Basic Orientation Seminar for Altar Servers
The Basic Formation for New Altar Servers was held over four Saturdays – March 4, March 18, and March 25 – from 2 to 4:00 pm. Boys who had already received their First Holy Communion were qualiIied to join. All sessions were held at St. John Hall C. Louie Laudico, former PPC president and currently Vocation Ministry and Altar Server Ministry in-charge, led all four sessions.
Attending the Saturday sessions were: Charles Caluste, Josito Gonzales, Johan Evangelista, Andre Angeles, Kristian Canlas, Raymond Santos, Miguel Bermejo, and Jaime Cua. Raymond and Jaime study at Xavier, Charles studies at PCSHS, and the rest study at Ateneo. Charles is in Grade 7, Kristian in Grade 6, Raymond and Jaime in Grade 5, Josito in Grade 4, and Johan and Andre are in Grade 3.
Having completed the basic formation part of the requirements, the boys are now slated to attend the Diocesan Formation for New Altar Servers, which is scheduled for April 28 whole day, from 7 am to 4 pm.
But from April 1 onwards, for two months, the new recruits will be asked to serve in actual Sunday masses, assisting other experienced altar servers. Senior altar servers Noel Miro, Jay Gascon and Menggoy Sasi have been providing practical training to the boys on the weekend of April 22 and 23 on how to walk and ring the bell properly, how to bring the chalice to the altar with reverence, helping the priest during the offertory procession, when to ring the bell, etc.
The Renewal for active altar servers will be held later, on May 10, 7 am to 4 pm as well. This schedule parallels those for EMHCs and Lectors & Commentators, where new recruits attend their diocesan formation session slightly ahead of the renewal session for active or ongoing participants. The young boys will then have their Commissioning Rite of the New Altar Servers on May 27, a Saturday. At the Commissioning, all new altar servers receive a book on the Sacrament of the Eucharist as well as a rosary. In preparation, the boys’ parents have accompanied their children to the recommended tailor to have their sultanas made.
All altar servers meet as a group every second Saturday every other month at 2 pm at t. John Hall C. Louie Laudico continues to discuss other relevant topics with the group, such as the New Roman Missal, Incensing Protocols and Procedures, etc.
Other plans of the Altar Server Ministry include interaction with altar servers in the diocese, meet-and-greet boys of their age in minor seminaries, etc.
Louie went through the following topics:
March 4
• Ideal Profile of Server at the Altar
• Altar Server’s Role in the Liturgy
• ‘Liturgical Time’ and ‘Liturgical Season’
• Liturgical Settng & Colors
March 18
• Sacred Objects and Vestments
• Parts of the Mass and Their Meaning 1
March 25
• Parts of the Mass and Their Meaning 2
For teaching aid, Louie uses ‘The Sacrament of the Eucharist, Catechesis & Rite’ published by the Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate, as well as ‘Serving at the Altar: A Manual for Altar Servers’ by Rev. Fr. Jason Laguerta.
