The function that gained great importance and honor in the second and third centuries,

was that of the fourth minor order, the acolyte.

Acolytes is from the "Greek word akolouthos; Latin sequens meaning he who comes, a

follower, an attendant."

For several centuries only males were allowed to serve at Mass. However, with the

coming of Vatican II, some changes were introduced into the Church.

From the beginning of its ‘universal’ formulation in the the Middle Ages, 1 church law

forbade women to serve at the altar of the Eucharist. The reasons for this were: (1),

women’s presumed inferiority that precluded them from leadership functions, and (2)

women’s impurity because of menstruation.

Many local Churches throughout the world have begun to allow girls to function as altar

servers. This in spite of repeated attempts by the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship

and Discipline of the Sacraments (CSDWDS) to discourage the practice.

GIRM stands for General Introductory of the Roman Missal.

It makes distinction between an “ acolyte” and a “ server”. “acolyte” refers to an “instituted

acolyte” – a seminarian who has passed through a special ceremony called “ institution”

presided by the bishop. A “server” on the other hand, refers to a person who has received

only a “ blessing” from the priest. This will be found in GIRM 2002.

In an Altar Server's Program, it includes the Recruitment, training, and Formation.

"Aspirants" is the name that will addressed or referred to a new member in the Ministry.

Regardless of the History, most Bible Scholars AGREE that Samuel was the FIRST

NAMED PERSON to fill the duties of an Altar Server.

Altar Servers are not ordained, rather they are commissioned for service and officially

entered into duty by the parish priest.

There are all 11 guidelines for Altar Servers that were prepared by the Committee on the

Liturgy and presented to the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Order for the Blessing of Altar Servers, Sacristans, Musicians, and Ushers (Book of

Blessings, nos. 1847-1870) may be used before servers first begin to function in this

ministry.

Among all of the dates in the calendar. There are particular dates that you need to

marked as an Altar Server in AMPAPP. One of these is in the month of November, were

mostly all of us gathered and celebrates it with numerous foods as to commemorate our

feast. The date is in 17th of November.

Altar server is very important ministry in liturgy.

The Primary role of the altar server is to ___ and to watch the priest in the celebration of the liturgy of the mass.

Upon the arrival of your team ___ minutes before the mass you should have decided what job each of your members of your team will perform.

Ensure the candle is _____ enough to last the mass.

Make sure the altar candles are lit.

Review the credence table and ____ nothing is missing.

Ensure the Thurifer lights the charcoals 10 minutes ____

the scheduled start time of the mass.

Make sure your team is in compliance with the dress code.

Always be on time in all session and activities.

Looking alert and sitting or standing as the appropriate times.