The Archdiocese of Boston is holding a second annual Altar Server Appreciation Mass on Oct. 4 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross to show gratitude to the youth altar servers of the archdiocese. At the Mass, all youth altar servers of the archdiocese will receive a blessing and small gift from Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley.

In addition, two senior servers and two junior servers who have demonstrated dedication and zeal in service to others, especially at the altar, will be honored, according to a letter to pastors from Father Daniel Hennessey, the vocation director of the archdiocese.

A junior altar server is in the seventh grade or lower and senior altar servers are in grades 8-12.

A male junior server and a male senior server will receive the Pope John Paul II Award. Both of these young men will have shown exemplary service to their parish and their community and follow the example of Pope John Paul II.

The junior and senior female servers who will receive the Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta Award will have shown exemplary service to their parish and their community and follow the example of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

The Mass, which begins at 11 a.m., will be followed by an ice cream social with various religious orders in the Cathedral High School gymnasium.

Pastors are responsible for registering each youth altar server of their parish who plans to attend the appreciation Mass. Registration must be made online this year, at www.altarserverappreciation.org.