Altar Server Training Manual Immaculate Conception Catholic Church North Little Rock, AR
THANK YOU! Thank you SO MUCH for your willingness to serve God and our parish by being an Altar Server! It is a privilege and honor to be able to serve at God s altar and we appreciate your desire to serve. May God bless you in your training and service, and may your ministry as an Altar Server direct people s attention to God! ARE YOU READY TO SERVE? Being ready to serve is more than being in fourth grade and showing up every few weeks to help at Mass. It means 1) being willing to learn the necessary skills, 2) being responsible in your duty and 3) being focused on the reason for serving. Please review the following information to help you be ready for every Mass. Know when you are scheduled to serve Mark the dates on your calendar. A schedule of the weekend Masses will be mailed to you every few months. It is also listed each week in the church bulletin. As e-mail addresses are updated, you may also receive server information in this way in the future. You should always know when you re scheduled to serve. If you are not scheduled to serve, but would like to serve, simply check with the priest 10 minutes before Mass and see if he needs additional servers. Honor your commitment All families have busy schedules. You might not be able to serve at a Mass for which you are scheduled. If that happens, you must find a substitute. An altar server roster with names and phone numbers will be sent with each new schedule. The servers are sorted by their Mass preference (4:30pm Sat., 8:00am Sun., 10:30am Sun, & 5:00pm Sun.). Call those on the list at your Mass time. We are a large church with many active servers. You should not have a problem finding a substitute. Repeatedly missing your scheduled Mass, and not finding a substitute, will result in your being removed from future schedules. Arrive in time to properly prepare for Mass All servers should be present in church 15 minutes before Mass. This allows time for you to dress and help as needed to set up for Mass. If you still have not arrived by 10 minutes before Mass, your spot will be given to another server. Dress appropriately for your duty as a server If you are scheduled to serve, please make sure that you arrive clean and dressed properly. For example, please bathe, smell nice, comb your hair, have clean hands and fingernails, and have on appropriate shoes (no open-toed shoes/sandals). If for some reason you are sweaty and/or dirty, please have someone else serve for you so that we do not have to launder the albs as frequently. Even if you re not scheduled to serve at Mass, we recommend that you come dressed to serve. Choose an alb that is the correct length. The alb should rest on the top of your shoes. Check the mirror to see that your alb is one straight. Put on a cincture around your waist. 2
THERE ARE FIVE SERVER POSITIONS AT EVERY MASS Master of Ceremonies (MC): In order to be an MC, a server has to be in 7th grade or higher. This server will be in charge of numerous things during the Mass, including: o Ensuring that everything is set up for Mass o Assigning the other servers their positions o Handling the thurible at special Masses o Serving as an acolyte Book: This server will sit next to the priest and hold the Roman Missal at the appropriate times. He or she will also serve as an acolyte during the Eucharistic Prayer and assist the MC with the boat (when the thurible is used). Cross: This server will carry the cross in the entrance procession, the offertory procession and the recessional out of the church. Candle (2): There will be two servers designated to carry the candles in the entrance procession, the reading of the Gospel, the offertory procession and the recessional out of the church. BEFORE MASS While we have trained sacristans who prepare the church for Mass, it is the responsibility of the Master of Ceremonies (MC) to make sure that everything has been done. There is an MC checklist in the altar server vesting room to help with this process. This preparation includes Make sure the church lights are all turned on. Light the sanctuary candles. Light the altar candles. Be careful that the wax does not drip on the altar cloth. To extinguish the flame of the candle lighter, BLOW IT OUT rather than pulling the wick back into the lighter. The candles on the altar should be lit 10 minutes before Mass starts. Make sure that the credence table has the following items on it. o Finger Towel (found in the sacristy, in the second drawer from the right) o Lavabo Bowl (found in the sacristy, on the counter, filled 1/3 with water) o Priest s Chalice (the priest or deacon can get this just let him know if it s not on the credence table) o Lavabo Bowl for EMCs (found in the sacristy, on the counter [it has a gold lid]) o Purificators (there should be five, found in the sacristy, in the second drawer from the right) o Cruet with water (fund in the sacristy, on the counter or in the refrigerator) o Four chalices--for weekend Masses only (found in the sacristy, second cabinet from the right) o One ciborium filled with hosts. Make sure that there are two ciboria and a cruet of wine on the offertory table in the back of church. 3
Check that the Roman Missal (big red book) is on the stool beside the Book Server s chair. Check that the bells are in place. Prepare the cross and candles for the entrance procession. It is the responsibility of the MC to assign the positions of the other servers. All of the servers should wait in the server room for a prayer before Mass. Then you ll move to the back of church to get in place for the entrance procession. ENTRANCE PROCESSION SERVING DURING MASS Preparing to process to the altar at the beginning of Mass, servers take the following positions: Master of Ceremonies (MC): Will stand by the bell, waiting for a signal from the priest to ring it for the start of Mass. After ringing the bell, the MC will stand at the front of the procession, lined up with the third row of chairs from the back of the church. Cross: Line up with the second row of chairs from the back. Stand in the middle of the aisle. The cross should be facing the altar. Candles: Line up with the first row of chairs from the back. Stand across from one another behind the cross server. Book: Stand behind the candle server in the center of the aisle facing the altar. Remember to hold your hands in praying position. When the choir and congregation begin singing the entrance song, the procession begins. MC: Slowly walk up the center aisle of the church, leading the other servers. When you arrive at the sanctuary, pause and bow your head slightly and head to your seat. If you are carrying the incense, go and wait by the altar for the priest to incense the sanctuary. Incense will be used at major feast day celebrations. Cross: Wait until the MC is two or three rows in front of you and then begin to slowly walk up the center aisle of the church. When you arrive at the altar, pause and bow your head slightly and head to the cross stand. Wait for the candle bearers to put the candles into their stands, then together go to your chairs and stand. Candles: Follow two or three rows behind the cross server. Walk at the same pace. Candle servers should walk directly across from each other; one should not be ahead of the other. When you reach the altar, bow your head slightly then follow the cross server to the stand. Once the cross has been placed in the stand, step forward together and gently place the candles in the stand. 4
Cross & Candles: When the cross and candles have been secured in the stand, turn and walk to your seats. Stand in front of your seats with praying hands for the opening part of the Mass. You will be seated when the congregation sits for the Liturgy of the Word. Book: Follow two or three rows behind the candle bearers. When you reach the sanctuary, make a slight bow to the altar and head to your seat. Remain standing. Pick up the Roman Missal (red book) during the singing of the Gloria. Stand and hold the book in front of you as shown in the photo. When the priest is finished reading from the book, he will close the book and hand it to you. Return the book to the cushion beside your chair. Be seated for the Liturgy of the Word. Please hold the book very still while he is reading from it. With the top of the book resting against your chest, hold the book with both hands by the bottom corners. Remember, it s heavy! Book Server MC Candle Candle Cross Book Server (These are pictures showing where you will sit during Mass) NOTE: Servers should actively participate in the Mass saying the responses and singing the songs. There is a hymnal and missalette underneath your chairs. LITURGY OF THE WORD During the First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, and Second Reading, all the servers should be seated with your hands flat against your legs, with your attention directed at the lector. 5
When the choir or congregation begins singing the Alleluia, the candle servers should carefully remove the candles and walk to the ambo. Take your place at the sides of the ambo and stand VERY STILL. When the priest or deacon is finished reading the Gospel, he will kiss the book. Then, slowly return the candles to their stand. You will then be seated for the homily. After the lector finishes reading the petitions, the CROSS and CANDLE servers will get the cross and candles and head down the side isle to the back of church in order to lead the procession with the gifts of bread and wine. Begin the procession with the gift bearers when the priest is in the center aisle. Process up the same way you did at the beginning of Mass. After you put the cross and candles in their stands, go and stand by the steps in front of the ambo for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST After lector and priest finish the petitions, the BOOK and MC servers should do the following things: Book: Take the book from its cushion and take it to the altar. Hand it to the priest or deacon who is standing at the altar. Then, go and help the MC bring the contents of the credence table to the altar, namely the main chalice and the four cups. The basic rule of thumb is bring anything that is made of metal. Another basic rule of thumb is don t ever set something on the altar yourself, but rather, hold it and wait for a priest or deacon to take it from you. MC: Walk to the credence table. Take the chalice to the altar and place it there carefully. If there are any additional cups, ciborium, or pyxes on the credence table, bring them also to the altar. The basic rule of thumb is bring anything that is made of metal. Another basic rule of thumb is don t ever set something on the altar yourself, but rather, hold it and wait for a priest or deacon to take it from you. THE OFFERTORY (a.k.a. THE PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS) When the celebrant has finished dressing the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist, he will walk around to the front of the altar with the book and MC servers following him. When he comes to the front of the altar, the offertory procession begins. The BOOK and MC servers should stand on either side of the celebrant (and deacon, if present). You are waiting on the offertory gifts to be brought to the altar. MC & Book: When the offertory gifts are presented at the altar, the celebrant will give the gifts to the servers. Walk around to the right side of the altar. Hold the gifts until the priest or deacon takes them from you. If you are holding a ciboria of hosts, then, after the priest takes them from you, get the cruet of water. When handling the cruets, remove their lids and have the handles facing the priest. After the priest or deacon uses the cruets of water and wine, he will give them back to you. Return them to the credence table and return with the bowl and towel. One server should hold the bowl and the other should have the towel. Stand and wait for the priest to use the water and towel and then return them to the credence table. Then walk together to your place at the left side of the sanctuary, at the bottom of the steps. During all of these movements, the two servers should move together reverently. Cross & Candles: After you finish leading the procession with the gifts, return the cross and candles to their holders and take your place at the bottom of the steps on the right side of the sanctuary in front of the ambo. 6
All Servers: Stand for the Preface ( The Lord be with you ) and the Acclamation (Holy, holy, holy ). Immediately after the acclamation, all servers will kneel on the sanctuary steps the Eucharistic Prayer. Do NOT ring the bells during the Epiclesis (when the priest is extending his hands over the gifts). Only ring the bells when the priest elevates the Body and Blood of Christ. Then quietly place them back on the step. It doesn t matter which server rings the bells. One of you will be probably be closer to them. Regardless of which server rings the bells, remember to ring them loudly. They are announcing that the bread and wine have been transformed into the Body and Blood of Jesus. THE OUR FATHER Following the Eucharistic Prayer, the priest will say the doxology (Through Him, with Him, in Him ). All of the servers will stand when the congregation stands to pray the Our Father. Keep your hands in praying position. SIGN OF PEACE Following the Our Father will be the Rite of Peace when the congregation offers each other the sign of peace. When the celebrant says, Let us offer each the sign of peace ; you may extend your hand to the servers on the same side of the altar as you re standing. This should be done reverently, without leaning, stretching, high-fives or other distracting behavior. COMMUNION After the sign of peace, stay where you are (at the bottom of the sanctuary steps). We will pray the Lamb of God prayer. Immediately following the prayer, all of the servers will kneel on the steps again. You will continue to kneel while the extraordinary ministers of Communion come to the altar. As the extraordinary ministers of Communion leave the sanctuary to go to their Communion stations, they will stop and give you Communion. Stand to receive Communion from them and the, afterwards, return to your chairs and join in singing the Communion song. During Communion, it is appropriate for the BOOK and MC Servers to take the items that have been placed on the altar and bring them to their proper place chalices to the large credence table behind the tabernacle and book to its small padded chair. Also, if you see someone spill the Precious Blood, bring the extra purificator to the Extraordinary Minister of Communion to cover it with, and then stand near it so that people don t step on it. PURIFICATION OF THE VESSELS AFTER COMMUNION The purification of the vessels after Communion will take place at the large credence table. This generally will not require the help of the servers, but be paying attention in case the priest or deacon needs your help. CONCLUDING RITE Following a brief meditation time, the celebrant will stand and say, "Let us pray." THE MC, Cross and Candle servers will simply stand and be attentive. The book server will hold the book for the priest. Once the priest is finished with the prayer, he will close the book and you can set it back on the stool. BLESSING The celebrant will say: May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit All Servers: Make the sign of the cross. Be ready to leave the altar as Mass ends. 7
RECESSIONAL When the music for the recessional hymn begins: Cross and Candle Servers: Get the cross and candles and, with the cross leading, walk to the front of the altar down to the center aisle. The cross server will go to the second pew, stand in the center of the aisle then turn to face the altar. The cross should be facing the altar while you re waiting for the celebrant. The candle servers will go to the first pew. Stand near the pew then turn to face the altar. You will wait here for the celebrant to leave the altar. Book & MC: The MC should go down the steps and stand behind the cross bearer and the book server should stand in front of the candle bearers as the recessional song is being sung. Bow with the priest and then turn around to process out of the church. The MC server will lead the procession. Slowly and reverently, walk to the back of the church. Please remain standing in the vestibule of the church and Father will give you a blessing. AFTER MASS While still wearing your alb, servers need to complete the items below to clean and prepare for the next Mass. Using the small candle extinguisher, put out the sanctuary candles. Place the extinguisher gently over the flame until it is out. Do not blow the candles out. Do not let the extinguisher touch the top of the candle. Hang up your alb. Hang up any that have fallen on the floor. Turn off the lights in the servers room. Altar Server's Dictionary Alb: White garment worn by altar servers, priests, and deacons. Ambo: The pulpit from which the Liturgy of the Word is shared. Boat: The gold containing holding the incense. Chalice: A cup that holds the wine or blood of Christ (once consecrated). Corporal: A square cloth placed in the center of the altar, upon which the bread and wine are placed. Ciboria (ciborium): A chalice-looking container that holds the bread or body of Christ. Credence Table: The small table behind the ambo. Cruet: A glass bottle that holds water and wine used during Mass. Finger Towel: The towel used to dry the celebrant's hands during Mass. Lavabo Bowl: The bowl used to wash the celebrant's hands during Mass. Offertory Table: The table in the back of church that holds the bread and wine. Paten: A plate that holds the gift of bread that becomes the body of Christ. Purificator: A linen napkin used to wipe the cup that holds the blood of Christ. Pyx: A small vessel to hold the Eucharist so it may be carried out of church to people who are sick. Roman Missal: The book of the prayers for Mass. At IC, it is the large red book. Sacristy: The room in which things used in the liturgy are stored and prepared. Tabernacle: The large vessel (gold cabinet) that holds the consecrated Body of Christ Thurible: The gold container hanging on a chain where we put the charcoal and incense. 8