We Serve TO HONOR GOD

Transcription

1 We Serve TO HONOR GOD AN Altar Server s HANDBOOK Page 1

2 WELCOME and INTRODUCTION Being an altar server is an opportunity to participate in a unique way in the worship of God. As a server, you assist the priest and deacon at the altar of sacrifice at which Jesus, Our Lord, becomes truly present during the Eucharistic celebration of the Mass. What you do and how you do it as a server, should help foster an atmosphere of prayer and devotion for God s people. For this reason, you must learn your task well. What does this involve? First, you should study this manual. Second, you need to practice so that you know not only what to do, but also how to do it. Third, you need to arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of Mass so that you can be ready on time. You also need to be on time for practice sessions held periodically. We hope being an altar server will be spiritually rewarding for you. An Altar Server s Prayer Loving Father, creator of the universe, You call your people to worship, To be with You and each other at Mass. Help me, for You have called me also. Keep me prayerful and alert. Bless me so that I may help others to pray and worship You. Thank You for the trust You have placed in me. Keep me true to that trust. I make my prayer in Jesus name. Amen. Page 2

3 POSTURE AT MASS We participate at Mass by speaking the prayers and responses, by singing, by being quiet and reflective when we need to be, and by our posture. Posture is how are present to others physically and how we use the parts of our body at a particular time, whether standing still, sitting, walking, or moving about. An altar server carries out a number of different functions while serving, so there are a number of different postures. Genuflecting: This is touching your right knee to the ground in worship. We genuflect when entering or leaving our place in Church and in front of the Blessed Sacrament because Jesus is truly present there. One always genuflects on the right knee. Never genuflect while moving. Always stop first! Kneeling: When you kneel, your body should be upright and your hands should be in front of your chest, well above your waist. Especially when kneeling, do not rock the chair or make noise with it. Walking: Always walk with your back straight and your head held upright. You should always walk slowly, with grace and smooth movement. Bowing: 1.) Bow of the head: This is basically a slow nod. 2.) Bow of the body: This is made from the waist with your hands folded. It should be made slowly and reverently. When you walk in front of the altar, you are to bow unless you are carrying something. Never walk and bow at the same time. Always STOP, and then bow! When several servers are required to bow at the same time, care must be taken to try to bow in unison. Sitting: Sit down on your chair carefully and gracefully. Once you are seated, sit tall and don t slouch or cross your legs! Place your hands in your lap or flat on your thighs in a relaxed manner. Standing: Stand up straight with both feet firmly on the floor. Don t lean against walls or furniture. Eyes: During Mass, always look toward the place of action. Page 3

4 Silence: Except for making proper responses during Mass, silence is kept at ALL times! It is very distracting to other people when the altar servers talk needlessly. General Appearance: As with all ministries, even though the priests, deacons and servers wear special vestments which cover their day to day clothes, we should still dress nicely and wear good shoes, preferably black ones. NO GYM SHOES, FLIP-FLOPS OR SANDALS; NO BLUE JEANS OR SHORTS. Your alb (white robe) should fit properly and not be too long or too short. Check yourself in the mirror. Hair should be combed and you should look presentable. Page 4

5 PREPARATION FOR SUNDAY MASS 1.) Sign the server book in the sacristy for Masses / funerals and weddings. 2.) Light the server processional candles and candles at the altar Easter candle during the Easter season. 3.) Set up the server table with the following: a. Roman Missal. b. Bowl, pitcher of water and finger towel. c. Water cruet. 4.) Take the server candles and the cross to the Sunday sacristy in the back of the church 5 minutes before the start of Mass and gather with the other ministers for the pre-mass prayer with the celebrant. 5.) If you are unsure about something before Mass starts, ask the priest or the deacon. 6.) Always seek to assist and be helpful. Ask if your help is needed by anybody. PREPARATION FOR WEEKDAY MASS 1.) Sign the server book. 2.) Light the server processional candles and candles at the altar. 3.) Set up the server table with the following: a. Roman Missal. b. Bowl, pitcher of water and finger towel. c. Water cruet. 4.) Bring the server candles into the sacristy and prepare for the procession. Page 5

6 ORDER of the MASS (Sunday) Entrance Procession Penitential Rite Gloria Opening Prayer (MISSAL to Priest) Liturgy of the Word 1 st Reading Psalm 2 nd Reading Gospel Acclamation Procession candles Gospel Homily Creed Prayer of the Faithful Liturgy of the Eucharist Offertory (MISSAL on the altar) Preparation of the Altar Presentation of Gifts Prayer over the Offerings Eucharistic Prayer Communion Rite Lord s Prayer Sign of Peace Lamb of God Communion Prayer after Communion (MISSAL to Priest) Announcements Blessing and Dismissal (SOLEMN BLESSING special feasts) RECESSIONAL Procession OUT Page 6

7 ORDER of the FUNERAL (3 servers - 1 crossbearer, 1 server with pall and 1 with holy water) Procession to back of Church Holy Water Sprinkling of the Casket Placing of the Pall Entrance Hymn Opening Prayer (MISSAL to Priest) Liturgy of the Word 1 st Reading Psalm 2 nd Reading Gospel Acclamation Procession candles Gospel Homily Prayer of the Faithful Liturgy of the Eucharist Offertory (MISSAL on the altar) Preparation of the Altar Presentation of Gifts Prayer over the Offerings Eucharistic Prayer Communion Rite Lord s Prayer Sign of Peace Lamb of God Communion Prayer after Communion (MISSAL to Priest) Final Commendation / Incensation of the Casket Prayer of Farewell Procession to back of Church Page 7

8 ORDER of the WEDDING MASS (2 candlebearers ) Entrance Procession (may be short or long) Penitential Rite Opening Prayer (MISSAL to Priest) Liturgy of the Word 1 st Reading Psalm 2 nd Reading Gospel Acclamation Procession candles Gospel Homily Marriage Exchange of Vows / Blessing of Rings Creed Prayer of the Faithful Liturgy of the Eucharist Offertory (MISSAL on the altar) Preparation of the Altar Presentation of Gifts Prayer over the Offerings Eucharistic Prayer Communion Rite Lord s Prayer Nuptial Blessing Sign of Peace Lamb of God Communion Prayer after Communion (MISSAL to Priest) Announcement and Congratulations Blessing and Dismissal RECESSIONAL Procession OUT Page 8

9 DIRECTIONS FOR SERVING MASS Procession. On Sundays and special feast days the procession begins in the back center aisle in front of the Baptismal Font. Normally there will be three servers. The crossbearer is first; two candlebearers follow side by side behind the cross. If only two servers show up, one should carry the cross the other a candle. If one server shows up, he/she should carry the cross. The PACE should be solemn and reverent (not too fast, not too slow). Posture is important. The cross is always carried straight and the candles are held up high and both candles are held at nearly the same height. When you arrive at the Sanctuary (the space around the altar = it means holy place ), the crossbearer and the candlebearers stop beside the priest who is in the center. After the priest bows, (REMEMBER: servers and other ministers never bow if they are carrying anything) the crossbearer and one candlebearer go to the left of the altar; the candlebearer on the right goes to the right of the altar. The crossbearer and the candlebearer near him, go behind the priest s chair toward their seats. On the way, the crossbearer puts the cross into the stand. The candles should be put into the candle stands near the server s table. Opening Prayer. After the GLORIA, when the priest says, Let us pray, the Missal is brought to the priest. Walk slowly, but not too slow. The Missal is handed to the priest and he will open the book to the right page (ribbon) and hand it back to be held open for him. Let the priest close the Missal at the conclusion of the Opening Prayer. Return to your seat. Gospel Procession. At the conclusion of the second reading at a SUNDAY Mass, the psalm at a WEEKDAY Mass, the candlebearers stand and get the candles and stand close to the altar, near where they Page 9

10 might recive Communion. When the priest stands at the chair and the Gospel Acclamation (Alleluia) begins, they go to the foot of the altar and face the altar. They wait for the priest or deacon to pick up the Book of Gospels. They both turn toward the congregation and lead him to the pulpit in procession. They stand facing the people in front of the pulpit. They keep their candles at the same height and they listen attentively to the Gospel. When the Gospel is over, they return the candles to their stands and go to their seats. The Homily and Creed follow. Preparation of the Gifts. When the Creed is done, the priest and reader will lead the Prayer of the Faithful / Intercessory Prayers. When this is finished, the priest will sit down and the ushers will begin the collection. As the ushers approach the halfway point in Church with the collection, the crossbearer gets the cross and walks slowly down the center aisle to the back of the Church. Both servers go to the servers table, getting the MISSAL and large (main) chalice. They place these on the altar. When the priest or deacon gets up from his chair (and not before), one of the candlebearers brings up the tray of communion chalices. The Priest or deacon will arrange the chalices and purificator cloths on the altar. The server returns the empty tray to the server table. When the collection is completed, the crossbearer will lead the people bringing up the Gifts. Upon reaching the altar, he places the cross in its holder and returns to his seat. When the priest and/or deacon go to receive the gifts, one candlebearer goes with him/them. The other candlebearer gets the water cruet from the server table and waits at the side of the altar. The priest will receive the gifts and hand the candlebearer the wine cruet. The server with the wine goes to the altar, standing off to the side with the other candlebearer holding the water cruet. Page 10

11 The priest offers the ciborium / paten with hosts. He then prepares the chalice and will take the wine cruet first followed by the water cruet. Always hand the cruets to the priest so he can grab the handle with his finger. After the Priest takes the wine and uses the water, both servers return together to the server table. One server gets the bowl and the pitcher, the other the finger towel, unfolding it and they approach the priest. Hold the pitcher to the side of the bowl. (This is the easiest and most natural way to do it.) Carefully pour the water into the bowl. When the priest is finished washing, return the bowl, pitcher and towel to the table and return to your seats. After the Sign of Peace, bring the tray with the ciborium /communion dishes on it to the left side of the altar and the priest / or deacon will arrange them on the left side. Exchange the Sign of Peace with the priest and deacon and take the empty tray to the serve table. Communion. After the Lamb of God, receive Communion from the priest or one of the extraordinary ministers. After you receive Communion, and all the Eucharistic ministers have left the sanctuary to distribute Communion, two servers go to the altar. One takes the chalice to the servers table, and then kneels down at his/her chair. The other brings the large paten to the servers table and brings the Missal to the chair and kneels down. When Communion is over and the priest sits down, you can also be seated. After Communion. The priest will stand to deliver the Closing Prayer. The server with the Missal brings it to the priest and holds it for him, just like the Opening Prayer. When he is done with the prayer, return to your seat (unless the priest tells you to stay for a special prayer or blessing). End of Mass. After the announcements the priest or deacon will say, Go in peace, glorifying the Lord with your life or another ending. Page 11

12 All say: Thanks be to God. The crossbearer gets the cross and the servers their candles. Take your positions (about the first pew) in the aisle facing the altar. When the priest bows at the altar, turn and process to the back of the Church. Your pace should be solemn and reverent. Let Father thank you at the end of Mass, before going to the sacristy. AFTER MASS 1.) Extinguish altar and server candles. 2.) Return server candles to their place. 3.) Hang up your alb (robe) and cincture (rope). Page 12

13 SOME THINGS TO REMEMBER Know when you are scheduled to serve. If you can t make it, get a substitute. Arrive early to the servers sacristy. Dress up and make sure your robe fits correctly. Put on the proper color rope (cincture). Sign the attendance sheet in the priests sacristy. Try to be helpful to get things ready for Mass. Make sure the server table is set up properly. When you serve, you are a model of a person at prayer. Fold your hands in prayer if you are not doing something while standing or kneeling. Join in the responses and singing throughout the Mass. Always genuflect when entering Church and when passing the Tabernacle as a sign of respect for Jesus real presence in the Blessed Sacrament. During Mass, always bow before the altar unless you are carrying something. Never run or race around the Sanctuary. Be reverent at all times. If you are unsure about something before Mass starts, ask the priest or the deacon. Always seek to assist and be helpful. Ask if your help is needed by anybody. Wear good clothes and black shoes, preferably. No gym shoes, flip-flops, sandals, blue jeans, or shorts. Carry things carefully and use both hands. We never carry the cross or candles one-handed! Decide before Mass which of the servers will handle the Missal. Keep your hands folded in your lap when sitting and clasped together when standing. Don t whisper or talk to the other servers during Mass unless you need help with something. Page 13

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