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Page 2 of 4
ENTRANCE
Altar servers will process in carrying the cross and two candles.
When placing the cross on the pedestal, if it is held straight over the
stand, the weight of the cross will help set it on the pedestal. Hold
upright and place gently.
The candlesticks work the same way-hold them straight and they will
slip down easily. If they are not held straight they won't fit on the
stands.
At the bottom of the steps going up to the altar, the candleholders
will go up the steps, place candles on stands, then (with praying
hands) go back down to stand with the other ministers. At the same
time, the cross bearer will go up the steps and place the cross on its
stand before going down the steps (with praying hands). At tile signal,
all will bow to the altar and cross.
The 2 candleholders go to their seats and the cross bearer goes to the
credence table (located to the right of the altar) to wait until it is
time to take the book to the priest. After the priest reads the opening
prayer, the server should bow and return the book to the credence table
then proceed to the bench. After the opening prayer, all servers sit
when the priest sits down.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
After the second reading (at the Alleluia verse) the two candleholders get up
and go (with praying hands) to pick up a candlestick and stand on either side of
the priest. When he turns to the right, the servers turn too and proceed to
either side of the podium, facing each other. By doing this we are saying that
the proclamation of the Gospel is more special and important. After the Gospel,
candleholders place the candles back on their stands then return (with praying
hands)
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
-PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR AND PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS
After the General Intercessions all three altar servers get up, walk
behind the cross and get the altar ready for the presentation of
gifts-place the Sacramentary, water, wine and cup on the altar. Then
the cross bearer lights the candles on the altar while the two
candleholders (with praying hands, no candles) go down the steps, turn
toward the Cross, bow and then walk down the center aisle (side by
side) for the procession of gifts. When the priest signals the servers,
they lead the procession up the aisle. The 2 candleholders stand beside
the priest to accept the gifts he hands you (hands kept in praying
position until gifts are handed to you). The cross bearer goes to stand
by the credence table. After the gifts are handed off, servers go up
the steps to put them on the altar and then stand "side by side" (hands
in praying position) on the side of the altar by the credence table to
wait for the priest to hand vessels to be returned to the table. After
the priest hands you the vessels, bow your head and return the vessels
to the credence table.
The cross bearer has the water bowl and one of the candleholders picks
up the towel. Take them to the priest to purify his fingers. When he is
finished, bow your head and return to the credence table. The other
server goes back to the bench. After placing the water bowl and towel
back on the table, the servers walk back to their seats (hands in
praying position).
HOLY, HOLY...
All 3 altar servers stand. The cross bearer (hands in praying position)
goes directly down to the bottom of the steps-directly in line with the
altar-and the candleholders go get the candles before moving to either
side of the cross bearer.
At the end of the "Holy, Holy" the servers kneel on the bottom step
being careful with the candles (holding the candles straight);
especially those with long hair and hairspray.
After the "Our Father" the candleholders return the candles and line up
next to the cross bearer, side by side, between the altar and podium to
receive the sign of the peace from the priest.
COMMUNION
After sign of peace, servers can go down to exchange the sign of peace
with those in the front pew, and then stand in the center aisle, facing
the altar, to receive holy communion. Altar servers go back to the
altar server bench after receiving Communion. Sing the Communion hymn.
After the priest has given the vessels to th~ Eucharistic Ministers,
the cross bearer and one candle bearer shall take the water bowl and
the towel to the priest who will purify his fingers. Return the bowl
and towel to the credence table. The cross bearer shall remain at the
table and take the book to the priest.
PROCESSION OUT
When the prayer is finished, the cross bearer places the book back on
the table, gets the cross and waits for the procession out. The
candleholders get the candles sticks when the cross bearer gets the
cross. All go to the bottom of the steps and wait for the priest to
bow. DO NOT BOW WHEN CARRYING THE CROSS OR CANDLE.
After the procession out, all three altar servers turn left and go
around the back of the church (behind the last pew) and up the ramp to
place the candles and cross back up on the altar. Candleholders wait
for the last hymn to finish before putting out the candles with
candlesnuffer.
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