Serving at the Altar is a fantastic way for our young parishioners to be an intentional part of our parish community, and to enter into and experience the Mass in a different way. Being an altar server also helps begin the discernment process for the possibility of a religious vocation to the priesthood or religious life. Serving at the altar is both a privilege and a blessing! Pope Francis acknowledged the important role of altar servers during a special evening meeting and prayer that drew 9,000 youth from throughout Europe to St. Peter’s Square in early August 2015. Serving at the altar, the pope told the young people, is a privileged way to draw closer to Jesus, which in turn “enables you to open yourselves to others, to journey together, to set demanding goals and to find the strength to achieve them.”