Altar Servers

Altar Serving is a privilege. We are blessed with servers that are both young and learning to serve as well as adults that are more experienced. Since we have experienced servers we are able to assist with Solemnities such as Easter, Christmas, Corpus Christi and Our Lady of Guadalupe.

We have both Servers and Senior Servers. Our Senior Servers help mentor the servers on the Altar so they are able to observe up close and see from the Altar perspective what is expected and what is to be learned. 

We also have a group of experienced servers who serve at the celebrations in the More Ancient Use (Latin Mass), and Fr. Carter periodically offers a training program for new servers who wish to serve for the Latin Mass. 

Fr. Carter's Policy on Age:  
The starting age for altar serving is 4th grade and older, provided the child is mature enough, subject to the approval of Fr. Carter and Dcn. Hicks. Servers are expected to complete their initiation by enrolling in the parish Confirmation program (normally 6th grade in our parish).

We believe that serving not only is a privilege but a way to be closer to Christ in the sacrifice of the Mass.

Training for the Novus Ordo

Altar Server training for the Novus Ordo Mass is scheduled periodically under the direction of Deacon Hicks Armor, typically in the summer and fall. After completing several months of training sessions, the trainees progress by serving at the 5:30 Vigil Mass for several months under the supervision of Dcn. Hicks Armor, until they have developed enough skill to serve at the full Sunday Mass. 

Training for the Latin Mass

Altar serving for the More Ancient Use (Latin Mass) is a pre-vocational ministry for boys and young men who are at least 4th grade and have already received their First Holy Communion. Training requires study at home (prior to training and during training), attendance at mandatory sessions Sundays at 10:30am, and serving at early morning Low Masses as scheduled, to prepare to serve the Sunday Mass.

As a prerequisite to the training, aspiring altar servers should learn to say the Latin prayers of the Mass. These prayers are listed in the book, How to Serve Low Mass & Benediction. Please obtain a copy of this book and work on learning these prayers (using the audio aid below), even before attending the training sessions.

Please obtain both books:

• How to Serve Low Mass & Benediction. (This book is needed to begin training.)
• How to Serve: In Simple, Solemn and Pontifical Functions. (This one will be needed as servers advance.)

The Low Mass book is conveniently divided into 5 easily digestible lessons. Trainees should study one lesson each week and practice the prayers at the foot of the altar and the Suscipiat. 
 

Learn to say the Latin prayers for Mass

 (LISTEN and PRACTICE here)

Read here about St. Tarcisius, Martyr,
Patron Saint of First Communicants and of Altar Servers

"Assisting your priest in service at the altar helps to make Jesus closer so that people can understand, can realize better: He is here." - Pope Benedict XVI

All servers ages 18 and up are required to be certified through the Diocesan Safe Environment program in order to serve.

Safe Haven Program Summary for the Diocese of Knoxville - please READ

Safe Haven Volunteer Instructions and Online Training - please COMPLETE

Safe Haven Certification