The Deans System is a way to develop the liturgical involvement and sense of responsibility in the young men of your parish that will also assist them in discernment of the priesthood. (Thanks to St. Patrick Parish in Columbus for sharing these guidelines as a possible model to adjust for your own parish)

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Deans System:

 

ACOLYTES – boys in grades 5-8 serve as acolytes. In this capacity, they are given certain tasks when serving at the altar: carrying the processional torches, helping the priest receive the gifts at the offertory, handling the cruets and the lavabo bowl, holding the communion patens, and at solemn Masses, serving as boat bearer alongside the thurifer. Acolytes gradually learn the responsibilities of being an altar boy, and as they mature, more duties are entrusted to them. For a regular Sunday Mass, there are four acolytes assigned (two for carrying the processional torches, and two for serving at the altar).

 

HEAD SERVERS – boys in grades 9-12 serve as head servers. In this capacity, they serve as either the thurifer or the crucifer/book bearer, and at solemn Masses, additional head servers are responsible for carrying the solemn torches. As head servers, they are responsible for much of the set-up before Mass begins, and make assignments for the acolytes. Due to their age and maturity, head servers take responsibility for leading a crew of altar boys. After Mass, the head servers are responsible for leading a conference with all the altar boys, discussing anything that went wrong during Mass, and also overseeing clean up. For a regular Sunday Mass, there are two head servers assigned, except when it is a solemn Mass, in which case there are eight head servers (two serving at the altar, and six solemn torchbearers).

 

DEANS – a select few high school junior and senior boys are chosen as Altar Boy Deans. These young men have reached great aptitude serving at the altar, while also conducting themselves with great maturity. The Deans are altar boys with strong leadership skills, and they serve as the peer leaders and role models of the Altar Boy Program. When serving a regular Sunday Mass, an Altar Boy Dean still functions as a head server (except in circumstances when one of them may serve as the Master of Ceremonies). They will be called upon in a special way to serve on solemnities and at other major liturgical celebrations. Outside of Mass, the Deans make extra time commitments, particularly in the fall when helping the priest-director train new altar boys. Deans also help the priest-director in looking for substitute servers, and the priest-director will consult the Deans on any important changes or adjustments that need to be made for the Altar Boy Program. With more than 70 boys enrolled in the Altar Boy Program, only four hold the rank of Dean. To distinguish the Altar Boy Deans from the rest of the servers, the Deans are given the privilege to wear a full, square-neck surplice, rather than standard, short-length surplices.

 

For more information, visit this document on how St. Patrick Columbus operates the Deans System for altar serving.

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