GUIDELINES FOR ALTAR SERVERS AT HOLY NAME

It is important for you to realize that you are a very special minister in the celebration of the Eucharist. The entire community at Holy Name is depending on you to perform your duties as an altar server with dignity.

If you are not able to serve at your scheduled Mass, you are responsible for finding a substitute ahead of time.

Also contact Daria Opolski at [email protected] for any of these reasons:

• If your Mass preference changes • If your phone number, address, or e-mail address changes • If you would like to serve at a specific holy day/holiday Mass • If you like to stop serving at our church

There are special names for many of the items used during the Mass. You should know and use their proper names. Pronunciation help is provided within parentheses.

• Alb – the long, white garment used to cover street clothes and worn by the priest, deacon, and altar servers • Cincture – the white rope used to tie the alb in place • Cassock – the black robe worn by the servers • Surplice – the white garment worn over the cassock • Vestments – the clothing worn during the Mass by the priest, deacon, and altar servers • Altar – the table on which the Mass is celebrated • Credence Table – the small table off to the side of the sanctuary where the cups, cruet, lavabo bowl, and towel are kept during the Mass when they’re not being used • Sacristy – the room where the vestments and sacred vessels are kept • Sanctuary – the raised platform where the altar and ambo are located and the clergy sit • Tabernacle – the ornamental, locked box where the consecrated Eucharist is kept • Book of the Gospels – the gold book used by the deacon to proclaim the Gospel • Chalice – the cup that will be used to consecrate wine into the Blood of Christ • Ciborium / Ciboria – the small, round, closed container/s holding the host to be consecrated during the Mass and carried to the altar for the preparation of the gifts • Corporal – the cloth placed at the middle on top of the altar • Corpus – the figure of Christ (on the front of the processional cross) • Cruet – the small glass container holding the water • Flagon – the gold container holding the wine that is brought up at the offertory • Lavabo Bowl – the basin over which the priest’s hands are washed Lectionary – the book from which all the readers proclaim the Word of God • Pall – the stiff, embroidered square that sits on top of the chalice, purificator, and paten • Paten – the round, flat, gold dish that fits on top of the chalice and has the large host on it • Pulpit – the lectern where the Word of God and sermon are proclaimed • Chalice Veil – the ornate cloth that covers the priest’s chalice • Burse – the stiff pocket-like square that sits on top of the veiled chalice while containing the corporal within it • Processional Cross – the cross-carried into the church at the head of the procession • Purificator – the cloth used to wipe the chalice after receiving the Precious Blood • Roman Missal – the book containing all of the prayers used for the Mass

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR

Always

• Move slowly and with dignity. • Handle objects solemnly and with reverence. • Pay very close attention to what is going on at the altar. • Keep your hands folded at the waist or chest, unless holding something. • Keep the corpus of the processional cross facing in the same direction you are. • Participate in the prayers, responses, and songs as the priest, deacon, and congregation do.

No

• Talking to each other. • Joking around. • Looking out into the congregation. • Fiddling with your clothing, hair, or garments. • Fidgeting while seated or standing.

When standing, stand up straight and still, with your hands folded at the chest, unless holding something. Do not rock or sway.

When seated, sit up straight and still, with your hands folded in your lap, your knees bent, and your feet flat on the floor. Do not slouch or fidget. Do not sit with your legs crossed or outstretched.

Bowing - There are 2 types of bows: the simple bow (of the head) and the profound bow (from the waist). These are specific motions required at certain times during the Mass.

• Bow from the waist when passing in front of the tabernacle, unless carrying something.

• Bow from the waist during the Profession of Faith, for this part: “By the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary and became man.”

• Bow your head to the priest after he dries his hands with the towel.