Question first
appeared on January 28, 2001
What
are the functions of all of the men/altar boys in the Mass? Why
are so many persons needed?
First of all, our Eucharistic service is called
the "Divine Liturgy." "Mass" is commonly used in the
Roman Catholic Church.
We
currently have four men who are serving in the altar as sacristans. Not
all of them are there at the same time, because three out of the four
have jobs that require them to work on some Sundays. Their primary duty
is to arrive at the start of Matins, during which they prepare the
antidoron (holy bread) and set up for Memorial Services, if scheduled.
They also assist the priest during this service in place of the altar
boys who are attending Church School classes.
The
Altar Boys are divided into three teams of six boys each, and they serve
on a rotating schedule. Four captains are also named, two of which are
required for each service. It is rare for all altar boys to be present
for each service due to vacations, illness, or whatever. Normally, we
would have no more than 10 present at any one time, and that number is
unusual.
Boys begin to serve in the altar when they become
nine years of age. They are trained in all aspects of service, and like
the military, they progress through "the ranks." Young altar
boys first learn about folding their robes and receiving the priest's
blessing. They begin to serve by holding the trays of antidoron at the
end of the service. The next step is learning to carry the processional
candles during processions and at the reading of the Scripture lessons.
This is followed by using the processional cross, and finally, preparing
the censer and handing it to the priest. Those who have shown exemplary
service by the time they are in their last years of high school are
named "captains" by Fr. Scott. It becomes their responsibility
to lead the teams and help train the younger boys.
İVery
Rev. Fr. Olof Scott, Sunday Bulletin, January 28, 2001
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