a) What is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, in which he, through the priest, offers himself to God the Father in an unbloody manner under the appearances of bread and wine.
The purposes for which Mass is offered are: to adore God as our Creator and Lord, to thank God for the gifts we have received from him, to satisfy God’s justice for the sins committed against him, and to ask God for graces and blessings for our brothers and sisters on earth and the souls in purgatory.
b) Why should an Altar Server serve or attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with dignity, attention, and devotion?
The Mass is not merely a social gathering of the Christian community or a meal. Rather, in it priests “re-present,” that is, “make present again” (and not merely “demonstrate” or “symbolize” or “refer to”) Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection two thousand years ago. Each Mass is like going back in time to Jerusalem to be present during Christ’s suffering and unite ourselves with his saving action.
The Mass should be the root and center of our Christian life. Hence, it should bring us to love and serve God and our neighbors in our daily lives and ordinary activities. Through our words and example, we should encourage our friends to attend Mass everyday, if possible.