Called to Serve: A Guidebook for Altar Servers Paperback – January 1, 2009

This is a must for every server, for those wishing to become servers or for adults in charge of servers. This small book offers very clear, concise instructions and should be read by everyone (adult or youth) who is or wants to be a server. I recently attended Mass at a church other than my home church who had a visiting priest filling in for the regular priest. The young servers were not sure what to do or when to do it but the visiting priest was very patient with them and made sure they performed their duties. However, the time to instruct servers is not during Mass. This book would be a great asset for every parish and should be bought in bulk so every server and their parents can have a copy.

This book is a cost-effective way to teach new servers and better inform existing ones. It’s clearly written for a middle school level reader. But it is not “babyfied” at all. It treats the Mass with the respect and detail it merits, but does so in an easily understood way.

I'm 8 years old, it was great. show's good knowledge on altar serving also includes revised order of mass.

I really liked this book! It is written at a fifth grade reading level. That's perfect for the age group I teach. It has good practical guidance, without getting too bogged down in detail.

Whoever plans to serve at the altar should have a copy of this book handy. It is designed as a handbook for all altar servers, in spite of the little variations in churches because of the difference in customs and the structure of the church. This books guides one through the ministry of serving at the altar step by step. With explanations of the objects used, names and functions of the other ministers at the altar and essential prayers at the Mass, this guidebook is as complete as it could be. The photographs and the diagrams are helpful for the beginners. Parishes should provide a copy of this book to every altar server.

This booklet is one of the best I've ever used for training servers. It includes a section for hands on drawing of the sanctuary that your church has and where items are located in the sanctuary. It covers each part of the Mass and all the items used at Mass. My best recommendation came from experienced servers who were helping with the training and asked why they hadn't received a book like that when they went through training it would have made it so much easier for them! This is my second year using this booklet and I will continue to use it. It is very positive in its explanation of serving and the responsibility the server has to the priest and the congregation.

Excellent instructional book and an exceptional value for the price. With only 48 pages, it is short enough to give to servers without overwhelming them. This booklet covers the essential, time-honored traditions and practices of altar serving while including up-to-date photos.

Basically it is good, basic terminology, and has a great deal of pictures of what a majority of items are. But the watered down significance of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is poor.Bet hey, he wrote it and it is up to me to instruct our Altar Boys the importance of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as a re-presentation of Calvary and the enormous event that God in his glorious mercy offers to us at Mass. And their role in humble and reverent service to the Priest during this awesome event. To give all Thanks,Honor and Glory to Him present each and every time the Priest offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the many.Not just a community gathering at a table with a cloth over it to eat a meal.Thank you for all you do.