Altar servers help the priest and deacon during Holy Mass and on some other special occasions.

They have several supporting duties to carry out, such as carrying the processional cross and candles, carrying the incense and thurible, holding the missal for the priest celebrant when he is not at the altar, presenting the bread, wine, and water to the priest during the preparation of the gifts, removing items from the altar during communion, and assisting the priest celebrant as necessary.

God blesses altar servers with additional graces separate from the graces received from participating in the Holy Mass. There are also joys from serving, such as satisfaction at helping the priest celebrate Mass, and satisfaction from praising God in a different way.

As an Altar Server you will see the Mass in ways that others may never see it. 

Altar Servers can be boys or girls from year 5 up. The young person needs to have made their First Holy Communion and be mature enough to understand their responsibilities and to carry them out well and with appropriate reverence.

Training is held periodically. Servers receive appropriate training, including instruction on the Mass and its parts and their meaning, the various objects used in the liturgy, such as their names and use, and the various functions of the server during the Mass and other liturgical celebrations.

Please contact Clare Bell at cbell@cathedralparish.nz to register your child’s interest in becoming an altar server.