Altar Server Instructions (revised 8/5/21)
Server Roles: • Cross Bearer - carries the cross during the procession into and out of the church. • Book Server - carries the Excerpts from the Roman Missal book and holds it for Father during the Collect (opening prayer) and the Prayer After Communion. • Bell Server - rings the bells three short times during the elevation of the consecrated Host and the elevation of the chalice during the Eucharistic Prayer.
BEFORE MASS BEGINS • Please arrive at least 15 minutes before Mass begins. Go to the ministry room and vest (i.e. dress) for Mass. • First put on the cassock (long black robe). They are arranged shortest (4’) to tallest (5’11”) left to right in the closet. Make sure all the buttons are fastened, and please pray the vesting prayer posted on the mirror in the closet. • Then put on the cotta (white overlay), which are similarly arranged by size. Please pray the vesting prayer for this as well. • If the candles are not already lit, please light the taper and walk to the altar to light the candles. Please give a slight bow when entering and exiting the sanctuary. • Stand by the right column near the baptismal font with the processional cross.
PROCESSION • Normal order of procession: o Cross Bearer o Other servers (side by side if 2) o Deacon (if there is one) o Priest • (For more solemn liturgies, a server with incense may proceed the cross bearer while the other servers carry candles to the left and right of the cross). • Process at a slightly slower than normal walking pace. Arriving at the altar is not a race! • At the foot of the altar (before the first step), stand on the left and right sides of the altar. Father will stand in the center. When Father genuflects or bows, genuflect or bow with him, unless you are holding something (e.g. cross or candles). For those holding something, reverence the altar with a bow of the head. • The Cross Bearer puts the cross in the stand with the crucifix facing the people.
INTRODUCTORY RITES • The Sign of the Cross, Penitential Rite, Glory to God • Posture: Hands folded when standing, hands in lap while sitting • Father says: “Let us pray.” o Bring the closed book to Father, who will open it to the right page. Hold the open book for Father until the congregation responds: “Amen.”
LITURGY OF THE WORD • Do as the rest of the congregation does.
PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR: • After the Prayers of the Faithful, Father will start preparing the altar. Please go to the credence table near the cross to bring up the following items to Father: o The priest’s chalice (with corporal, purificator, pall and tabernacle key) o The Roman Missal with its stand. • Then bring the following items to Father from the credence table in the sanctuary: o The tray with the communion bowls. o The tray with the other chalices and purificators (rectangular cloths). • From the first credence table, please also bring the water cruet to the altar. • You may now be seated until Father goes to the foot of the altar to receive the gifts.
RECEIVING THE GIFTS • Join Father at the foot of the altar, standing on either side (Make sure you walk behind him if you are going to the other side) • Father will hand you the gifts after he accepts them. Please wait until all the gifts have been received, and then all of you will return to the altar. • The red prayer intentions book goes on the outside edge of the altar, and the collection basket goes in front of the altar.
WASHING OF THE HANDS (LAVABO) • After bringing the gifts to the altar, return to the first credence table to prepare for the hand washing. o Towel (draped over left arm) o Glass bowl o Water cruet, which is most likely already at the altar • Father will lift the paten with the bread while saying some silent prayers (unless the congregation has stopped singing) and do the same with the chalice of wine. As Father bows in prayer after lifting up the chalice, go up the steps for the hand washing. Pour a small amount of water over Father’s hands, who will then dry his hands. After the washing, take the wine cruet (glass container) from the altar as well as the water cruet and return these to the credence table.
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER AND COMMUNION • At the end of the “Holy, Holy, Holy…”, the altar servers kneel in unison at the first step. • The server rings the bells (3 short rings) when Father raises the Body of Christ and then again when Father raises the chalice with the Blood of Christ. • After the “Lamb of God,” kneel at the first step like the rest of the congregation. • After Father receives the Blood of Christ in the chalice, stand up and go to the altar to receive Communion. After the extraordinary ministers go to distribute Communion, you may go back and sit at your chairs.
CLEARING THE ALTAR • After the distribution of Communion, bring the water cruet to the altar. • Bring the Roman Missal back to the credence table. • After Father has purified (reverently washed) the sacred vessels, he will put them on the corner of the altar. Return the vessels to the tray on the second credence table. • Bring Father’s chalice back to the first credence table. Leave the prayer intention book on the altar. After everything is cleared from the altar, return to your seats.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER AND RECESSIONAL • When Father stands and says “Let us pray,” the server will return to Father’s chair carrying the Excerpts from the Roman Missal book for the final prayer. After the prayer, return to your seat with the book. • After Father says “The Mass is ended, go in peace,” he reverences the altar with a kiss. At this point, one server will retrieve the processional cross. Everyone moves to the front of the altar and stands side by side. Wait for Father to genuflect or bow, and then genuflect or bow in sync with him (if you are not holding the cross or candles). • Normal order of recessional: o Cross bearer o Other servers (side by side if 2) o Deacon (if there is one) o Priest
AFTER MASS • Extinguish the candles if they are still lit. • Hang up the cotta (white overlay) on the gray felt hangers. • Hang up the cassock on the plastic hangers.