Altar Servers, A Holy Service by Pope John Paul II |
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Books by the John Paul II,
Crossing the
Threshold of Hope, ($12.00) or about him--His Holiness:
John Paul II, & the Hidden History...
(by Carl Bernstein &
Marco Politi--$19.25). |
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As servants of Jesus Christ, the eternal
High Priest, altar servers are called to bring the light of the Gospel to all
who live in darkness. Today (August 1, 2001)
St Peter's Square is a square full of young people. About a year ago, in the
middle of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, young people who came from all
over the world for the celebrations of World Youth Day found a warm welcome
here. Today this square, which is hosting the 1,000th General Audience since
divine Providence called me to be a Successor of the Apostle Peter, is open to
the thousands of boys and girls who have come from all over Europe on pilgrimage
to the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles.
Dear altar servers!
Yesterday you crossed St Peter's Square in a long procession to approach the
altar of the Confessio in the basilica. Thus, in a certain way, you have
prolonged the journey that the world's young people began in the Holy Year. The
motto of your pilgrimage in the Eternal City—"Towards a new
world", is a sign of your desire to take the Christian vocation
seriously.
Regarding altar service, I would like to suggest some points for your reflection.
The vestments worn by altar servers are very special. They recall a garment that everyone puts on when he is welcomed, in Jesus Christ, into the community. I am referring to the baptismal garment whose deep meaning is explained by St Paul: "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal 3,27). Even if you no longer fit into your baptismal garment, dear altar servers, you have put on that of an altar server. Yes, Baptism is the starting point of your "authentic liturgical service", which puts you beside your Bishops, priests and deacons.The altar server has a privileged place in liturgical celebrations. They experience from close at hand that Jesus Christ is present and active in every liturgy. Jesus is present whenever the community gathers to pray and give praise to God. Jesus is present in the words of Sacred Scripture. Jesus is present above all in the Eucharist, under the appearances of bread and wine. He acts through the priest who celebrates Holy Mass and administers the sacraments in the person of Christ.
Therefore in the liturgy you are far more than mere "helpers of the parish priest". Above all, you are servants of Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest. Thus you altar servers especially are called to be young friends of Jesus. Strive to deepen and foster this friendship with him. You will discover that in Jesus you have found a true friend for life.
Your service cannot be restricted to the inside of a church. It must shine out in your every day life at school, in the family and in the different social contexts, for those who want to serve Jesus Christ in a church must be his witnesses everywhere. Excerpted from L'Osservatore Romano–15 August 2001 at www.vatican.va
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Read
other articles in the August 2001 edition of