From Down syndrome to autism, these altar servers are deepening reverence and reshaping hearts in Denver.
Michael Martin holds the book for Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila during a family Baptism. (Photo courtesy of the Martin family)
Parents are proud — even joyful — when their child is on the altar serving at Mass.
When an altar server has special needs, the sense of joy has a way of spreading beyond just their parents.
By demonstrating reverence for God and respect for their tasks, all servers benefit the congregation and enrich the experience of attending Mass. Those with special needs heighten our recognition of the courage required of all, especially the young, who assist the clergy while everyone else in the church is watching.
Michael serves Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Classical School in Denver. (Photo courtesy of the Martin family)
An Early Calling
Michaelann Martin, whose son Michael is an altar server and has Down syndrome, can attest to the good that comes from her son’s service.
“One of the things parents will say is, ‘It’s so great to see Michael on the altar and see him participating,’” Martin said proudly.
Assisting at the altar is something her son has been preparing for his whole life.
“Michael has always had the habit of wanting to play Mass, [to] be the priest and read from the Bible,” Martin explained. “And so there’s always been a sense of reverence in him wanting to participate more fully. I think there’s something mystical around kids with Down syndrome and somehow their connection with God.”
A fifth grader at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Classical School in Denver, Michael serves at school Masses and helps the community to see those with special needs as they would any other person: valuable, capable and intensely spiritual.
“The best part is singing the songs,” Michael shared enthusiastically. “Altar serving is holding gifts … and holding the bells!”
“When he was first born, we were told that our Down syndrome population, they will learn everything that neurotypical kids will learn. It will just take them longer to learn a routine,” Martin said.
Michael not only got the hang of serving fairly quickly, but has even served at Archbishop Aquila’s side for family baptisms.
“We have a very close relationship with Archbishop Aquila. He baptized Michael and confirmed him, and so he’s been a buddy,” Martin added.
In his 1,000th general audience, Pope St. John Paul II told a gathering of servers from around the world that there is a direct link between Baptism and altar serving.
“The vestments worn by altar servers are very special. They recall a garment that everyone puts on when he is welcomed, in Jesus Christ, into the community. I am referring to the baptismal garment whose deep meaning is explained by St. Paul: ‘For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ’ (Galatians 3:27),” the Holy Father shared.
In the same address, he emphasized the breadth of what each altar server is called to.
“In the liturgy, you are far more than mere ‘helpers of the parish priest,’” he continued. “Above all, you are servants of Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest. Thus, you altar servers especially are called to be young friends of Jesus. Strive to deepen and foster this friendship with him.”
Matthew serves Mass at St. Bernadette Parish in Lakewood. (Photo courtesy of Fransisca Karim)
Invisible Disability, Visible Faith
Matthew is a 14-year-old altar server with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who knows what it is like to strive for that special friendship with Jesus. His road to serving at St. Bernadette Parish in Lakewood started two years ago and wasn’t always easy.
“His autism makes him slow in learning. And he can’t sit still. Most people, they don’t understand how he thinks, and they think that he’s odd or weird,” Matthew’s mother, Fransisca Karim, described.
His disability isn’t apparent at first glance, which explains some of why Matthew faced more challenges than Michael.
“Michael, you can look at him, and you can see, he has Down syndrome. People say, ‘We have to be extra kind or patient with him,’” said Michael’s mother, Michaelann, who was very impressed when she heard about Matthew. “We also have a 28-year-old son with autism, and autism is its own beast. The people scare him [at Mass]. The music, the noise stimulate him more negatively. He looked like every other kid, but he behaved, you know, terribly different.
“There seems to be a natural compassion, especially in our Catholic community, to love and care for the less fortunate,” she continued. “But when you can’t tell that a child is struggling with autism — and we experienced this firsthand — you get a lot of criticism and a lot of judgment.”
Eagerly Serving the Lord
Staffers had well-meaning concerns about putting Matthew on the altar.
“Many were apprehensive at first,” recalled Father Joseph McClagan, St. Bernadette’s pastor. But he believed Matthew could succeed, and even took special interest in his training.
Karim recalls vividly what she and her husband felt the first time Matthew served.
“He’s never nervous, I think, probably that’s part of his spectrum. But, we were the ones who were nervous,” she recalled. “Matthew told me that Father Joe reminded him that you cannot move [during altar serving]. And he did it. Sitting straight and paying attention and everything.”
“When I first started, we had to walk up slowly,” Matthew recalled with a smile.
Matthew proved that he not only could do the job, but that he could do it very well.
“Matthew has been an excellent altar server. From the beginning, he has proven time and again to be dependable and conscientious,” Father McClagan said.
“He likes people to give him tasks and trust him,” Matthew’s mother said. “He doesn’t have that opportunity too much. So, he’s always eager.”
Not only has Matthew become an every-weekend server, but he has even helped train younger servers.
“He’s directing them. I’m really proud seeing him be able to help them. That’s amazing,” Karim said.
In the end, these young men, after serving so many, are helping themselves too.
“It’s great to have the kids participating. And growing in reverence in this manner on the altar is a phenomenal opportunity,” Martin concluded.
“I like to serve. I like the responsibility,” Matthew shared. “I’m proud to do it.”
