RITE OF INVESTITURE AND RENEWAL FOR ALTAR SERVERS

This is rite is translated from the Filipino version of the Rites of Investiture of
the Knights of the Altar, Salesian Order, as it is being used by the altar
servers of the Diocese of San Pablo.

This rite shall be done after the Homily.

I. RECOGNITION AND EXAMINATION OF THE CANDIDATES

Animator: May I request all altar servers to please stand and step forward
once your name is called.

Animator will call out the names of all altar servers alphabetically.

Altar Server: (aloud) Here I am Lord, ready to serve you.

Animator: Reverend and our dear Father N., before you and the community
of believers are the altar servers and new members who wish to be officially
recognized as members of the Knights of the Altar. These altar servers are
now qualified to become certified members to serve at the Eucharistic
Celebrations based on the formation program they had prior to this rite.

Priest: Our beloved young men of the altar, your presence before God and
the people of God affirm your willingness and commitment to serve Jesus as
Knights of the Altar. Do you know what this means?

Altar Servers: Yes, we do know that our presence signifies that we

desire to commit ourselves to serve Jesus at the Holy Sacrifice of
the Mass, in serving the community through the Holy Catholic
Church and by living out our baptismal promises through good
examples to our fellowmen.

Priest: Will you give and show your faithfulness and loyalty to the Parish
Priest and Church Authorities?

Altar Servers: Yes, we will.

Priest: Are you ready and willing to commit yourselves and your time to
serve wholeheartedly to this kind of service and with full responsibility?

Altar Servers: Yes, we are ready.

II. RITE OF BLESSING OF LITURGICAL VESTMENTS, VESTING AND
OFFERING OF SELF

Assisting/Guest Altar Servers will now give the new vestments to all altar
servers.

Priest:
BLESSING OF LITURGICAL VESTMENTS, from Collectio Rituum

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,

you have appointed Your Son to be the Mediator of the New Covenant.
Pour forth the gifts of Your grace
upon Your chosen ministers of Your sacred mysteries, so that
by wearing these vestments while officiating at Your holy altars,
they may serve Your people by presenting the Word and Bread of Life;
they may distinguish themselves through their integrity of faith;
and they may be conspicuous through their observance of the Gospel
precepts
through Christ our Lord,
together with the Holy Spirit,
forever and ever.
Amen.

Then, the priest blesses the vestments and holy water is sprinkled.

Animator: May we now call on the parents or sponsors of these altar servers
to assist in vesting the new vestments.

The parents will now assist the altar servers in vesting their new
garments.

After vesting, the Altar Servers will now prostrate themselves as a

sign of their commitment of service to Jesus in the Holy Sacrifice of
the Mass. The congregation kneels and is encouraged to pray for
them as the choir sings the Litany of the Saints, or any
appropriate song of offering. After the song, the congregation gets
back to their seat and the priest stands.
 III. VOW AND COMMITMENT

Priest: Now, you are all ready and certified to serve at various Church
Liturgies. Make your vow and commitment of service before God and this
community of believers.

The commitment part is led by the president or head of the Knights of the
Altar.

President: Lord Jesus Christ, we are here to serve You. We shall

strive hard, to the best of our ability to be ever loyal and faithful to
our duties and responsibilities in serving at the Holy Mass and other
Church liturgies, and to offer my simple service to this community
through the Holy Catholic Church. I pledge to be a good example to
my fellowmen, believers or non-believers, and to help the Church
build Your Kingdom here on earth.

We are called by God to serve at the Knights of the Altar. We believe

that we are not alone in this kind of service; we are with Jesus and
our brothers. With this in mind, we vow to serve the Holy Roman
Catholic and Apostolic Church with all our hearts together with the
authorities of this ministry.

May we be ever faithful in our service to You, dear Lord Jesus,

through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother.
Amen.

Priest: Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we have witnessed the love of
these young men to our Lord Jesus and in His Church. May they be truly live
out their promises and be good examples to the community. Let us rejoice
and agree with them in their endeavors.

Let us give them a big hand of applause!

All Altar Servers will then face the congregation as the people clap their
hands. They shall go back to their seats quietly as the Holy Sacrifice of the
Mass continues.