Cathedral Knights of the Altar
Our mission is to promote vocations to the priesthood by facilitating opportunities for high school boys to serve at the altar for Masses celebrated by Archbishop Sample at St. Mary’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, Oregon.
Dear Altar Servers, you are, in fact, already apostles of Jesus! When you take part in the Liturgy by carrying out your altar service, you offer a witness to all. Your absorption, the devotion that wells up from your heart and is expressed in gestures, in song, in the responses: if you do it correctly and not absent-mindedly, then in a certain way your witness is one that moves people.
“The Eucharist is the source and summit of the bond of friendship with Jesus. You are very close to Jesus in the Eucharist, and this is the most important sign of his friendship for each one of us. Do not forget it.” -excerpt from Pope Benedict XVI, Address to Altar Servers, August 2, 2006.
The Altar Server’s Ministry is a unique one in the Catholic Church. Other than priests and deacons, no one else is allowed to so closely play a part in the preparation of the Eucharist. Their participation is special. When they serve the priests and deacons, they serve the people of God, and above all, they serve Christ. They will do things that others will never do. They learn things that others will never know. They see the Mass in ways that others may never see it. And, they do it all “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” (For the Greater Glory of God). – St. Ignatius of Loyola
- Step 1: Invitation | Pastors are invited to recommend high school aged altar servers who display an aptitude toward serving and an interest in the vocation of priesthood. Priests may contact the Cathedral Knights Coordinator: Jennifer Williams, with the server’s name and contact information to get started.
- Step 2: Introduction and Training | The server will be asked to serve a “Training Mass” then scheduled to serve for Archbishop Sample at the first available time. He will be asked to arrive early for training.
- Step 3: Serve for Archbishop Sample | The server is scheduled to serve at the Cathedral with Archbishop Sample. This special opportunity is a privilege that most young men do not get to participate in often.
Expectations: Before serving at the Cathedral, a server should know the Order of the Mass, the prayers of the Mass, and the postures and responses during Mass.
Altar Servers will be well groomed and wear the Cathedral Server Uniform of black pants, black socks and black shoes. The Cathedral will provide a cassock and surplice.
Altar Servers will arrive in the Cathedral Sacristy a minimum of 30 minutes before the start of Mass. There are several duties that a server must perform before Mass. Often, there are additional instructions regarding that day’s liturgy that the priest, deacon or MC, (Master of Ceremonies) may need to give to the servers. Servers should be prepared to accept liturgical directions given to them with a spirit of helpful obedience.
Contact: Jennifer Williams, Cathedral Knights Coordinator: cathedralknightspdx@archdpdx.org
The Office of Vocations: vocations@archdpdx.org
Useful Links for World Day of Prayer for Vocations
Vocation Curriculum for Educators
Vocation Lessons Curriculum
An online K-12 curriculum for both Catholic Schools and Faith Formation. Covers marriage, priesthood, and consecrated life. Contact our office for password for teachers and catechists. Website
Called: Discover Your Vocation
A DVD set with workbooks, great to help middle school and high school students start thinking about their vocations.Covers marriage, priesthood, and consecrated life. Buy online here
Guide to Parish Vocation Ministry
Rhonda Gruenewald, from her experience of leading a successful Vocation Ministry, has written Hundredfold: A Guide to Parish Vocation Ministry providing information, activities, and inspiration to anyone starting, reviving, or refreshing a Vocation Ministry, and to make those ministries thrive. It is designed to inspire parishes to get involved in vocation work, to help new ministries start strong by providing a clear guide to the nuts and bolts of the ministry, and to reinvigorate long-standing committees with fresh ideas that attract new workers to God’s vineyard.
