be on the arm rest between the crucifer and priest chairs.  Hymnals/song sheets should be at each of the servers’ seats.

About ten minutes before Mass begins, the servers light the candles on or near the altar:  two, four or six candles are lighted.  The two candles near the tabernacle where the Blessed Sacrament is reposed are also lit. 

AT MASS

When the priest is ready, the Crucifer leads the servers, lectors, acolytes, deacon, and the priest to the altar in procession.  The servers process two by two, with hands folded upward in front of their chests unless they are carrying the processional cross, candles, flags or banners.    The entrance usually begins from the side chapel. 

If the servers pass by the tabernacle on the way to the altar, they stop and genuflect facing the tabernacle.  No genuflection is necessary for servers carrying items.  All servers continue to their designated sitting places.

After the washing of the hands, the servers return the pitcher and water basin to the sacristy, pour any remaining water out; place the towel in the towel bin and return the basin and pitcher to the assigned cabinet. 

CLEAN UP

The servers extinguish the candles.  The hymnals or worship aids used during the Mass need to be removed from the altar server chairs and returned to the sacristy.  The processional cross, flags and banners need to be returned to their proper storage areas.

Altar servers then remove their surplice and cassock (or alb and cincture) and carefully hang them on hangers in the proper place.  Make sure that your vestment (surplice and cassock) is carefully hung and stored in the proper closet.

Sacred Vessels & Appointments