Rome Welcomes 50,000 Altar Servers

Rome is buzzing with over 50,000 altar servers gathered for the 13th International Pilgrimage of Altar Servers. Organized by Coetus Internationalis Ministrantium, this event unites altar servers from around the globe, bringing together young Catholics in a celebration of faith.

The Pilgrimage Motto: "With You"

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, president of the organization, explains the motto of the pilgrimage, "With You," drawn from the Bible from the book of Isaiah.

“The altar servers, both women and men, are girls and boys. They feel close to God. They feel the closeness. They also feel the holiness of God in their ministry, so they feel this first with ‘you.’ ‘You’ is God, but then it's also a joy to be with companions,” Cardinal Hollerich explains.

Tobias Kiss, an altar server from Romania, is thrilled about the opportunity to connect with other altar servers, meet the Pope, and share his experience.

"I’ve been an altar server now for roughly 5-6 years,” Kiss shares. “I love being an altar server. I get to be up close to the action that happens both in the church and during the Mass.”

Audience with Pope Francis

The highlight of the pilgrimage is an audience with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square.

The Holy Father expressed gratitude for being with the altar servers: “Special thanks to you for coming here as pilgrims in order to share the joy of belonging to Jesus, of being servants of his love, servants of his wounded heart that heals our wounds, that saves us from death, and that gives us eternal life.”

A New Mission for German Participants

Most of the participants came from Germany, with over 35,000 altar servers present. Accompanying them is Bishop Johannes Wübbe, President of the Youth Commission of the German Bishops' Conference.

Bishop Wübbe explains, “They have a new mission to go back to their parishes and live out this mission, and that will be wonderful for the young people."

Kiss adds, “We like serving at the altar because we’re close to the Lord, to Jesus. We get to be in touch, in sync, with everything that happens at the church. We are a community. We’re not the community that you see all the time just walking around holding rallies, barbecues. But we are a community of the soul, of belief.”

Cardinal Hollerich's Reflection

Cardinal Hollerich shares, “I was myself always a very fervent altar server. For children, it's very good because sometimes the liturgies can be a little long, but if they are altar servers, they have something to do and they are important and that is in fact how God sees children, they are important and they have an important function for God.”

The pilgrimage is a testament to the vibrant faith and dedication of young altar servers worldwide. Their time in Rome has equipped them with a renewed zeal to serve their communities. They depart with a strong message from Pope Francis to minister with an attentive mind, heart, and body, just as Mary did.

Adapted by Jacob Stein

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