1. The Introductory Rite

•     The cross bearer and the candle bearers lead the procession from the back of the church to the front. (On rare occasions where incense is used, the incense bearer would go before the cross.) Candle bearers should walk on either side of the cross, not behind. The candles always accompany the cross.

•     We walk in a dignified and unhurried pace.

•     At the front, the cross and candle bearers go up the steps, (without any bow or genuflection) move to the left in the space between the altar and the ambo, and then turn to face the congregation.

•     The servers remain standing until the rest of the procession led by the priests and deacon all reverences the altar.

•     The servers then move to place the cross and candles in their respective stands, before going to their bench where they remain standing.

•     The server bearing the Roman Missal brings it to the celebrant. The deacon or celebrant will open it. When finished, return with the book to your bench.

2. The Liturgy of the Word

•     During the word the servers remain at their seats. They stand or set as the congregation.

3. The Liturgy of the Eucharist

•     When the collection begins, two servers (usually the candle bearers) will begin preparing the altar. They’ll do the following:

1. Take and give the Roman Missal to the clergy.

2. Bring all of the sacred vessels (the chalice, corporal, communion cups, purificators, and small cruet of water) to the clergy.

•     The cross (and Candles) bearer should be watching for when the collection is almost finished, then get the cross, move down the side aisle, and then over to the middle aisle.

•     The cross bearer should wait until the collection and gifts bearers are ready, before moving.

•     The cross bearer then leads the group down the aisle and continues to take the cross back to its stand as the clergy receives the gifts.

•     NOTE: When the clergy gets up to receive the gifts, the other two servers should go with them, one standing on either side of them.

•     When the priest or deacon hands each server the bread or the wine, the servers should go back to the altar and wait to give the clergy these gifts.

•     The servers should then get the water, bowl and towel for the priest to wash his hands.

•     When finished, the server returns these items back to the table, along with anything else the clergy hands them from the altar that they no longer need.

•     During the Consecration, there should be three short rings of the bells, first when the host is elevated, and again, when the chalice is elevated.

•     Servers should remain at their bench until the Sign of Peace. Give the Sign of Peace to each other and then wait to be greeted by the clergy.

     NOTE: Do not leave the sanctuary to give the sign of peace to the congregation.

•     At communion time, the servers should join the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in lining up behind the altar (facing the congregation) to wait to receive the Eucharist.

•     When the clergy and the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion return the sacred vessels to the altar after communion, servers should be watching in case they’re needed to take cloths, books or any other items to the side table.

4. The Concluding Rite

•     As the closing song begins, the servers should get the candles and cross and go immediately down the front steps of the sanctuary, move to a position at the first pew in the center aisle, and then turn to face the altar.

•     Wait until the rest of the procession gets in place and is ready to move.

•     When the celebrant is ready, he will move with the deacon to kiss the altar and then come down thesteps in front of it. Meanwhile the Lectors and the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will comeforward and line up on either side of the clergy, facing the altar.

•     As soon as the group, led by the priest, genuflects, the cross and candle bearers should turn around and begin the procession to the back of the church. NOTE: Those carrying the cross and candles do not bow or genuflect.

•     After the procession, you should return the cross and candles back to their stands, and then move to the sacristy to neatly hang up your vestments.

 

 Definitions for Altar Servers

Alb – The full white garment worn by the priest, deacon, and in some cases the altar servers. The alb is symbolic of Baptism. The rope tied around the waist is called a cincture.

Altar- The place where the Eucharistic Sacrifice takes place. The altar is sacred and often contains relics of the saints.

Ablution Cup - covered dish of water on the side of the tabernacle which is used by the priest, deacon or extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist to wash their fingers after distributing Communion.

Ambo - The platform, lectern or pulpit from which the reading and homily are given.

Aspergelum – The Holy Water Sprinkler.

Boat-A small liturgical vessel containing the incense that will be used

with the thurible.

Cassock - A long tunic like garment which reaches from the neck to the heels which is warn by some servers and clergy.

Chalice - A cup of precious metal that holds the wine which becomes the Blood of Jesus after the consecration. All chalices should be placed in their places after Mass. If the Chalices were left unpurified by the priest or deacon for some reason they should be left out on the presentation table for purification by the priest or deacon. Never put an unpurified chalice away.

Chalice Veil (peplum) - A cloth covering used to hide the chalice and paten up to the offertory and after Communion. It is selected by the liturgical color for the service.

Ciborium - A large cup or container of precious metal with a cover of the same material which will hold the Body of Jesus after the consecration for distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful.

Cincture: The Cincture is a cord used to secure the Alb around the waist. It symbolizes the cord that bound Jesus to the pillar while He was scourged and is useful in reminding us to be strong spiritually in the battle against evil.

Corporal - A white linen cloth, usually with a cross in the center, used to protect any particles of the Precious Body and Blood of Jesus from falling to the altar cloth. It is always folded and unfolded as to protect any particles from being lost. The corporal is like the body winding sheet used to hold the crucified body or Our Lord in the tomb.

Communion Plate or Paten: Flat plate with handle used to catch particles that might fall from the Sacred Host during Communion.

Credence Table - The table in the rear of the sanctuary where the cruets, chalices and ciborium are kept before and after the Consecration.

Cruets – The vessels containing the water and wine used at Mass.

Finger Towel- A towel that Father will use to dry his hands.

Flagon or Flask-The large glass decanter that holds the wine at Mass.

 Holy Water Bucket – is the container used to hold holy water.  

 Lavabo- The pitcher of water used when the priest washes his hands at the end of the offertory and before the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

 Lectern – is the stand that is sometimes used on the side of the Ambo. It is used by the cantor.   

Lectionary - The book of reading used for the liturgy of the word. It usually contains all the biblical reading used for the three year Sunday cycle of reading and the two year daily Mass readings.

Lunette - A thin, circular receptacle, having a glass face that holds the Consecrated Host used for Adoration and Benediction. It slides into the monstrance on a little track.

 Monstrance - This is a large, ornate vessel used to hold the Blessed Sacrament for Adoration, Benediction and solemn Eucharistic processions.

 Offertory Table-The table behind the last pew by the pew break where the gifts are placed.

  Pall - A square piece of cardboard or plastic which is covered by linen and used to cover the chalice.

 Pascal Candle/Easter Candle – is the large candle that is located near the baptismal font.

Paten - A small saucer shaped plate of precious metal that holds the Host. No lay person should ever touch the paten so be very careful when handling it in your official duties.

Presider’s Chair- is the center chair of three on the left side of the sanctuary that the priest celebrant uses to sit on when he presides at Mass during the Liturgy of the Word and the concluding prayers of the Mass

Purificator - A linen cloth used by the priest or deacon to dry the chalice after washing and purifying it. Used purificators should always be placed in the proper container for sacred cloths.

Pyx - A case, about the size of a pocket watch, in which Communion is carried to those who are sick or unable to come to church.

Roman Missal - The book containing the prayers said by the priest during the Mass.

Sacrarium (piscina) - A sink with it drain going directly into the ground usually fitted with a cover and lock which is used for the disposal of the following: The sacred linen wash and rinse water, used holy water, used baptismal water and blessed ashes. No other use is permitted.

Sacristan-The person who takes care of the sacred vessels and vestments used at Mass.

 Sacristy-The portion of the Church building where the priests, deacons, servers, and lectors meet to vest and prepare themselves for Mass.

 Sanctuary-The area of the Church that contains the altar and the ambo.

 Sprinkler (or Aspergill) – is used to spray holy water over the people during a blessing or a sprinkling rite.

 Stock - The metal containers used to hold the oil of the catechumen, the oil of chrism and the oil for anointing the sick.

Stoup - The holy water fountains or bowls at the entrances of the church.

Surplice - A wide sleeved, linen worn over a cassock by clergy and altar servers in some parishes.

Tabernacle – is the large, decorated box or safe in which the consecrated Eucharistic Bread is kept. It is located in the center of the rear of the sanctuary.

Thurible/Censer – The special vessel which holds burning charcoal and into which incense is placed. The device holding the incense is called the “boat.”

Thurifer — The server who handles the incense and boat.