StGETTING READY ..................................................
4
GOSPEL PROCESSION .............................................
9
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS ......................................
11
PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS ..................................
12
CONSECRATION .................................................
14
PROCESSIONAL
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ROLES OF AN ALTAR SERVER Servers carry the cross, the processional
candles, hold the book for the priest celebrant when he is not at
the altar, carry the incense and censer, present the bread, wine,
and water to the priest during the preparation of the gifts or
assist him when he receives the gifts from the people, wash the
hands of the priest, assist the priest celebrant and deacon as
necessary. - USCCB
GETTING READY
Promptness - ALWAYS ARRIVE ON TIME 20 minutes before Mass starts
for Ordinary Time 30 minutes or as instructed by the Altar Servers
Coordinator for solemnities, Feasts, or special Celebrations.
Purity - SOUL AND BODY Your soul: Are you in the state of grace?
Have you recently been to confession? Can you receive
communion?
Your body: Go to the church restroom and wash your hands with soap
and water. Clothes and shoes should be clean and neat, as they will
be visible below the hemline of the Altar Server’s vestments. Hair
should be groomed. Minimal and discrete jewelry.
Pray the Altar Server’s “Prayer Before Serving”, posted in your
vesting room, together.
Check in with the Sacristan for any special instructions upon
arrival at the church and to assist in preparing for the Mass or
special celebration.
Sign in under the Mass you are to serve. If you are substituting
for another server, add the word “SUB” after your name.
Put on the appropriate Altar Server’s vestments.
Light the altar candles - Once vested, check that the Altar candles
have been lit and, if appropriate, light them 15 minutes before
Mass.
PROCESSIONAL
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Get the processional candles and Processional Cross at 10 minutes
prior to the beginning of the service. They are located in the
Sacristy.
Gather in the narthex at 5 minutes prior to the beginning of the
service to join the Presider and other religious and lay ministers
for prayer.
At the Sacristan’s or Presider’s directions move to the back of the
center aisle to begin.
PROCESSIONAL
The Processional is the entrance into the Church and includes the
Altar Servers, Lector(s), Deacon(s), and Presider. The Deacon(s)
are not always present for the Mass celebrations and on special
occasions there may be other participants included in the
procession. The Altar Servers lead the way for all
processions.
(See diagram 1 – Entrance Processional) Positions of servers at the
front of the Processional are: 1. Cross bearer (crucifer) holding
Cross up above the
heads of the congregation 2. The two Candle bearers holding the
candles straight 3. Additional Altar Servers stand with your hands
folded.
1 – Entrance Processional
Once the singing begins, start walking toward the altar at a pace
that follows the ministers.
PROCESSIONAL
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Entrance Procession/ before the altar The cross bearer pauses in
front of the altar, then moves to the front of the pulpit. The
other servers, with or without candles, pause in front of the
altar, and then move to the front of the pulpit to stand beside the
cross bearer. They reverence the altar and tabernacle with a
profound bow while the other ministers genuflect. (see diagram
1-a)
Diagram 1.a – Entrance Procession
Server no. 1 Crucifer
LITURGY OF THE WORD
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Once the Cross and, if appropriate, the candles have been stored at
the work sacristy (behind the sanctuary), proceed to the chairs
designated for the altar servers with hands folded, walking in a
single line with the cross bearer being last on the line to assure
that all servers are in the appropriate seat assignments.
(See Diagram 1-b)
Diagram 1.b - Remain standing at your chair as the celebration
begins.
INCENSATION
When incense is used, two of the servers go to the work sacristy to
get the boat and the thurible and bring them to the priest.
Incense may be used as an option in any form of Mass: a) during the
Entrance Procession and at the beginning of
Mass, to incense the cross and the altar b) at the procession
before the Gospel and the
proclamation of the Gospel itself;
Server no. 1 Crucifer
LITURGY OF THE WORD
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c) after the bread and the chalice have been placed on the
altar, to incense the offerings, the cross and the altar, as well
as the Priest and the people;
d) at the elevation of the host and the chalice after the
Consecration.
GLORIA Server No. 1 (Crucifer) Prepare to bring the Roman Missal to
the Presider for the Opening Prayer. Pick up the Roman
Missal.
When the Gloria is sung, pick up the book from the credence table
at the beginning of the last verse, i.e., “For you alone are the
Holy One, You alone are the Lord”.
Bring the Roman Missal to the Presider
At the end of the Gloria when you hear the “Amen”, begin to walk to
the Presider. If you miss your first cue, you should take up the
book when the Presider says “let us pray”. You will be instructed
in how to stand and hold the Roman Missal during training.
Replace the Roman Missal
After the Opening Prayer, the Presider gently closes the Roman
Missal which is your cue to place the Roman Missal back on the
credence table and return to your seat.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Sit straight with your palms flat against your legs and the edge of
your fingers close to your knees during the First and Second
Readings of the Word. Listen to the word of God at all times.
GOSPEL PROCESSION
The Gospel Procession is the Procession of the Presider or Deacon
with the Book of Gospels accompanied by the candle bearers to the
ambo. Get the processional candles.
Following the Second Reading and at the beginning of the “Alleluia”
when the Presider rises, the Candle bearers (servers no.2 and no.
3) take the processional candles. If incense is used, another
server puts incense in the thurible if necessary, and joins the
other servers for the procession.
Move to position in front of the altar. Move to the front of the
altar with server no. 2 in front of server no. 3. If incense is
used, the thurifer stays in front of server no. 2.
Process to the ambo
Accompany the priest or the deacon to the ambo with server No.2
leading the procession, and server No.3 following the priest or
deacon. If incense is used, the thurifer walks in front of server
no. 2 to lead the procession.. (See Diagram 2)
LITURGY OF THE WORD
2 – Gospel Procession
After the Procession, the servers are to return the candles (and
the thurible) and go to their seats.
HOMILY The Homily is a brief discussion about the readings, given
by either the Presider or Deacon. The Altar Servers should be
seated (as described above) during the Homily.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST: Offertory/ Presentation of the
Gifts
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PROFESSION OF FAITH (Creed) The Profession of Faith is recited by
the entire celebrating community. The Altar Servers should be
standing with hands folded for the Creed and at the words “by the
Holy Spirit” should bow from the waist (Profound Bow). NOTE: Do not
ring the bells during the Creed.
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS General Intercessions are the community
prayers. The Altar Servers should be standing with their hands
folded. Following the General Intercessions, be seated until the
Offertory begins.
OFFERTORY/ PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS After the General
Intercessions, as the Ministers of Hospitality approach the front
of the Church to begin the collection, the Offertory begins. Set
the altar. Once the Ministers of Hospitality have dropped off their
collection baskets, the Altar Servers set the altar as
follows:
1. Server No. 1 takes the Roman Missal from the
credence table and places it on the altar.
2. Server No.2 takes the Main Chalice with purificators from the
credence table and places them on the altar. The Main Chalice is
placed on the center of the middle corporal.
3. Server No. 3 takes the tray with the other chalices (5)
from the credence table and sets the chalices on the corporal on
the right side of the altar.
Get the cross and candles – (parish tradition)
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST: Offertory/ Presentation of the
Gifts
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After setting the altar, get the cross and candles from the work
sacristy and go down the center aisle to the vestibule to lead in
the presentation of the gifts of bread and wine as at the Entrance
Processional. (See procedure for Entrance Procession on page
6.)
Assist in receiving the gifts.
Masses with four servers When the priest rises to receive the bread
and wine, server no. 4 moves to the front of the altar with him.
You should be in place before the priest/deacon arrives at the foot
of the Altar. Take the gifts as handed to you by the
priest/deacon.
Masses with three servers When those with the candles reach the
foot of the altar, Server No. 3 gives his/her candle to the other
server and stays at the right side of the priest/deacon to assist
in receiving the gifts. Take the gifts as handed to you by the
priest/deacon.
PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS
Server No. 2 brings the water from the credence table (in the clear
cruet) to the Priest/Deacon. If incense is used, server no. 3
presents the thurible to the priest. Assist the priest in the
washing of his hands
Once the bread and wine have been prepared, the presider is then
ready to wash his hands.
1. Server No. 1 should prepare to bring the pitcher and basin for
washing of the hands accompanied by either server No. 2 or 3 with
the
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST: Offertory/ Presentation of the
Gifts
13
hand towel when the Priest lifts the Main Chalice off the Altar
slightly.
2. Server no. 1 pours the water on the priest’s hands.
3. Server no. 2 or 3 offers the towel to the priest
after the washing. 4. When the washing is completed, return the
water,
basin and towel to the credence table and return to your chairs
together with hands folded.
CONSECRATION
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CONSECRATION
During the Consecration, the bread and wine becomes the Body and
Blood of Jesus Christ. Altar Servers should kneel properly on the
bottom
step of the sanctuary near the pulpit with hands folded. Ring the
bell at the following points:
1. Epiclesis – Ring the bell ONCE when the Priest extends his hands
over the gifts and invokes the Holy Spirit.
2. Elevation of the host – Ring the bell THREE times
when the host is elevated after the Priest finishes saying “…this
is my Body which will be given up for you.”
3. Elevation of the chalice Ring the bell THREE times
when the chalice is elevated after the Priest finishes saying “…Do
this in memory of me”
THE LORD’S PRAYER
After the Great Amen, all Altar Servers are to stand on the step
that they were kneeling on and extend arms for the Lord’s
Prayer.
SIGN OF PEACE
When the Sign of Peace begins, offer the sign of peace to the other
altar servers and then wait for the priest/ deacon to come to you
to offer Christ’s peace. The first server to greet the priest
should take the Roman Missal from the Altar and place it back on
the Credence table.
COMMUNION PROCESSIONAL
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Server no. 2 takes the tray of patens (4) to the left side of
the altar until the priest/deacon takes off all the patens needed
for Communion. After this, he joins the other servers standing in
the sanctuary.
COMMUNION PROCESSIONAL
Remain standing during the fraction rite. Remain standing and
participate in the recitation or singing of the “Lamb of
God”.
Kneel on the bottom step by the ambo at the end of the recitation
or singing of the “Lamb of God”.
Prepare to receive the Body and Blood of Christ.
Once Holy Communion has been distributed to the Eucharistic
Ministers, rise and stay where you are to receive Holy
Communion.
Remain in your seats
Once you have received Holy Communion, return to your seats. Give
thanks to Jesus for having received him today in Holy
Eucharist.
CONCLUDING RITE
CLOSING PRAYER
Following Holy Communion, the Presider (and Deacon) also sits
quietly for prayer and contemplation. As the Presider begins to
rise:
Server No 1 should also rise and bring the Roman Missal to the
Presider for closing prayers. Be attentive, as the Presider may
have a comment following the Closing Prayers and will instruct the
server to remain at the altar for the Final Blessing. Step to the
side and wait.
RECESSIONAL
Just as with the Entrance Procession, the Recessional should also
be done with order and dignity. As soon as the Recessional Music
begins:
Get the cross and the candles from the work sacristy.
The crucifer (server No. 1) leads the other Altar Servers
to the front of the sanctuary and lines up in the center aisle in
the reverse order of the Entrance Processional.
Face the altar and wait for the other ministers to
gather at the front of the altar. Venerate the altar with a slight
bow of the head as the
ministers genuflects/bows. If the altar server is not carrying the
cross or a candle, he genuflects with the other ministers.
Turn around and begin to process out in the same
pace as the Entrance Processional.
AFTER THE MASS
AFTER THE MASS
When the singing is completed: Place the Cross and Candles in their
PROPER
places in the Sacristy. The candles should be placed on top of the
small marble top table.
Servers No. 2 and 3 pick up the snuffers to
extinguish the candles (unless otherwise instructed) Server No. 1
returns the Roman Missal to the
Sacristy if there is not another Mass after the one you have just
completed.
Remove your vestments
Return to the Sacristy to remove your vestments. PLEASE HANG THEM
NEATLY for the next server to use.
Feel free to ask the Sacristan or contact the Coordinator for Altar
Servers if you have questions regarding the procedures.
AFTER THE MASS
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Alb – long, white vestment worn by altar servers during the
Mass
Aspergillum – metal holy water sprinkler
Benediction/ Humeral Veil – a long, narrow vestment worn by the
priest when carrying the Blessed Sacrament.
AFTER THE MASS
Censer – a vessel used for burning incense.
Chalice – the smaller decorated cups used to hold the Precious
Blood of Christ for Communion
Cincture – long, white cord used to fasten the alb at the
waist
AFTER THE MASS
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Ciborium – a cup-like vessel, usually with a lid, used to store and
reserve the consecrated hosts in the tabernacle
Cope - a cape-like vestment worn by the priest during
processions.
Credence table – small table that holds the vessels used during
Mass
AFTER THE MASS
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Finger towel – small towel used to dry the fingers of the priest at
the Preparation of the Gifts
Lunette – the middle glass part of a Monstrance that holds the
Blessed Sacrament
Main Chalice – the large decorated cup that holds the Precious
Blood of Christ.
AFTER THE MASS
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Monstrance - large decorated vessel that is to hold the Blessed
Sacrament used during Exposition and Benediction(see Lunette)
Pall – stiff square that is placed over the Main Chalice
Paten – a saucer-like dish that is used to hold the Precious Body
of Christ
Purificator – a small piece of cloth used to wipe the brim of the
chalices during Communion
AFTER THE MASS
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Pyx – a small vessel that holds the Precious Body of Christ to
bring to the sick and the homebound
Roman Missal – (formerly known as Sacramentary) – book containing
the prayers used at Mass
Snuffer – tool used to extinguish the altar candles