The Pontifical Altar Servers of the Diocese of Birmingham fulfill two main purposes:
This group is open to boys and young men from 8th grade up (if under 18, with parental consent). For more complete information, read below:
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The 2004 Vatican instruction on matters concerning the Holy Eucharist, Redemptionis Sacramentum, issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship under the leadership of Pope John Paul II, stated that
It is altogether laudable to maintain the noble custom by which boys…, customarily termed servers, provide service of the altar after the manner of acolytes, and receive catechesis regarding their function in accordance with their power of comprehension. Nor should it be forgotten that a great number of sacred ministers over the course of the centuries have come from among boys such as these. Associations for them, including also the participation and assistance of their parents, should be established or promoted, and in such a way greater pastoral care will be provided for the ministers. [no. 47]
To that end, and with the bishops’ blessing and encouragement, we are pleased to invite young men in grade 8 and above to join the newly-established ranks of Pontifical Servers in the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama.
The Pontifical Servers will consist of a group of well-trained young men who serve at those sacred liturgies and other ceremonies at which the Bishop presides. The Bishop and the Cathedral are important because they signify Christ and the Mother Church, the center and model of liturgical life of the Diocese. Those who serve as Pontifical Servers will participate in this life of the Diocese in a major role. We pray that this association will provide a means for young men to grow in their faith and love of both the Church and her Sacred Liturgy.
The Pontifical Servers will take up the custom of wearing the color traditionally called after its Italian name, ‘paonazza‘ – the same violet color that monsignors, canons, and bishops use. It is a long-established privilege for those who have the particular task of serving the Bishop to make use of this color of cassock, especially in the Cathedral Church. Using this special and traditional cassock for their service will undergird its important connection with the Bishop and help establish a strong esprit de corps for the young men. The cassock is a traditional indication that the young man is “standing in” for a cleric, and has long been associated, in conjunction with altar serving, with the goal of inspiring young men to think about priesthood.
Under the guidance of St. John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests and co-patron of the Diocese, and St. John Berchmans, patron saint of altar boys, the Pontifical Servers association is structured in such a way as to facilitate vocational discernment through closeness to the sacred mysteries of the altar. It is our prayer that God will use this initiative as an avenue for bringing forth an abundance of good priestly vocations in the Diocese of Birmingham.
In addition to the age requirement, Pontifical Servers will have received the sacrament of Confirmation, regularly receive the sacraments including Confession, have the permission of his parents/guardians (if he is below 18 years of age), and have the recommendation of his pastor. Membership is open to any young man in the Diocese of Birmingham.
For inquiries, please contact Father Justin Ward, Vicar for Sacred Liturgy, at [email protected].
Pontifical Altar Server Application