Why Learning to Serve at Mass Matters
For a boy or man, learning to serve at the altar is one of the greatest privileges he can have in the Church. To stand so close to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, to handle the sacred objects, and to assist the priest at the altar—all of this forms the mind and heart in a deep love for God.
At a parish like St. Catherine of Siena, where the Traditional Latin Mass is offered, the service at the altar is especially rich, reverent, and beautiful. But why is it so important to encourage boys to learn to serve?
What Does an Altar Server Do?
An altar server is not simply a “helper” or “extra pair of hands.” He:
Accompanies the priest at the altar
Carries the cross and candles in procession
Rings the bells at the consecration
Presents the cruets of water and wine
Helps with the missal, the incense, and the other ceremonial actions
In the Traditional Latin Mass, the altar server also has the privilege of answering the priest at the prayers at the foot of the altar and at other moments of the Mass. He learns the Latin responses, the gestures, and the reverent movements that surround the Holy Sacrifice.
Serving at Mass teaches a young man that God is first, that the altar is holy ground, and that his actions in the sanctuary must reflect the dignity of what is happening there.
The Spiritual Benefits of Serving
Learning to serve at Mass shapes the soul in quiet but powerful ways:
Love for the Holy Eucharist
Standing so close to the consecration, watching the Host and Chalice be lifted up, an altar server can’t help but be drawn deeper into faith in the Real Presence of Jesus.Reverence and recollection
Serving demands silence, attention, and care. A boy learns to be still, to focus, and to act with purpose—virtues that carry over into his prayer life and his daily life.Responsibility and discipline
Servers must arrive early, be properly dressed, know their roles, and be ready to serve even when they’re tired or distracted. This builds self-discipline, reliability, and maturity.A sense of belonging in the Church
Serving gives boys a concrete way to participate in the life of the parish, not just as spectators, but as young men with a real role in the liturgy.
A Seedbed for Vocations
Many priests will tell you that their first attraction to the priesthood began in the sanctuary, wearing a cassock and surplice, and serving at the altar.
While not every altar server will become a priest, serving at Mass:
Helps a boy become comfortable in the sanctuary
Opens his heart to listen if God might be calling him to a vocation
Teaches him to love the Church’s liturgy and to respect the priesthood
Even for those who are not called to the priesthood, these experiences help form future good Catholic husbands, fathers, and leaders, who understand the centrality of the Mass in their lives.
The Role of Parents
Parents play a key role in encouraging and supporting altar servers:
Invite your sons to consider serving, especially if they are naturally shy or unsure.
Help them get to Mass early so they can vest and prepare.
Speak positively about the honor and seriousness of serving.
Pray for them and with them, asking Our Lady to protect their purity and strengthen their faith.
Encouraging a boy to serve at Mass is not just “one more activity.” It’s an investment in his soul and in the future of the Church.
Serving the Traditional Latin Mass
In the Traditional Latin Mass, the role of the server is particularly beautiful and demanding. He learns:
The Latin responses
The order of the Mass and the different positions at the altar
The meaning behind many of the gestures and ceremonies
This deeper involvement in the Mass helps cultivate a lasting love for the Church’s ancient liturgy and a sense of continuity with the saints who prayed in the same way.
How to Get Started at St. Catherine of Siena
If you or your son feels a little tug on the heart to try serving, we would be very happy to help you begin.
At St. Catherine of Siena, we are looking for boys and men who would like to learn how to serve the Traditional Latin Mass. Training is offered, and no previous experience is required—just a willingness to learn, to be reverent, and to be faithful.
Please speak to Stanislaus after Mass, or
Simply email the parish and let us know that you or your son are interested
We will arrange times for instruction and practice, and help new servers become comfortable in the sanctuary step by step.
Serving at Mass is not merely a task; it is a privilege and a path to holiness. May Our Lord reward generously all those who give Him their hands and hearts at the altar, and may He raise up many holy vocations from among our altar boys and men.
