1. In accord with the ruling of the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (15 March 1994), females are allowed to serve at the altar.
2. An appropriate balance should be maintained between the number of boys and girls who serve at Mass.
3. The tradition of male servers should not diminish with the addition of females.
4. All altar servers should be properly prepared and formed for assisting the priest and deacon at liturgies.
5. Servers should be mature enough to understand their responsibilities and to carry them out well and with appropriate reverence.
6. Young students should have received their First Communion before becoming altar servers and normally receive the Eucharist whenever they participate in the liturgy.
7. Fourth or fifth grade is the recommended time for servers to begin this ministry, so that they are emotionally mature and physically capable of carrying the processional cross, holding the Roman Missal or carrying candles with little difficulty. Middle school as well as high school students should also be encouraged to serve at the altar.
8. The proper vesture for altar servers is either cassock and surplice or alb.

8a. Exceptions regarding vesture may be allowed by the pastor for a particular occasion but not on an ongoing basis.