The altar server ministry has grown significantly in recent years, leading younger generations to be more present in the church. This liturgical service, performed by children and teenagers, is a vocation, a calling to serve at the altar and assist the priest with liturgical objects, with simplicity and a joyful heart, a life of prayer and responsibility. During their time serving as altar servers, they feel called to other vocations in the church. Being an altar server is a love directed towards Eucharistic Jesus, following the example of Saint Tarcisius, the patron saint of altar servers. 

The FCJM sisters present in Brazil assist in this ministry, in formations, retreats, and guidance. In the Sacred Heart of Jesus community, in the city of Santarém, Sister Aleunice is a formator of altar servers. In the city of Curuá, at the mission house, Sister Visenilda also helps in the formation of new altar servers. In this ministry, the sisters see a way to evangelize young people so that they may have a greater love for Jesus in the Eucharist, and so that they may be a light in the lives of other young people.

On May 2nd, Sister Jaqueline interviewed some young people to talk a little about their experience as altar servers. The young Bruno Vinicius, 13 years old, shared his experience about how his calling to be an altar server came about when he was only 10 years old. “For me, being an altar server is very rewarding, I feel a joy that comes from my heart in serving at the altar alongside the priest.” Before becoming an altar server, I didn’t go to church very often. After joining the altar server ministry, I feel happy to always be at church serving, and I am very grateful to God.”

The young Samela Vasconcelos de Souza, 16 years old, commented: “I didn’t go to church very often. My mother encouraged me to do catechism, and after my first communion, I felt the calling to be an altar server because I thought it was very beautiful to see the altar servers serving at the altar. I really wanted to ring the bell. Because of this, I finished my catechism and attended the preparation meetings to become an altar server, and for me, it was a transformation in my life. Being an altar server brought me closer to God. At a certain point, I had to step away from the ministry for some personal reasons, but I soon returned because I love being an altar server.

Pope Leo XIV stated that the Eucharist is the “treasure of treasures.” The sisters feel very grateful to God for helping these young people be prepared to serve at the altar. For Saint Francis and Mother Clare Pfander had a great love for the Eucharist.

Written by Sr. Maria da Conceição Santana de Souza FCJM and Sr. M. Jaqueline Sena de Sousa FCJM
Translated by Sr. Aleunice Lima FCJM