Guidelines for Acolytes, Altar Servers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

20 Pages·2015·1.41 MB·English

GUIDELINES FOR
Acolytes, Altar Servers and
Extraordinary Ministers
of Holy Communion
ISSUED BY THE DIOCESE OF WOLLONGONG
3RD EDITION, 2015
This third edition adds details of the requirements for current Working
With Children’s Check Clearances for Acolytes and Adult Altar Servers,
and current National Police History Check Clearances for those who take
Holy Communion to the Sick and Home-bound.
The second edition (2013) included revisions based on the publication of
the official English translation of the General Instruction of the Roman
Missal (2010) as well as recent policy updates made by the Diocesan
Liturgical Commission in 2012 to raise the profile and further emphasise
the importance of formation and training of Extraordinary Ministers of
Holy Communion.
2 | Guidelines for Acolytes, Altar Servers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Contents
4 Foreword
5 Historical Background
6 The Complementarity of Ministries
7 Acolytes
7 Role
7 Institution of Acolytes
8 Formation and Training of Acolytes
9 Adult Altar Servers
9 Role
9 Commissioning of Adult Altar Servers
9 Formation and Training of Adult Altar Servers
10 Junior Altar Servers
11 Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
11 Role
11 Commissioning of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
12 Formation and Training of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
12 Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in the School Environment
12 Extraordinary Ministers Taking Holy Communion to the Sick and Elderly
13 Communion of the Sick and Home-bound
17 Order of Communion Rite
18 Appendix A
18 The Role of the Acolyte and Adult Server at Mass
Guidelines for Acolytes, Altar Servers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion | 3
Foreword
I am most grateful to our
Diocesan Liturgical Commission
“Christ the Lord has left to the Church, his
for drafting these Guidelines
spouse, a testament of his immense love.
according to the Church’s teaching
This wonderful gift of the Eucharist, which
on the Mystery of Faith we
is the greatest gift of all, demands that such
celebrate, receive and adore in
an important mystery should be increasingly
the Holy Eucharist. It is my wish
better known and its saving power more
to promote an understanding,
fully shared. With the intention of fostering
shared by all, of the reverence
devotion to the Eucharist – the summit and
and respect needed and of the complementarity of
centre of Christian worship – the Church,
the various ministries as we celebrate the Eucharistic
moved by pastoral zeal and concern, has on
Mystery. When we prepare for the liturgy, the needs
more than one occasion issued suitable laws
of the particular faith community are to be taken into
and appropriate documents” (Pope Paul VI,
account.
Immensae Caritatis, 25 January 1973).
These Diocesan Guidelines attempt to develop a
common understanding built on the contents of
liturgical law, with suggestions for good liturgical
practice, while underscoring the expectations of
the universal Church and the local Church of the “The Eucharist, as Christ’s saving presence
Diocese. It is my fervent hope that they will be in the community of the faithful and
of assistance to the Pastors of our Diocese as its spiritual food, is the most precious
well as to the Religious and Lay liturgical ministers possession which the Church can have in
who so generously give of their time to foster her journey through history” (Pope John Paul
worthy celebrations of the liturgy that will nourish II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 2003).
participants’ faith so that we may all be of one mind
and heart because we understand, love and serve
(GIRM #24) the Sacred Liturgy of the Church.
I authorise them for use in the Diocese of
Wollongong. “The Church’s doctrine regarding the Most
Holy Eucharist, in which the whole spiritual
wealth of the Church is contained – namely
Christ, our Paschal Lamb – the Eucharist
which is the source and summit of the
whole of Christian life, and which lies as
a causative force behind the very origins
of the Church, has been expounded with
thoughtful care and with great authority over
Most Rev Peter W Ingham DD
the course of the centuries in the writings
Bishop of Wollongong
of the Councils and the Supreme Pontiffs”
Given at Wollongong on (Redemptionis Sacramentum, 2004).
Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross
14 September 2004
44 || GINuSidEeRlTin DesO CfoUrM AEcNoTly TteITsL, EA lHtaErR SEervers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Historical Background
Early in 1972 two decisions made in Rome had a A year later, on 25 January 1973, the Church issued
profound effect on what had happened until then in the faculty by which lay people could assist with the
the distribution of Holy Communion. distribution of Communion.
On 1 January 1972 the Church implemented Pope In July 1992 Pope John Paul II confirmed a Vatican
Paul VI’s decree of 15 August 1971 that the ministries clarification that the 1983 Code of Canon Law allows
of Acolyte and Lector would now be available to lay both males and females to assist at serving Mass.
people.
Bishop Ingham has authorised that this clarification
One of the roles for Acolytes would be to assist with may be availed of in the Diocese of Wollongong.
the distribution of Holy Communion.
continued on next page 
Guidelines for Acolytes, Altar Servers and ExtraordinarIyN SMEinRiTs tDeOrsC UofM HEoNlTy TCIoTmLEm uHnEiRoEn || 55
The Complementarity of Ministries
The call to liturgical ministry within the celebration
of the Eucharist is based in Baptism and the royal
“For this people is the People of God,
priesthood of the faithful. As selfless, mature
purchased by Christ’s Blood, gathered
service, it requires proper disposition, ongoing
together by the Lord, nourished by his Word.
formation and continual conversion. Liturgical
. . . This people, though holy in its origin,
service enriches faith and impels us to a deeper
nevertheless grows constantly in holiness by
commitment to the Christian life. Good liturgical
conscious, active, and fruitful participation in
practice enriches faith for all present; poor practice
the mystery of the Eucharist” (GIRM #5).
can be a stumbling block for growth in faith.
“Liturgical ministry within the Eucharistic
Each ministry group - acolytes, readers, Eucharistic
celebration is a call to participate in a special
ministers, servers, commentators, cantors,
way in this marvellous mystery: the dying
musicians, sacristans, ushers, collectors - will need
of Jesus, his rising and coming again. Those
periodic education on how their respective roles
to whom the church entrusts this sacred
complement each other and highlight the ministerial
ministry, are called to a most “important
priesthood proper to a Bishop and a priest, “who
office of immense love” (Pope Paul VI,
offer the Sacrifice in the person of Christ and who
Immensae Caritatis, 25 January 1973).
preside over the gathering of the holy people”
(GIRM #4).
It is liturgically inappropriate, for example, in normal
circumstances for altar ministers to assume other
roles such as reading, commentating, or leading
music. “By the nature of the ministerial priesthood,
something else is put in its proper light,
Because each ministry’s role is to contribute to the something certainly to be held in great
overall prayerful experience of the community, the esteem, namely, the royal priesthood of the
number of persons around the altar needs to be faithful, whose spiritual sacrifice is brought
adequate but not superfluous. to completion through the ministry of the
Bishop and the Priests, in union with the
The prime characteristic of all that surrounds liturgical
Sacrifice of Christ, the sole Mediator. For
celebration is “noble simplicity” (Sacrosanctum
the celebration of the Eucharist is the action
Concilium, 34).
of the whole Church, and in it each one
should carry out solely but totally that which
The roles and tasks of those who serve within
pertains to him, in virtue of the place of each
the liturgy are guided by and arise from this
within the People of God. The result of this
characteristic. At all times during the Liturgy of the
is that greater consideration is also given to
Eucharist the focus is the Eucharistic action and
some aspects of the celebration that have
care is taken to avoid any gesture or movement
sometimes been accorded less attention in
that draws attention to oneself and distracts the
the course of the centuries” (GIRM #5).
Assembly from this focus.
This will be achieved firstly by the proper initial
training of all persons in their respective roles, and
secondly, by their ongoing formation in liturgy.
6 | Guidelines for Acolytes, Altar Servers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Acolytes
ROLE d. The Bishop institutes Acolytes at a Parish or, at
times, at a Diocesan ceremony after a written
a. The Acolyte is instituted for service at the altar application by the candidate and an assurance
and to assist the Priest and Deacon (GIRM #98). by the Parish Priest that certain prerequisites of
experience and formation have been met (see
b. The Acolyte has a particular role in preparing the
The Rites, Part II, p 107).
altar and the sacred vessels. In the absence of
an Acolyte, an Altar Server may assume this role. e. A candidate is instituted in the Ministry of
Acolyte for his lifetime and is not required to be
c. The role of the Acolyte during the celebration
reinstituted.
of Mass is outlined in the General Instruction of
the Roman Missal (GIRM #187-193). Practical f. In the Diocese of Wollongong, permission to
interpretation of these for this Diocese is given regularly exercise the ministry is at the discretion
in Appendix A. of the Bishop and is granted for a maximum
period of five years, following which the Acolyte
d. The Priest stands at the altar leading the
may apply for a further period of service.
Eucharistic Prayer. To preserve this presidential
role no one (except other concelebrants or a g. The Bishop reserves the right to withdraw the
Deacon) stands beside the Priest at the altar. faculty of service at any time.
Nor does the Acolyte sit at the side of the
Priest. The Priest’s chair symbolises his unique h. The Acolyte’s faculty of service permits him
presidential role and is shared only by Deacons if to serve anywhere within the territory of the
available. Diocese of Wollongong, but always and only at
the invitation of the Priest in charge of the church
e. An Acolyte may act as an Extraordinary Minister or chapel.
of Holy Communion (GIRM #98).
i. An Acolyte taking up permanent residence
outside the Diocese of Wollongong automatically
INSTITUTION OF ACOLYTES
surrenders his faculty to exercise his ministry
within the Diocese and he is requested to notify
Five Year Faculty of Service
the Diocesan Liturgy Office of his departure.
a. Intending candidates are expected to have j. An Acolyte from another Diocese, taking
completed an introductory course drawn up by up permanent residence and service in the
the Diocesan Liturgy Office and approved by the Wollongong Diocese, is asked to notify the
Bishop. Diocesan Liturgy Office of the date and place of
institution and other details so that a Five-Year
b. Acolytes are required to be at least 16 years of
Faculty of Service can be issued.
age. Those over 18 years must have a current
Working With Children Check Clearance. k. Any Acolyte wishing not to continue in the active
ministry before the conclusion of five years is
c. During the introductory course the candidates
expected simply to notify his Parish Priest and
are reminded that their decision to enter the
the Diocesan Liturgy Office of the fact.
ministry is to be made only after they have
completed the course and understood the continued on next page 
significance of their decision.
Guidelines for Acolytes, Altar Servers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion | 7
FORMATION AND TRAINING OF c. Regular opportunities for personal reflection and
deeper appreciation of their ministry. This may
ACOLYTES
well take place in conjunction with Acolytes
from neighbouring parishes and combined with
The term “training” refers to all that people need
formation for Adult Servers.
to know to carry out their role with confidence and
understanding.
“Formation” refers to wider education and other
“Those who serve at the altar exercise a
assistance given from time to time to help people
genuine liturgical function. They ought to
mature in the understanding of their ministry and
discharge their office therefore, with the
role. Formation may include courses on liturgy, or
sincere devotion and decorum demanded by
some specific liturgical rite, retreats and spiritual
so exalted a ministry and rightly expected
enrichment days.
of them by God’s people. Consequently,
Ongoing formation of Acolytes, Adult Servers and they must all be deeply imbued with the
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion involves spirit of the liturgy, in the measure proper
more than knowing the rubrics. They need to have to each one, and they must be trained to
an understanding of the spirit of the liturgy and to perform their functions in a correct and
continually renew this understanding. orderly manner” (Vatican II, Sacrosanctum
Concilium, 29).
Acolyte formation takes place at both Parish and
Diocesan level.
The Diocesan Liturgy Office will
conduct:
“Lay people who are pledged to the special
service of the Church, whether permanently
a. An introductory course for candidates applying
or for a time, have a duty to acquire the
to become Acolytes.
appropriate formation which their role
demands, so they may conscientiously,
b. Regional gatherings from time to time to provide
earnestly and diligently fulfil their role”
enrichment in their understanding of the liturgy.
(Code of Canon Law, 231§1).
The Parish will provide:
a. Initial formation in scripture, theology and the
principles of liturgy - especially where it has
not been possible for candidates to attend
“Since an Acolyte is especially destined for
the Diocesan course. In this case, the Parish
the service of the altar, he should familiarise
undertakes to conduct a course with content
himself with everything which pertains to
similar to the Diocesan course.
divine worship and should endeavour to
b. Practical training based on the General understand its spirit and its inner meaning”
Instruction of the Roman Missal. (Pope Paul VI, Ministeria Quaedam, 15
August 1972, #6).
8 | Guidelines for Acolytes, Altar Servers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Adult Altar Servers
ROLE f. Intending candidates are invited to attend the
introductory course conducted by the Diocesan
a. An Adult Server is a lay minister commissioned Liturgy Office for Acolytes or to participate in a
to serve at the altar and assist the Priest and similar course conducted within their Parish.
Deacon in a similar way to the Acolyte (GIRM
#100). g. The Adult Altar Server may offer his or her
service anywhere within the territory of the
b. An Adult Server may carry the cross, the Diocese of Wollongong, but always and only at
candles, the censor (thurible), the bread, the the invitation of the Priest in charge of the church
wine, and the water (GIRM #100). or chapel.
c. The Adult Server may act as an Extraordinary
FORMATION AND TRAINING OF
Minister of Holy Communion if he or she has
ADULT ALTAR SERVERS
been commissioned for this role, or if the Priest
deputes the Adult Server for a particuar occasion
Formation of men and women Adult Altar Servers
(GIRM #162).
will also take place at both Diocesan and Parish
d. An Adult Server performs the functions of levels.
an Acolyte with the exception of cleansing
the sacred vessels after the distribution of The Diocesan Liturgy Office will
Communion.
conduct:
COMMISSIONING OF ADULT a. The introductory course for Acolytes, Adult Altar
ALTAR SERVERS Servers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy
Communion.
a. The Parish Priest commissions Adult Altar
b. Regional gatherings in association with other
Servers at a Sunday Mass after prerequisites
liturgical ministries to provide enrichment in their
of formation have been met (see Book of
understanding of the liturgy.
Blessings, p 783), or at the ceremony where the
Bishop institutes acolytes for the parish.
The Parish will provide:
b. Adult Altar Servers are required to be at least 16
years of age. Those over 18 years must have a a. (Where the candidate was not able to attend the
current Working With Children Check Clearance. Diocesan course) at least one education session
which conveys some understanding of the spirit
c. An Adult Altar Server applies to his or her Parish of the liturgy and the structure of the Mass.
Priest or is invited to participate in this lay
liturgical ministry by the Parish Priest. b. Practical training based on the General
Instruction of the Roman Missal.
d. The local Parish Priest determines the duration
of service. c. Opportunities for personal reflection and deeper
appreciation of their ministry. This may well take
e. An Adult Altar Server simply notifies his or her place in conjunction with Acolytes and Adult
Parish Priest when no longer able to assist at the Altar Servers from neighbouring parishes.
altar.
Guidelines for Acolytes, Altar Servers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion | 9
Junior Altar Servers
a. The Junior Altar Servers’ special ministry is to f. Servers are seated in a suitable place on
serve in the sanctuary, in areas pertaining to the the sanctuary. The place next to the Priest is
altar and lectern. normally reserved for the Deacon.
b. Under the direction of an Acolyte or Adult Altar g. Junior Altar Servers play a very visible part
Server, they assist with the smooth flow of the in parish liturgy. Their training and formation
liturgical rite, enhancing the spirit of worship and programs take place at parish level. The
prayer. formation of Junior Servers should include
instruction on the Mass and its parts and their
c. Junior Altar Servers need to be mature enough
meaning. Servers need appropriate guidance
to understand their responsibilities and to carry
on maintaining proper decorum and attire when
them out with appropriate reverence. They
serving Mass and other liturgies.
should have already received Holy Communion
for the first time. h. In keeping with the special dignity of this
ministry of service within the sanctuary,
d. Junior Altar Servers respond to the prayers and
opportunities for continuing education and
dialogues along with the congregation. They also
reflection are offered.
join in the singing of the hymns.
i. The proper training of Servers, especially the
e. For young people, their time of altar service may
young, is most important and is ideally the
play an important part in their personal spiritual
responsibility of one or two people in the parish
growth. It is considered to be a laudable practice
so that uniformity and consistency can be
for parishes to encourage young people in this
maintained throughout the group.
form of service.
j. The Order for Blessing of Altar Servers may be
used before altar servers first begin to function
in this ministry (Book of Blessings p 783).
10 | Guidelines for Acolytes, Altar Servers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion