Societal Report For Altar Servers
Societal Report For Altar Servers
Societal Report For Altar Servers
1.Executive Summary: The altar servers of saint Philip and James is as old as the Parish from
1998 till date.
2.Introduction
Altar servers have a rich heritage, going back to Jesus himself. In preparation for the Last Supper,
Jesus sent two of his disciples to prepare the Passover for Himself and the Twelve. Over the
centuries, as ceremonies became more complex and Latin became the language of the Church,
specially trained assistants called Acolytes became common. Eventually this evolved into today’s
altar servers who love Jesus, love the Mass, and want to give their time and talents in the service
of God and his Church
Altar Servers have been a part of Church history since the earliest times, with those male faithful
who were deemed worthy assisting the priest at the altar while he said the Holy Mass. From the
very beginning, the duties of “ACOLYTE” or learner were strictly the domain of young males, as
women had no place near the altar.
On 30 June 1992, the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts issued
an authentic interpretation of that canon declaring that service of the altar is one of the "other
functions" open to lay persons in general, without distinguishing between male and female
After Ss Philip and James catholic church was created in 1998, there was need for the Altar
Servers to assist the priest at Holy Mass. The first set of Altar Servers of St Philip and James
Catholic Church were: Bro. Linus Okpe, Bro. Tony Okpe, Bro. Ochelle Dickson, Bro. Donatus Odo,
Bro. Victor Omorinbola. And they became the founding members of the altar in our parish. Under
the guidance of Sir Olagunju, Sir Nwajeyi as Patrons and Mrs Ahime, Mrs. Nejor, Mrs.
Erutor, Mrs. Odiete as Patronesses.
3.List of Activities
Every Saturday immediately after morning Mass: washing of vestment and rehearsals for
mass
Every Sunday immediately after 11am Mass: (lectures and practice in the new church
building)
Servers carry the cross and 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 and assist him when he receives the gifts from the
people, wash the hands of the priest, assist the priest celebrant and deacon as necessary.
4.List of Key Achievements
Setting of organizational Structure which has made us so different and unique from other parishes
5.Current Projects:
We are currently working on getting a new set of vestments for all the active altar servers in the
parish.
Also we are currently having a 3month lectures for our newly baptize brothers
9.Challenges:
Lack of vestments
Lack of seriousness among members
Lack of instructors to train the young servers
11.Conclusions
No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. (Hebrews
5:4) The altar servers is a ministry design to bring the you the young boys and girls in the way of
the lord and also to help them discover their calling whether as priest or religious, So I encourage
every catholic Family to give their children the opportunity of becoming altar server. Servers carry
the cross and 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 and assist him when he receives the gifts from the people, wash the hands
of the priest, assist the priest celebrant and deacon as necessary
12.Recommendations