Saint John the Apostle Catholic Parish and School Altar Server Handbook February 2017 Table of Contents Chapter 1 – What is an Altar Server Page 3 Chapter 2 – Server Duties Page 5 Chapter 3 – The Mass Page 7 Chapter 4 – Baptism within the Mass Page 13 Chapter 5 – Nuptial Mass (Weddings) Page 14 Chapter 6 – Funeral Mass Page 15 Chapter 7 – Benediction Page 19 Chapter 8 – Stations of the Cross Page 20 Chapter 9 – Incense feasts Page 21 Chapter 10 – Miter and Crozier Page 22 Chapter 11 – Church Articles Page 24 2 Chapter 1 What is an Altar Server? An altar server is a lay assistant to a member of the clergy during a religious service. An altar server attends to supporting tasks at the altar such as fetching and carrying, ringing bells, setting up, cleaning up, and so on. Until 1983, only young men whom the Church sometimes hoped to recruit for the priesthood and seminarians could serve at the altar, and thus altar boy was the usual term until Canon 230 was changed in the 1983 update to the Code of Canon which provided the option for local ordinaries (bishops) to permit females to serve at the altar. The term altar server is now widely used and accepted. When altar servers were only young men and seminarians the term acolyte was used. An acolyte is one of the instituted orders which is installed by a bishop. The title of acolyte is still only given to men as it is historically a minor order of ordained ministry. This term is now usually reserved for the ministry that all who are to be promoted to the diaconate receives at least six months before being ordained a deacon (c. 1035). Vestments Altar servers wear a surplice over a cassock. According to the general rule of the Latin (Roman) Rite a surplice should always be worn over a cassock. Traditionally, a server wears the same color of cassock as the priest. Thus, a red cassock would be worn if the pastor has that privilege. Black and red are the most common colors for a server’s cassock. Servers do not wear a clerical collar. In some churches, Catholic and others, servers may wear an alb and cincture, or some other approved vestments based on local custom and approved by the local church authority. Dress and Behavior Always remember, you are in service to the Lord and His people at the altar. Nothing should call attention to you. Be an example to the congregation. Remember: Altar servers must stay attentive during the Mass and should remain in a state of prayer with their hands in a prayer position unless holding something or sitting down. Patience, tolerance, and calm are very important. Remember them at all times, especially when serving with new servers who may need your assistance. Take care of each other. Be selfless and take up the slack when necessary. Charity is the proper attitude. Appropriate attire is mandatory. Your footwear is completely visible to the congregation. In light of this black shoes are required for all servers, along with black socks. No skin is to be visible under the 3 cassocks. Shoes may be casual or dress style. No sneakers, no sandals, no flip- flops. Girls’ styles should be in keeping with the dignity of the liturgy. Spike-heeled shoes are not appropriate. Even though your clothing is covered by a cassock and surplice for serving at the altar it should still be appropriate for attending Mass. When serving, light fabric clothing under your cassock and surplice will keep you much more comfortable and prevent overheating. Earrings may be worn by girls but must be in keeping with the dignity of the liturgy. If inappropriate jewelry is worn the server will be asked to remove it for the liturgy. No gum chewing at any time. Remember to eat something light before the long, often warm services of Holy Week. This will keep you from getting light-headed or nauseous. Eat early enough to still observe the 1 hour fast before receiving communion. Hair is to be properly groomed. Long hair is to be back and off the face and shoulders. For girls, hair bands, ponytails, buns are all appropriate and acceptable but must be plain black or white, without decoration. Make-up is not necessary for serving at Mass. Stand-out colored eye shadows and/or heavy mascara and make-up is not appropriate for Mass. Remember you serve not to call attention to yourself, but to serve with dignity at the altar and inspire the congregation to worship. 4 Chapter 2 – Server Duties We are of one mind and heart! We serve at the altar to add dignity to the Mass, assist the priest in his service to God on behalf of the people, and to inspire the congregation to worship by our actions. Therefore we will serve with responsibility, joy, love, dignity, and respect for God and each other. Duties are assigned by your captain before Mass. Below is a general description of the duties and responsibilities. Crucifer Carries the cross and typically leads the procession. Leads the offertory (preparation of the gifts) procession. Retrieves the pyx tray from the priest after communion. Processional Candle Bearers Light and extinguish the altar candles. Carry the two candles in procession behind the cross for the entrance and exit processions. Book Bearer Holds the Roman Missal for the priest at the opening/closing prayers. Assists in altar set up/clean up. Rings bells for epiclesis and consecration. Bell Ringer Responsible for the single 3 second bell ring at the epiclesis (priest’s hands over chalice) and the triple ring for the elevations during consecration. Thurifer Incense trained servers only; provide incense needed for entrance, gospel, offertory procession, offertory, consecration, and recessional procession. Vimpa Servers Used only when a bishop is present. These servers wear vimpa (see dictionary) and are responsible for holding the bishop’s miter and crozier. Preparation Duties: Arrive at least 15 minutes before Mass starts. Choose your size cassock and surplice from the closet. Cassocks should be down to the top of your shoes. A surplice should be equal in length to the tip of your fingers when your hand is at your side. Light the altar candles (and all necessary candles) with the torch. Be sure to bow to the tabernacle when crossing in front of it. If incense is being used also light the charcoals. 5 Torch is located by the corner window behind the server chairs next to the thurible stand. Matches or lighter should be there. Slide the wick up about ¼ inch. Light it. Go to the sanctuary. Light the necessary candles. Slide wick down to put it out. Remember to slide it back up so the wax doesn’t cement it inside the tube. Return it to the corner. Go back to the commons. Make sure roman missal (priest’s book) is in place at the server chair. Do not move the ribbons. Bring processional cross to the commons. Assemble as a group by the memorial wall. While waiting for Mass to begin keep unnecessary chit-chat to a minimum, an attitude of prayer is most important. Remember people are trying to pray. 6 Chapter 3 – The Mass Introductory Rites Servers assemble for procession to the right of the baptismal font. The cantor will read the call to worship. Assemble as follows: Thurifer Crucifer Candle bearers Other servers two-by-two Gospel book Deacons Priests (Bishop) (Vimpa) (Vimpa) When the music begins the thurifer and crucifer start (slowly) down the aisle. Remember dignity is everything; you are processing to the altar of God. As the procession reaches the foot of the sanctuary the servers divide as follows: Sanctuary Steps Candle Bearer Deacon Priest Candle Bearer Server, Server, Server Crucifer Thurifer (front pew left) (front pew right) The candle bearers wait for the deacon with the book of the gospel before going up the steps. Once the deacon arrives at the steps, all three go up together. Servers place their candles on the candle posts and all three return to the foot of the steps together. Clergy will genuflect if you are not carrying anything you genuflect. If you are carrying something, bow your head to the altar when the priest and deacons genuflect. Exit slowly to the right and go to your pew. Remain standing until the liturgy of the word. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If there is a thurifer he/she ascends the side steps behind the ambo (ambo) and stands at the corner of the altar waiting for the priest or deacon to take the incense. Thurifer steps back and waits behind the ambo by its step. When priest/deacon is finished with the incense thurifer steps forward, receives thurible from them, bows, returns the thurible to the stand by the window, and goes to their chair (remain standing). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 The book bearer picks up the book and holds it so it rests against your chest. Pay attention to the Mass. Be ready to take the book to the priest for the opening prayer Listen to the “Gloria”. Towards the end you will hear the words, “for you alone are the holy one, you alone are the Lord.” When you hear these words, (or before if priest desires it) take the Roman Missal over to the Priest. As you cross in front of the tabernacle turn to the tabernacle, bow to Jesus in the tabernacle and continue over to the priest. Then step in front of the priest so he can read the prayer. When the priest is finished, give a slight bow to Father, and turn with dignity to return to your chair.