Author Topic: Older Altar Servers (Read 2118 times)

Traditional · « **on:** May 04, 2012, 05:05:29 PM »

I have an opportunity to become an Altar Server for the TLM at my parish. I consider this a great honor as I would actually be participating in the Sacred Liturgy to a much greater extent.

I am 60+ years of age and I fully understand that they would probably want someone much younger. In my youth, I was an "Altar Boy" at the Latin Mass at that time. (the only mass)!

I believe Father is able to secure Servers for the novus ordo mass, but is having some trouble acquiring Servers for the TLM because most of the people at the TLM are older.

I don't think there is an age ceiling for a TLM Altar Server.

Please let me know what you think. Thank you!

s2srea · « **Reply #1 on:** May 04, 2012, 05:23:52 PM »

Traditional- there are two gentleman in their 60s who would serve at a chapel I've attended. Don't feel out of place. Best of luck to you!

Neil Obstat · « **Reply #2 on:** May 04, 2012, 05:25:34 PM »

If you are physically able to kneel and carry the altar missal, you should have no problem. Your early acquaintance with the role is a great benefit. You'll probably remember everything in about a half hour of review. Maybe sooner. Take a quick look at the server's responses, especially Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, and the Offertory, just so you won't have any snags. Check yourself on the Confiteor. That's about it.

You're ready!

Remember, altar boys receive a greater share of the Mass graces. Something to think about...

Dino · « **Reply #3 on:** May 04, 2012, 07:15:01 PM »

I started serving at the alter nearly a year ago after our original alter server "retired" he is in his late seventies and had to retire due to health reasons. I'm forty five. Embraced the Catholic faith about fifteen years ago. Started going to the Traditional Latin Mass over ten years ago. So it's been quite an adventure. Serving at the Mass is a wonderful blessing. Though it has taken most of this past year to get comfortable and confident enough, and to memorize all the responses. If you can't remember the responses after all these years, I recommend memorizing the Confiteor first. Then the Suscipiate. I wouldn't be concerned about age in the least bit. It helped me a great deal to watch you tube videos to see others serve the Tridentine Mass.

This is a good website for learning to serve....

http://www.sanctamissa.org/en/serving/

MaterDominici · « **Reply #4 on:** May 04, 2012, 07:37:43 PM »

I know of a gentleman who served Mass up until the week he died. He was in his 70s I believe.

Go for it!

Nylndech · « **Reply #5 on:** May 04, 2012, 08:46:51 PM »

Would have liked to continue serving into adulthood

Priest dismissed me however, said I was too old.

Within a couple years, altar boy organization collapsed.

Neil Obstat · « **Reply #6 on:** May 05, 2012, 02:30:08 PM »

I would like to eagerly encourage any man to be an altar server, regardless of age. Your physical ability, and speaking ability is all that matters.

If you feel you have a calling, even if you've never done it before, please do not hesitate to ask permission of the priest. I'm sure he will be delighted. Even if he isn't, that could be a sign of testing you, and your patience and perseverance will be a great consolation for the priest.

Your example for the boys will be an enormous grace for them.

Today our 40-year old priest was served by a 73-year old man with a hearing aid, who stuttered at one of the prayers (May the Lord receive this sacrifice at your hands... I don't recall the Latin at this moment HAHA) and the priest reminded him, quietly. It was a moment of grace for me, to hear that happen. So don't be afraid of making a mistake, because the people assisting at Mass will be edified by how the priest deals with it, and God knows your heart, so fear not!!

Stubborn · « **Reply #7 on:** May 05, 2012, 02:55:53 PM »

What a privilege "to be Christ's page at the altar, to serve Him freely there, where even angels falter, bowed low in reverent prayer"!

Who cares how old or young - there is everything right with doing it no matter what your age.

I've seen boys so puny that they could barley carry the missal which was about the same size as they were lol and I echo the posters who've seen older gents serve as well.

You'll probably screw a few things up here and there - don't worry, the priest won't stop everything for more than a second before he tips you off on what to say or do, it happens.

Just remember to always look holy no matter what! Kneel straight, keep your hands folded together bent at the elbows always or left hand across your breast when handling the cruit or patten or whatever. Looking holy will always cover your butt ha ha!

ora pro me · « **Reply #8 on:** May 05, 2012, 02:57:38 PM »

Carpe Diem! Serving at Mass is such a wonderful opportunity at any age and older altar servers can be quite a beneficial example to the youth.

Nylndech · « **Reply #9 on:** May 05, 2012, 03:18:36 PM »

At childhood parish, now female altar boys do stuff.

They show up for Mass if they feel like it.

Usually EMHCs do altar boy stuff.

Really dislike the NO culture.

It doesn't feel Catholic.

Sigismund · « **Reply #10 on:** May 05, 2012, 08:29:11 PM »

I have actually never seen a priest, TLM, NO or Byzantine, become annoyed with a server of any age who had some difficulty. Intentional irreverence is another matter, but a simple, honest mistake or confusion is not a problem.

Capt McQuigg · « **Reply #11 on:** May 05, 2012, 09:54:36 PM »

Quote from: Sigismund

I have actually never seen a priest, TLM, NO or Byzantine, become annoyed with a server of any age who had some difficulty. Intentional irreverence is another matter, but a simple, honest mistake or confusion is not a problem.

That's good, but there was a priest in Brook Park, OH who physically pushed a 78 year old server back a few feet because he was standing too close. Pushed hard, too. Not a friendly little tap.

I didn't see this first hand, but it happened to my brother-in-law's father.

However, this is really rare, the particular priest had a reputation of being very short tempered and even insulted a grieving father whose wife of 23 years had just passed away from cancer. It's likely that everyone at the parish had a horror story about this particular priest.

Sigismund · « **Reply #12 on:** May 06, 2012, 10:11:54 AM »

Unfortunately, the grace of ordination apparently does not prevent individual priests from being jerks.

poche · « **Reply #13 on:** August 17, 2012, 12:42:15 AM »

What a great joy to be able to serve mass again. While the preferred server may be much younger, if none are available I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to serve at mass if the priest is agreeable.
It may also be that in the future you may be the one who teaches some of the younger people how to serve at the traditional latin mass.

Loriann · « **Reply #14 on:** August 17, 2012, 03:58:10 PM »

Our church has several elderly servers--because there is no school, anymore, the children cannot serve funerals and thus a need was revealed. God loves all of His servers, so go for it!!