Being an altar server has led Joachim Cao closer to God. On August 4, 2015, 9000 altar servers gathered and met in Europe. On this day, Pope Francis said: “Being altar server is a call to prayer and mission. In the Eucharist and in the other sacraments, you experience the intimate closeness of Jesus, the sweetness and power of his presence.” I wish that more young people would participate in parish’s church activities as a way to build good relationship with Jesus in the Sacraments. The following is a short exchange with Joachim Cao, an altar server at St. Joseph Parish in Algiers, LA.
1. How long have you been on the altar server team?
-About 3 years
2. Why do you want to do this work?
-I willingly do this for the love of God. When I found out that St. Dominic Xavier was an altar server, I followed his good example.
3. Are there any challenges for you to be an altar server?
-I love to be an altar server, so nothing seems to challenge me. I just listen to what I was taught and do it with my heart.
4. Will you continue to serve God like this after receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation?
-Yes, I might come back to serve.
5. Altar server gets a chance to be closer to God. Do you think this is the opportunity that God slowly guides you into the priesthood or religious life?
-Yes, I think so, and I am thinking about religious life.