Altar Serving Manual

St Joseph’s Primary SchoolMoora Parish

Altar Serving in Moora Parish

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The Altar Server's Ministry is a unique one in the Catholic Church. Other than priests and deacons, no one else is allowed to so closely play a part in the preparation of the Eucharist. When you serve the priests and deacons, you serve the people of God, and above all, you serve Jesus.

Altar servers are required to be Catholic and to have received their First Holy Communion. Altar servers should actively practice the Catholic faith and regularly receive Communion. Altar servers should be able to respond appropriately to the parts of the Mass, particularly the recited prayers.

The Altar Server’s Role During Mass• Light the candles on the altar before mass begins

• Carry the Cross and candles during the Entrance Procession

• Welcome the Gospel with candles that represent the light of Christ

• Help when the gifts of bread and wine are presented

• Serve at the altar

• Present the washbowl so the priest can wash his hands

• Ring the bell

• Receive Communion reverently

• Help the priest purify the chalice, paten, and ciborium

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Things to KnowARRIVAL - Altar Servers must arrive early to prepare for Mass. It is important to arrive a minimum of 10 minutes prior to Mass beginning.

DRESS - Altar servers are expected to be in neat and tidy dress. Before Mass, servers put on an alb, cincture, and cross.

POSTURE - The posture of the Altar Server should be one of near invisibility. If people are paying attention at Mass, they should not even notice you. If someone looks at you, they should see a server who is reverent and paying attention.KNEELING - While kneeling, keep your body up straight, not slouching or sitting back on your feet.

BOWING - Never bow when carrying the cross or candle.

GENUFLECTING - Never genuflect when carrying anything.

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Alb

Cincture

Cross

THE SANCTUARY

The Altar

The Tabernacle

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The Lecturn

The Credence table

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BEFORE MASSAltar servers are to make sure the candles on the altar are lit. Just before Mass we gather in the sacristy to say the altar server prayer:

“Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me the great opportunity to serve you at Mass today. May I be worthy of the trust placed in me. May my example of service bring others closer to you. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who is Lord forever and ever. Amen.”

Then we process out of the side door to the front of the church.

THE INTRODUCTORY RITESEntranceWhile the Entrance Song is sung, the altar servers walk before the priest when entering the church. The cross bearer carries the cross in procession, the candle bearers, the candles. When at the end of the aisle, stand to the side and allow the priest to stand in the middle. The priest genuflects and goes to kiss the altar. Altar servers then set down the cross beside the credence table and candles on the credence table. They then stand at their seats.

The priest leads the congregation in the:GREETING, PENETENTIAL RITE, GLORIA, and OPENING PRAYER.

The Liturgy of the WordCandle bearers take candles from the credence table and move to either side of the Lectern when everyone stands to welcome the

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Gospel. They return to their seats after the proclamation of the Gospel.OFFERTORY and the PREPARATION of the GIFTS

After the Prayers of the Faithful and the first collection, the priest and altar servers proceed to the front of the altar to receive the gifts of bread and wine for the celebration of the Eucharist.

If there is no offertory procession, the bread and wine will be on the credence table and need to be brought to the priest – first the bread, then the wine and water cruets.

The Ciborium The Paten

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The Chalice The Cruets

Afterwards, the priest must wash his hands, so an altar server brings the washing bowl and towel to the priest.

The washbowl and towel

The most important aspect of altar serving is to be vigilant. If the priest signals you to do something, you must be alert and ready to serve!

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THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

When the Sanctus acclamation ends with “... blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.” all KNEEL with hands folded through the remainder of the Eucharistic Prayer

Ringing the bell• At the invocation of the Holy Spirit. For example, when the priest says, “Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall” (or “Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you: by the same Spirit graciously make holy these gifts we have brought to you for consecration”) and extends his hands over the bread and wine.

• When the Body of Christ is raised and shown to the people.

• When the Blood of Christ is raised and shown to the people

• When the priest drinks from the chalice at communion time.

The Communion RiteSign of Peace During the sign of peace, offer that sign to the priest and fellow altar servers only.

CommunionStand up and present yourself to receive communion at the same time the Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion comes onto the sanctuary.After receiving communion, go back to your seat and pray quietly, thanking Jesus for how much he loves you.

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PurificationAfter communion, the priest must purify the chalice. Altar servers are required to bring the water to the altar, and to take back the sacred vessels to the credence table.

The Concluding RitesRecessionAt the end of Mass, we recess (exit the church). Altar servers are to move to the front of the altar facing the Tabernacle, wait for the priest to kiss the altar, genuflect, and process out.

After MassAfter Mass priest and altar servers proceed to the sacristy, bow to the Cross and say, “Thanks be to God.”

If you are required to go back to class, do so. Otherwise, make sure the candles are blown out and everything is put away.

Thank you and may God bless you in your ministry!

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