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Altar Servers’ Handbook
What are the qualities of a good altar server? Individuals are chosen to be altar servers based on their goodness, common sense, faithfulness, and willingness to assist at the sacred ceremonies. Moreover, one must never forget that serving at the Mass is prayer. A server should participate in Mass fully by singing in a moderate voice and saying the prayers with the rest of the assembled community. A server has a solemn responsibility to do the assigned duties with attention, dignity, and especially with great reverence. How should altar servers move and act? Servers should develop a natural sense of “what is appropriate,” so that nothing they do at Mass will ever distract or disturb others. It is helpful for servers to think about their actions from the point of view of the people. For example, servers should sit and stand up straight, not crossing their legs or lounging. At the same time, actions should not seem nervous or mechanical. In general, servers should move slowly and calmly, but always knowing exactly what they are doing and why. Servers should work as a team, all carrying out their actions in the same manner and style as their companion servers. How should altar servers hold their hands? Hands are to be joined palm to palm in front of the chest with the fingers pointed upward in prayer and readiness to serve. When something is in one hand (for example, the communion paten), the other hand should rest flatly against the chest. When the servers sit, the hands should rest folded, or with palms flat on the knees, fingers together, elbows bent in a relaxed way. It is also a good idea for servers to wash their hands thoroughly before Mass. Where should the servers’ eyes be? The servers’ eyes and attention should follow the action of the Mass, unless it is necessary to concentrate on some other function being performed. The eyes should not wander. When should servers genuflect? A genuflection is appropriate whenever the server crosses in front of the tabernacle before or after Mass. The server should also genuflect whenever he/she passes in front of the altar after the consecration. Servers should also genuflect at the beginning and at the end of Mass facing the tabernacle. When should servers bow? A reverent bow to the altar is appropriate whenever the server passes in front of it (except when the Body and Blood of Christ are present, and thus a genuflection is appropriate). Servers should bow slightly (a “head bow”) to the priest after each time they approach him, since the priest acts in the person of Christ. In general, in the Roman Rite bowing is reserved for the altar, the crucifix and the priest. How should altar servers dress? Altar servers wear an alb with a cincture, or cassock and surplice. These vestments should be treated with respect and they should be put away neatly after Mass. It is important that servers wear clean and dressy shoes with socks. Sneakers, sandals, high heels, jewelry, nail polish, strong perfumes, and excessive make-up are not appropriate for altar servers, because these they may be a source of distraction to others. ALTAR SERVERS’ DUTIES AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH IN GENERAL1. If servers are unable to serve at the Mass for which they are scheduled, they MUST CALL FOR A SUBSTITUTE from the list of servers. If they cannot find a replacement by the Friday before the Mass, they should telephone the parish secretary at 465-4284 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 – 4:30 p.m.). 2. Servers who consistently strive for excellence in serving will be rewarded by God and then by the parish. 3. Servers who show a lack of reverence, or a lack of respect for others, or fail to show up for their scheduled Masses, may be asked to stop serving altogether. 4. If servers are attending a Mass for which they are not scheduled to serve, they may check in the sacristy five minutes before Mass begins. If there are not enough servers, they should vest and serve. 5. Servers should not leave the sanctuary during Mass unless they are sick. Also, servers do not go behind the gates during Mass when going from one side of the sanctuary to the other. Instead, they should bow as they pass in front of or behind the altar. 6. Servers should know where things are kept in the Sacristy. 7. In general, servers participate in the Mass as the people do (sitting, standing, kneeling, responding) unless indicated otherwise in the directions that follow. BEFORE MASS1. Arrive on time (15 minutes before Mass) and SIGN IN. 2. Get vested (and wash your hands if necessary). 3. Go to the back sacristy and make sure:
4. Be reverent and prepare yourself in silence and prayer for Mass. 5. Greet the priest when he enters the sacristy. 6. Light the processional candles. 7. Say the “Server’s Prayer Before Mass.” AFTER MASS1. The servers go to the sacristy in the back of the church bow reverently towards the crucifix in the sacristy and then put the processional cross and the candles in their places. 2. If necessary, the servers should make their way to the front of the Church, extinguish the candles, and help to put things away. 3. Finally, the servers should return to the back sacristy, carefully take off their vestments, and hang them neatly (with the top snap fastened) in the sacristy closet. They should pick up any other vestments that may have fallen to the floor. Servers should always treat church property and sacristy items with great care and respect. DURING MASS ENTRANCE PROCESSION 1. Line up according to the roles assigned beforehand. Senior servers have first choice of roles. 2. Once the opening hymn has begun, process in at a reasonable pace (reverent but not dragging). The cross bearer leads, followed by two candle bearers, who are followed in turn by the book bearer. If there is incense, the thurifer will lead the procession. 3. Candle bearers should hold the processional candles in the following way. The arm holding the upper part of the candle should point toward the people. The other arm holds the base of the candle. 4. As the servers approach the altar steps, the cross bearer moves to the far left, the server without a candle (the book bearer) moves to the far right, and the candle bearers move to the inside right and left while leaving room for the priests (and deacon). All wait for the priest to genuflect with him at the same time (with the exception of the cross bearer who bows). 5. The cross bearer puts the cross in its stand next to the altar, and the candle bearers place their candles on the altars of Mary and Joseph respectively. The book bearer takes his place near the sacramentary on Joseph’s side. If there is incense the thurifer will wait for the priest behind the altar. OPENING PRAYER 1. After the Penitential Rite and Gloria, the priest says, “Let us pray.” By this time the book bearer should have the sacramentary in hand and takes it to the priest. 2. The server should stand to hold the book in such a way that the priest can both easily face the people and clearly see the text. 3. After the priest reads the Opening Prayer, the book bearer, waits for him to close the sacramentary. Once it is closed, the server puts the sacramentary down and sits for the readings. READING OF THE GOSPEL 1. If there is incense the thurifer heads towards the back sacristy during the second reading (before the Gospel), retrieves the thurible, and brings it to the Priest at the presidential chair while the Alleluia is sung. After the priest puts incense in the thurible, the thurifer walks ahead of the priest or the deacon towards the ambo and stands behind him. 2. As the priest goes to the Altar to pick up the book of the Gospels, the candle bearers pick up the candles and stand right next to the priest at the altar facing the people. 3. As the priest turns towards the ambo the candle bearers walk towards the ambo and stand on each side of the ambo facing each other. 4. After the priest or deacon says “A reading from the Gospel…..” the thurifer is ready to pass him the thurible. 5. After the Gospel is read the candle bearers return to their places. The thurifer waits till the Gospel is read and then heads to the sacristy where the thurible is left. At this moment another charcoal may be added. PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS 1. After the homily, Creed, and Prayers of the Faithful, the priest (and deacon) may sit. When he (or the deacon) stands again, all the servers should stand with him. If he (or the deacon) goes to the altar, the book bearer should immediately take the sacramentary to him, and the cross bearer should take the chalice, corporal, and other vessels from the credence table to the altar. 2. When the priest goes down to the steps to receive the gifts, the two candle bearers go with him. (If the priest (or deacon) did not go to the altar before receiving the gifts, the cross bearer and book bearer should take all the vessels and book to the altar at this time.) If the chalices are brought in a tray, please bring back the tray to the credence table. The cross bearer also retrieves from the altar the acrylic stand for the book of the Gospels and places it on the credence table. 3. The servers take the gifts from the priest and turn to go up the altar steps. The hosts are placed on the altar. 4. The cross bearer moves up to take the collection from the usher and puts it in a safe place in the sacristy. 5. The candle bearers prepare to take the water and wine to the priest (or the deacon). PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS 1. All servers remain standing throughout the entire Offertory of the Mass. 2. When the priest (or deacon) turns to prepare the chalice (to pour in the water and wine), the servers should already be there ready to assist him. (The server with the wine on the left.) 3. The cruets or the wine carafe are handed to the priest (or deacon) with the handles turned toward him, so that it is CLOSING PRAYER 1. At the words “Let us pray,” all the servers stand. The book bearer takes the sacramentary to the priest and holds it in the same way as during the Opening Prayer. 2. The server should again wait for the priest to close the book. This is especially important because the priest often needs the book for the final blessing. RECESSIONAL 1. After the dismissal, the servers remain in their places until the priest (and deacon) moves toward the altar. 2. Once the priest begins to move, the candle bearers get the candles and the cross bearer takes the cross. 3. All servers move to the foot of the altar lined up as during the entrance procession (cross bearer on the far left, etc.) 4. All servers genuflect to the tabernacle (except the cross bearer who bows) with the priest and then begin the recessional toward the back of the church (cross bearer followed by candle bearers, etc.) easy for him to take them. The priest (deacon) takes the wine first, then the water. 4. After the priest (or deacon) hands back the water and the empty wine carafe, the servers bow together to the priest, and return the cruets and the carafe to the credence table. 5. If there is incense, the thurifer gets the thurible from the sacristy and then approaches the priest. After the priest puts incense into the thurible, the thurifer hands it unto him. The thurifer waits behind the altar for the priest to incense the gifts around the altar. Then the thurifer (or the deacon) receives the incense from the priest. Then the thurifer (or the deacon) incenses the priest three times (2 swings each time). Then the thurifer walks down in front of the altar and proceeds to incense other priests if present, and then the people, 2 swings to the left, 2 swings to the center, and 2 swings to the right. The thurifer leaves the thurible in the sacristy afterwards. 6. The servers (candle bearers) then prepare to take the basin and finger towel to the priest for the lavabo. They should begin moving toward the priest as soon as he bows to pray with “humble contrite heart.” The server who holds the towel should unfold it and present it to the priest so that he does not need to reach for it. 7. The servers again bow together to the priest after he is finished with the towel. 8. After returning the basin and towel to the credence table, the candle bearer from Joseph’s side returns to the other side of the sanctuary, bowing as he/she passes behind the priest, in front of the gates. “HOLY, HOLY” 1. When the “Holy, Holy, Holy” starts, the servers go down the steps and take their places. 2. The servers kneel after the Holy, Holy, until the great Amen. The candle bearers kneel closest to the center of the Church. 3. If there is incense, the thurifer gets the thurible during the Holy, Holy, and then kneels in front of the altar. CONSECRATION 1. Kneeling on the step, the cross bearer first rings the bells at the epiclesis (when the priest holds his hands over the gifts.) 2. The cross bearer again rings the bells when the priest raises the host, and then when he raises the chalice. It is appropriate to say during the elevation in inaudible voice “My Lord and my God,” following the example of Thomas the Apostle. 3. If there is incense the thurifer incenses (3 times, 2 quick swings each) the Blessed Sacrament when the priest raises the host and then when he raises the chalice. At the proclamation of faith the thurifer gets up, and leaves the thurible in the sacristy, and returns to kneel with the other servers. SIGN OF PEACE 1. The servers stay on the lower floor (carpeted) during the sign of peace. They neither approach the priest, nor go up the steps to greet the lector and cantor. 2. The servers may offer a sign of peace to the other servers. The servers move from Joseph’s and Mary’s side to the middle of the church and offer each other the sign of peace there. Before returning to their places, they genuflect together to the Eucharistic Lord present on the altar. COMMUNION1. When the priest picks up the chalice to drink from it, all servers stand and go to get the communion patens. 2. Going together to the front of the altar, the servers genuflect together and wait to receive Holy Communion. The servers should be lined up with the cross bearer on the far left, the book bearer on the far right, the candle bearers in the middle. 3. After receiving Communion the servers go to their respective stations and hold the paten for the people (cross bearer goes to Mary’s side, book bearer goes to Joseph’s side, candle bearers in the middle). Servers should hold the paten under the hands of those who receive Communion in the hand, and under the chins (although more at chest level) of those who receive on the tongue. 4. Servers should be careful not to get in the way of the priest and minister, and not to block the aisle for the people. 5. Servers should take care that no fragments of the host fall to the ground, or blow off the paten because of careless handling. Keep the paten leveled at all times and move it slowly and carefully. 6. If Communion is to be taken to the pews reserved for the handicapped, the server should accompany the Eucharistic minister, carefully holding the paten upright. AFTER COMMUNION1. After Communion the servers take their patens to the altar and gently set them (separately) upon it unless instructed otherwise. 2. The book bearer and cross bearer return to their places and remain standing. The candle bearers (on Mary’s and Joseph’s side respectively) stand ready to take back and put away the patens (after the priest has purified them of any host fragments). The servers always move together, and bow when leaving the altar. 3. After the patens have been put away, the candle bearer on Mary’s side gets ready to take the water cruet to the priest. The candle bearer on Joseph’s side moves next to the book bearer and remains standing. 4. The candle bearer on Mary’s side stands ready with the water and takes it to the priest as soon as he turns with the chalice. Normally, the server pours water into the chalice for the priest and keeps pouring until the priest lifts the chalice slightly as a signal to stop. The server should then bow to the priest and return the water cruet to the credence table. 5. After the priest has purified the vessels, the servers on Joseph’s side move the sacred vessels from the altar back to the credence table after they have been purified. The book bearer should take the sacramentary from the altar and prepare to hold it for the closing prayer. 6. The servers do not sit until the priest (and deacon) does. All four servers should move to sit down at the same time.
WORDS A SERVER SHOULD KNOWAdvent - the four-week season of preparation for Christmas (Violet vestments). alb - a white robe worn by priests and also by servers (see also cassock). altar - the sacred “table” where the sacrifice of the Mass is performed. ambo - the place from which the readings, gospel, and homily are proclaimed (also lectern or pulpit). basin and towel - the bowl and towel used by the priest for the lavabo. Benediction - a special blessing with the Eucharist, which is usually displayed in a monstrance. Book of the Gospels – A book placed on the altar at the beginning of Mass that contains the Gospel Readings for all Sundays. candle extinguisher - a special tool designed to light as well as “snuff out” the altar candles. carafe – a special large container to hold the wine. cassock - a robe worn by priests and also by servers, usually black or red in color. censer - a special vessel for holding burning charcoal embers and incense. chalice - the sacred cup used at Mass to hold the wine changed into the Blood of Christ. chausable - the outer vestment of the priest, colored according to the liturgical season. ciborium - a large container with a lid for holding and/or storing the Eucharistic hosts. cincture - a rope tied around the waist used when wearing an alb. consecration - the part of the Mass at which the bread and wine are changed to Christ’s Body and Blood. cope - a special cape worn by the priest for Benediction and other ceremonies. corporal - a large linen napkin unfolded on the altar. The bread and wine offerings are placed on this. credence table - a side table where the vessels are kept before and after they are needed at the altar. cross bearer - the altar server who carries the cross in procession. cruets - special containers for the water and wine used at Mass. Eucharistic Prayer - the long prayer of the Mass during which the consecration takes place. gloria - a prayer near the beginning of the Mass based on the hymn of the angels at Christmas. homily - a reflection preached at Mass after the reading of the Gospel. sign of peace - the part of the Mass right before Communion wherein the faithful exchange peace. holy water sprinkler - the “shaker” used to spray holy water over the People and other blessed objects. stole - the strip of cloth worn over the shoulders of priests and deacons to signify their authority. surplice - a ceremonial white “shirt” worn over a cassock at Mass and other rites. tabernacle - the golden “cupboard” wherein the Eucharist is reserved outside of Mass. thurible and boat - the censer and the container which holds grains of incense. thurifer - the server who carries the thurible. vestments - sacred clothes worn by the priest only at the Mass or other liturgical functions. host - a communion wafer that has been or will be transformed into the Body of Christ. humeral veil - a long veil worn over the priest’s shoulders at Benediction and Eucharistic processions. lavabo - the ceremonial washing of the priest’s hands at Mass. Lent - a special season of prayer and penance which precedes Holy Week and Easter (Violet vestments). Lectionary - the sacred liturgical book containing the readings of the Mass. Liturgy of the Word - the first part of the Mass from the Opening Prayer to the Prayers of the Faithful Liturgy of the Eucharist - the second part of the Mass with the Offertory, Consecration, and Communion. monstrance - a large vessel made to hold and display the sacred host during Eucharistic adoration. offertory - the part of the Mass where the gifts of bread and wine are brought to the altar and prepared. Ordinary Time - the thirty four weeks outside of special seasons of the Church year (Green vestments) pall - a square linen “cover” for the chalice, or the white cloth draped over the casket at a funeral. Paschal candle - a large candle blessed at Easter which symbolizes Christ’s light throughout the year. paten - a golden dish used for holding hosts or for catching falling particles of the hosts at communion. Pentecost - the fiftieth day after Easter, which celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit (Red vestments). prayers of the faithful - a series of intercessory prayers offered at Mass after the recitation of the Creed. presider’s or president’s chair - the special chair where the priest sits during Mass. purificator - a small linen towel used for purifying the sacred vessels used during Mass. pyx - a small container for hosts that are to be taken to the sick or shut ins. Sacramentary - the large sacred book containing all the prayers of the Mass. sacrarium - a special sink that drains into the earth rather than septic systems. sacristy - the room or rooms used to store sacred vessels and vestments for Mass.
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What
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