sign in sign up
<<
Home , Processional cross, Sacristy

SERVING AT “PANDEMIC MASSES”

During the time of pandemic, we will limit serving to one household per . This means that we may have only one or two servers per Mass.

○ If one: {Server 1} ○ If two: {Server 1} and {Server 2} ○ If three: {Server 1}, {Server 2}, and {Server 3}

PROCESSION

○ One: {Server 1} with ○ Two: {Server 1} with cross, {Server 2} is empty handed ○ Three: {Server 1} with cross, {Server 2} & {Server 3} with candles

The will move from the doorway to the center of the . From there, the procession goes up the first step into the sanctuary.

Three Servers Two Servers One Server {Server 1} {Server 1} {Server 1} {Server 2} & {Server 3} {Server 2} Deacon Deacon Priest Priest

The procession will spread out before the next three steps in front of the altar. The order for this part of the procession looks like this:

Three Servers Altar {Server 1} {Server 2} {Priest} {Deacon} {Server 3}

Two Servers Altar {Server 1} {Priest} {Deacon} {Server 2}

One Server Altar {Server 1} {Priest} {Deacon} After Priest genuflects, he ascends the three steps and reverences the altar.

○ {Server 1} ascends the steps and places the cross in its stand. ○ {Server 2} & {Server 3} ascend the steps on the ambo side of the altar (and place the processional candles at the bottom of the steps in the back of the sanctuary).

Then, All Servers stand in front of their chairs. All servers will sit on the ambo side of the sanctuary.

INTRODUCTORY RITES

Mass begins with the and Greeting. All Servers should make the appropriate gestures and responses throughout the Introductory Rites (, Gloria, ).

At the conclusion of the Collect, the people respond, Amen, and All Servers sit in their chairs.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading: Please be attentive to the word of God.

Responsorial Psalm: Please be as attentive to the word of God.

Second Reading: Please be as attentive to the word of God.

After the Second Reading Three Servers ○ {Server 2} & {Server 3} get processional candles.

Two Servers ○ {Server 1} & {Server 2} get processional candles.

One Server ○ No Procession

When Priest stands and the Gospel Acclamation music begins: ○ Servers process single file to the altar. ○ First Candle goes to the side of the altar. ○ Second Candle stops at the ambo side of the altar. ○ Servers face the center of the altar.

Then Priest or Deacon goes to the center of the altar, bows, and says his prayer. After that, Priest or Deacon approaches the altar and lifts the Book of the Gospels.

When Priest or Deacon turns toward the ambo: ○ Servers process to the ambo, with Priest or Deacon between them. ○ Second Candle goes to the far side of the ambo. ○ First Candle stops at the near side of the ambo. ○ Servers face in toward the ambo. ○ Priest or Deacon places Book of Gospels on the ambo.

Gospel ○ Priest or Deacon greets the people and introduces the Gospel. ~ “A reading from the holy Gospel according to N.” ○ Priest or Deacon proclaims the Gospel.

After the Gospel ○ Servers return processional candles to their place.

Homily Please be attentive to the .

Creed Please recite the Creed along with the congregation, at: and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate …

Universal Prayer Please listen to each prayer and respond appropriately.

LITURGY OF THE

Preparation of the Altar After the Universal Prayer comes the preparation of the altar. ○ {Server 1} brings the priest to the altar, where the Deacon or Priest receives it. ○ All Servers bring the any remaining items from the to the altar, where the Deacon or Priest receives them. ○ The last items to the altar will be the of wine and water. ○ Servers wait at the altar until the Priest or Deacon finishes with the cruets of wine and water. ○ Servers return cruets to the credence table. ○ {Server 1} gets and boat and stands behind the altar.

Incensing of the Offerings ○ Priest bows and prays a short prayer. ○ Priest turns to {Server 1} and takes the boat. ○ {Server 1} lifts the cover of the thurible and holds the thurible at chest level. ○ Priest imposes . ○ {Server 1} puts thurible cover down. ○ Priest gives the boat to {Server 1}. ○ Priest takes the thurible. ○ Priest the gifts, the altar, and the cross. ○ Meanwhile, {Server 1} places boat on credence table. ○ If a Deacon is present, Priest will give him the thurible after incensing.

○ If no Deacon is present: ○ Priest gives the thurible to {Server 1}. ○ {Server 1} bows to Priest, incenses Priest with three double swings, and bows to Priest again. ○ If additional are present, {Server 1} bows toward them, incenses them with three double swings, and bows to them again. ○ {Server 1} goes down three steps in front of the altar, bows to the congregation, incenses the congregation with three double swings, and bows to the congregation again. ○ {Server 1} returns thurible and boat to sacristy.

Washing of Hands Servers help Priest wash his hands.

After the washing of hands ○ All Servers go to bottom of the three steps near the piano. There, they stand until the completion of the (Holy, Holy, Holy), after which they kneel.

Eucharistic Prayer Priest will begin the Eucharistic Prayer. Servers be especially attentive to the and the elevations.

Epiclesis: This is when Priest places both hands together over the gifts and calls down the Holy Spirit to bless them. ○ During the Epiclesis, {Server 1} rings the sanctus bells with one short, gentle ring (about one-half second). {Server 1} then lets the bells ring to silence, then places them back on the pillow.

Elevations: After speaking the over the bread and the wine, Priest raises the consecrated species. First, Priest will raise the . Second, Priest will raise the . At each : ○ {Server 1} rings sanctus bells with three short, gentle rings (about a half second each).

COMMUNION RITE

After the (when Priest says or chants: Through him and with him and in him … and the people reply, Amen), All Servers stand in place.

The Rite begins with the Lord’s Prayer (the Our Father). All Servers should recite the Lord’s Prayer and following parts with the congregation, with hands folded in front of the chest. Please note that Altar Servers should not hold hands during the Lord’s Prayer.

○ During the Sign of Peace, All Servers should exchange the Sign of Peace with each other by simply and reverently shaking hands.

○ During the Invitation to Communion, All Servers should respond accordingly.

○ After the response (Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed), All Servers kneel in place.

○ All Servers receive Holy Communion at the base of the sanctuary. They may stand when the Priest, Deacon, or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion approaches.

During Holy Communion Once the congregation has begun processing forward to receive Holy Communion, All Servers should work together to prepare for the purification of the vessels. This will require: ○ Bring two cruets of water to the altar, placing them on the side closest to the sacristy. ○ Bring the and Book of Gospels from the Ambo to the sacristy. ○ Bring the ’s hymnal to the sacristy. ○ Bring the Missal and Missal Stand to the sacristy.

When these tasks are complete, All Servers can return to their chairs.

When Priest finishes distributing Holy Communion, he will return to the altar. There, he will begin purifying the vessels. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will return their vessels to the altar, and then depart the sanctuary to their seats. Priest and Deacon will purify the vessels. During purification:

○ All Servers should stand near the sacristy side of the altar, ready to receive purified vessels from Priest. ○ Servers will bring cruets, purificators, and purified /ciboria and , and cruets to the main sanctuary counter. ○ Repeat this process until nothing is left on the altar.

* Note: Please carry the priest’s chalice by holding the stem of the chalice with one hand, and holding the top of the chalice and burse with the other. This will prevent the , host, pall, chalice veil, and burse from falling off of the chalice.

After the purification of vessels is complete, All Servers return to their chairs.

CONCLUDING RITES

Following the Prayer After Communion:

Three Servers ○ {Server 2} & {Server 3} retrieve processional candles. ○ {Server 1} retrieves . ○ All Servers, with appropriate items, stand in place until the .

Two Servers ○ {Server 1} retrieves processional cross. ○ All Servers stand in place until the Dismissal.

One Server ○ {Server 1} retrieves processional cross and stands in place until the Dismissal.

After the Final Blessing and Dismissal:

Priest reverences the altar. Meanwhile, All Servers move to the base of the sanctuary, and line up in the following way:

Three Servers Altar {Server 1} {Server 2} {Deacon} {Priest} {Server 3}

Two Servers Altar {Server 1} {Deacon} {Priest} {Server 2}

One Server Altar {Server 1} {Deacon} {Priest}

All Servers wait at the base of the sanctuary until Priest genuflects. When Priest genuflects, All Servers who are holding items give a slight head bow. All Servers who are not holding items genuflect.

When Priest turns to process out, so do All Servers. {Server 1} usually leads the procession. The order of the closing procession is:

{Server 1} {Server 2} & {Server 3} Priest & Deacon

All Servers process to the back of the church, and then return to the sacristy by way of the gathering space.