Office f Wrship Guidelines fr the Liturgical Ministry f Altar Server Released June 30, 2010 by the Office f Wrship and Spiritual Life, Dicese f Puebl INTRODUCTION Altar Servers have always been a part f the Church s liturgies even at The Last Supper, smene had t set the table. They serve Gd and Gd s Peple by helping the Priest and Deacn s a liturgical celebratin is cnducted with grace and reverence and flws smthly. They ensure that all items required fr the celebratin are available at the time they are needed. It is a special privilege t be clse t the altar, t carry the crss and the light f Christ, t wear the rbe f baptism, t hld the bk f prayers even t make hly smke! Altar Servers are first f all members f the Assembly. They fully and actively participate in every liturgical celebratin. Besides handling all f the items required fr a celebratin, they sing, pray, listen and maintain silence alng with the entire Assembly, and respnd with wrds, pstures and gestures with the entire Assembly. Altar Servers are frnt and center at the Eucharistic Liturgy. They are t be cnscius that their name reflects their ministry: they are servers. They d nt draw attentin t themselves they serve Gd humbly by helping the ther ministers and the Assembly s that the celebratin f the Eucharist is pssible. ELIGIBILITY The Church has a frmal, instituted Office fr smene assisting at the altar called an Aclyte. It is usually reserved t laymen wh are studying t becme a Priest r Deacn. But Bishps may permit Altar Servers t d all f their functins except distribute Hly Cmmunin. The Bishp f Puebl has granted this permissin. Any persn wh has been Baptized and has received First Hly Cmmunin, wh is at least 9 years f age and wh is able t serve with reverence and dignity, may be an Altar Server in the Dicese f Puebl. Pastrs shuld strive t have the ministry f Altar Server reflect the parish demgraphics, including gender. Pastrs shuld als maintain an apprpriate balance f male and female Servers, remembering that this ministry has been a surce f Priestly and religius vcatins in the past. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS Besides the sacramental and age requirements, anther prerequisite t becming an Altar Server is t be trained and becme knwledgeable abut the fllwing: The parts f the Mass and their meaning The bjects used in the liturgy and their names (see sample Appendix) [bks, vessels, vestments, lcatins, Seasns]
2 The functins f the Altar Server during Mass Specific training fr ther liturgical celebratins (fr example, baptisms, funerals, weddings, Cnfirmatin, the Liturgy f the Hurs, Quinceañeras and ther wrship events) This training may be prvided by the Pastr r whmever he delegates. ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALTAR SERVERS The Altar Server s rle and respnsibilities in each part f the mass are described belw. The details f hw they are carried ut will vary frm parish t parish because f the structure f the church building, the Priest s style, the traditins f the parish and ther lcal circumstances. Fr Sundays and ther imprtant ccasins, tw r mre Altar Servers shuld be assigned t carry ut the functins entrusted t these ministers. These can vary frm parish t parish. In additin, an explanatin f liturgical terminlgy is at the end f this dcument and described as Appendix A. Altar Servers are nt t draw attentin t themselves by their behavir r what they wear. Altar Servers shuld be mindful that their mvements (walking, genuflecting, bwing, standing, etc.) and gestures are t be prayerful. They sit quietly withut fidgeting. Altar Servers dn t d anything that shws a lack f reverence whenever they are in the altar area because they are in a sacred space where Christ is really present. They remember that peple in the Assembly are watching them t see what it means t be really invlved in the Mass. Whenever Altar Servers are carrying r using sacred bjects, they shuld d s with dignity. Usually this means carrying and hlding items with tw hands instead f ne. BEFORE MASS Persnal grming Altar Servers want t lk their best fr this imprtant service t Gd and his Peple during Mass. They lk neat (hair cmbed and dry, hands and fingernails clean, wearing gd shes [nt sneakers r ther shes that make nise n the flr]). They dn t chew gum. They carry a handkerchief r Kleenex if they have a cld. Attire Altar Servers wear albs, casscks and surplices, r apprpriate and dignified street clthing, depending n the custm f the parish Arrival Altar Servers are encuraged t arrive at Church at least 15 minutes befre the start f a liturgy. Sanctuary Preparatin If there isn t a sacristan, the Altar Servers may prepare the altar and sacred vessels befre Mass. In that case, they will ensure that the sanctuary and church are prepared fr Mass by the presence f the fllwing items: paten f cmmunin bread (including a large hst fr the Priest) and wine cruet n the Gifts Table chalices, plates, crpral, purificatrs, cruet with water, lavab bwl and twel n the credence table Sacramentary prperly set and in place Lectinary prperly set and in place hymnals and/r Wrship Aids n each chair in the sanctuary that will be ccupied
3 tabernacle key in place aspergillum (sprinkler) and water vessel are prepared if the Sprinkling Rite will be used thurible (censer) is prepared (and additinal cals prepared as needed) if incense is t be used bells are in place (if used during the liturgy) candles are lit Sprinkling Rite If there will be a Sprinkling Rite, the water cntainer shuld be filled with plain water (nt Hly Water) and the sprinkler put in it. Incense If incense will be used, light the charcal 15 minutes befre the liturgy starts; have the Presider (Priest) bless the incense and put it n the charcal befre the Entrance Prcessin starts. Other duties as required Any ther expectatins and respnsibilities f the Altar Server at the parish befre the liturgy begins. [Ntes: (1) Optinal rites are italicized in the text that fllws. (2) An Altar Server may als serve in the capacity f Thurifer, Incense Bat Bearer, Crssbearer and Candlebearer. (3) When a parish uses mre than ne Altar Server, it may assign the Altar Server duties that fllw hwever it desires.] INTRODUCTORY RITES Entrance Prcessin The lineup fr the entrance prcessin is in this rder [when a psitin isn t used, g t the next psitin]: Thurifer (Incenser) and Incense Bat Bearer; Crssbearer flanked by tw Candlebearers; Altar Server(s); Lectr r Deacn carrying the Bk f Gspels; Deacn and Presider. Whever leads the Entrance Prcessin sets the pace f the prcessin, t be maintained by thse wh fllw. Reverencing the Altar Ministers make a slight bw t the altar when they arrive at the entrance t the sanctuary; preferably they then g directly t their assigned seats (withut waiting fr the Presider behind them) and stand in place; the ther ptins is t wait fr the Presider t arrive at the altar and then all bw tgether. Thurifer and Incense Bat Bearer step t the side. Crssbearer puts Prcessinal Crss in place next t the altar (r takes it elsewhere if a Crucifix is permanently munted in the sanctuary) and ges t his r her seat. Candlebearers put candles by the altar. All remain standing. If the tabernacle is lcated in the sanctuary, the members f the Entrance Prcessin (except the persn carrying the Bk f Gspels and the Prcessinal Crss) genuflect as they apprach the altar. If incense is used, the Thurifer hands the thurible t the Presider after he has reverenced the altar with a kiss. The Presider will incense the altar and the Crss and then hand the thurible back t the Thurifer. The thurifer puts the thurible where it wn t be kncked ver and adds r replaces a charcal and lights it t keep the censer burning fr the Gspel prcessin. Then the Thurifer ges t his r her seat. Sprinkling Rite If Mass begins with a Sprinkling Rite, mass begins differently than as described abve. This Rite can begin either at the dr f the church r at the altar. An Altar Server hlds the bk cntaining the blessing prayer fr the Presider. An Altar Server hlds the water cntainer. The Presider will bless himself and then the Altar Server frm the aspergillum (sprinkler). An Altar Server accmpanies the Presider with the water cntainer and
4 stays within his reach as he walks t the frnt r the back f the church t sprinkle the peple. After arriving at r returning t the sanctuary, the Presider reverences the altar with a kiss (if he started frm the dr f the church). Then the Presider and Altar Server (after putting the water cntainer and aspergillum away where designated) g t their seats. An Altar Server hlds the Sacramentary (the bk with the prayers fr the Mass) fr the Presider until the end f the Opening Prayer. Then the Altar Server rests the Sacramentary at its designated place and sits dwn fr the Reading(s) and Respnsrial Psalm. LITURGY OF THE WORD Altar Server(s) listen attentively t the prclamatin f Gd s Wrd and jin in the Respnsrial Psalm. Gspel Acclamatin Altar Server(s) stand and remain standing until the end f the Gspel. Gspel Acclamatin (if incense is used) The Thurifer brings the thurible t the Deacn r Presider. If there is a Deacn, he will receive a blessing frm the Presider. The Deacn r Incense Bat Bearer pens the incense bat and the Presider puts incense in the thurible. Thurifer leads the Deacn r Presider (after he takes the Bk f the Gspels frm the altar, if it is used) t the Amb, fllwed by 2 Candlebearers with lit candles. If the Bk f Gspels was resting n a stand n the altar, an Altar Server remves the stand after the Deacn leaves the altar with it in prcessin t the Amb. The Candlebearers will stand n either side f the Amb, facing the Amb until the end f the Gspel. The Thurifer will stand behind the Deacn r Presider until the end f the Gspel. The Deacn r Presider will take the thurible after intrducing the Gspel, incense the Bk f Gspels befre reading the Gspel, and return the thurible t the Thurifer. After the Gspel, the Candlebearers return t their place After the Gspel the Thurifer takes the thurible where it wn t be kncked ver and adds r replaces a charcal and lights it t keep the censer burning fr the incensatin f the altar, the ministers and the Assembly after the Prcessin f Gifts. Gspel After the Gspel reading, the Presider may hand the Bk f Gspels r the Lectinary t the Altar Server t put n the credence table r t enthrne by the Amb. Altar Server(s) sit fr the hmily. Creed Altar Servers stand fr the Creed. Prayers f the Faithful An Altar Server hlds the bk cntaining the Prayers f the Faithful fr the Presider (and Deacn) until its clsing prayer is cmpleted and then sits dwn. LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST Preparatin f the Gifts Preparing the Altar As sn as the cllectin begins, the altar is set. If there is a Deacn, Altar Servers hand him the Sacramentary, the crpral, the chalice, a purificatr and any cmmunin cups (these may be brught n a tray) t place n the altar. If there is n Deacn, the Altar Servers place them directly n the altar. Cmmunin cups are arranged s that the chalice is clearly visible t the Assembly. If there are extra purificatrs and patens n the credence table, these are nt placed n the altar nw an Altar Server brings them
5 up at the Fractin Rite later in the Mass. Altar Server(s) sit dwn and remain seated until the cllectin has ended and the Prcessin f Gifts is abut t begin. Prcessin f Gifts At special celebratins, candles may accmpany the Prcessin f Gifts; in thse cases the Candlebearers wuld g t the back f church and lead the Prcessin f Gifts. One r mre Altar Servers stand and accmpany the Deacn r Presider t where the gifts f bread, wine, the cllectin and any ther gifts will be received. The Deacn r Presider may hand the Altar Server the wine cruet and/r paten with bread t carry back t the altar. Preparatin f the Gifts An Altar Server hands the paten with bread t the Deacn r Presider if he handed it ver at the Prcessin f Gifts. An Altar Server then gets the water cruet frm the credence table and waits at the side f the altar fr preparing the chalice with wine and water. The Altar Server(s) stand t the side f the altar, hlding the wine and water cntainers fr the Deacn r Presider t mix int the chalice (with the handles facing the Deacn r Presider s he can take them easily). Then the Altar Server(s) return the cruets t the credence table. Incensing the Gifts (ptinal) The Deacn r Presider takes the incense bat frm the Thurifer r Incense Bat Bearer and pens it. The Thurifer lifts the tp f the thurible and the Presider spns incense n the charcal. The Deacn (if any) returns the incense bat t the Incense Bat Bearer (if any) r else t the Thurifer. The Thurifer gives the Presider the thurible. The Presider then incenses the gifts, the altar and the Crss. The Presider hands the thurible t the Deacn (if any) r else t the Thurifer at the side f the altar. The Deacn r Thurifer then bws and incenses the Presider with 3 swings, bws again, then incenses any ther clergy in the sanctuary with 3 swings. The Presider then washes his hands at the side f the altar while the Deacn r Thurifer mves n t incense the peple. The Deacn r Thurifer ges t the frnt f the sanctuary, bws t the peple, incenses them with 3 swings f the thurible, bws again t the peple, returns the thurible t its place where it cannt be kncked ver and takes a seat. Washing Hands The Presider says ne mre prayer ver the gifts and then ges t the side f the altar t wash his hands. Altar Server(s) are ready with a pitcher f water t pur ver the Presider s hands and with a bwl underneath t catch the pured water, and with a hand twel the Altar Server has pened up fr him t dry his hands. After drying his hands, the Presider will hand the twel back t the Altar Server. Return the pitcher, bwl and hand twel t the credence table and then stand behind the Presider and Deacn and remain standing as the Mass cntinues. Hly, Hly After the Hly, Hly is sung r said, Altar Server(s) kneel behind the Presider and Deacn. If incense is used at Mass, the Thurifer may take the thurible and kneel in frnt f the altar. Eucharistic Prayer Bells (ptinal) If the parish uses altar bells, an Altar Server may ring them at the Epiclesis (when the Presider extends his hands ver the bread and chalice), and again at the cnsecratin when the Presider elevates the Bdy f Christ and when he elevates the Bld f Christ. Incensing the Bdy and Bld f Christ (ptinal) If incense is used, the Thurifer kneeling in frnt f the altar swings the thurible three times as the Bdy f Christ is elevated, and three times again as the Bld f Christ is elevated.
6 Cmmunin Rite Our Father After the Great Amen, Altar Server(s) stand and remain standing until after they have received cmmunin and cleared the altar. Sign f Peace Altar Server(s) remain in the sanctuary fr the Sign f Peace and nly exchange the Sign f Peace with thers wh are als in the sanctuary. Lamb f Gd As the Lamb f Gd begins t be sung r recited, Altar Server(s) bring any extra purificatrs and patens t the altar. After the Lamb f Gd is cmpleted, the Presider will break a piece f the Bdy f Christ and add it t the chalice. He will then say 2 mre prayers in silence. After that, an Altar Server remves the Sacramentary frm the altar and returns it t the Presider s table. The Altar Server then returns t his/her place fr cmmunin. Cmmunin After the Deacn (if any) and Cmmunin Ministers receive cmmunin, the Altar Servers receive cmmunin in a reverent manner. As sn as the Presider leaves the altar t distribute cmmunin t the Assembly, the Altar Server clears the altar f all items except fr the crpral, mving them t the credence table, and then sits dwn. After everyne has received cmmunin, the Presider r Deacn returns t the altar and either cnsumes any remaining cnsecrated hsts r wine r returns them t the tabernacle. If the Presider r Deacn pts t g t the credence table after cmmunin t purify the vessels, an Altar Server ges t the credence table and hand him the water cruet s he can purify the vessels (unless it is the parish s custm t purify the vessels after Mass). The Altar Server then flds and remves the crpral and any ther items remaining n the altar and then sits dwn. Prayer After Cmmunin The Presider returns t his Chair t pray. When he starts t get up t give the Prayer After Cmmunin, the Altar Server stands and hlds the Sacramentary fr the Presider t read. CLOSING RITES Blessing and Dismissal If the Presider will be giving a Prayer Over the Peple r a Slemn Blessing, the Altar Server puts dwn the Sacramentary while the annuncements are read; after that, the Altar Server hlds it up again fr the Presider t read the Prayer Over the Peple r Slemn Blessing. After the Presider gives the actual Blessing, the Altar Server clses the Sacramentary and puts it dwn. Exit Prcessin As the Presider (and Deacn, if there is ne) leaves his chair t kiss the altar, the ther ministers in the sanctuary walk t the entrance t the sanctuary and wait fr him t arrive. All bw tgether with the Presider (unless the tabernacle is in the sanctuary in that case, the ministers genuflect) and then exit in this rder: Crssbearer flanked by Candlebearers; Thurifer and Incense Bat Bearer; (withut thurible and incense bat ), Altar Servers; Deacn (but nt carrying the Bk f Gspels) and Presider. The first minister will set the pace f the Exit Prcessin. All leave in a dignified manner. LOCAL RULES These Guidelines prvide general bservatins and principles n this imprtant ministry. Fr a smth functining f this ministry, the needs f the lcal faith cmmunity must be accunted. Examples f sme lcal practices that need t be determined include:
7 Number f Altar Servers Scheduling Finding substitutes Grunds fr remval Arrival times Sign-in sheets Respnsibilities befre Mass Vesture (albs r ther dress cde) Divisin f respnsibilities (fr tw r mre Altar Servers) Seating Where and hw the Sprinkling Rite is cnducted Hw t hld the Sacramentary fr the Presider Where the Prcessinal Crss is placed Hw children are dismissed fr Children s Liturgy f the Wrd Hw the Gspel Prcessin is ruted Hw catechumens are dismissed Where Prcessin f Gifts is received Respnsibilities after Mass RESOURCES USED A Cmmentary n the General Instructin f the Rman Missal. Edward Fley, Nathan D. Mitchell and Janne M. Pierce, ed. Cllegeville: The Liturgical Press, 2007. Altar Servers. Rev. Steven J. Petersn. New Yrk: Natinal Pastral Life Center, 1998. Archdicesan Guidelines fr Altar Servers. Santa Fe: Archdicese f Santa Fe, Office f Wrship and Christian Initiatin, September, 2001. General Instructin f the Rman Missal. Washingtn: United States Cnference f Cathlic Bishps, 2003. Guide fr Servers. Crinna Laughlin, Rbert D. shadduck, Paul turner and D. Tdd Williams. Chicag: Liturgy training Publicatins, 2009. Guidelines fr Altar Server, www.usccb.rg/liturgy/current/servers.shtml, 1994. Guidelines fr Altar Servers. Ls Angeles: Archdicese f Ls Angeles, Office f Wrship, March 2004. Let Us Pray. Fr. Paul Turner, S.T.D. Cllegeville: Liturgical Press, 2006. The Ministry f Altar Server. Milwaukee: Archdicese f Milwaukee, Office fr Prayer, Wrship & Evangelizatin. The Ministry f Altar Servers Questins and Answers. Milwaukee: Archdicese f Milwaukee, Office fr Prayer, Wrship & Evangelizatin. The Ministry f Servers. Rev. Michael Kwatera, O.S.B. Cllegeville: Liturgical Press. 2002.
Appendix: Liturgical Terminlgy Alb: a lng white vestment with clse fitting sleeves, reaching nearly t the grund Amb: a lectern pulpit frm which the scriptures are read and the hmily is delivered Baptismal fnt: the water tank used fr the Rite f Baptism Chalice: the cup that hlds the wine that is cnsecrated at mass t becme the bld f Christ. Chasuble: a lse sleeveless uter garment wrn by a Priest when celebrating Mass Cpe: a cape wrn by the Priest at liturgical functins Crpral: a white clth n which the bread and wine that will be cnsecrated are placed Credence table: a table in the sanctuary that hlds the cruets, lavab bwl, purificatrs, crpral, chalice and ther liturgical bjects used at the liturgy Cruet: small cntainers that hld the water and wine used in the Eucharist Humeral veil: a clth which the Server puts ver the Priest s shulders and arms befre he carries the mnstrance and blesses the peple Incense bat: the vessel (s-called fr its shape) that cntains the incense fr immediate use Lavab bwl: a basin used fr the Priest s ritual washing f the hands at Mass Lectinary: a bk cntaining the scripture readings fr liturgies during the curse f a 3-year cycle Mnstrance: a large cntainer made f precius metal that is used t shw the cnsecrated hst t the Assembly Pall: a white clth cvering fr a casket Paschal candle: a wax candle f exceptinal size held in a great candlestick that is blessed at the Easter Vigil and is lit by the altar during the Easter Seasn r at funerals. Purificatr: a clth t wipe the chalice r cmmunin cups during cmmunin Pyx: a cntainer in which cnsecrated hsts are placed s they can be taken t thse wh cannt leave hme Sacramentary: the bk used by the Priest that cntains the prayers f the mass and its rubrics (directins fr what t d at mass) Sacristy: the rm in church in which sacred vessels, vestments and ther liturgical bjects are kept Sanctuary lamp: the candle near the tabernacle Stle: a liturgical vestment wrn by rdained clergy under the chasuble r dalmatic that is cmpsed f a strip f material frm tw t fur inches wide that hangs arund the cleric s neck and reaches the length f the chasuble r dalmatic. Tabernacle: the bx r case in the sanctuary in which cnsecrated hsts are kept Thurible: a censer r cntainer that hlds lighted charcal and is used fr burning incense