Pope Leo exhorts altar boys to ‘lead the faithful’ into the Mystery by serving Mass reverently

In an Aug. 25 audience with about 360 young altar servers from France, Pope Leo exhorted the youths to serve Mass in such a way as to “lead the faithful” into a full contemplation of the importance of the Liturgy.

“[Jesus] desires nothing more than to be part of your life, to illumine it from within, to become your best and most faithful friend,” the Pope told the children, according to Vatican News. “Life becomes beautiful and joyful with Jesus.” The servers were on pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee year. 

The proof of Christ’s love, Pope Leo told the youths, is the sacrifice on Calvary. God Himself “willed to suffer and die for the creatures we are. God loved us to the point of dying for us!”

Pope Leo explained that the sacrifice of the Mass is also Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross.

“Dear altar servers, the celebration of the Mass saves us today!” the Pope said. “It saves the world today! It is the most important event in the life of the Christian and in the life of the Church, for it is the encounter where God gives Himself to us in love, again and again.”

He encouraged the youths to remember the importance and dignity of serving at the altar. He also encouraged them to consider a religious vocation.

“May your attitude, your silence, the dignity of your service, the liturgical beauty, the order and majesty of your gestures,” he said, “lead the faithful into the sacred greatness of the Mystery.”

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