My Experience As a Altar Server

Hello everyone reading this article. This time, I will share my experience of becoming a Altar Server .I became an altar server three years ago, in 2022. I am still active as an altar server at St. Odilia Parish. I have had many experiences as an altar server, which have made me a better person than I was before.

On my first day of service, I was very nervous, considering it was my first day on the job. Many fears haunted me while I was working. But in the end, I overcame those fears after I finished my duties. After the first day, I became more courageous in serving because fear would only hinder my service. The most memorable service for me was when I served with Mgr. Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, O.S.C., who is the bishop of the Bandung region and the chairman of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference. I was very happy to be able to serve with him, but on the other hand, I was also very nervous during the service because the Mass that day was an important one, even inviting a bishop. I served as the cross bearer and gong striker at the Mass. I also learned a lot about the roles of my friends who served with me. I served well during the Mass, even though there were still shortcomings in my service, but I will always strive to do my best in my service. 

I continue to study to become an altar server because my senior is leaving and I will become a senior. So I have to study so that I can be a good senior. The most enjoyable lesson for me is when learning to use the censer. A censer is an incense burner used to burn incense on the altar, the Gospel book, and so on during Mass. A censer is generally a metal container with a perforated lid and a chain attached to both sides. It is filled with burning charcoal, into which incense powder is placed and burned to produce smoke. It was difficult to master this tool, but I gradually got the hang of it. The first time I used a censer was during the celebration of Maudy Thursday. I was very nervous when holding the tool, but in the end I was able to use it during Mass. That day was also memorable for me because I was finally able to use the censer during Mass. Christmas was approaching, and I was assigned to serve as an altar server on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, I was on duty at 5:00 p.m. I was very nervous while serving, but I had to try my best to provide the best service for Christmas Eve. I served again as the cross bearer and bell ringer. My service was not perfect; there were still many mistakes. On Christmas Day Mass, I was assigned to work again at 8:30 AM. I was assigned again as the cross bearer and gong striker. The service I provided was still far from perfect, but what was most important was that I served with a sincere heart for God.

Being a altar server is not easy, but serving as a altar server with a sincere heart is the most important thing in ministry as a altar server. From being a altar server, I learned that the most important things in ministry are intention and humility, because sincere service will also bring great love to others. I also learned to be more obedient, faithful, and submissive to God's will because God knows what is best for me. I also learned that service does not have to be perfect as long as there is sincere intention from the heart, then that service will also be meaningful and can spread love to others. Perhaps that is all I can share, thank you.