Sacred Servers

To be "sacred" is to be set apart, holy, consecrated. As a Sacred Server, you are given the opportunity to discover how sacred God made you, while holding and caring for sacred things, and a fellowship with others just like you who are learning how to serve God in small ways, so as to discern how to serve Him with your whole life.

The purpose of Sacred Serving is (1) to worship and glorify God, (2) to serve God and His Church, (3) to grow in holiness, and (4) to evangelize others.

Our Sacred Server program is designed to help you grow closer to God and in responsibility in a gradual way, through different stages of serving and leading. This allows those just beginning to become more and more comfortable with serving, while allowing those who have served consistently to grow through greater responsibility. 

Some of their responsibilities include serving  at Daily, Sunday, and Holy Days of Obligation Masses, Stations of the Cross, Archdiocesan events when requested, and so much more. Servers carry the cross, 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 or assist him when he receives the gifts from the people, wash the hands of the priest, assist the priest celebrant and deacon as necessary.  None of these are difficult tasks, but they require a young man or woman who is humble enough to be taught and a strong, intelligent leader that can foresee a need without being told once they gain enough training and experience.

More information on the details of Sacred Serving can be found in our Sacred Server Workbooks ("workbook"), which can be obtained from the parish office. Or, if you would like sign up, tap the button below!

The Stages of Sacred Serving

The Call to Serve

Before you can become a Sacred Server, you must ask God and a parent or guardian if Sacred Serving is possible. This is the preliminary stage of our program. Ask someone you trust, "Do you think I would make a good Sacred Server?" In your workbook, you will agree to the requirements, state your intentions, affirm your desire to learn more, and express your ability to commit to the program.
 

Initial Training Stage

The second stage of Sacred Serving is the Initial Training stage. In this stage, you attend an initial training session, while also learning the importance of being a server, the different stages of formation, the different roles and tasks, and so many other aspects of serving God and His Church. After participating in an initial training session, you will wear a long white scapular over your usual Sunday-best attire and sit up-front at Mass, to observe all that the servers do.
 

Apprenticeship Stage

The third stage is the Apprenticeship Stage. An apprentice learns the basics of serving - reverence, prayerfulness, postures, gestures, order, pace, techniques, timing, etc. At this stage, you get to wear an alb for the first time! Girls will fasten the alb with a black belt, while the boys will do so using a white cincture (rope). 
 

Assistance Stage

The fourth stage is the Assistance Stage. An assistant's purpose is to use the experience learned as an apprentice to then lead and train other apprentices. At this stage, you learn the names of things and where those things should go, while being a good example for the apprentices in your care. At this stage, you will add the Sacred Server Cross to you attire.
 

Mentorship Stage

The fifth stage is the Mentorship Stage. The purpose of a mentor is to use the experience learned as an assistant to then direct other assistants with gentleness, to prepare the incense, set the ribbons in the books, and anticipate a need. Mentors will lay down their Sacred Server Crosses to don the Miraculous Medal as part of their serving attire.
 

Vocational Stage

Not all Sacred Servers will reach the highest level of serving. This sixth stage is meant to be an opportunity for you to grow in leadership, in mentorship, and in discernment of God's call. For this reason, this stage has two different aspects: one for girls, one for guys. 
 

Sacristan

This aspect is for girls only. The life of a religious sister involves prayer and service, but also in some cases the practicalities of helping prepare for Mass in the sacristy. So, the Sacristan is able to access the locked sacristy closet, prepare the sacred books, the linens, the candles, the sanctuary, and the Gift Table. She is also able to guide servers in setting and cleaning the altar. As a sign of this new responsibility, the Sacristan wears a black shoulder cape.
 

Master of Ceremonies

This aspect is for guys only. A good and holy priest is a man of prayer, of reverence, and of confidence in the liturgy. As a taste of this sort of ministry, the Master of Ceremonies [MC] is able to access the locked sacristy closet, prepare the sacred books, properly care for the incense, turn the pages of the Missal, lead processions and movements, direct the celebrant, and usher all other servers to their proper positions and tasks.