Father Aloysius Okechukwu Ndeanaefo, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Paris, addressed on Apr. 22 the question of why altar servers bow to the priest when washing his hands before the consecration during Mass.
The topic is important for understanding liturgical customs and their meaning within Catholic worship. The gesture is often seen but not always understood by parishioners and those interested in church traditions.
Ndeanaefo said, “The primary reason altar servers bow to the priest is not to honor the individual as a person, but to show reverence for his sacramental role within the liturgy.” He explained that through holy orders, a priest acts in persona Christi capitis—meaning he represents Christ during the Eucharist—and so bows are directed toward this sacred office rather than personal veneration. During the ritual handwashing known as the lavabo, which takes place just before the Liturgy of the Eucharist, “the priest ritually washes his hands while reciting Psalm 26:6–7: ‘Lord, wash away my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.’ This action signifies his desire for interior purification before approaching the altar of sacrifice,” Ndeanaefo said.
He also noted that beyond this moment, bows by altar servers occur at other prescribed times during Mass as signs of respect for sacred mysteries and liturgical roles. “These bows, whether deep or simple, express reverence for the sacred mysteries, the Eucharistic action, and the hierarchical structure of the liturgy,” he said.
According to the official website, Thomas John Paprocki holds the role of bishop for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. The diocese supports 129 parishes across 28 counties in central and southern Illinois and maintains key facilities such as its Catholic Pastoral Center according to its official website. The diocese promotes Catholic education and encourages vocations while working to spread faith through education and service initiatives as reported by its official site.
In conclusion Ndeanaefo said that these actions foster “a deeper sense of the sacred, humility, and liturgical order within celebration of Eucharist.”
