ALTARBOY Meaning and
Definition
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An altarboy is a noun that refers to a young male who assists the priest during religious ceremonies in the Catholic Church. Typically, an altarboy is a member of the congregation who has been chosen or volunteered for this role and has received training in the proper procedures and rituals involved. As a sacred service, the role of an altarboy is considered important, respected, and carries a sense of responsibility.
During the Mass and other religious functions, an altarboy assists the priest by performing various tasks such as carrying the liturgical objects, such as the missal or candles, holding the sacramentary, or ringing bells at specific moments of the ceremony. They may also be responsible for the preparation of the altar before and after the service, ensuring that the necessary items are in place.
Traditionally, this role was often filled by young boys, hence the term "altarboy." However, in some contemporary practices, girls may also serve as altar servers. The position of an altarboy is seen as an opportunity for youngsters to deepen their faith, actively participate in the worship experience, and develop a closer connection to their religious community.
In addition, serving as an altarboy can serve as a stepping stone to further involvement in the church and even a potential path towards priesthood, as it allows young boys to become familiar with the rituals, traditions, and inner workings of the Catholic Church from an early age.
Common Misspellings for ALTARBOY
- zltarboy
- sltarboy
- wltarboy
- qltarboy
- aktarboy
- aptarboy
- aotarboy
- alrarboy
- alfarboy
- algarboy
- alyarboy
- al6arboy
- al5arboy
- altzrboy
- altsrboy
- altwrboy
- altqrboy
- altaeboy
- altadboy
- altafboy
Etymology of ALTARBOY
The word "altarboy" is a compound word that combines "altar" and "boy". Here is the etymology of each component:
- "Altar" comes from the Latin word "altare", which means "high table" or "raised platform". The Latin term derived from the verb "adolere", meaning "to burn" or "to sacrifice". An altar is a sacred or holy table used in religious ceremonies, typically found in churches or other places of worship.
- "Boy" originates from the Old English word "cild" or "cildra", which referred to a young, male child. Over time, it evolved to become "bōia" or "bōġe" in Middle English, and eventually became "boy" in modern English. It generally denotes a young male person.
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