Diocese honors altar servers during special celebration

Ninety altar servers from 29 parishes across the Diocese of Syracuse traveled to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on a warm, sunny autumn afternoon for a special celebration honoring altar servers during Solemn Vespers, presided over by Bishop Douglas J. Lucia.

“These are the young people who, with faith and dedication, help prepare the altar, present the gifts, and assist in the liturgy,” said Bishop Lucia in his Nov. 1 homily, which coincided with the Solemnity of All Saints. “They are living examples of the service and humility the saints, down through the ages themselves, have embodied.”

Dressed in their liturgical vestments, the servers approached Bishop Lucia one by one, and he recognized each of them.

“Being able to shake hands with Bishop Lucia meant a lot, and to be able to meet with so many other altar servers who do what I do is really cool as well,” said Andrew, who belongs to Divine Mercy and the Mission of St. Bernadette in Central Square. Currently in eighth grade, he told The Catholic Sun that he appreciates being able to witness so closely the miracles that take place on the altar. “It taught me to really respect God for all He’s done for us.” Andrew began altar serving in fourth grade.

Bishop Ludden-Grimes senior Marek became an altar server in August 2025. As a parishioner who splits his time between Sacred Heart Parish in Cicero, his home parish, and Transfiguration of Our Lord in Syracuse, Marek said the altar server ministry has allowed him to have a deeper understanding of not only the rubrics of the Mass, but also of Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary.

“In serving for a little over a year, my love of the liturgy has grown exponentially. Each week, I look forward to serving for both Mass and Adoration,” he said. “For me, the ability to serve and assist the priest in celebrating Mass is a great honor.”

Zach, a high school sophomore and a parishioner of Our Lady of Sorrows in Vestal, has been serving, like Andrew, since fourth grade. He said he most enjoys the connections he makes in the ministry, both with clergy throughout the diocese and with the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Being an altar server has taught me so much of who Christ is, and what that means in the day-to-day,” he said.

When asked how he feels about being recognized by the diocese, he said the recognition is welcome, but his hope is that the reverence he shows points others to Christ. “Ultimately, everything I do is for the Lord.”

The youngest altar server whom The Catholic Sun interviewed was Evie, who belongs to Sacred Heart Parish in Cicero. She began serving about two months ago.

“I started altar serving in sixth grade because I want to get closer to God and serve Him more than just praying,” she said. “Altar serving has helped me to be closer to God. When you altar serve, you feel so much better than just going to church.

“It means a lot to me because I dedicate a lot of my time to do this,” she added, “but I don’t mind that at all because I love doing it. The celebration makes me feel very, very good.”

Evie encourages anyone thinking of becoming an altar server: “They will realize how much it helps you in your faith and it will show you that God really loves you sooo much.”

Zach summed it up similarly: “I would tell them to start serving. Your life will be changed for the better, not just with Christ but in everything you do.”

In his homily, Bishop Lucia paraphrased Saint Paul’s message in his Letter to the Ephesians, emphasizing that “you are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” In his closing remarks, he addressed the altar servers directly: “We thank God for you who serve us in our parishes, and we invite all to imitate your example in service by serving others, by living with faith and hope, and by making Christ’s love real in our daily lives.”