Altar servers to gather for camping

By Myrna S. Bermudo

Sacristans sa Caceres or altar servers of the Archdiocese of Caceres will gather for their yearly formation in the Archdiocesan Camping for Altar Servers (ACAS) on July 16 to 18 at Goa Central School, Poblacion, Goa, Camarines Sur.

It is open to all parish and institution delegates who are duly invested within the Archdiocese of Caceres, organizers announced in their social media post.

Fr. Jessie S. Edaugal, spiritual director of the Archdiocesan Ministry of Altar Servers said “the gathering aims to give honor to Ina, Our Lady of Peñafrancia, whose Centenary of Canonical Coronation is being celebrated this year and to celebrate her motherly care and intercession among the sacristans in Caceres. Her maternal care will always be felt by each sacristan, serving her Beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, this year’s camp incorporates activities dedicated to Ina and deepening the altar servers’ love and devotion to her.”

The theme for the gathering is ‘SE SIEMPRE LA REINA: Celebrating Ina’s Motherly Care and Intercession Among the Altar Servers in Caceres.’

In the information brochure for ACAS 2024, it was disclosed that in the afternoon of the first day, July 16, Fr. Edaugal, now the assistant director of the Commission on Liturgy of the Archdiocese of Caceres will deliver his welcome remarks. The raising of banners, lighting of torches and band exhibition will follow. Then, the participants will compete in slogan making, essay writing, poster making and laro ng lahi. At four in the afternoon, there will be a procession going to Goa downtown and back to the covered court of the Goa Central School. Caceres Vocation Director, Fr. Gerome Pelagio will preside at the opening Mass. A cultural night will be celebrated in the evening after the community praying of the rosary.

A Eucharistic celebration will be held in the morning of July 17, the second day. Fr. Emil Llagas will be the celebrant. Fr. Francis Tordilla will discuss the theme ‘SE SIEMPRE LA REINA: Celebrating Ina’s Motherly Care and Intercession Among the Altar Servers in Caceres.’ He is the rector of the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary. A workshop will follow after the input. In the afternoon, there will be formation talks on the Ministry of Sacristan Mayor and Ministry of Master of Ceremonies. Thereafter, the participants will have a friendly competition in various events such as basketball, volleyball, scrabble, chess, games of the general, cooking contest and quiz bee.

On the third day, July 18, activities will include zumba and fun run upon waking up. After breakfast, the sacristans will have a conference with Fr. Glenn C. Ruiz, Director of the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission. They will also elect the Archdiocesan Officers and District Coordinators for Central, Bay, Rinconada and Partido districts. Most Rev. Rolando J. Tria Tirona, OCD., D.D, Archbishop Emeritus of Caceres will preside at the closing Mass.

More than a thousand altar servers are expected to attend the annual gathering of sacristans from the various parishes of the Archdiocese of Caceres. Most of them are enrolled in the elementary and high school.

Sometimes called altar boys, sacristans or altar servers, they are committed to their parish community and have a sacred role during the celebration of the Eucharist. They prepare the altar, the sacred linens, vestments and the sacred vessels for the Mass. They carry the incense, the cross and candles during processional, hold the sacramentary for the priest, present the bread, wine and water during the preparation of the gifts. They assist in the washing of the hands of the priest and ring the bell during the consecration. When they serve during the Mass, they are invested with an alb approved by the archdiocesan liturgical commission.

Fr. Jessie Edaugal and Fr. Glenn Ruiz with the youngest altar server during the Archdiocesan Camping for Altar Servers July 18-20, 2023 (Photo: Sakristan sa Caceres)