altar server

noun

: a lay person (typically a child or adolescent) who assists the celebrant in a liturgical service

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The basilica's doors opened before dawn on Tuesday and among those paying respects was 6-year-old Miriam Groppelli, who is an altar server in her parish in Milan. Giada Zampano, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Jan. 2023 Lily Henry is an altar server, lector and teacher in the parish faith formation classes. cleveland, 30 Sep. 2022 Pope Francis stressed that the roles of reader and altar server are lay ministries and thus don’t require ministers to be ordained as clergy. Francis X. Rocca, WSJ, 11 Jan. 2021 The vigil, which is normally attended by roughly 10,000 people in the packed St. Peter's Basilica, was attended by only about two dozen, including a few altar servers and a smaller-than-usual choir. CBS News, 11 Apr. 2020 Even with so many parishioners absent Sunday, the pews were packed as Mena followed the procession toward the chancel, behind the altar server holding up a red processional cross and the deacon carrying a red and gold Bible. Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2019 While Pell's lawyers argued in the appeal that the jury must have had reasonable doubt, the prosecutors said contrasting evidence from more than 20 priests, choristers, altar servers and church officials still did not preclude guilty verdicts. Rod Mcguirk, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Aug. 2019 The Way of the Cross procession left St. Michael the Archangel Church on Scranton Road at noon, led by Cleveland police cars, an honor guard of Knights of Columbus and altar servers, with Delfin Figueria carrying the cross in a portrayal of Christ. Chuck Crow, cleveland.com, 30 Oct. 2017 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'altar server.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of altar server was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near altar server

Cite this Entry

“Altar server.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altar%20server. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

altar server

noun
: a boy or girl who assists the priest in a church service
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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