Altar Servers

Altar Servers

St. Raphael the Archangel Church offers young Catholics an opportunity to grow in their faith and become more active in the Mass by becoming altar servers.  Altar servers are young people who assist the priest and deacon during Mass.

To assist at the altar as a server is one of the greatest sources of graces.  The server assists the priest and deacon at the Sacred Liturgy; a server is privileged to walk into the sanctuary.  The Mass is the Sacrifice of Calvary.  It is not a memorial but rather the Mass truly is the Sacrifice of Calvary.  For that reason, all servers must display the utmost respect and reverence.  For example, each time the server walks past the Tabernacle, the server is to genuflect on the right knee to our Lord who is truly present in the Eucharist (GIRM 274).

While assisting at the weekend Masses, the daily Masses, and other liturgical celebrations, it is important that servers be active participants in the liturgy that they listen, sing, and pray with the entire assembly.

What Are the Duties of Altar Servers?
Servers carry the cross and the processional candles, hold the book for the priest celebrant when he is not at the altar, carry the incense and censer, present the bread, wine, and water to the priest during the preparation of the gifts and assist him when he receives the gifts from the people, wash the hands of the priest, assist the priest celebrant and deacon as necessary. Servers respond to the prayers and dialogues of the priest along with the congregation.  They also join in singing the hymns and other chants of the liturgy.

Both boys and girls in 4th Grade or above, who have received First Communion, are invited to become altar servers.  Training to become a server begins in 4th grade.  If you are interested, please contact the parish office at 314-352-8100 or email Fr. Lawson at  [email protected]. 

 

Altar Server's prayer: 

Open my mouth, O Lord, to bless your Holy Name. Cleanse my heart from all evil and distracting thoughts. Enlighten my understanding and inflame my will that I may serve more worthily at your holy altar. O Mary, Mother of Christ the High Priest, obtain for me the most important grace of knowing my vocation in life. Grant me a true spirit of faith and humble obedience so that I may ever behold the priest as a representative of God and willingly follow him in the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Christ. Amen

Lay Altar Society 
The Lay Altar Society member(s) is privileged to work with the Priest(s) and Deacon in preparing the altar and church for the weekday and weekend Masses, First Friday Adoration, funeral and memorial Masses, Baptisms, weddings and special services. Preparation includes selecting the Chalices, Patens and Ciboriums for the Priest(s) and Deacon, along with displaying the correct reading in the Roman Missal, helping with the livestreaming of the Masses on the SRA parish website, and reserving pews when needed. After Mass, the Society member(s) will properly clean and store the Sacred Vessels, and close up church if necessary (lock doors, extinguish candles, turn off lights, etc.). The Society member(s) will also oversee the proper washing and drying of linens used in the celebration of the Masses.