Church of the Ascension
Altar Servers handbook
Church of the Ascension
Altar Server Instructions
Introduction
To be an altar server is a special honor and a great privilege in the Catholic Church. Altar servers today can trace their roots or genealogy to the order of Acolyte, a ministry that once was reserved only for those who were going to be ordained priests. One can look upon being an altar server as a special and unique ministry by which you, a young person, can help to spread the word and the love of Christ through your actions and words. It is not difficult to be an altar server, but there are some things that you must know and remember.
The diocesan bishop may permit the liturgical functions of the instituted acolyte to be carried out by altar servers, men and women, boys and girls. Altar servers are not ordained, they are commissioned by their parish priest. The determination that women and girls may function as servers in the liturgy should be made by the bishop on the diocesan level so that there might be a uniform diocesan policy.
The primary role of the altar server is to assist the priest in the celebration of the liturgy during Mass. This is done through specific actions and by setting an example to the congregation by active participation in the liturgy by their actions, singing of hymns, responses of the people, looking alert and sitting or standing at the appropriate times.
General Requirements
Servers will be required to vest in alb and cincture as directed.
Close worn under an alb should be such that they so not have patterns, pictures, stripes, checks or any other design which will show through the alb.
Required Basic Knowledge of the Mass
A server candidate is required to know the principal prayers of the Mass: The Gloria, Our Father, Nicene Creed, Lamb of God, Lord, I am not worthy and Holy, Holy, Holy.
All candidates should be able to recite the basic flow of the mass. They must learn this so as to later perform their tasks at the proper times. They should be taught the use of all the liturgical items they will be handling and the purpose of each item. See the end of this manual for definitions.
All candidates must demonstrate their ability to make use of the “tools of the trade” such as matches, candle lighters, books and candles, processional cross, preparation of credence table, chalice, mass colors, etc.
ALTAR SERVER'S DUTIES -- ORDINARY SUNDAY MASSES
I. PREPARATION
A. Arrive for your scheduled Mass 15 minutes prior to the start
of the Mass.
B. Wear clean shoes, black shoes preferred. If you wear sandals wear them with
socks never bare feet.
C. Select your alb. The alb should be long enough to come to the top of your
shoes. Remember your alb is a sacred vestment and should be treated as such..
D. Make sure these items are in place for Mass.
1. Sacramentary.
2. Water pitcher, bowl and hand towel on the table
3. Cruet of water on table.
4. Book stand on altar for the Book of Gospel
II. POSTURE AND REVERENCES
A. The role of the Altar Server is to assist the Priest and
the whole community in the celebration of the Mass. Posture and attitude are
very important.
B. Hold your hands together unless you are carrying something or sitting.
C. Stand with your weight evenly placed on both feet.
D. Sit straight.
E. Pay attention to the Priest and the flow of the Mass..
III. THE MASS
PART 1
BE WAITING AT THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH WITH CROSS AND CANDLES FIVE MINUTES PRIOR TO MASS STARTING
A. The Procession
1. Cross and candle bearers.
2. Lector
3. Concelebrating Priests
4 Principal
Celebrant
B. As the procession enters the sanctuary, the Cross Bearer places the Cross in
its stand on the altar. The candle bearers walk behind the Cross Bearer and
place their candles next to the Ambo and then proceed to their seats and stand
in front of their seats.
C. At the opening Prayer when the Celebrant says "Let us pray", bring
the sacramentary to him and hold it so that he can
read it.
PART 2
START THESE DUTIES WHEN THE COLLECTION BEGINS
D. Offertory (After the General Intercessions when everyone
sits down.)
1. Place the Sacramentary on the altar.
2. Remove the bookstand from the altar.
3. Bring the Chalice to the altar.
5. Go with the Celebrant to receive the gifts..
7. Bring the cruet of water to the Celebrant (or the Deacon).
8. Bring the water pitcher, bowl, and towel to wash the Celebrant's hands.
9. Go to your seat .
10. Stand after the Amen.
11. Join hands with each other and the celebrant for the Our Father.
PART 3
CLOSING OF MASS
E. Bring the sacramentary to the
Celebrant when he says "Let us pray". (Hold the sacramentary
so that the Celebrant can read it.
H. Close the sacramentary and return to your seat
when the Celebrant makes the Sign of the Cross.
I. When the closing hymn begins, the Cross bearer should get the Cross, candle
bearers should get the candles, and all servers should go to their places in
the church aisle.
J. Turn and face the Altar.
K. When the Celebrant, Priests, and Deacons enter the aisle, turn and process
at a normal walking pace to the back of the church.
IV. AFTER MASS (CLEANING UP)
A. Take the washbowl to the Sacristy and empty water into
the sink, wipe the bowl dry, and return it to the table.
B. Extinguish the candles.
C. Hang up your alb (neatly) and any others that may have fallen to the floor
of the closet.
NOTE: If you cannot serve the Mass to which you are assigned, you must arrange for your own substitute.
What Certain Things Are Called: (things you need to know)
Alb The white gown that you will wear just as the priest and deacons does.
Ambo or Lectern Where the lector stands to read the Scripture readings and the priest or deacon proclaims the Gospel.
Aspergillum The liturgical instrument used to sprinkle people and objects with holy water.
Boat A small liturgical vessel containing the incense that will be used with the thurible.
Chalice A cup that Father will use to consecrate the wine into the Blood of Christ.
Ciborium A cup, which looks similar to a chalice, but is used to store consecrated hosts in the Tabernacle. A Ciborium has a lid where as a chalice does not.
Cincture A belt made out of cloth worn around your waist; it acts like a belt.
Corporal A small cloth that sits on top of the altar where Father places the chalice, paten, and flagon. Its purpose is to catch any small crumbs of the Blessed Sacrament that may fall onto the altar.
Credence Table The table that has the chalices, Communion bowls or patens, finger bowl, water cruet and finger towel.
Cruet The little pitcher that hold either water or wine for use during the Mass.
Finger Towel A towel that Father will use to dry his hands.
Flagon or Flask The large glass decanter that holds the wine at Mass.
Lectionary (Book A large red book that contains the Scripture readings from which of the Gospels) contains only the Gospel readings.)
Offertory Table The table behind the last pew by the Boland entrance where the gifts are placed.
Paten A small dish or bowl that holds the bread that will be used during Mass.
Purificators The small towels that are used to clean the chalices during the distribution of the Precious Blood at communion
Sacramentary The large red book from which Father prays during Mass.
Sacristan The person who takes care of the sacred vessels and vestments used at Mass.
Sacristy The portion of the Church building where the priests, deacons, servers, and lectors meet to vest and prepare themselves for Mass.
Sanctuary The area of the Church that contains the altar and the ambo.
Thurible A metal vessel for the ceremonial burning of incense. The thurible is also known as a censer.
Thurifer The one who carries the thurible and boat when needed.
THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING GOD'S CALL TO SERVE AT MASS
Holy Mass Explained
The two most important parts of the Holy Mass are the Consecration and the Communion. But the Mass as we know is made up of two principal parts - the liturgy of the Word and the liturgy of the Eucharist, plus introductory and concluding rites.
1-
Introductory Rites:
- Entrance Antiphon
- Greeting
- Penitential Rite (Penitential prayer, Rite
of Blessing & Sprinkling)
- Kyrie (Lord, Have Mercy)
- Gloria (Glory to God)
- Opening Prayer
2- Liturgy of the Word:
- First Reading, from the Old Testament, and the
Responsorial Psalm, usually by one or two Laymen, man or woman
- Second reading from a Letter (Epistle) of the New
Testament, usually by a Layman,
man or woman
- Third Reading, from the Gospels, usually by the Priest, which starts with the Gospel
Acclamation (Alleluia)
Homily, by the Priest,
Silence
Profession of Faith (Nicene Creed) or (Apostles'
Creed - Children Only)
General Intercessions (Prayer of the Faithful): For the
Church, Public Authorities, Salvation of the World, Local Community... the
sick, the poor...
3- Liturgy of the
Eucharist:
Preparation of the Gifts (Presentation)
The priest prepares the altar and the gifts, prays over the bread and wine, and helps the assembly get ready for the tremendous Sacrifice that will take place in an unbloody manner. Includes the following:
- Offertory
Song...
- offering of the Bread and Wine,
- Preparation of the Altar
- Preparation of the Bread
- Preparation of the Wine
- Washing of Hands
- Prayer over the Gifts
Introductory Dialogue
Sanctus
Roman Canon:
Eucharistic Prayer
Thanksgiving
Acclamation
Epiclesis - Invocation of the Holy Spirit to consecrate the Host & Wine
Consecration of the Bread... elevation of the Holy Host... adoration to the Holy Host
Consecration of the Wine... elevation of the Holy Cup... adoration to the Holy Cup
Intercessions
Memorial Acclamation
Rite of Peace (Sign of Peace)
Fraction Rite
Breaking of the Bread
Commingling: The priest places a small part of the Host into the Cup
Lamb of God (Agnus Dei )
Personal Prayer
Communion
of the Priest
Communion
of the Faithful
Silent Prayer
Prayer after Communion
4- Concluding Rite:
Immediately after the Communion Rite, should
there be any announcements, these are made, but should be kept brief.
Then just as the people were greeted at the beginning of the Mass, so now the presider greets the people again and blesses them in one of
three forms, the simple one, or at his discretion a more solemn Blessing,
particularly at various seasons or on specific feast days, or a Prayers over the people. Includes the following:
Blessing
Dismissal
Entrance Procession
People stand up, the priest goes to the Altar... Entrance
hymn may be said by the faithful or sung
Greeting
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit. Amen. The Grace and Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love
of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.
Penitential Act
My brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate
the Sacred Mysteries, let us call to mind our sins:
I confess to Almighty God, and to you my brothers and
sisters that I have sinned through my own fault in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; and I ask the Blessed
Mary, ever Virgin, all the angels and saints, and you here present, to pray for
me to the Lord our God.
May Almighty God have Mercy on us, forgive us our sins and
bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
Lord have mercy...
Christ have mercy... Lord have
mercy
The Gloria (Hymn of praise and repentance)
Glory to God in the Highest, and Peace to his people on
earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you
thanks, we praise you for your Glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, lamb of
God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at
the right hand of the Father, receive our prayer.
for you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most
High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Profession of Faith - Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in on Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of
God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God
from true God, begotten not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all
things were made. For us men and for our salvation He came down from Heaven (all
bow) by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin
Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontious Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the
third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into
heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in
Glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of
life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son He
is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of
the world to come. Amen.
Invitation to pray
Pray, brethren, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father...
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of
his name, for our good, and the good of all his Church.
The Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord be
with you... And also with you.
Lift up your hearts... We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God... It is right to
give him thanks and praise.
Preface:
It is indeed fitting and right, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give thanks to You, Lord, Holy Father, almighty and
eternal God, who with Your only-begotten Son and the
Holy Spirit are one God, one Lord... (Here the Priest says the appropriate
Preface. This is part of the Preface of the Holy Trinity).
Sanctus
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts.
Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He Who comes in the Name
of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest
Epiklesis (Invocation of the Holy Spirit
And so, Father, we bring you
these gifts. We ask you to make them holy by the power of your Spirit, that
they may become the body and blood of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose
command we celebrate this Eucharist.
The Consecration: The Lord's Supper
The day before he suffered, he took
bread in his sacred hands, and looking up to heaven, to you, his almighty
Father, he gave you thanks and praise.
He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples and
said: Take this, all of you, and eat it: this is my body which will be
given up for you.
When supper was ended, he took the cup. Again he gave
the cup to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and drink from it: this
is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It
will be shed for you and for all men so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in
memory of me.
Let us proclaim the
mystery of faith:
1- Christ has died, Christ is risen,
Christ will come again.
2- Dying you destroyed our death, rising
you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in Glory.
3- When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim
your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in Glory.
4- Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us
free. You are the Savior of the world.
Final doxology
Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and
honor is yours Almighty Father, forever and ever.
The great AMEN
Through Him, and with Him, and in Him, is to You, God the Father Almighty, in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, all honor and glory, forever and ever. AMEN!.
Rite of Communion
Priest: Let us pray with confidence to the Father in the
word our Savior gave us:
The Our Father:
Priest and Laymen: Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come: Thy Will be done on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we
forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil. Amen.
Priest: Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us
peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all
anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Laymen: For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are
yours, now and forever.
Peace:
Priest: Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I
leave you peace, my peace I give you.
Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace
and unity of your kingdom where you live for ever and ever. Amen.
The peace of the Lord be with you
always. And also with you. (Let us offer each other
the sign of peace).
Lamb of God:
Priest and Laymen: Lamb of God, you take away
the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy
on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us
peace.
Communion of the Priest:
Lord Jesus Christ, with faith in your love and mercy, I eat
your body and drink your blood.
Let it not bring me condemnation, but health in mind and
body.
Communion of the Faithful:
Priest: This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of
the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
Laymen: Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but
only say the word and I shall be healed.
The Holy Host offered: The Body of Christ...
Amen When the Cup is offered: The Blood of Christ... Amen