THE ALTAR SERVERS
2013-05-04

From 1904, at the Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, during the blessing of the cornerstone of the motherhouse, two young boys dressed in a cassock and a surplice accompanied Bishop André-Albert Blais.  That same year, at the request of Sister Marie-Lucie Eulalie Lévesque, servers are also available to accompany Bishop Blais for the installing of a niche in a tree from where Saint Joseph will watch over the construction of the motherhouse.

At the motherhouse in the 1950's, we find mass servers who are very generous. Early in the morning, that is to say 6:30, they courageously climb the Holy Rosary hill. For more than twenty years, Sister Marie de Saint-Gustave (Blanche-Yvonne Perry), welcomes them and teaches them to serve at the altar. Gifted with a remarkable psychology, she knew how to make them happy. Mr. Maurice Lavoie, faithful to the instructions of Marie de Saint-Gustave since the age of 6, still continues at the age of 68 to be active for the different religious services. His presence is appreciated because he knows how to conduct the events celebrated. His liturgical sense allows him to watch for the least details and to discretely assist the celebrant less familiar with all the necessary adaptations.

Furthermore, who hasn't been close to altar servers in the areas where they have taught? It was a demanding Church service for the young people and engaging for the sisters who accepted this responsibility.  During a religious office, each server had a very precise function so the faithful could be helped to encounter God: carrying the cross in procession, the candles, the censer, the incense holder, the lectionary, these were the services to be done with respect and dignity. Memorizing the mass responses in Latin demanded patience and perseverance. Often the "suscipiat", spluttered, brought about giggles from the participants. 

Who remembers?«
Suscipiat Dominus sacrificium de manibus tuis ad gloriam nominis laudem et sui, ad utilitatem quoque nostram, totiusque Ecclesiae suae sanctae.

For a long time, only boys could be "altar servers". After Vatican II, the altar service came within the scope of the faithful laypersons' participation in the liturgy, because of their Baptism and Confirmation, and therefore it was also accessible to girls and women. In 1994, those who wished to get involved in this Church service were accepted. Since then, at the motherhouse, sisters perform this ministry with great dignity during funerals and on other occasions.