Altar Server Guidelines

altar_servers.jpg Ideally there would be 3 altar servers at each Mass. The strongest would carry the cross; the other two would each carry a candlestick.

  • Altar servers should arrive no later than 15 minutes before Mass begins.
  • After putting on a robe, make sure everything is ready before Mass
  • begins.
  • Make sure there are missalettes for the servers at the altar server bench.
  • Before procession, servers walk up the aisle on the far right and get the
  • cross and candles from the altar, then walk back down the side aisle
  • together.
  • If there are only 2 servers, the cross bearer will be the first eliminated.
  • When carrying anything, hold with both hands.
  • Whenever there is nothing being held, always have hands in praying hands position-hands held together at chest height, fingertips pointing up,
  • not clasped, thumbs crossed.
  • When walking or standing together, do so together (side by side).
  • Remember that you are on a raised level so everyone has a clear view of you.
  • Sit prayerfully, do not talk or fidget. Sing the hymns.
 

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.

 

Altar Server Terminology

When the members of the Church gather to celebrate Mass, each has different responsibilities. There are Ushers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Musicians and Altar Servers. Whichever ministry we are involved in, we should know how to carry it out properly. When you assume the responsibility for a particular ministry you are expected to serve when assigned, or get a substitute. Altar servers should be familiar with the following:

  • Altar: the table at which the Liturgy of the Eucharist takes place.
  • Lectern: where the Lector proclaims the Scriptures.
  • Credence Table: table on which are placed the vessels etc., for Mass.
    • (before Mass begins the following should be on this table: chalices (cups), Communion Plate, purificators, mundatory bowl, towel, cruet of water, and Tabernacle key.
  • Altar Breads: Non-Consecrated bread for use in the liturgy.
  • Host: When the bread is consecrated at Mass we speak of It as the Host, Sacred Host, The Body of Christ, or Sacred Species.
  • Altar Wine: Wine for use at Mass.
  • Precious Blood: Following the consecration we no longer speak of wine but the Precious Blood, or the Blood of Christ, or the Sacred Species.
  • Lectionary:  book from which the Lector proclaims the Scriptures.
  • Sacramentary: book which the Priest uses at the altar.
  • Book of the Chair: small book used by the Priest when he is at the chair.
  • Sacristy: room where Altar Servers and Priest prepare for Mass.
  • Processional Cross: Cross carried by an Altar Server on occasion.
  • Tabernacle: Container in which the Blessed Sacrament is reserved (located in the Chapel)
  • Sanctuary Light: candle burning close to the Tabernacle to remind us of the presence of Christ in the Reserved Sacrament.

Each Mass Server should be familiar with these words, and what they mean.

 

ALTAR SERVER'S PRAYER

Open my mouth, 0 Lord, to bless your Holy Name. Cleanse my heart from all evil and distracting thoughts. Enlighten my understanding and inflame my will that I may serve more worthily at your holy altar. 0 Mary, Mother of Christ the High Priest, obtain for me the most important grace of knowing my vocation in life. Grant me a true spirit of faith and humble obedience so that I may ever behold the priest as a representative of God and willingly follow him in the Way, the Truth, and the Life of Christ. Amen.

ALTAR SERVER'S PRAYER

Oh Jesus, my King and Lord, by the grace of the heavenly Father and the power of the Holy Spirit, guide me in all righteousness as I serve You today at the Altar so I may be always worthy of Your presence. If I happen to make an error, may it be a lesson so my service will be perfect tomorrow. Jesus, I love you with all my heart.