Altar Server

23 Pages·2012·0.64 MB·English

Altar Server

Guide
Saint Mary Catholic

Church

LLC #237

 ALTAR SERVER PRAYER
 DEFINITION OF ALTAR SERVER
 DRESS CODE
 ALTAR SERVER RULES
 MASS SETUP - Clean-Up After Mass
 ENTRANCE PROCESSION – Greeting - Penitential Rite
 GLORIA
 HOMILY
 PROFESSION OF FAITH (Nicene Creed)
 PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
 LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
OFFERTORY COLLECTION
Preparation of the Altar Preparation of the Gifts -
Preparation of the Wine - Washing of Hands
 EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
 THE COMMUNION RITE - Sign of Peace
 COMMUNION -Lamb of God
 CONCLUDING RITE – Blessing
 AFTER MASS

Altar Server Prayer 
O God, You have graciously called me to serve You upon Your altar.  Grant 
me the graces that I need to serve You faithfully and wholeheartedly.   
Grant too that while serving You, may I follow the example of Saint Tarcisius, 
who died protecting the Eucharist, and walk the same path that led him to 
Heaven.
Thank you, for the trust you have placed in me.  Keep me true to that trust.  I 
make my prayer in Jesus’ name, who is with us in the Holy Spirit.   

                                                               AMEN 

                       Definition of Altar Server

Servers are individuals who display a
desire for a more intimate union with
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
It is a great privilege to serve at the
Altar of our Lord. Accordingly, Servers
have a solemn responsibility to do their
assigned duties with dignity and
reverence.

Our loving Savior becomes present on the
Altar, just as He was at the Last Supper
and Calvary.

Dress Code For Altar Servers
Altar Servers should dress appropriately for Our
Lord and Blessed Mother Mary.
 Be Modest in your dressing
 No tennis shoes, men’s sandals or flip-flops
 No shorts, t-shirts, or tops or dresses with
plunging necklines.
 No large hoop earrings, large jewelry etc.

 Dress shoes should be worn for the young
ladies and young men.
 Young Ladies should wear slacks and/or
dresses.
 Jewelry – jewelry should not be a
distraction.
 Young men should wear collared shirts with
neckties, slack/khaki style pants.

                            Altar Server Rules
Serving Mass is not only a duty, but also a great
honor, a true holy service. We are servants of
Christ.
1. Attend Altar Server Training Class (Mandatory)
2. Attend Confession regularly.
3. Be punctual for Mass. Arrive 15 minutes before
mass to prepare the sanctuary and yourselves for
mass.
4. Your Cassocks and Surplices should be ironed
and washed, not crumpled and/or dirty (notify the
proper individual). If wax has dripped on either
garments, place them on podium next to the door.
5. Ensure that you have on the ministry cross
which is located in the ministry drawer. It
should be displayed properly. It should never be
played with.
6. Serve at every mass that you are scheduled, or
you need to make arrangements to have someone
cover your scheduled Mass.
7. Before Mass, ensure that the candles are lit,
altar bread, wine, water, towels, bowl, prayer
book, kneelers and any other sacramental’s are in
their proper place.
8. When at the Altar be quiet and respectful, you
are role models.
9. Maintain a prayerful posture at all times
during mass (feet together and hands on lap).
10. Be attentive; respond immediately when the
priest asks for help. When kneeling maintain a
prayerful posture.
Mass setup

Ensure that all the chalices are clean.
The Purificator is put on the chalice with the cross on the chalice to the front,
The large host is put on the paten. When we have a normal Sunday Mass only put 1/4 of
hosts in the bowl. Masses such as Easter, Palm Sunday, Christmas, etc., more hosts are needed
in the crystal bowls.
The paten is put on top of the purificator and chalice, then the corporal goes on top of that
and then the pall goes on top of everything.
The purificator’s are put with each chalices and the silver bowl that father uses to wash his
hands.

Clean-up after Mass

After mass proper preparation should be made. Wash the Chalice’s, Ciborium
and Flagon. Get a clean Pall and Purificator’s. The clean Pall is to cover the
Chalice. Ensure that the Ciborium’s have hosts. The Flagon should be filled
with wine and get clean Purifcator’s for the next Mass.

Ensure that the Tabernacle key is placed back in the cabinet (it is not to be left
on circular tray).
Entrance Procession:
Altar server #1 Cross Bearer, will line up in
front of the Baptismal Font.
Altar servers #2 & #3 – Candle (candles
should be lit) Bearers will line up behind the
cross bearer, etc.
 If there is only ONE server, that server
will carry the cross.
 If there is only TWO servers, NO candles
will be used. One server will carry the
cross and the other server will line up
behind the cross bearer.
If there is three or more servers than TWO
servers will carry the lit candles and line
up behind the Cross Bearer and the extra
servers will line up behind the servers
carrying the candles.
Walk at a normal speed. Do not proceed into
the church when the music is played, wait
until the congregation starts to sing.
Lead the procession into the church, first
the Cross Bearer, second the other servers
(all).
At the front of the Altar wait for the other
ministers and the priest. When all the
ministers and priest are at the front of the
Altar everyone does a profound bow (with the
exception of the Cross Bearer and the
server’s with the lit candles.

Greeting
 The priest begins the mass “Sign of the Cross”. When
father has said the sign of the cross, the Altar Server
will step forward with the Roman Missal (book). Bow and
present the book to father. The book should be raised to
the Father and opened to the white ribbon. After the
reading, close the book and bow. Return to your chair,
“Do not ever set the book on the floor” (when seated place
book on your lap, when standing place the book on the
chair).
Penitential Rite