2018 Altar Server Handbook Fr. Matthew Morris St. Michael Catholic Church 1/1/2018 1. Introduction: The Celebration of Mass (16.) The celebration of Mass, as the action of Christ and the People of God arrayed hierarchically, is the center of the whole Christian life for the Church both universal and local, as well as for each of the faithful individually. In it is found the high point both of the action by which God sanctifies the world in Christ and of the worship that the human race offers to the Father, adoring him through Christ, the Son of God, in the Holy Spirit. In it, moreover, during the course of the year, the mysteries of redemption are recalled so as in some way to be made present. Furthermore, the other sacred actions and all the activities of the Christian life are bound up with it, flow from it, and are ordered to it. (17.) It is therefore of the greatest importance that the celebration of the Mass – that is, the Lord’s Supper – be so arranged that the sacred ministers and the faithful taking part in it, according to the proper state of each, may derive from it more abundantly those fruits for the sake of which Christ the Lord instituted the Eucharistic Sacrifice of his Body and Blood and entrusted it to the Church, his beloved Bride, as the memorial of his Passion and Resurrection. (18.) This will best be accomplished if, with due regard for the nature and the particular circumstances of each liturgical assembly, the entire celebration is planned in such a way that it leads to a conscious, active, and full participation of the faithful both in body and in mind, a participation burning with faith, hope, and charity, of the sort which is desired by the Church and demanded by the very nature of the celebration, and to which the Christian people have a right and duty by reason of their Baptism. (From the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.) 1 2. The Role of the Altar Server Ritual service at liturgical celebrations – and most usually at the Mass – constitutes the essential purpose of the Altar Server. It differs in character from the roles of readers, cantors, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion insofar as the Altar Server has liturgical responsibilities that commence before the Liturgy actually begins, that continue throughout the whole of the liturgical rite, and that extend beyond the Liturgy’s close. It differs in character from the roles of priests and deacons insofar as the Altar Server is not an ordained servant. It differs in character from the roles of the people in the pews insofar as the Altar Server prays and sings from the sanctuary. However, it shares in character with all these insofar as the Altar Server is also called to “conscious, active, and full participation” in the Liturgy. The Altar Server plays a very important role in the Liturgy and for the Eucharistic Assembly. His or her immediate and primary duty is to assist the presiding priest. At some liturgies the Altar Server may receive specific instructions directly from a deacon or other Master of Ceremonies; regardless of by whom the Altar Server is led, the Altar Server is always working to help the priest, to help him pray reverently and effectively for the good of the whole parish. The Altar Server remains in full view of everyone throughout the Liturgy and, thus, is in a unique position to model Christian prayer, worship, reverence, respect, humility, dignity, and modesty for the entire community. When the Altar Server prays and sings with his or her whole mind, heart, and soul the Altar Server gives a good example to others, helping to elicit praying and singing from others. 2 3. The Responsibilities/Duties of the Altar Server During the Mass • Carry the Crucifix/Cross or a lit candle in the opening procession to the altar. • Present The Roman Missal (i.e. “the book”) to the Presider and hold it open and still for him as he reads from it. • Flank to his right and to his left the deacon or priest who will read the Gospel as he proceeds from his chair to the ambo. • Present the binder containing the Prayer of the Faithful to (first) the priest, (then) to the deacon, and (finally) back to the priest. Hold the binder open and steady as each reads from it in turn. • Prepare/Set-Up the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist during Mass. • Stand to the left and the right of the priest at the foot of the sanctuary in order to receive the Offertory Gifts from representatives of the assembled community. Carry the bread and wine to the altar and present (first) the bread to the deacon or priest, (then) the wine and water. • Pour water over the priest’s hands as he prays for the washing away of his personal sins. Have the finger towel at the ready for him to dry his hands. • After the distribution of Holy Communion is finished and the sacred vessels ritually cleansed at the altar by the priest and/or deacon, accept the vessels and return them to the credence table. • Prepare, carry, and present the thurible and the boat at those times and on those occasions when incense is to be used in a Liturgy. • Pray, sing, and listen attentively during the Liturgy. Follow the action. Provide a good example to all the faithful. 3 • Serve the priest – who acts in persona Christi (i.e. in the person of Christ) – with respect, humility, and dignity. • Act always and everywhere according to your baptism: as a Child of God and a faithful Roman Catholic. Be prayerful, reverent, respectful of authority, humble, modest, and charitable/loving. 4. Scheduling The Altar Server is expected to make a serious and firm commitment to his/her duties and responsibilities. Since most Altar Servers are not yet of age to drive an automobile, it must be pointed out that the Altar Server’s parents or guardians are themselves expected to make a serious and firm commitment to their sons’ and daughters’ altar service. • The Altar Server is to arrive at least 15 MINUTES prior to his or her scheduled Liturgy, and must sign in as notice of his or her presence. • The Altar Server is responsible for finding his or her own substitute when he or she is unable to serve as scheduled. • Mark your calendar as soon as you receive a schedule. Keep your roster of Altar Servers should you ever need to secure a substitute. Do not call the rectory, the office, or any parish authority asking them to find a substitute; the responsibility to do so is yours. • I an Altar Server comes to have three (3) “unexcused absences,” he or she will not be scheduled to serve after that. An “unexcused absence” is defined as a failure either (1) to appear and serve as scheduled or (2) to secure a substitute when circumstances beyond your control prevent you serving as scheduled. Even repeated “excused” absences (when noticed) may result in that Altar Server being scheduled less frequently or even not at all. 4 5. Code of Conduct • Walking – Walk with your shoulders back, with a straight back, and with your head held high. • Kneeling – Your body is to be upright. Do not slump, slouch, or sit back on your heels. • Standing – Stand straight and tall with both feet firmly planted on the floor. Position your feet pointing straight ahead, not splayed or flared. Stand with your feet slightly separated, but no more than shoulder-length apart. Do not lock your knees, but occasionally flex one or both very slightly to maintain comfort and proper circulation. Do not lean against furniture, walls, or other supports. Do not slouch. Keep your shoulders back, back straight, and head erect. Keep your hands folded in front of you when not holding something in them. • Sitting – Sit still. Do not fidget. Sit up straight, place your hands in your lap and keep them still. Keep both feet still and flat on the floor; do not cross your legs. Cultivate a sense of inner peace and calm by disciplining and training your body. • Hands – Hands should be kept folded/joined in front of your chest unless you are sitting down or carrying something (e.g. a candle, a cross,etc.). • Eyes and Ears – Look toward the place where the action is happening during the Liturgy. This will include the celebrant’s chair, the ambo, and the altar. Listen to the readers proclaim the Word of God. Listen to the homily. Listen to and enter into praying with the priest as he offers the liturgical prayers to God. • Mouth – Pray and sing. Otherwise, do not talk during Mass or other liturgical rite (unless a need arises). Do not come to Mass or serve in the 5 sanctuary chewing gum, sucking on candy, or with any other consumable other than water in your mouth. In order to receive Holy Communion, every Catholic is required to fast the one hour immediately preceding the reception of the Eucharist. The Altar Server is required and expected to honor this fast. (Note: the taking of needed medicine – whether prescription or over-the-counter – does not break the fast. Medicine must be taken at the time it should be taken, and taken without fail; a person may receive Holy Communion even if he or she took medicine orally within the preceding hour.) 6. Dress Code • Dress properly: meaning cleanly, modestly, and “dressier” (i.e.