“Missionary altar servers:
this is how Jesus wants you to be!”
~ Pope Francis
“What do you think about serving Mass with your old dad?” I asked Nick one day.
“Sure,” he replied with enthusiasm.
Nick’s an experienced altar server, having trained some six years ago and continuing in his regular service on weekdays and Sundays ever since. My other two sons and one of my daughters served at altar through high school, and now Nicky is the last to carry on that family tradition.
As an adult convert to Catholicism, I didn’t have the privilege of being trained as an altar server in my youth, and I’ve long envied my kids’ regular proximity to the Mass when they served – their direct engagement with what’s happening there at the altar, the immediacy of the liturgical threshold of heaven they’ve enjoyed.
Then it occurred to me: Maybe I could learn the ropes and serve alongside my son. Indeed, he’d be an ideal coach – knowledgeable, but also (I’d hope) especially forbearing out of filial piety.
What’s more, Nick has significant altar serving cred at my parish. I’m often told by friends and strangers alike that Nick is their favorites server – that he does a good job and that he brings a special presence to the liturgy. I suppose I’m biased, but I’d have to agree. I’ve seen him at work many times: He’s attentive on the altar, conscientious in discharging his duties with poise and confidence.
Plus, there’s this: Nick has Down syndrome.
Does that matter? No, I suppose not, but remember that we live in a world that thinks people with Down’s are disposable, that they’re better off not being born at all. What abominable nonsense! And one need not go further than assisting at Mass when Nick is serving for proof. I’d like to think that folks who praise him for his service are implicitly affirming the sheer absurdity that his life isn’t worth living and the obvious reality that the world is much better off with Nick in it.
As further testimony of these truths, consider how Nicky stepped up as my guide Saturday afternoon for our first serving duo assignment. Mr. McMahon, the director of our altar server program, had given me a quick tutorial earlier in the week, but I was plenty nervous yesterday as 4pm approached. “Don’t worry, dad,” Nick assured me. “I’ll be up there with you. You’ll do fine.”
We arrived early in the sacristy to get vested. “What do you think – a large surplice?” I asked after donning a cassock.
“Yeah,” Nick replied. “I wear a medium, so a large should work for you.”
Next, he sent me out to light the candles on the altar. Like a good teacher, he made me do it myself, but he watched nearby from the sacristy doorway to see if I’d need any help.
Then it was time to light our own candlesticks and pray with Fr. Dermot, Deacon Fred, and the others who had liturgical roles. “You’ll stand on the right side,” Nick told me before the processional. “The priest will come between us at the altar. We’ll genuflect when he does and leave the candles there. Just do what I do.”
Once in the sanctuary, we fanned out in position for the opening rites. After the sign of the cross and the Kyrie, Fr. Dermot spread his hands and said, “Let us pray” – my cue! Nick glanced over and nodded, and I approached Father with the Sacramentary upraised for the collect prayer. “…God, for ever and ever. Amen” – made it! I returned to my seat, and Nick gave me another nod, this time with a grin.
After the first two readings and Psalm, we stood for the Gospel Acclamation, and Nick indicated with his eyes that we would be accompanying the deacon to the lectern. We retrieved our candles and stood on either side as the Good News was proclaimed – although, admittedly, I was a bit distracted as I adjusted the height of my candle to be even with Nick’s.
When it was time for the Canon of the Mass, Nick reminded me with a head tilt that I had to place the Sacramentary and bookstand on the altar. We then accompanied the priest and deacon to the edge of the sanctuary to receive the ciborium full of hosts along with cruets of water and wine from select congregants. As the preliminary rites of the Eucharistic liturgy proceeded, I followed Nick’s lead as we literally waited on the celebrant: Bringing up wine and water when requested, followed by the water again and a towel for the priest’s ablution.
I went to kneel at the side of the altar and Nick took up his place directly across from me. He prepared for his bellringing responsibilities as the Eucharistic Prayer proceeded to the Institution Narrative. “Do this in memory of me,” intoned Fr. Dermot as he first raised the consecrated Host, then the Chalice. I could see Nick focusing on the celebrant and bracing himself as he gave the bronze bells three distinct shakes at each Elevation – a clear, audible signal that Jesus was truly present in the priest’s hands.
After the Agnus Dei and Fraction Rite comes Holy Communion, and we again had duplicate roles to play, proffering the paten below the chins of those who received our Lord on the tongue. Finally, at the liturgy’s conclusion, Nick once again reminded me with a nod that I was to hold the Sacramentary aloft for Fr. Dermot’s closing prayer. The cantor started a hymn, and we retrieved our candles to join the crucifer at the head of the recession down the aisle.
On our way back to the sacristy afterwards, Nick gave me a pat on the back. “Way to go, dad,” he said. “Good job!” High praise from the seasoned pro.
“Thanks,” I said, relieved. “And thanks for watching out for me.” He smiled and gave me one more nod.
“The altar server often holds a candle in his hand,” observed St. John Paul II in remarks to some server-pilgrims gathered in Rome. “Do not hold your candlestick only inside the church but take the light of the Gospel to all who live in darkness.” To be sure, it was an honor to hold up actual lit candles with Nick at Mass yesterday, but I could never begin to approximate his lightbearing outside of church. In his very person, he is truly a living icon and a happy harbinger of hope in world given over to fear, death, and division. Nick serves the world by simply being alive.
Those who seek to rid the planet of Nickys would do well to reconsider. In fact, if you know people like that – people who think the world would’ve been better off without Nick – encourage them to join us for Mass to witness my son’s lightbearing and service firsthand.
I bet they’d change their minds.
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In addition to his service at the altar, Nick has an inside line to the Celestial City and its inhabitants. Check out his collection of saintly interviews on Fun Facts about Saints!
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