Altar Server Training and Procedures Updated December 12, 2018

The Server You are to be an active participant during the entire Mass. Therefore, sit, stand, kneel up straight, be attentive to what is going on, and recite all responses when appropriate. Make use of the hymnals and/or worship aids.

REQUIREMENTS

Appropriate Attire A Server will wear:  Nice, clean, neat attire  Dress pants or capri pants are acceptable  Nice-looking and well-fitting shoes  Please do not wear flip-flops for safety reasons  Avoid shirts with loud or “negative” pictures as you can see through the Alb NOTE: You may be asked to serve as a substitute. For this reason, please dress appropriately when attending Mass.

Procedure

I. Preparation Before Mass:

 The Server is expected to be present at least 20 minutes before Mass begins.  The Server is expected to sign in at the Liturgical Ministry check-in in the Day Chapel.  If you are unable to be there for your assigned Mass, it is your responsibility to find a replacement.  Once you sign-in, please dress in an Alb (long enough to cover your ankles); the silver cross around your neck (the chain goes behind the hood of the Alb); and a white cincture (properly secured around your waist; the knot of the cincture goes on your left side).  Once you are dressed, please take a moment to look over your attire in the mirror to see that everything is in place, and review the picture of the altar setup. If a worship aid is being used, place 4 copies in the server pew, and then have a seat in the Day Chapel. We will pray five minutes before Mass.  When the priest comes out of the sacristy, please get the processional cross and the lit candles and gather around Psalm 100 for prayer.  Processional candles are only used when we have 3 or more servers.

II. Entrance Procession

 Procession Order: Cross, candles, remaining servers, Book of the Gospels, deacon, priest(s)  Be attentive that the processional cross and candles should move as one unit.  Walk in a slow and reverent manner; please do not rush down the aisle.  Once the cross bearer and the two candle bearers reach the bottom steps of the sanctuary continue to the left. o The person carrying the cross should place it in the holder, which is located on the floor directly behind the sanctuary wall. o Candle bearers will also place the candles into their stands on the floor behind the sanctuary wall: leave the candles burning. Servers should help each other out (when necessary) before proceeding to the server pew, which is the first pew on the far left when facing the sanctuary near the credence table.  As each remaining server reaches the bottom steps of the sanctuary, they are to bow and proceed to the left into the server pew.  If you are the book bearer, make sure you are at the far left end of the pew at all times. The small Roman Missal (the small red book) is kept next to you on the far left end of the server pew.  The book bearer should have the book in hand and be ready to take it to the presider. When the presider turns and nods at you or says, “let us pray,” approach the presider with the book.  When the presider is finished with the Collect (Opening Prayer), he will close the Roman Missal and you are to return to your pew with the Roman Missal.

III. Liturgy of the Eucharist

 When the ushers begin to pass the collection basket, it is time to prepare the altar.  Please use the photo on the credence table as a guide to see the appropriate way to prepare the altar.

FOUR SERVERS PROCEDURE

Δ CROSS BEARER: Retrieve the cross, go directly to the back of the church and wait there until the Ushers/Gift Bearers are ready. Your cue to lead the procession to the Altar is when the priest gets up and moves to the center aisle. Reverently lead the Gift Bearers to the priest, bow to the altar and proceed to the left and place the cross back in its stand behind the wall. Help the remaining servers as needed.

Δ BOOK BEARER: Carry the large Roman Missal with clear plastic stand up the steps and place on the far left side of the altar.

Δ CARRYING THE VESSELS: One server at a time will carry a vessel; place it on the altar in its proper position, bow to the altar and return to the credence table. Once all vessels have been placed on the altar, return to your pew and be seated.

(Four Servers continued)

RECEIVING THE OFFERTORY

When the priest stands and moves down the steps, this is the cue for the remaining servers to follow the priest and receive the offertory gifts in the following manner: • Server One: Take the offertory basket and place it on the floor next to the altar candle. Go to the credence table and pick up the cruet of water and wait. • Server Two: Receive the ciborium and carry it to the altar. Wait there for the priest and hand it directly to him, then go back to the credence table. • Server Three: Receive the pitcher of wine by its handle and go to the credence table with Server One and stand to his/her right side. • Server One and Three move together up the steps to the altar to the priest and stand side- by-side at the edge of the red carpet.

The priest will then take the wine, empty it into the chalices then hand back the empty pitcher to the server. Next, he will take the water cruet, pour it and hand it back to the server. NOTE: Turn the pitcher and cruet so that the handle is toward the priest, making it easier for him to grab it. Servers bow to the priest, move together down the steps toward the credence table and go behind the servers holding the water pitcher, bowl and towel. Place the empty wine pitcher and cruet on the tray. The Server with the water pitcher and bowl should be to the right of the server with the towel. Both move up the steps together. The priest will first wash his hands then use the towel to dry. When he is done, bow to the priest and move together down the steps back to the credence table. Place your items on the table and return to your pew.

PROCEDURE THREE OR LESS SERVERS:

Δ BOOK BEARER AND CROSS BEARER will help the server in preparing the altar, after which the CROSS BEARER will retrieve the cross and proceed to the back of the church for the Offertory procession. Cross bearer will continue to help remaining servers throughout the Mass.

Mass proceeds as usual with the singing of the HOLY, HOLY followed by the CONSECRATION. • This is when you really need to pay attention for the proper time to ring the bells! Your cue is the following: The priest will say, “This is my Body, given up for you. Do this in memory of me.” Ring the bells three times.

The next cue is: The priest will say, “This is my Blood, given up for you. Do this in memory of me.” Again, ring the bells three times.

SIGN OF PEACE: When the priest invites the congregation to offer the sign of peace, servers will step up into the sanctuary to exchange the sign of peace with the priest, then return to the pew.

COMMUNION: Servers will receive communion from one of the Eucharistic ministers. Once all the Eucharistic ministers have left the sanctuary to distribute communion: • Book Bearer goes to the altar, closes the book and removes book and stand, and places them back on the credence table. Return to pew via the sidewall aisle. • Another server goes up to the sanctuary and places the purificator over the priest’s chalice, places the paten on top of the purificator and places the pall on top of the paten. Keeping one hand on top to keep items from sliding, return these to the credence table and place on the tray. Be careful walking down the steps! • Nothing should be left on the altar except for the ciboria lids.

AFTER COMMUNION: The priest will return to his chair and pause for a moment. When he stands, immediately take the small Roman Missal book up to the priest for the communion prayer. The priest will open the book and recite the communion prayer. When he is finished, he will close the book and the server will return to the pew with the book.

IV. Recessional

 When the music begins, the Cross Bearer and Candle Bearers will go behind the sanctuary wall to get the Cross and candles, and proceed in the following order:

Cross Bearer followed by Candle Bearers will move to center aisle stopping at second pew and turn around to face sanctuary.

Any remaining Servers will come forward from the pew and move up to the candle bearers and turn to face the sanctuary.

 The priest will reverence the altar then move to the bottom step and face the altar. The priest will bow or genuflect and all servers will bow or nod, then turn around and recess out of the church, led by the Cross Bearer.  Cross and Candle Bearers return to the Liturgical Room and place candles and cross back in their stands making sure to blow out the candles.  Neatly hang-up albs, cross and cinctures and put them back in their proper places.

 Remember: Even if you are not scheduled to serve, please stop by the Day Chapel sign-in area to see if your help is needed.  Always check whatever email address we have on file for your new schedule (every two months). This is also available online at: www.ourladyofgracechurch.org

This photo is on the Credence Table

FIRST: Roman Missal FOURTH: Communion Cups (carry two at a time) w/stand SECOND: Priest’s Chalice FIFTH: Communion Cups (carry two at a time) THIRD: Ciboria & paten with SIXTH: Four Purificators low-gluten hosts if present