Serving as an Altar Boy at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (SPANISH MASS) By Ricardo A. Garza

Serving as an Altar Boy at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (SPANISH MASS) By Ricardo A. Garza

Table of Contents Table of contents page Contents Table of contents page... iii Introduction... v Chapter 1 - Duties... 1 Chapter 2 Special Mass... 1 Chapter 3 Dressing Up and Putting Clothes Away... 17 Troubleshooting... 17 Index... 17 iii

Introduction This manual is for those new boys that have decide to do Altar Severing. This manual starts off with what each position does, and then goes off to say what some of the other mass do in the Spanish Mass that require a little bit on knowledge. Even covers how you are supposed to dress for mass. This manual will only cover the mass that are covered in Spanish because the boys in the Spanish mass don t have anyone to teach them most of the time. Some events like Christmas aren t covered because they are not available for the Spanish mass. If you want to see how to cover those in English please refer to the English version that they have available at request. v

Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Chapter 1 Chapter 1 - Duties Cross What You Do: The Altar boy that does the cross at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is supposed be able to carry the big 10ft cross or the small metal cross. You will also help out when you are receiving the gifts. Table What You Do: You guys will put the wine, bread, cups and other stuff on the altar. At the same time one of you will ring the bells when the priest extends his hands over the gifts. You will ring the bells 3 times. When he says this is my body, which will be given up for you. Ring the bells again 3 times or in till he puts down the host. Do the same thing when he says this is the cup of my blood 3

Serving as an Altar Boy at Saint Elizabeth Incense What You Do: This will be can be done by one or two people. This won t always be used because it will depend on the Father to see if he wants to do it. It won t be included as much in this manual for this reason. Book What You DO: Just pick the Missal (book) whenever the priest is going to say a prayer or needs it 16

Chapter 1 INTRODUTION TO MASS Procession (Walking in) 1. Line up in pairs behind the person with the cross 2. If there is incenses follow the person with the incenses than the person with the cross 3. Walk slowly in till you reach the altar steps 4. Wait for the priest to kneel or genuflect (bow) 5. When Deacon moves to top step follow up 6. Go to your seats Introduction Rite Book (Missal) Server 1. The person who is book server get ready with the Missal (book) 2. When the GLORIA ends open the Missal (book) to opening prayer 3. Cradling the book hold it in front of the priest 4. Return book Cross Server and Table Servers 1. Stand there quietly LITURGY OF THE WORD All of the servers will sit quietly and listen during the two readings Incenses Server 1. At the end of the second reading go to the incenses 2. Move it around a little to make burn a little more 3. Go to front of the priest with the incense burner and the incense 4. Caution Very HOT 5. Open the incense burner and incense without burning yourself 6. After the priest blesses the Deacon follow to the edge of the altar 7. After the Deacon has the big book with all the Gospels in it follow him to the podium 8. Hand him the burner 9. When he hands the burner back stand behind him in till the reading is done 10. Return to the burner to it spot and sit in your seat after the reading LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST Preparation of the Gifts Book Server Will put the Missal (book) on the altar somewhere on the left side Table Servers 1. Take items from the small table in the back 3

Serving as an Altar Boy at Saint Elizabeth 2. The main cup that the priest uses is handed to the Deacon 3. Bowls will go on the right side of the altar 4. Cups will go on the left side of the altar 5. Hand the Deacon the little flask things filled with wine and water 6. When you walk back grab the finger bowl and towel from the table 7. Stand to the right side of the priest and wait for him to wash his hands 8. When done go back to your seats Cross Server 1. When father rises follow him to edge of altar steps 2. When you receive the basket take it to the back where the small table is 3. If you receive the cup with a lid take up to the altar 4. Don t put it on the altar 5. Wait for Deacon or Priest to take it from you Prayer over the Gifts After the chores says Holy, Holy, Holy go kneel on the cushions at the side steps of the altar Cross and Book Server When the priest put his hands over the host (bread) and chalice (cup) just stay kneeling in till it is time to get up and do the Our Father Table Server 1. When you are kneeling at the cushions get ready to ring the bells 2. When the priest raises the host and says This is my body ring the bells 3. When the priest raises the chalice (cup priest drinks out of) and says This is the cup of my blood ring the bells again After Communion All Servers 1. Be ready next to priest to help remove things off of the altar. 2. You will put all the cups and bowls in the small room in the back of the altar 3. When the Sacrament (very big bowl filled with small hosts) kneel and wait for to be put away 4. Then sit down Closing Prayer Cross Server 1. When he says Let Us Pray retrieve the cross 2. Stand behind the seat of the Deacon 3. Wait in till you see priest get ready to leave to lead the procession Book Server 1. Be ready with the book at hand before the priest says Let Us Pray 2. When the priest says Let Us Pray open the book to the closing prayer 3. Stand in front of him while he reads 16

Chapter 1 4. When done return the book to its stand and stand behind the Cross Server Table Server 1. Stand when priest says Let Us Pray 2. When priest moves to leave go to the bottom of the steps at front of the altar for the procession 3

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Special Mass In these next ones everything is you do will be the same as a normal mass. The only difference is a couple of things. Nothing major changes during the mass. The reason that Christmas isn t on here and a couple of others is because they are only available for English. At Saint Elizabeth they don t have a priest to celebrate it in Spanish. Palm Sunday During Palm Sunday Mass, the palms for the parish are blessed. You may need to be ready with the Aspergillum (or Sprinkler) and bucket. Otherwise, the Altar Server role is the same as other Masses. Weddings The wedding is just like a regular Mass except for the exchange of the Marriage vows and rings. A wedding service that includes the Liturgy of the Word but does not include the Eucharist will only need one server Also arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled wedding time. The Priest or Deacon will review with you any special instructions prior to the wedding. A wedding has its own special procession and recessional. The Altar Server will enter and exit from the sacristy with the Priest or Deacon. Funerals The priest will say a blessing and sprinkle holy water over the casket before the procession begins When the opening prayer has been said, altar servers should do what they normal do during mass Out of respect for those in mourning, servers should not look to out at the people during mass The priest will give the final prayer and song of farewell before the leaving. Use incense The funeral director will than remove the cover from the casket, fold it and hand it to one of the servers or the priest. The priest will again administer holy water to the casket. The mass has than officially ended 11

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Index Chapter 3 Dressing Up and Putting Clothes Away Dressing Up Before Mass Be well groomed be showered with no bed hair Dress is not formal but wear some dress pants or khakis Wear a nice shirt and tuck it in Nice dress shoes also No shorts, graphic t-shirts, soccer shoes, Dress like you are going to work or an interview that you want to make an impression at Wearing a Cassock & Surplices A Cassock is the red trench coat looking robe that goes under the big oversized shirt called a Surplice. If you can t find the right size Cassock or Surplice find the size tab. It has a two letters on it that tell you the size. On the wall there is a legend that tells you what each combination of letter means If the Cassock is down to your ankles or so it is ok As long as the Surplice sleeves end with the sleeves of the Cassock it will be ok 19

Serving as an Altar Boy at Saint Elizabeth When it all comes together it should look a little something like this When you are done just hang it back were you got it from. 16

Index Troubleshooting When do you light the charcoal? You light the charcoal 10 minutes before mass starts. Do I have to server at every mass? You don t have to serve at every mass. You are on a schedule. 19

Index Index Book, 2, 3, 4 Cassock, 17 Cross, 1, 3, 4, 5 Deacon, 3, 4, 1 Incenses, 3 mass, v, 1, 17 Missal, 2, 3 server, 3, 1, 17 Surplice, 17 Table, iii, 1, 3, 4, 5 19