MINISTRY OF ALTAR SERVERS

(MOAS)

Pre-Module:
Basic Catechisms
The Basic Teachings
of the Faith:
 Creed
 Commandments
 Sacraments
 Prayer
 The Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our
Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
 born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died and was buried;
He descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from
the dead;
 He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God
the Father almighty;
From there he will come to judge the
living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
 The holy Catholic Church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body, And life
everlasting. Amen.
 THE 10 COMMANDMENTS
1. I am the Lord thy God, thou shall have no
other gods besides me;
2. Thou shall not take the name of the Lord
your God in vain;
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day;
4. Honor thy Mother and Father;
5. Thou shall not kill;
6. Thou shall not commit adultery;
7. Thou shall not steal;
8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against
thy neighbor;
9. Thou shall not covet your neighbor’s
wife;
10. Thou shall not covet your neighbor’s
goods.
The 7 Sacraments
1. Baptism
2. Confirmation
3. Eucharist
4. Penance
5. Matrimony
6. Holy Orders
7. Anointing of the Sick
The Prayers
Holy Scriptures Personal Prayers
1. Salvation 1. Adoration
History
2. Contrition
Traditional Prayers 3. Thanksgiving
1. Lord’s Prayer 4. Supplication
2. Hail Mary
3. Glory Be
 Traditional Types of Personal
Prayers Prayers
1. The Lord’s Prayer 1. Adoration
2. Hail Mary 2. Contrition
3. Glory Be 3. Thanksgiving
4. Supplication
Basic Prayers

Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your
name. Your kingdom come, your will be
done, on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us
this day our daily bread, and forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass
against us. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with you; blessed are you
among women, and blessed is the
fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy
Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our
death. Amen.
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is
now and ever shall be. Amen.
Holy Scriptures
Salvation History

1. Fall of Man 7. Divided Kingdom

2. Covenant with Noah 8. Exilic
9. Post-Exilic
3. Covenant with Abraham 10. Birth Of Christ
4. Exodus 11. Passion And Death Of
5. Tribal Christ
6. Kingdom 12. Resurrection Of Christ
MINISTRY OF ALTAR SERVERS
Module 1:
Introduction to the
Ministry of Altar Servers
WHO is an Altar Server?
Identity:
In the same manner as the Ministries
of Lectors & Holy Communion, the
Ministry of Altar Servers are
appointed on a temporary basis, thus
they are commissioned, rather than
instituted.
 Being an Altar Server you are
called a minister, a person who serves
the parish community. As a minister,
you should assist the community to
celebrate the sacred liturgy, which is to
serve God. You are mainly serving the
priest to lead the community to God in
prayer which is the work of the priests.
You appear in public,
but you are never a
performer. By your
faithful duty, you
remain always a servant
of God in your Parish.
“you are far more than ‘helpers
of the priest’. Above all,
YOU ARE SERVANTS OF
JESUS THE ETERNAL HIGH
PRIEST.”
Pope John Paul II
Altar Servers are not to be confused
with the instituted acolytes.

In the Dioceses of the Philippines,

these ministers are to be referred as
ALTAR SERVERS. (i.e., not sacristans,
acolytes, or knights of the altar)
The primary role of the Altar Servers is
to assist the priest in the celebration
of the liturgy, especially during Mass.
This is done through specific actions
and by setting an example to the
congregation by active participation.
There is nothing that prevents girls
from becoming Altar Servers however,
for practical reasons, and as a venue to
attract vocations to the priesthood; it
is highly recommended that boys
are appointed for this ministry.
DUTIES and
RESPONSIBILITIES:
To have a knowledge about the basic
teachings of the Church;

To understand the basic teachings of the

Church.
Ideals of an Altar Server:
Reverence
Reverence for God and for sacred objects is
most important when they serve. Reverent
actions, peaceful and dignified behavior
and gestures
should be seen by the people when you
stand at the sanctuary, for this adds
solemnity to the celebration of the
liturgy and contribute to the active
participation of all.
Discipline
With good training and proper discipline,
the rituals and ceremonies of the liturgy
can be carried out in an orderly and
solemn manner. But, as always, training
involves discipline.
Discipline among Altar Servers is
expected in the following:

1. During the celebration of the liturgy,

especially the Mass;
2. As they actively participate in the
celebration;
3. As they avoid unnecessary movements
that may cause distraction to others;
4. As they pay attention to every part of the
Mass, at the same time being aware of the
responsibilities and tasks;
5. As they avoid loitering and congregating
in the sacristy or other places around the
church;
6. As they work diligently with other lay
liturgical ministers and even with priests.
7. Outside of the celebration.
8. In their relationship with others, especially
with their family, friends, classmates and other
persons whom they encounter;
9. In their care and concern, respect and
reverence for the materials they use for the
celebration of the liturgy, as well as the
church and its other areas (e.g. sacristy);
10. In their respect for their elders;
11. In their willingness to undergo on-going
formation and training.
Decorum
Decorum means “what is proper.” Decorum
requires a sense of dignity. Servers should
not only do their work well, they should
not just train well, they should, likewise,
have a neat and tidy appearance since this
adds to the dignity and beauty of the
liturgical celebrations.
This is shown in the following ways:

1. By keeping their uniforms neat and clean

at all times, especially as they wear it during
liturgical celebrations;
2. By being groomed;
3. By moving in dignified manner, with
confidence and reverence for the liturgical
celebration.
Piety
Piety does not mean they look holy
whenever they serve at the altar. It means
that they carry within themselves a great
love for God and his people, even if
they are not serving in the Church.
Piety involves:
1. A good prayer life;
2. A special love for Jesus in the Blessed
Sacrament;
3. A devotion to the Blessed Mother;
4. A deep love for the Eucharist and other
Sacraments;
5. Reading the Bible and learning from it.
Brotherhood
An Altar Server has an attitude of team-
work, in serving you should understand
that you are a part of a larger group.
Always remember that in serving you
should be united in the service of God.
Brotherhood involves:

1. Witnessing – a life of witnessing that

involves;
a. Doing good to others at all times;
b. Being faithful to their
responsibilities, not only in the church, but
in their families, in School, in other places;
 c. By avoiding bad habits and
vices;
d. By being good example to
others.
2. Teamwork – Serving at the altar is
never a solo task. It is always done as a
team of brothers. This is shown in the
a. By being aware of their own responsibility
and the responsibility of other ministers as
well;

b. By helping each other, being friendly and

kind, not proud, boastful or competitive.

c. By welcoming newcomers and teaching

them patiently;
d. By praying together with other
ministers before and after liturgical
celebrations;
e. By being a brother to their fellow
servers.
Roles and functions
of an Altar Servers
1. To assist ministers of higher rank
during the liturgical celebrations,
especially the Mass, namely:
2. Instituted Acolytes;
3. Deacons;
4. Priests;
5. The Bishop.
6. To work together with other lay
liturgical ministers in the
preparation and celebration of the
liturgy, especially the Mass,
namely:
7. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy
Communion;
8. Lectors and Commentators;
9. Ushers, Greeters, and Collectors;
10. Music Ministry
11. Sacristans
Altar Server Facts:
Altar Server’s Motto:

SERVE THE LORD

WITH GLADNESS
Altar Server’s Patron Saints:
St. Tarcisius – August 15
St. Pedro Calungsod – April 2
Altar Servers’ Pledge:
LORD, Here I am, all yours,
ready to serve you, I shall strive
hard to be faithful to my duty of
serving at the Mass and of helping
the Church.
I shall strive to be a good example
to all and to help my fellow
Christians respect your home. May
I be your loyal Servant as an Altar
Server with the Help of Mary, Our
Lady of Beautiful Love, my mother
and my model. AMEN.
Duties and
Responsibilities:
To be faithful in attending meetings
and formation programs of the
parish, vicariate or diocese.
MATAMANG
SALAMAT!