A guide for Altar Servers at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church

ALTAR SERVER SERVING THE

LORD

Altar Server Serving the Lord

A Guide for Altar Servers

at

St. Albert the Great Catholic Church

REVISED AND UPDATED

September 3, 2013

Altar Servers: Serving the Lord, A guide for Altar Servers at St. Albert the Great

Catholic Church has been developed as a resource by Deacon Chuck Lanham for

ministers who are responsible for serving at the table of the Lord.

Altar Server Serving the Lord

But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of

the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their

authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather,

whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;

whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the

Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life

as a ransom for many.

Matthew 20:25-28

“In the absence of an instituted acolyte, there may be deputed lay ministers to serve at the altar

and assist the Priest or the Deacon; these carry the cross, the candles, the thuribles, the bread,

the wine, and the water.”

—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 100, USCCB

Thank you for your desire to become an Altar Server. In more formal liturgical

settings, serving at the altar is performed by Instituted Acolytes, persons who, in

many cases, are attending seminary to be ordained as priests.

Ministry schedule

6

Within Mass, the Altar Server provides a meaningful and necessary service to the

proper celebration of the liturgy. It is a time honored position to serve at the table

of Our Lord, one that should always be performed with the utmost respect and

dignity. Remember:

When you are an Altar Server

You are in the service of God,

as God is present in the Eucharist.

Altar Servers may, from time to time, be asked to assist the priest or deacon

outside of the Mass. These special occasions may be weddings, baptisms, and

other rites where assistance is required. Altar Servers should be prepared to serve

at these special services when asked to do so.

Altar Servers must be:

Roman Catholics whose qualities of Christian life, faith, and morals

recommend them

Have received the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist

Have completed the third grade in school

Regular participants in the sacramental life of the Church

Ministry schedule The schedule for every Mass is published in the bulletin and mailed to all

ministers prior to the beginning of every month. Each month when you receive

the calendar, please review the Altar Server schedule and make note of when you

are scheduled to serve. It is very important that you are present whenever you

are scheduled to serve.

Altar Server

7

Absences

We are all called away on occasion for various reasons and in most cases these

absences are known and arranged in advance. Please, let the Parish staff know

when you will not be available as far in the future as possible; this will allow them

to create the schedule with those who will be available.

Replacements

If you cannot serve at a Mass you have been assigned it is your responsibility to

find a replacement. You can procure a phone list from the Parish Office.

Decorum and Dress “… acolytes, altar servers, lectors, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable

vesture or other appropriate and dignified clothing.”

—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, # 339, USCCB

As an Altar Server, you are serving at the table of the Lord and should always

dress appropriately; after all it is a special banquet you are attending and serving.

This is not an occasion for T-shirts, shorts, blue jeans, tennis shoes, or other

casual dress. Wear nice dress shoes; do not wear tennis shoes or flip-flops.

The Mass is a solemn and holy rite and all those who participate in it must always

act with the greatest degree of decorum. Never take your duties lightly or act

inappropriately. When on the altar, stand, sit, or kneel calmly and quietly; no

fidgeting or making unnecessary motions or sounds.

Arrival

8

Arrival Altar Servers should arrive, at a minimum, 15 minutes before the beginning of

Mass in order to locate and put on your vestments, determine your assignment at

the altar, and listen for any special instructions for the Mass.

Bowing

There are two kinds of bows: a bow of the head; and a bow of the body,

which is referred to as a profound bow. A bow of the head is made

whenever the three names of the Trinity are said together, and when the

name of Jesus, Mary, or the saint in whose honor the Mass is celebrated is

said.

A profound bow, bending the entire body at the waist to where you can

touch the knees with the palms of your hand, is made at a few specific

parts during the Mass, and whenever you pass in front of an altar. We bow

to the altar because the Altar represents Christ—so we reverence it with a

profound bow. When we reverence the Blessed Sacrament in the

tabernacle we are adoring God Himself, since the Lord is truly present in

the Blessed Sacrament, so we genuflect.

For Altar Servers, as you approach the sanctuary to perform your duties,

you should perform a profound bow toward the Altar—not the

tabernacle— before entering the sanctuary. Upon exiting the sanctuary,

turn, face the Altar and perform a profound bow.

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Duties In most cases, three Altar Servers are assigned to serve at any Mass. Each Altar

Server has a role to play during the liturgy. Prior to the beginning of Mass the

Altar Servers should decide among themselves as to which role they will serve.

Cross Bearer

The cross bearer carries the crucifix and leads the procession to the altar in a slow

and elegant manner. The cross bearer should begin at the rear of the church, 3-5

feet in front of the table with the gifts.

Servers

Cross Bearer

Procession

10

Servers

Servers should form up in pairs behind the cross bearer and should maintain at

least three feet of separation. Do not walk too close to the cross bearer.

If there is only one Altar Server in addition to the cross bearer, that server should

walk behind the cross bearer, maintaining proper distance. Never walk beside or

too close to the cross bearer.

Procession The cross bearer begins the procession:

When there is a choir

the cross bearer should wait until the choir begins to sing, but after the

introductory music. Eyes should stay focused on the altar.

When there is no choir

the cross bearer should begin the procession when the priest or deacon

gives the OK. Watch for the priest or deacon’s signal.

When arriving at the altar

Upon arriving at the altar the cross bearer should move to the right, standing a few

feet to the right of and facing the crucifix stand. Remain on the floor; do not step

into the sanctuary.

If a deacon is serving at the Mass and there are two servers, one should move to

the right and stand next to the cross bearer, facing the altar. The second server

should move to the left, standing a few feet to the left of the end of the altar.

Altar Server

11

If there is no Deacon serving at the Mass and there are two servers, both should

move to the left, standing near the end of the altar.

If there is only one server in addition to the cross bearer, that server should move

to the left, standing near the end of the altar.

If a Deacon carries the Book of the Gospels, he will not stop but will proceed into

the sanctuary and place the book on the altar.

When the Priest makes a profound bow to the altar, the servers should do the

same. The cross bearer may simply bow his or her head rather than making a

profound bow.

Altar

Cross Bearer

Server Server

Cross Stand

Procession

12

The Priest will then proceed into the sanctuary and move to the center behind the

altar. Both the Priest and Deacon, if any, will bend and kiss the altar.

When the Priest bends to kiss the altar, the cross bearer should proceed to the

cross stand and place the cross in the stand with the corpus (the Body of Christ)

facing the congregation. The servers, including the cross bearers should then

move to the chairs and remain standing, facing the congregation.

Cross

Bearer

Server

Altar

Server

Priest Deacon

Altar Server

13

The Mass begins The Cross Bearer now becomes the book bearer. In most cases the Priest will say

“Let us pray”. Some priests may say something else such as “Let us offer our

prayers”. When this is said, pick up the sacramentary that is on the small table

between the Priest and the cross bearer and step in front of the Priest so he may

read the opening prayer.

The Sacramentary is a large heavy book. It should be held high enough for the

priest to easily read. The normal position is to hold the bottom of the book with

your hands, resting the top of the book on your chest. If the priest is tall, you may

need to place the top of the book on your forehead. While it is heavy, please make

every attempt to hold the book steady for the priest.

Simply hold the sacramentary closed, but at an angle so the Priest can open it to

the proper page. After the opening prayer the Priest may close the book and place

it back on the small table. The Priest may simply close the book, in which case

you should place the book back on the small table. At this point everyone sits

down for the readings.

You should stand and sit as appropriate

from this point until after the homily.

Liturgy of the Eucharist After the Prayer of the Faithful, the Priest will sit down; servers do not sit down.

What the servers do at this point will depend on whether there is a Deacon

serving.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

14

With a Deacon

The cross bearer will take the sacramentary and hand it to the Deacon, who will

place it on the stand and open it to the proper page (the red ribbon.)

If there are two additional servers, they will proceed to the credence table and the

cross bearer will return to his or her seat and sit down.

If there is only one server, the cross bearer will join the other server at the

credence table. Both will then wait until the Deacon has opened the

sacramentary, moved to the end of the altar nearest the ambo, and faces the

servers.

The servers will then assist the Deacon in setting the altar.

TAKE YOUR TIME!

Do not try to carry more to save a trip!

DECORUM IS IMPORTANT!

The servers should bring the following items from the credence table, in the

following order, walking slowly and smoothly:

the cups (never try to carry more than two and do not try to carry the cups

and purificators at the same time.)

the purificators

the chalice with covering purificator

the small pitcher of water

A server should never attempt to carry any combination of the items listed above.

For example, never carry the purificators with the cups, or small pitcher of water.

Altar Server

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Without a Deacon

The cross bearer will take the sacramentary and place it on the stand on the altar

and open it to the proper page (the red ribbon.)

If there are two additional servers, they will proceed to the credence table and the

cross bearer will return to his or her seat and sit down.

If there is only one server, the cross bearer will join the other server at the

credence table. Both will then proceed in setting the altar. Please note that servers

should never place anything on the corporal (the large white cloth that covers the

center of the altar. Only the Priest or Deacon should ever place anything on the

corporal. All items should be placed to the right of the corporal.

The servers should bring the following items from the credence table, in the

following order, walking slowly and smoothly:

the cups (never try to carry more than two and do not try to carry the cups

and purificators at the same time.)

the purificators

the chalice with covering purificator

the small pitcher of water

Server should never attempt to carry any combination of the

items listed above. For example, never carry the purificators

with the cups, or small pitcher of water.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

16

When placing the items on the altar, follow the diagram below:

Once the altar has been set, the servers should return to their seats.

Receiving the Gifts

When the Priest stands and moves to the front of the altar to receive the gifts the

servers should rise and follow, standing on each side of the Priest. The servers

should walk around the end of the altar that is closest to where they are sitting.

Follow the movements indicated on the diagram shown on the next page.

Ambo

Ambo

Ambo

Ambo

Credence

Table

Cups

Amb

o

Amb

o

Amb

o

Chalice

Ambo

Ambo

Ambo

Purificators

Ambo

Ambo

Ambo

Water

Ambo

Ambo

Ambo

Corporal

Altar Server

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Cross

Bearer

Server

Altar

Server

Priest Deacon

Credence

Table

Ambo

Ambo

Ambo

Ambo

Liturgy of the Eucharist

18

The Priest will receive the gifts and hand one server the hosts and the other the

wine. The servers should wait until the priest blesses the people who gave the

gifts and then follow the Priest, returning to the rear of the altar. Both servers

should follow the Priest, walking around the same end of the altar as the Priest.

Elevation of the gifts

The server holding the hosts should present them to the Priest when he turns to

receive them. The Priest will then elevate the hosts.

The server holding the wine should hand it to the Deacon, if present. If no Deacon

is present, the server should wait until the Priest turns to receive the wine and then

hand it to the Priest.

Washing of the hands

Immediately after handing over the water and wine, the servers should return to

the credence table. One server should pick up the silver water bowl and the other

the towel. The towel should be draped over the server’s right arm.

When approaching or departing from the Priest,

the two servers should move as one.

Come together and leave together.

After the Priest raises the chalice, he will turn to wash his hands. Both servers

should move together toward the Priest. The server with the water bowl should

raise it so that the Priest can comfortably place his hands in the water. The server

with the towel should stand with the towel so that the Priest can easily take the

towel and dry his hands.

Altar Server

19

Once the Priest has dried his hands and has returned the towel to the server, the

servers should return the water bowl and towel to the credence table and then

return to their seats.

Holy Communion

After the Our Father and the sign of peace. EMs will enter the sanctuary. All

servers should move to the wall next to the ambo side of the altar and wait there

until the Priest and EMs move to the front of the altar to distribute Holy

Communion to the people.

Once Holy Communion to the people has begun, the cross bearer should take the

sacramentary from the altar and place it on the small table next to the Priest’s

chair.

Another server should take the chalice and purificator from the altar and place it

on the credence table.

The only things left on the altar should be the ciborium that

came from the tabernacle and any pix for the homebound.

After Communion

In most cases the Priest will say “Let us pray”. Some priests may say something

else such as “Let us offer our prayers”. When this is said, the cross bearer should

pick up the sacramentary that is on the small table next to the Priest and step in

front of the Priest so he may read the closing prayer.

The Sacramentary is a large heavy book. It should be held high enough for the

priest to easily read. The normal position is to hold the bottom of the book with

Liturgy of the Eucharist

20

your hands, resting the top of the book on your chest. If the priest is tall, you may

need to place the top of the book on your forehead. While it is heavy, please make

every attempt to hold the book steady for the priest.

Simply hold the sacramentary closed, but at an angle so the Priest can open it to

the proper page. After the opening prayer the Priest may close the book and place

it back on the small table. The Priest may simply close the book, in which case

you should place the book back on the small table.

After the final blessing and the dismissal, the servers should wait until the Priest

and Deacon move toward the altar. The cross bearer should then move toward the

crucifix, remove it from its stand and move to the same position in front of the

altar as at the beginning of Mass. Face the altar.

The remaining servers should follow the Priest and Deacon and stand in their

same positions in front of the altar as at the beginning of Mass. Face the Altar.

When the Priest makes a profound bow to the altar, the servers should do the

same. The cross bearer may simply bow his or her head rather than making a

profound bow.

The cross bearer should then turn and lead the procession out of the church. Walk

at a normal walking pace. The remaining servers should follow the cross bearer.

Altar Server

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Baptisms There will be times when one or more baptisms will be scheduled at a Mass

which you may be serving. A baptism does not change the way you serve at Mass,

it only adds one additional duty for one server.

When a baptism is to be performed during Mass one of the servers, preferably the

cross-bearer but it can be any server, should be prepared to hold the baptismal

book for the Priest or Deacon.

At the beginning of Mass

At the beginning of the Mass, the penitential rite is not spoken. Rather, after the

sign of the cross, the Priest or Deacon will announce that “at the doors to the

church there is a child who is yet unfamiliar to us. Let us go and see what the

parents wish for their child.” The Priest or Deacon will then proceed to the doors

of the church and the altar server should follow with the baptismal book. Place

yourself in front of the Priest or Deacon and hold the book as you would the

sacramentary.

When the opening prayers are completed the Priest or Deacon will finish with

“…sing glory to God” and process back to the altar. Follow the Priest or Deacon

and return to your position at the altar.

After the homily

At the conclusion of the homily, the Priest or Deacon will ask the parents,

godparents, and child to come to the front of the altar. The altar server should

walk to the front of the baptismal font and stand facing the Priest or Deacon

holding the baptismal book.

At the conclusion of the baptism, the Priest or Deacon will return to their place

behind the altar. Simply return to your position at the altar.

Vesting

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Vesting When serving at the altar, Altar Servers are required to vest, that is, to wear

certain special clothing during the Mass.

Before Mass

There are three items that you will find in the area just outside the sacristy at the

rear of the church.

The first items is the alb. This is a white robe that you wear over your regular

street clothing. Albs are located in the closet next to the sink; various sizes are

available. You should find a size that when worn the bottom of the alb should be

4-6 inches from the floor.

After you have found and put on an alb, the next item is the cincture. This is a

heavy corded rope that you wrap around you waist like a belt. Cinctures are

located in the alb closet.

If you don’t know how to wrap the cincture,

please ask for assistance.

The last item is the server’s cross that is on a cord that you wear like a necklace.

These are located on a board across from the alb closet.

After Mass

When you return to the sacristy after Mass, please return your alb, cincture, and

cross to their proper place. Please hang your alb back up in the closet according to

size.

Altar Server

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I came not to be served

but to serve.