† Guardians of the Altar †

On the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Lucy, her cousins, and several young boys and girls

completed their 33 days of preparation;

and on the 34th day, were consecrated to Our Lady.

"Consecration means to set aside for a sacred purpose. Mary’s life was set aside for the sole purpose of serving our Lord. By following her example, we, too, can completely give ourselves to Christ in a fundamental way that consecrates us to Him. We give our lives to Him in service and love."

On this day also, 6 young teen boys were promoted to "Master Guardians" and 8 more were promoted to "Guardians". 

Society of Guardians of the Altar is a group formed under the direction of our wonderful pastor Fr. S and their director Mr. M. Felix.  It is a society of young boys, called to serve Our Lord.  

"Guardians, in the service of Holy Mother Church, calls forth such ideals as honor, loyalty, justice, chivalry, and respect for all. In the use of the term guardian, the Altar Server is reminded of his duty to serve the Lord of lords with fidelity and honor, to treat others with respect and justice, and to live an upright personal life, defending always the rights of God and His Holy Church."

~ Society of Guardians of the Altar manual

The boys are divided into four groups: apprentice, guardian in training, guardian, and finally reaching the level of master guardian.  In striving to reach the final level of the master guardian; the boys must show and learn perseverance.  It isn't a quick ranking group.  There are duties to perform in serving the Mass, a code of conduct to have both in church and outside, and a preparation of devotions; like the final devotion of the total consecration to Mary.  The boys that reach this stage grow in maturity and reverence!

Can I tell you how in AWE I am of these boys.  Under the 3 years that our parish has had the Guardians of the Altar, we've had several boys discerning the priesthood.  Many give the credit to this society and give thanks to God for it.  Max is an apprentice, he has a long ways before he can take his place along with the master guardians.  But I tell you, I am grateful he has these boys as mentors!

As the promoted guardians and master guardians (my nephew was one of these boys) took their place around the sanctuary; they made their Guardian's Pledge.  Under the crucifix, in the presence of Christ, saying; "We ... pledge allegiance to our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, to His representatives here on earth, and to Mary, our Queen Immaculate...."

WOW! 

All I kept saying ,and I'm sure I wasn't the only one, 

"For your glory, Lord! For your glory, Lord! For your glory, Lord!"

(All photo credit given to my friend Kim B, used with her permission)

Dear St. John, you died at a very young age, but in that short time you learned to live an exemplary life as a member of the Society of Jesus.

Directed by your Guardian Angel, whom you confidently invoked, you learned to be a most humble server at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Help altar boys imitate you in their service at Eucharistic celebrations as well as in their conduct with others. Amen

~ St. John Berchmans, Patron of Altar Boys