Ahead of our Altar Servers' Day (Saturday 13 September), we asked Fr Robert Taylor, of St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, to share his memories of being an altar boy.
The below article appears in our Newsletter for Altar Servers available to download here (hard copies being sent to all parishes soon).
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"I loved being an altar server.
It is a real privilege to be so close to the incredible moments of the Mass.
I was an altar server at Our Lady & St Andrew’s in Galashiels. That’s me on the left.With the late Monsignor Tony Duffy during Mass in Lourdes. Right, celebrating Mass at the Cathedral.
As an altar server, you are a member of an important team serving God and the parish community.
Here are my tips on being a good altar server:
Focus: Make sure you pay attention to what happens at Mass, get ready for the parts where you assist the priest.
Set a good example: On the altar you are providing an important witness on how to behave and act to your fellow servers and the congregation.
Pray and prepare: Most of all I encourage you to pray well in preparation and during Mass.
Here’s me in Lourdes, France, in 2002. Great memories!
A big thanks to all servers in the Archdiocese for serving at their parish and for being a member of the Guild of St Cuthbert."
The Altar Servers’ Day is on Saturday 13 Sep 2025, 11:00am to 3:00pm at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. Parents should register their child(ren) by contacting their parish priest. Our newsletter for Altar Servers will be sent to all parishes and is available to download here.
Altar Servers' Day
Our annual Altar Servers' Day takes place on Saturday 13 September 2025 at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB.
Parents should contact the parish priest to register.
This year is extra special because we will be in the presence of the relics of Carlo Acutis, set to become a saint on 7 September!
Our theme is Servants of the Eucharist to show the important role Altar Servers have in enhancing the liturgy where the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Catholic Faith.
The day features training, games, activities and inspiring talks.
It concludes with Holy Mass celebrated by Archbishop Cushley in the presence of the relics of Carlo Acutis.
GALLERY: Day for Altar Servers
Archbishop Cushley thanked youngsters from across the Archdiocese at The Day for Altar Servers at The Gillis Centre in Edinburgh.
He told them: "I am very grateful for the work you do in your parish. If you are serving at Mass, you are serving the Lord, and it doesn't get better than that." -
The annual event involved training, games and prayer, along with a presentation of medals for children joining the Guild of St Cuthbert.
Thanks to Fr Robert Taylor (St Mary's Cathedral) and Fr Jamie McMorrin (St Margaret's, Edinburgh) for leading the day, along with fellow clergy, parents and parish sacristans and volunteers for joining us.
Also present were Fr Paul Lee (St Agatha's, Methil), Fr Francis Ututo (St Cuthbert's, Edinburgh), Canon Gerard Hand (Holy Cross & St Margaret's, Edinburgh), Fr Peter Shankland (St Mary's, Stirling), Deacon Tom McEvoy (Sacred Heart, Penicuik) and Gerard Holden, a seminarian of the Archdiocese.
Gallery
Altar servers The Parish from St Barbara Whitburn/Armadale with Archbishop Cushley." If you are serving at Mass, you are serving the Lord, and it doesn't get better than that." - Archbishop Cushley.Altar Servers from Our Lady & St Ninian's, Bannockburn.Altar Servers from The Sacred Heart & St Margaret, Penicuik.Altar Servers from St Joseph's, Broomhouse, Edinburgh.Altar Servers from St Cuthbert's, Edinburgh.Holy Cross & St Margaret Mary Churches, Edinburgh.Altar Servers from St Agatha's, Methil, and St Giles, Kennoway, with parish priest Fr Paul Lee.Altar Servers from St Margaret's, Dunfermline, and Lady of Lourdes, Dunfermline.
WATCH: Altar Servers' Day
Altar servers from across the Archdiocese enjoyed a day of games, training and prayer at The Gillis Centre at the weekend.
Thanks to Fr Martin Eckersley of St Francis Xavier's in Falkirk for leading the day and to the priests and parents who came along to help make it a joyous event!
Gallery
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