ARE ALTAR SERVERS SLAVES?


An altar server is a lay assistant to a member of the clergy during a Christian liturgy. An altar server attends to supporting tasks at the altar such as fetching and carrying, ringing the altar bell, among other things. A young male altar server is commonly called an altar boy, whereas a young female altar server is commonly called an altar girl.

For the sake of this write up Altar servers will be referred to as Mass servers. Mass servers are persons who help in the celebration of mass by assisting the priest on the sanctuary in the Catholic Church. The lineage of Mass servers dates back to the 17th Century when the training of seminarians became more prominent and substitution was needed to that effect. 


In as much as service to God is service to mankind does not warrant Altar servers to be treated as nonentity in the service of God. It should be noted that in liturgical celebrations the presence of mass servers is much needed as the presence of the priests.

The Catholic Church, most especially the lay faithfuls do not recognize the importance of mass servers and intend treat them as some piece of unwanted material in the church. This brings to mind the treatment meted out to mass servers when it comes to church activities. 

In most of the churches within the Accra Archdiocese, it is validly concluded from focus discussions that they are not given that necessary goodwill treatment as given to other youth groups. Whenever church cleanups are organized or need for anything to be done appropriately the next people to turn to is mass servers because of the intention conceived that they are mere workers of the church and that have nothing good to offer but to work. It is a shame that such a ministry has been described by many as ministry for the children of poor people hence that treatment which is the most weird perception ever to be conceived by lay faithfuls in the church. 

It is observed also that mass servers are most often excluded from any activity that brings happiness to church members but those whose activities merely influence church activities are given the first privilege to such activities. 

This brings to mind the question. Are altar servers slaves or just a deliberate attempt to make them look unattractive for anyone to join?

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