PROCEDURES FOR ALTAR SERVERS

Updated 8/16/04

BEFORE MASS:

· Arrive 15 minutes prior to Mass.

· Sign-in. If you are substituting for someone else, write

· “Vest” (get dressed) in white “alb” (robe) and proper color “cincture” (belt/rope).

· Fill the water “cruet” (small glass container) with water from the tap.

· Take the following items to the offertory table (small table at the first ‘pew” [bench] of the assembly):

o The water cruet.

o The “ciborium” (big bowl with bread to be consecrated).

o The “flagon” (pitcher filled with wine to be consecrated).

· Take the “chalice” (priest’s cup) to the “credence table” (small ledge in back of the wall behind the wooden Mary statue) which is located at the opposite side of the other credence table (behind the “ambo” [lectern/podium]).

· Light the two candles by the altar and the one by the ambo. During the Easter season, light the Easter Candle (If you are not sure you can do this, PLEASE ask for help).

CROSS BEARER

IMMEDIATELY BEFORE MASS:

Cross bearer removes the processional cross from the stand and, with the book bearer, waits for the priest and deacon at the front of the church (near the offertory table).

DURING MASS:

CROSS BEARER: Procession

· Leads the procession when the singing begins.

· Goes to the left when arrives to the first step of the Sanctuary and waits for the priest and deacon to “reverence the altar” (bow).

· After priest and deacon bow, cross bearer places the cross in the stand and goes to book bearer who will be waiting at the side of the altar just before the final step up.

· Walking together, the cross bearer and book bearer go to their seats (near the statue of Mary).

CROSS BEARER: Offertory

· After the ushers get near the last pew, the cross bearer gets the cross and meets the offertory family at the offertory table.

· When the gifts are ready, the cross bearer leads the family and gifts to the priest, deacon and book bearer.

· The cross bearer places the cross back in the stand and meets the book bearer, who is holding the water cruet, by the altar. They wait together for the mingling rite.

CROSS BEARER: Liturgy of the Eucharist

· After the book bearer receives the water cruet from the deacon, the two altar servers bow together to the deacon, turn around together, and go to the credence table to get the finger bowl and towel.

· While the priest bows to the gifts on the altar, the servers come forward: the book bearer carries the bowl and the water pitcher, the cross bearer carries the towel, unfolded, by its corners. This makes it easy for the priest to grab.

· After the priest has washed his hands, the altar servers bow to the priest and the priest bows to the servers.

· The servers turn and return the finger bowl, pitcher and towel to the credence table.

· After the priest says: “Pray brothers and sisters that our sacrifice may be acceptable...” the servers walk together back to their chairs.

CROSS BEARER: Sign of Peace

· After the “Our Father,” the priest or deacon will say: “Let us offer each other a sign of peace.” At this time the altar servers come forward to the altar, stopping just before the ledge around the altar area.

· When giving the priest, deacon, and other altar server the sign of peace, please offer a firm handshake and be sure to make eye contact with them.

CROSS BEARER: Communion

· After both servers receive communion, they return to their seats together and join in singing the communion hymn.

CROSS BEARER: Recession

· Once the music starts for the final hymn, the cross bearer goes to get the cross and waits for the priest and deacon to move.

· When the priest and deacon go to kiss the altar, the cross bearer removes the cross from the stand and proceeds directly to the bottom of the sanctuary. Do not stop at the altar on the way down the steps.

· The cross bearer waits at the bottom of the steps, with back to the congregation.

· After the priest and deacon bow to the altar, the cross bearer turns and leads the recession out.

· After Mass, the cross bearer immediately returns the cross to the stand for the next

Mass.

BOOK BEARER

IMMEDIATELY BEFORE MASS:

· Book bearer makes sure that the Sacramentary (priest’s book) is in its proper place next to their chair and then waits for the priest and deacon at the front of the church (near the offertory table).

DURING MASS:

BOOK BEARER: Procession

· Follows behind the cross bearer after the singing begins.

· Goes to the right when arrives to the first step of the Sanctuary and waits for the priest and deacon to “reverence the altar” (bow)

· After the priest and deacon bow, the book bearer goes up to the right of the altar and stands facing the altar at the ledge and waits for the cross bearer to come.

· When the cross bearer meets up with the book bearer, the book bearer turns and together both servers go to their seats (near the statue of Mary).

BOOK BEARER: Offertory

· After the ushers get near the last pew and the cross bearer picks up the cross to take back for the offertory family, the book bearer places the book on the altar to the left of the corporal (white linen with little red cross on it).

· The book bearer then gets the chalice from the credence table (behind Mary statue) and places it on the altar to the right of the corporal.

· After placing the chalice on the altar, the book bearer goes to the priest’s chair and stands next to the priest on the priest’s right hand side.

· When the priest stands up and goes to receive the offertory gifts, the book bearer walks alongside the priest (on the right).

· The book bearer receives the water cruet from the priest after the priest has received it from the offertory family.

· The book bearer, with the cruet, goes to the left side of the altar and waits for the cross bearer.

BOOK BEARER: Eucharist

· After removing the top off of the water cruet, the book bearer hands the cruet to the deacon or priest.

· After the “mingling rite” (mixing the water with the wine) the book bearer receives the water cruet back from the deacon or priest, both servers bow together, turn around together, and go to the credence table to get the finger bowl and towel.

· While the priest bows to the gifts on the altar, the servers come forward: the book bearer carries the bowl and water pitcher, the cross bearer carries the towel, unfolded, by the corners.

· After the priest has washed his hands, the altar servers bow to the priest and the priest bows to the servers.

· The servers turn and return the finger bowl, pitcher and towel to the credence table.

· After the priest says: “Pray brothers and sisters that this sacrifice may be acceptable....” the servers walk together back to their chairs.

BOOK BEARER: Sign of Peace

· After the “Our Father,” the priest or deacon will say: “Let us offer each other a sign of peace.” At that time the altar servers come forward to the altar, stopping just before the ledge around the altar area.

· When giving the priest, deacon, and other altar server the sign of peace, please offer a firm handshake and be sure to make eye contact with them.

BOOK BEARER: Communion

· After both servers receive communion, they return to their seats together and join in singing the communion hymn.

· As the priest, deacon, and ministers distribute communion to the faithful, the book bearer removes the book from the altar and carries it back to the servers’ chair. BOOK BEARER: Recession

· Once the music starts, the book bearer and the cross bearer walk together toward the altar.

· The book bearer stands just before the ledge around the altar (as at the entrance procession) and waits for the cross bearer to get the cross.

· When the cross bearer is leaving the sanctuary and is even with the book bearer, the book bearer proceeds to the bottom of the sanctuary.

· The book bearer waits at the bottom of the steps, with back to the congregation.

· When the priest and deacon bow to the altar, the book bearer also bows then turns and follows the cross bearer who is leading the recession out,

· After Mass, the book bearer goes with the cross bearer and brings the water cruet and chalice back to the sacristy for the next Mass.

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