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15 Pages·2014·0.36 MB·English

St. John the Baptist
Altar Server Guidelines

Prepared by Deacon Mike Stewart St. John the Baptist Parish 1
June 2012 Monroe, MI
Gathering Before Mass
• Be attentive to the schedule. If you
can’t keep your scheduled date,
you must find a substitute & for
you and the substitute to
contact the scheduler and let
them know of the change.
• Arrive and be vested at least 15
minutes before Mass.
• Dress shoes are preferable, and
socks must be worn. No flip flops
or sandals without straps.
• Decide who will fill the appropriate
roles (e.g. cross, book, offertory,
bells.)
• Be attentive to what may need to
be done before Mass (e.g. articles
to be carried from the sacristy to
church, candles or incense to be
lit, etc.)
• Fr. Jim or Deacon Mike will lead
us in prayer before Mass.

Prepared by Deacon Mike Stewart St. John the Baptist Parish 2
June 2012 Monroe, MI
Posture and Reverence
• The role of the Altar Server is to assist the priest, deacon and the
whole community in the celebration of the Mass. Posture and
attitude are very important.
• Hold your hands together unless you are asked to carry something
or are sitting.
• Stand with your weight evenly placed on both feet.
• Sit straight with both feet planted flat on the ground. Pay attention to
the priest and deacon, and always be attentive to the flow of the
Mass.

Prepared by Deacon Mike Stewart St. John the Baptist Parish 3
June 2012 Monroe, MI
Opening Procession
• Follow the priest and/or deacon from the sacristy into the church.
Unless asked to do so, do not proceed to the church alone as final
instructions may be given.
• Line up in the vestibule in the following order:
1. Thurifer (incense - only if applicable)
2. Cross bearer
3. Other servers, side-by-side
4. Deacon
5. Priest
• This should be a prayerful time of preparation with little or no talking.
• Once motioned to begin by the priest or deacon, walk slowly forward
without glancing back. Your eyes should be fixed on the altar and
the cross ahead of you.
• Pay attention to your pace; careful not to walk too slowly or too
quickly, but rather very prayerfully.
• Maintain at least 3 pews from the person walking in front of you.

Prepared by Deacon Mike Stewart St. John the Baptist Parish 4
June 2012 Monroe, MI
Arriving at the Altar
• When you reach the altar, fan out and stand in position as indicated below until
the priest and deacon have genuflected.
• As the priest and deacon genuflect, bow from your waist (except the cross-
bearer). The cross bearer then places the cross in its stand on the altar.
• Be mindful at all times where the priest and deacon are on the altar. Do not
walk in front of them or stand in their path as they move about the sanctuary.
• After the priest and deacon genuflect, proceed immediately to stand in front of
your chairs.
• The priest and deacon will then proceed around the right side to reverence the
altar. Again, be mindful that you do not obstruct their path to the altar.
Altar
P D
Cross Book
Offertory
Fan out

Prepared by Deacon Mike Stewart St. John the Baptist Parish 5
June 2012 Monroe, MI
Opening Prayer
Opening Prayer
• After the Gloria is sung, before the priest says, “Let us Pray,” come
forward with the book without the need to be motioned.
• When the deacon is present, stand in front of the deacon and present
the book in the proper direction. The deacon will open the book to the
appropriate page and motion you to step in front of the priest.
• Hold the book very still and at a level which is comfortable for the priest
to read.

Prepared by Deacon Mike Stewart St. John the Baptist Parish 6
June 2012 Monroe, MI
Liturgy of the Word
• During the Liturgy of the Word, stay seated in the sanctuary
• Be mindful that you are facing the congregation, and that your posture
should be reverent, your feet flat on the ground, and your hands folded
in your lap.

Prepared by Deacon Mike Stewart St. John the Baptist Parish 7
June 2012 Monroe, MI
Offertory – The Altar
• After the Prayers of Intercession, when the congregation is seated, those
assigned to set the altar should proceed immediately to move the sacred vessels
from the side shelves to the altar without the need to be motioned.
• Be certain to move all vessels – corporal, purificators, chalices, patens.
• The book bearer should place the book on the left side of the altar, and should
place any other communion vessels from the shelf onto the altar and then remain
standing.
• If the deacon is present, the deacon will set the altar. If the deacon is not
present, the altar should be set as shown below.
• Once the altar is set, return to your seats. Remain standing in front of your seat
throughout the offertory.
Patens
Corporal
Chalice and Cups
Purificators
Altar

Prepared by Deacon Mike Stewart St. John the Baptist Parish 8
June 2012 Monroe, MI
Offertory – Gift Bearers
• While the altar is being set, those assigned to escort the gift bearers
forward should proceed reverently to the rear of the church without
the need to be motioned.
• Leave your seats together and bow together before the altar, then
turn and walk to the rear of the church with hands folded.
• The book and cross bearer remain in their seats, sitting as the
congregation does.
• When the ushers have prepared the gift bearers, come forward
immediately. Walk slowly and reverently with your hands folded.
• When you reach the priest and deacon, walk around the outside of
them on either side but between the hand rails, and then stand on
the step behind them in the event they need to hand you the gifts.

Prepared by Deacon Mike Stewart St. John the Baptist Parish 9
June 2012 Monroe, MI
Offertory – Gift Bearers
continued
• The priest or deacon may hand the water and wine cruets to the
servers. If so, carry them directly to the left side of the main altar.
Place them both on the altar. Do not remove tops.
• At the altar, once the priest or deacon has prepared the cups, place
the cruets on the side marble shelf.
• Immediately take the water basin, water and hand towel and stand
at the altar step to prepare for the priest to wash his hands. You
should be standing in place when the priest turns and is ready for
washing without the need to be motioned.
• Once the washing is complete, quietly return the instruments to the
marble shelf, and return and stand alongside the altar, about three
feet away from the altar step.

Prepared by Deacon Mike Stewart St. John the Baptist Parish 10
June 2012 Monroe, MI