a) What is citizenship?
Citizenship is the virtue that leads us to be responsible members of society. As citizens, we have to know and fulfill our duties, and know and exercise our rights, to contribute to the common good.
Laws, customs, traditions, contracts and other forms of agreement orient our relationship with one another. Although they attempt to provide a minimum structure for justice, our virtues, guided by charity and prudence, will be necessary if we are to go beyond the minimum requirements of justice and their limitations.
b) Why should Altar Servers be good citizens?
Altar Servers should be models not only in the church and in spiritual matters, but also in society. We cannot be good Christians unless we are also good citizens who passionately love the world, which is where God has placed us to work for his Kingdom.
Helping an elderly cross the street, studying hard, observing silence when others are resting, picking up a candy wrapper from the floor, closing the door gently, planting a tree, not wasting water, switching off unused lights, voting good candidates into office in class or in the organization, enhancing one’s leadership skills, honesty in handling responsibilities in a group, being updated with current events, respect for our government officials, not trespassing, and so on, are little manifestations of citizenship that contribute to society’s well-being.