Altar Boys

The Basilica of Saint Mary’s altar servers are boys in 5th grade and above. They serve Our Lord at the altar and assist our priests at weekly Masses, funerals, weddings, feast days and various special liturgical events throughout the year. Special training is provided before a boy begins serving at the altar. Contact Father Joseph Townsend at [email protected] if you’re interested in becoming a server or if you’re a current server with a question about scheduling.

Please click here to register to become an Altar Server.

Here are the future dates/times of altar boy training: 


The Battle of the Servers is an annual event where altar servers from around the diocese gather to compete against each other in indoor/outdoor games, enjoy a picnic lunch of hot dogs and hamburgers, and participate in a prayer service. Bishop Michael Burbidge, parish priests, and seminarians from across the diocese are also present. Some of the Basilica servers gathered for a photo below, along with Father Joseph, after the event last Friday, which was held at Saint Leo Parish in Fairfax. In the photo, from left to right are: Father Joseph Townsend, our parochial vicar and the priest who leads the altar servers’ apostolate; Patrick Costello; Alexander Thielman; Hector Canales-Guzman; James Campione; Michael Costello; and James Costello.

Training Video

Let's Talk

Contact the apostolate leader Father Joseph Townsend by using this form.

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