Becoming An Altar Boy/Server of the Traditional Latin Mass
Those interested in serving must:
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Have received their First Holy Communion
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Be 10 years old (grade 4) or older
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Commit to regular attendance at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima & St. Cajetan
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Learn and memorize the Mass responses in Latin
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Meet once a week on Wednesday at 5:30pm in the Vestibule, where trainees will finish with a visit to honor the Holy Sacrament and pray the Rosary.
Serving as an Altar Boy is a great and coveted privilege.
Applicants must be willing to sacrifice their time, and if necessary, their rest (sleep), in order to serve the priest at the altar. Both the families and the young man must regularly attend Holy Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima & St. Cajetan.
TRAINING:
Training moves at the student’s pace and mastery of each step allows advancement to the next. Training will consist of:
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Ensuring an understanding of the Sacrifice of the Mass.
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Pronunciation and Memorization of The Prayers At the Foot of the Altar
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Mastery of The Prayers,
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Latin Pronunciation,
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Placement of the remaining Prayers,
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Movements (such as moving the Missal),
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Assisting at the Offertory,
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Ringing of the Bells,
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*Holy Week,
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and more
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TO APPLY to be an Altar Boy/Server please email ShrineofFatima3@gmail.com or call (352) 556-2869
to express your interest.
Chief Instructor -Vince Vanni
Mr. Vanni has been serving Mass since his 7th birthday in 1950. For nearly 20 years, he trained altar boys to serve the Traditional Latin Mass under The Shrine of Fatima & St. Cajetan’s founder, Father Andrew Bonet.
Mr. Vanni grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he graduated from St. Frances de Chantal Catholic School and Xavier High School (where he studied Ecclesiastical Latin for 4 years
and Classical Greek for three years). He then attended and graduated from Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception, the Minor Seminary for the Diocese of Brooklyn.
Additionally, Mr. Vanni has had a myriad of careers in communication, and has earned a reputation as an excellent educator and trainer with an ability to simplify material for those whom he trains. At the tender age of 80+, students of all ages still seek him out to train them in various subjects. He feels privileged to continue to build up the youth of today and help preserve the Traditional Latin Mass by training the Altar Boys/Servers at The Shrine.
*Although Mr. Vanni will be the chief instructor, some portions of training (such as Holy Week) will be trained by either Fr. Joseph Noonan, OFM or Fr. Anthony Lentz, OFM, and arrangements with them must be made before steps to undergo that portion of training may commence. Final review of the Altar Boy’s proficiency will be determined by either Fr. Joseph Noonan, OFM or Fr. Anthony Lentz, OFM.
