Altar Servers

Serving at Daily Mass

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Before Mass

1. Arrive at the church AT LEAST 15 minutes before Mass.
2. Go to the servers’ sacristy and vest in an alb. Find one that goes down to your ankles, and make sure that the zipper is closed properly and the collar is straight.
3. Light the candles. USE THE METAL CANDLE LIGHTER TO LIGHT ALL OF THE CANDLES IN THE SANCTUARY. Do not use the “aim a flame” lighter to light the candles.
4. Set the chalice and ciborium, which contains the hosts, on THE RIGHT SIDE of the corporal. When you are carrying the chalice, remember to hold it with two hands: one on the pall and one on the stem of the cup.
5. Set the tabernacle key in front of the tabernacle. Make sure that you genuflect in front of the tabernacle.
6. Set the book stand on the TOP LEFT CORNER of the corporal. KEEP THE SACRAMENTARY AT THE CREDENCE TABLE.
7. Set the water and wine cruets on your table and make sure that the bowl for washing the priest’s hands is on the table with an open finger towel and pitcher filled with water.

Once you have finished setting up for Mass, take your seat in the Priests’ Sacristy.

During Mass

Entrance: When Father is ready, he will tell you to move to the door leading into the church (the one closest to the Priests’ Sacristy). When he tells you to go, process SINGLE FILE (with your hands in “praying position”) in front of him to the rectangular, blue carpet in front of the altar. One of you will stand at the right corner and the other at the left corner. If you are serving the 6:15 am Mass alone, stand at the LEFT corner of the carpet. Genuflect with Father and then go to your pew.

Opening Prayer: As Father is saying the “Lord, have Mercy”, take the Sacramentary and hold it in your hands, leaning it against your chest. When he says, “Let us pray,” walk over to him reverently. ALWAYS REMEMBER TO WALK. THERE IS NO NEED TO HURRY OR TO RUN AROUND THE SANCTUARY. When you stand in front of Father, do not hand him the book. Point the ribbons at him and he will open it to the correct page. Stand still, hold the book so that Father can read the prayer. After he has finished the prayer, PLACE THE SACRAMENTARY IN ITS STAND ON THE ALTAR. Then go back to your pew.

Liturgy of the Word: Sit during the readings, paying attention to what is being read. Stand at your kneeler with your hands in “praying position” for the Gospel reading.

Preparation of the Altar: After the petitions, bring the water and the wine to Father immediately and wait at the edge of the carpet behind the altar. DO NOT WAIT FOR FATHER TO GIVE YOU A CUE. Remember to leave the “tops” of the cruets at your table and to carry them with the handle pointing toward Father.

After Father is finished pouring the water and wine into his chalice, return to the credence table and prepare to wash Father’s hands. One takes the towel and the other picks up the lavabo bowl and matching pitcher with water. Once you have them, go back to the altar IMMEDIATELY and wait at the edge of the carpet. Make sure that the towel is completely unfolded. DO NOT WAIT FOR FATHER TO GIVE YOU A SIGNAL TO COME OVER. GO DIRECTLY TO THE ALTAR WITHOUT ANY DELAY.

Eucharistic Prayer: Stand and kneel with the congregation.

Consecration: After the consecration (“This is my body….”), when Father raises the host, ring the bells for a count of 5 or until he puts it down, whichever comes first. Do the same when he raises the chalice.

Sign of Peace: When Father says, “Let us offer each other the sign of peace,” go up to Father and offer him the sign of peace.

Communion: Once Father drinks from the chalice, go to the altar and stand side-by-side on the first step. He will come to you to give you communion. After both of you have received, you may return to your pew. You may take the Sacramentary and its stand back to the credence table as Father is distributing communion to the congregation. Take time to pray—do not go into the sacristy during communion.

Purification: When Father returns to the altar, bring the cruet of water over to him immediately. Then, return to your pew. Bring the chalice back to the table when Father is done purifying it and has veiled it.

Closing Prayer: When Father returns to his chair, be ready with the Sacramentary. As he says, “Let us pray,” walk over to him and do the same with the book as you did in the beginning. As soon as Father finishes the prayer, go back to your pew.

Recessional: As Father leaves his chair, walk over to your positions in front of the altar (at the corners of the blue carpet), genuflect with Father and process in front of him to the door near St. Joseph (the door opposite of the one through which you entered).

After Mass

• Extinguish the candles with the candle snuffer. DO NOT BLOW THEM OUT OR PUT THEM OUT WITH THE SLEEVE OF YOUR ALB.
• Empty the lavabo bowl, dry it out, and place the dirty towel in the “laundry drawer.” Make sure to get a new towel and place the bowl back on the credence table.
• Bring the chalice and the tabernacle key to the center table in the sacristy.
• Refill the cruets with water and wine and place them in the refrigerator.
• DO NOT DO ANY OF THESE DURING MASS!

When you are finished, ask Father if there is anything else to do.

Hang your robe up NEATLY in the closet.

Thank God for this wonderful opportunity to serve Him at His altar!