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. Normally, trainees must have made their first Holy Communion.

The recommended 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 held on certain Monday evenings in the church (schedule is subject to change). Contact Deacon Hicks Armor for more information.

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 have already received their First Holy Communion and preferably are at least 4th grade. Training requires study at home (prior to training and during training), attendance at mandatory sessions Sundays at 10:30am, and serving at Tues/Thurs 7am 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: In Simple, Solemn and Pontifical Functions. Please obtain a copy of this book, study the introduction and the section about the Low Mass, and work on learning these prayers (using the audio aid below), even before attending the training sessions.

The next training session begins July 2022.
Email admin@stspeterandpaulbasilica.com to sign up. 

Learn to say the Latin prayers for Mass

(LISTEN and PRACTICE here)

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

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