Archdiocese of Palo

Vacariate of Abuyog
St. Michael the Archangel Parish
Mahaplag, Leyte

RITE OF THE SOLEMN

INVESTITURE AND RENEWAL OF
PROMISES
OF THE KNIGHTS OF THE ALTAR

Ii

RITE OF INVESTITURE
All altar servers and with the other ministers needed in the Eucharistic Celebration. The Holy
Mass will commence in its ordinary form until the part of the homily. After the homily, the rite
below is included.

I. RECOGNITION AND EXAMINATION OF THE CANDIDATES

Coordinator: May I request all altar servers to please stand and step forward once your name is
called.

Coordinator will call out the names of all altar servers alphabetically.

Altar Server: (aloud) Here I am Lord, ready to serve you.

Coordinator: Rev. Fr, Michael before you and the community of believers are the altar servers
and new members who wish to be officially recognized as members of the Knights of the Altar.
These altar servers are now qualified to become certified members to serve at the Eucharistic
Celebrations based on the formation program they had prior to this rite.

The Priest inquires as to the worthiness of the candidates

Priest: Do you know them to be worthy?

Coordinator: After inquiry among the Christian people and upon the recommendation of those
responsible, I testify that they have been found worthy.

After judging them worthy, he elects them for ordination.

Priest: Relying on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, we choose these men,
our brothers, for the member of the knights of the Altar.

All present: Thanks be to God

Priest: Our beloved young men of the altar, your presence before God and the people of God
affirm your willingness and commitment to serve Jesus as Knights of the Altar. Do you know
what this means?

Altar Servers: Yes, we do know that our presence signifies that we desire to commit ourselves
to serve Jesus at the Eucharistic Table, in serving the community through the Holy Catholic
Church and by living out our baptismal promises through good examples to our fellowmen.

Priest: Will you give and show your faithfulness and loyalty to the Parish Priest and Church
Authorities?

Altar Servers: Yes, we will.

Priest: Are you ready and willing to commit yourselves and your time to serve wholeheartedly
to this kind of service and with full responsibility?

Altar Servers: Yes, we are ready.

II. VESTING AND OFFERING OF SELF

RITE OF BLESSING OF THE CASSOCK

Assisting/Guest Altar Servers will now give the new cassock to all altar servers.

Priest: (from Collectio Rituum)

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, you have appointed

Your Son to be the Mediator of the New Covenant. Pour forth
the gifts of Your grace upon Your chosen ministers of Your
sacred mysteries, so that by wearing these cassocks while
officiating at Your holy altars, they may serve Your people by
presenting the Word and Bread of Life; they may distinguish
themselves through their integrity of faith; and they may be
conspicuous through their observance of the Gospel precepts
through Christ our Lord, together with the Holy Spirit, forever
and ever. Amen.

The priest will now bless the vestments with holy water and incense. After the coordinator will
call the name of the member and the priest will give their cassock. After he receive the cassock
and surplice the member will go to at the sacristy to wear their cassock.

Commentator: May we now call on the parents of these altar servers to assist in
vesting the new surplice.

III. VOW AND COMMITMENT

Priest: Now, you are all ready and certified to serve at various Church Liturgies. Make your vow
and commitment of service before God and this community of believers.

The commitment part is led by the President of the Knights of the Altar.

President: Lord Jesus Christ, we are here to serve You. We shall strive hard, to the best of our
ability to be ever loyal and faithful to our duties and responsibilities in serving at the Holy Mass
and other Church liturgies, and to offer my simple service to this community through the Holy
Catholic Church. I pledge to be a good example to my fellowmen, believers or non-believers,
and to help the Church build Your Kingdom here on earth.

We are called by God to serve at the Knights of the Altar. We believe that we are not
alone in this kind of service; we are with Jesus and our brothers. With this in mind, we vow to
serve the Holy Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church with all our hearts together with the
authorities of this
ministry.

May we be ever faithful in our service to You, dear Lord Jesus, through the intercession
of the Blessed Mary, our Mother. Amen.

Priest: Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we have witnessed the love of these young men to our
Lord Jesus and in His Church. May they be truly live out their promises and be good examples to
the community. Let us rejoice and agree with them in their endeavors. Let us give them a big
hand of applause!

All Altar Servers will then face the congregation as the people clap their hands. They shall go
back to their seats quietly as the Eucharistic Celebration continues