Altar Servers

Altar servers are a vital part of the liturgical ministry.  Their actions in the Mass facilitates an orderly, prayerful and solemn liturgy.  As they assist the priest at Mass, they also help the assembly of the faithful to prayerfully celebrate the Mass.

The role of the Altar Server is to assist the Priest in the celebration of the liturgy during Mass.  Some of the Altar Server responsibilities include:

• Caring for the altar candles
• Bearing the cross and candles in the entrance procession and recessional
• Assisting with holy water, water, wine and offertory gifts
• Assist the priest celebrant as necessary.

All children grades 3-12 are welcome to train as altar servers. An altar server must attend a minimum of 3 hours of training before being allowed to serve Mass. Adult servers may schedule training by appointment with the Cathedral Rector.  After servers have completed training they are presented with a set of instructions covering the fundamentals of serving Mass.

All altar servers should vest appropriately to serve at Mass.  They are expected to conduct themselves in a reverent and respectful fashion.  For most Masses, servers should be in the sacristy and vested at least 15 minutes before Mass.

To become an altar server at the Cathedral, please email the Cathedral Rector (secretary@shcpg.ca) with a subject line "altar server."