ALTAR SERVERS GUIDE TO PROPER SERVING

ALTAR SERVERS GUIDE TO PROPER SERVING I will go to the altar of God, to God who gives joy to my youth. These words from psalm 42 were said before Mass for many centuries, and they encapsulate the attitude the server should have. It is the goal of each server to take these words to heart. Serving Mass is a privilege and a joy. It was not that long ago that only a few people were allowed in the Sanctuary, where God is present. You are given the opportunity to enter a sacred space, where others only dreamed of entering. With this in mind, we need to show reverence and respect for God s true presence. APPEARANCE Dress Dress neatly, cleanly, lightly. Be mindful of the clothes that you will wear under your Alb, because these can be seen through it. Avoid loud patterns, crazy colors, pictures, or other designs that can be seen through. Shoes Especially be aware of your footware, for this will definitely be visible. Make sure that your foot ware is clean, nice looking and simple. Dress shoes, especially black, are preferred for every Mass. Please no flip Flops, trainers or canvass shoes. Hair Concern for girls- be careful to contain it so that there is no chance of it catching fire around the candle flames: barrets, ponytails, braids work with long hair MUST be clipped or tied properly. Hands Scrub hands and nails clean before arriving in church Any server who is not in proper attire will be asked politely not to serve. POSTURE Form Form is not a rigid proposition, but is needed in order to express the beauty of the liturgy. Man can say something about himself, just by his posture (form). It is important to have a proper posture when serving. Your posture sends a message to the congregation. As soon as you put our Cassock, you are stepping into a special reverent role as Altar Server, doing an important job in a special place in direct presence of God. Gesture and posture of priest, deacon, acolytes, and people, ought to contribute to making the entrie celebration resplendent with beauty and noble simplicity, so that the true and full meaning of all parts of the celebration is evident...attention should be paid (to the details) and traditional practice of the Roman Rite, and to what serves the common spiritual good of the people of God, rather than private inclidnation or arbitrary Choice. (Girm 42). Upon entering the church building, a genuflection is made, signifying adoration of the holy presence of the Blessed Sacrament, Holy Cross. (Girm 274) The three primary positions during the mass are standing, sitting and kneeling. In any of these positions they should maintain a straight formal posture. In the standing and kneeling positions their hands should be held in the praying position. When sitting the hands should be held on the lap or at the sides. 1

Folded Hands When not seated, hands should be folded as follows: 1. Palms and fingers together at chest level, pointed at a 45 degree angle 2. Left thumb over the knuckle of the right thumb Sign of the Cross 1. Folded hand position (keeping left hand on chest) 2. Keeping fingers together, touch the head (Father), above stomach (Son), left shoulder (Holy) to right shoulder (Spirit) 3. Return to folded hands position. SITTING 1.No slouching, leaning, lounging, crossing legs, and ankles 2. No swinging of legs when sitting, or arms when walking 3. Keep shoulder back, head up, back straight in a respectful and prayerful posture 4. Hand should rest on each knee when sitting Bows: A bow signifies reverence and honor shown to a person or to a sign that represents a person. There are two kinds of Bows you must know: A. Simple Bow- A Bow of the Head Bow head fully and shoulders slightly. When to use: At the names of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Jesus, Blessed Virgin Mary, and the name of the Saint in whose honor the mass is being celebrated. (Girm 275a) B. Profound Bow- A Bow of the Body- Bow low at the waist so that hands might touch knees if you let your arms hang down (although, of course, your hands will remain folded palm to palm at chest). You do not give a profound bow if you are holding or carrying something. When to use: Every time you approach the Altar with empty hands (like clearing the table after Holy Communion). Also during the creed, during the words, By the power of the Holy Spirit..and became man, and before and after doing incense. Approaching the Altar is always done most reverently, whether before Mass as you go up to the Altar, during or after Mass. As long as you are wearing your Cassock you should have a special reverence. (Although, you should observe this revernce even if not in your cassock) Genuflection All Catholics should be aware of whenever CHRIST is present on the altar after the Consecration, during Eucharistic Adoration or is reserved in the tabernacle everyone, servers included, should genuflect whenever crossing in front of the tabernacle, or entering and leaving the Church (usually as they enter a pew). This is a sign of reverence shown to the Blessed Sacrament, exposed on the altar. If no Tabernacle is present, a reverent, deep bow to the altar is appropriate. How to Genuflect There are two prescribed methods of genuflection. 1. When the tabernacle is closed and Jesus in not present on the Altar after the consecration or exposed for Eucharistic Adoration, genuflect in this manner: a. Stop, then turn and face the tabernacle b. Genuflect on the right knee on the floor and bow your head to Jesus. c. Rise from the floor, still facing the tabernacle d. Turn and continue in the direciohn your were heading 2. When the Body of Jesus is present on the Altar or Jesus is exposed in the monstrance during Eucharic Adoration and a server (or anyone is entering or leaving the church) double genuflect in this manner: a. Stop and face Jesus 2

b. Double genuflect by placing both knees on the floor, the right knee first c. Pause with knees on the floor and bow your head to Jesus d. Rise from the floor, still facing the tabernacle e. Turn and continue in the driection your were heading An exception to this requirement is when you are carrying any liturgical object or book. There your job requires you to carry that in a dignified manner and not endanger yourself or the object by losing your balance. Every action of the server has an effect on the parishioners faith. Carrying the Cross Walking at a moderate, dignified pace... 1. Hold the cross straight, with the corpus (Body of Christ) directly forward 2. Bottom of the pole is knee level, right hand is throat level with the left hand twelve inches lower 3. Approach the altar without pausing and proceed to the appropriate side to place the cross with the corpus facing the congregation 4.Always carry the processional cross with respect, no swinging or playing with it. Carrying a Candle There are normally two candle bearers... 1. Walk on opposite sides of the cross bearer, carrying the candles straight 2. The outside hand should be at the knob (near the top) of the candle holder, with the other hand under the base 3. The right hand is the height of the chest 4.Do not swing the candle otherwise the wax will drip on the floor or your cassock Holding a Sacramentary The book should be held as steadily and and high as possible in the position directed by the priest. One hand should support the weight of the book in the middle to avoid unnecessary movement. A. HOW TO BEHAVE When in the sacristy or in church, show the greatest respect for where you are and for those around you. Serve at the altar with REVERENCE and UNDERSTANDING. Do not distract others by the way you behave. NEVER TALK on the sanctuary, except when participating in the Mass. Sit and kneel in an appropriate manner. When you are not holding something, join your hands together Remember to pay close attention to the things happening so that you are ready to do what you have to when you have to. Take full part in the Mass. Pay attention and remember to LISTEN, SING and PRAY with other people who have gathered to worship God Act as a team Be QUIET in the sacristy. NO whispering or giggle during the mass. Remember what an important SERVICE you are giving to God and God s people, and DO YOUR BEST. B. BEFORE MASS It is important that you pay close attention to what goes on before Mass begins. Become familiar with what is required for each Mass, where things are to be found and where they need to go. BE QUIET IN THE SACRISTY Arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the Mass Upon arrival sign in immediately Put on a clean cassock and surplice QUIETLY; be sure that your cassock is not too short or too long. Spend a moments of QUIET and PRAYER once you have put your cassock and surplice to prepare yourself for the mass Senior Servers should should see to it that Ciborium and Water and Wine tray are placed at the credence table at the back of the church for offertory procession Remember to light the candles TEN MINUTES before the start of the mass 3

Be careful not to drip wax from the taper or the candles on the altar cloth, on the floor, or on your vestments. Keep the burning wick short. C. DURING MASS It is important that you have a good attitude to serving and that you realise what you are doing, why you are doing it and for whom. You will be expected to maintain a high standard of serving. You should know what happens at the different parts of the mass Use the Sunday Missal booklet so you follow what is going on and to prepare yourself when and what you have to do next. You should know what the responses are and be able to join at the appropriate time If crossing in front of the TABERNACLE, always remember to GENUFLECT every time a complete crossing is made. Take notice of where the candles, sacramentary, chalice, thurible, etc. are placed and when they are required during Mass. DON T FIDGET nervously, do not slither around the sactuary Carry all sacred objects with RESPECT D. AFTER MASS Take careful note of what things are brought from the sanctuary and what things are left on Remember when carrying anything that they are valuable objects and should be treated with care and respect Never carry two things at once Remember that everything has a home and should not be left in the sacristy for someone else to clean away. No one should go until everything has been cleared away or the next mass prepared for. Hang up your vestments properly and keep the vesting area in good order; if you see them on the floor pick it up and hang them properly. Before leaving the church spend a QUIET moment of prayer to thank God for the service you have done. ACTIONS and ATTITUDE No food, no gum, candy, running, horsing around, or unnecessary talking. Vesting up and preparing for Mass is a prayerful time. Not a time to visit or chat, even if others around you are doing so. Keep a reverent and purposeful demeanor. This includes being quiet, and respectful, thinking about what you are about to be doing. Be careful, thoughtful, and prayerful at all times. You must each take personal responsibility to maintain a prayerful attitude which is best attained in silence regardless of the actions of others.* *Notice, this is what the priest is doing as he prepares in the Sacristy. *Even before the celebration itself, it is commendable that silence be observed in the church, the sacristy, and adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred action in a devout and fitting matter. Always remember the Honour that you have been given in being chosen to serve. Strive to develop your skills and improve the quality of your serving. Most imporantly, remember the importance of what you do and that you do it not for yourselves or your own gain, but for the people of God, the Body of Christ of which we are all members. Fr John Eze Parish Priest St. Pius X Church 4

Norbiton Copyright : St Pius X. RC Church 5