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DEAR ALTAR SERVERS

Your commitment to the altar is not only duty, but a great, honour, a genuine holy service. The vestments worn by altar servers are very special. They recall a garment that everyone puts on when he is welcomed, in Jesus Christ, into the community. I refer to the baptismal garment whose deep meaning is explained by St Paul: "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27). Even if you no longer fit into your baptismal garment, dear altar servers, you have put on that of an altar server. Yes, Baptism is the starting point of your "authentic liturgical service," which puts you beside your Bishops, priests and deacons.

The altar server has a privileged place in liturgical celebrations. Those who serve at Mass present themselves to a community. They experience from close at hand

that Jesus Christ is present and S. active in every liturgy. Jesus is present whenever the community gathers to pray and give praise to God. Jesus is present in the words of Sacred Scripture. Jesus is present above all in the Eucharist, under the appearances of bread and wine. He acts through the priest who celebrates Holy Mass and administers the sacraments in the person of Christ.

Therefore, in the liturgy, you are much more than simple "helpers of the parish priest." Above all, you are servers of Jesus Christ, of the eternal High Priest. Thus, you altar servers are called in particular to be young friends of Jesus. Be determined to go deeper and to cultivate this friendship with him. You will discover that in Jesus you have found a true friend for life.

The altar server often carries a candle. How can one not think of what Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount: "You are the light of the world" (Matthew 5.14). Your service cannot be limited to the inside of a church. It must shine in everyday life: in school, in the family, and in different realms of society. Because whoever wishes to serve Jesus Christ inside a church must-be his witness everywhere.

Dear young people! Your contemporaries wait for the real "light of the world." Do not hold your candlestick only inside a church, but carry the light of the Gospel to all who are in darkness and living through a difficult time' in their life. I have spoken of friendship with Jesus. How happy I would be if something more sprang from this friendship! How beautiful it would be if some of you were to discover a vocation to the priesthood [or to] the consecrated life to serve the Church and the brothers and sisters! Even for those who wish to be united in marriage, the service of altar servers teaches that a real union must always include readiness for reciprocal and free service.

John Paul II

General Audience

August 2001