This Sunday we begin the 6th Chapter of the Gospel of John, also known as the Bread of Life Discourse. This is a beautiful and powerful proof text for our belief that the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Christ. For centuries, we Catholics, have shown the utmost respect and reverence that is due to the Eucharist. In addition to the guidelines from Mother Church on how to show that reverence and respect on the part of the laity, certain aspects of that reverence and care for the Eucharist have been reserved for the ordained.
It is good to know the distinct roles and titles given to each in our Catholic tradition. The Ministry of Acolyte is reserved to lay men and has traditionally been one of the minor orders received by those in seminary formation for the priesthood. One of the roles reserved to an instituted Acolyte is the purification of chalices and ciboria after communion. Other than the Acolyte, only a Deacon or a Priest should perform the purification rites at Mass. Many of the duties of a duly instituted Acolyte can and have been delegated to be conducted by Altar Servers, who may be men and women, boys and girls, as described in #’s 100, 187-190 and #193 of the GIRM.
Within the Church in the U.S., there is to be a distinction between an Acolyte and an Altar Server. What we currently have at Corpus Christi are not Acolytes, but Altar Servers. Since the role of Altar Servers in not sacramental as is the role of Acolyte, Altar Servers may be boys or girls, men or women who are mature enough to receive proper formation; this includes: instruction on the Mass and its parts and meanings, the various objects used in the liturgy, and the functions of the server during the Mass and other liturgical celebrations such as funerals, Holy Hours, etc. At our parish, we ask anyone interested in the role of Altar Server to have begun the fifth grade.
The role of the Altar Server includes the carrying of the cross, processional candles, holding the book for the priest when he is not at the altar, carrying the incense and censer, presenting the bread, wine, and water to the priest or deacon at the preparation, assist the receiving of the gifts from the people, washing the hands of the priest, and assisting the Priest and Deacon as necessary.
The Ministry of Altar Server was created around a thousand years ago so there would be a group of people who could stand in for Acolytes when none were available. That is the case in most parishes such as ours, therefore, we will refer to this Ministry at Corpus Christi as Altar Server and not Acolyte.
God Bless,
