Overview
The qualified candidate will have several years of experience as an altar server or sacristan in a parish, shrine, cathedral, or a major pilgrimage destination and will possess a sound foundational knowledge of Roman Catholic liturgical practice. This experience must include the maintenance of a major sacristy and regular service at the altar at Masses for bishops, large numbers of visiting priests, or Masses with multiple concelebrants.
Full-time and part time positions are available.
Core Responsibilities
Liturgical responsibilities:
- Serves at daily Mass on a set weekly schedule with other staff of the Department of Liturgy and at Masses for visiting priests and pilgrimage groups at various times of the day, including early morning or early evening
- Prepares the vestments, Roman missal, lectionary and sacred vessels for Mass, eucharistic Adoration, vespers, and other liturgical services
- Prepares the sacristy, altar, and other liturgical spaces for Mass, Adoration, and special liturgies
Sacristan responsibilites:
- Oversees the management of the sacristy under the supervision of the Liturgical Coordinator and the directives of the Executive Director of the shrine
- Ensures that liturgical vessels and investments are cleaned and stored appropriately after each Mass
Skills Qualifications
- Liturgically sound grounding in Roman Catholic liturgical practice
- Two – five years of experience as an altar server for a seminary, parish, cathedral, or pilgrimage site
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds in order to move tables, chairs, and kneelers for weekly liturgies
- Spanish speaker preferred
Education
Key Leadership Behaviors
- Representing the Shrine: Able to converse with group leaders, visiting priests and bishops, and other visitors about sacristy and liturgical matters in a way consistent with the Shrine’s mission
- Teamwork: Able to work collegially and effectively with other sacristans and to recognize when to solve problems independently or to refer questions to the Liturgical Coordinator
- Problem solving: Able to recognize important matters needing attention, communicate about them with other staff, and think independently and with others about their resolution
- Strong work ethic: Possesses the self-discipline to arrive and depart work on time and to work in a non-distracted, focused manner during each shift.
Physical Demands
Must be able to remain in a stationary position for a majority of the workday.
