St.

Alphonsa Syro Malabar Parish

Altar Server’s Handbook

 Dear altar boys and altar girls,

The closer you are to the altar, the more you will remember to speak with Jesus in daily prayer; the more
you will be nourished by the Word and the Body of the Lord, the better able you will be to go out to others,
bringing them the gift that you have received, giving in your turn, with enthusiasm, the joy you have
received.”

- Pope Francis, Meeting of Pope Francis with the German Altar Servers, 4 August 2015

The Syro Malabar Church & Liturgy

‘Syro’ indicates the syriac patrimony of the Church. The Liturgical tradition of the Church is East Syrian

or Chaldean. ‘Malabar’ designates the place of origin of the Syro-Malabar Church; the present state of

Kerala was also historically named Malabar.

Liturgy is the celebration of faith in the Church, the celebration of the Mystery of Salvation, the heart of

which is the Eucharist. The Sacraments, Sacramentals, and the Liturgy of the Hours form the Liturgical

Patrimony of the Church.

Role of Altar Servers in the Liturgy

Assist the priest in the celebration of the liturgy during Mass by:

 Specific actions-
o making the sign of the cross, standing, kneeling, bowing the head, extending the hands,
folding hands with fingers interlocked, folding hands, kissing, exchange of peace, making
the sign of the cross, washing of hands, incensing.
 Setting an example to the congregation by active participation in the liturgy
 Looking alert and sitting or standing at the appropriate times.

An altar server performs all assigned duties with attention, dignity, and reverence because they are
serving in the presence of Our Lord
 Altar Server Guidelines
. Requirements

• Have a strong desire to serve at the altar of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ
• Attend the Altar Servers’ Training
• Be in a state of grace
• Maintain a regular sacramental life (Confession and Communion)
• Be an active member of the parish community
• Believe in the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church
• Know the real presence of Jesus Christ begins at the moment of the Consecration
• Know that Jesus Christ endures as long as the Eucharistic species exists

Preparing to Altar Serve

• Know when you are scheduled to serve.

o If you are unable to serve on your scheduled day, contact your team leader in advance.
• Arrive 15 minutes before Mass begins
o Get dressed- wear the vestment correctly
o Light candles
o Prepare for Procession
• Dress & Appearance
o Modest, decent attire
• No athletic wear, athletic shoes
o Dress shoes
o Long hair tied back

Posture

• Reverent, prayerful, confident, calm

• Always bow to altar when passing it (unless carrying something)
• Bowing during prayers
• Look to “where the action is”
• No slouching/leaning back
• Fold hands when standing, walking, or kneeling
• Keep hands in lap/at sides when seated
o No crossed legs
 Names and Symbols from the Holy Qurbana
Places
 Sanctuary (Madbaha)
o Symbolic of Heaven
 Sanctuary Lamp
o Symbolizes unending presence of Christ, the Light of the world,
in the church
 Altar
o Centre of sanctuary where divine mysteries are celebrated
o Symbolizes:
 Throne of Holy Trinity
 Tomb of Christ
 Sacrificial Altar
 Ladder leading to Heaven
 Table for banquet
 Bethgaze (Credence Table)
o Two specially prepared niches on either side in Sanctuary for preparation of gifts of bread and wine

 Tabernacle
o receptacle for reserving Holy Eucharist for holy communion outside the
Qurbana, and for adoration

 Bema (Table of Word of God)

o in front of altar
o cross and candles kept on table
o symbol of earthly paradise

 Questroma (Chancel)
o Between Hykla and Madbaha where choir assembles to sing and pray
o Connecting link between Hykla (Earth) and Madbaha (Heaven)

 Hykla (Nave)
o Where the faithful assemble
o Symbolic of Earth

 Sacristy
o Where celebrant and deacons put on sacred vestments and prepare for the
celebrations
  Lectern
o Supports sacred books used in liturgical ceremonies

Objects
 Cross (Sleeva)
o Sign of salvation, and sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus

 Gospel Book
o At right side of altar
o Symbolizes Jesus at right side of Heavenly Father

 Bread and Wine

o Symbols of the body and blood of Jesus

Sacred Vessels

 Chalice and Paten

o for sacred Blood and Body
 Ciborium
o where sacred Body is reserved

 Cruet and Decanter:

o small jars that contain water and wine to be used in Holy Qurbana

 Sosappa:
o square-shaped sacred veil used to cover chalice and paten
o covering of Holy Mysteries signifies burial of Jesus
o being arranged around sacred Mysteries refers to resurrection of Jesus

 Kethana (Corporal)
o square-shaped white garment on which chalice and paten is placed on the Altar
 Macblana (Pall)
o used to cover chalice
 Sangheenji (Purificator)
 o small piece of white linen with cross at center; used to clean chalice and paten

 Lavabo Bowl and Towel

o Used by priest to wash hands before preparing the gifts
o Asks God to wash away sins
 Thurible:
o metal container with chains in which incense is burned
 Incense boat:
o contains incense

 Gharap (Aspergil):
o vessel to keep holy water to sprinkle

 Arulikka (Monstrance):
o large standing vessel used to present publically the Holy Bread for
adoration
 Chandrakkala (Lunette):
o small glass container that hols Holy Host to be inserted in the monstrance

 Humeral Veil:
o long vestment worn over shoulders and covering priest’s hands as he
blesses the faithful with Sacred Host in the monstrance at benediction

 Pallium:
o veil held on four poles during procession; priest walks slowly underneath with relic
 Relic:
o part of the body of Saint or venerated person carefully preserved for purpose of
veneration

Sacred Vestments
 Kotina
o long tunic-type garment from neck to ankles
o symbolic of Christ and man renewed in Christ

 Zunara
 o worn over Kotina at waist
o symbol of chastity and service
o reminder to refrain from worldly thoughts and serve God with alertness and purity of mind

 Urara
o worn on the neck
o symbol of priesthood, sign of sacred servi ce entrusted upon celebrant

 Zande
o worn around wrists
o means that hands are ready for sacred service

 Paina (Kappa)
o worn over other sacred vestments
o ‘Vestment of Justice’
o indicates duty of a shepherd

Orientations and Rituals

 Facing the East
o Signifies Pilgrim nature of the Church with hope of Lord’s Second Coming from the East
o The East, from where light originates, is man’s ancient abode
 Standing
o Respect and joy; sign of liberation and heavenly hope
 Kneeling
o Signifies sinful state, repentance, reconciliation, and death
 Bowing Head
o Attitude of gratitude, submissiveness, respect, and adoration
 Extending Hands
o Sign of intercession before God for the people
 Folding Hands with Fingers Interlocked
o Shows sinful state and repentance
 Folding Hands
o Piety and reverence
 Kissing
o Love, respect, and submission
 Exchange of Peace
o Mutual love, unity, and reconciliation
o Reminds of Christ’s active presence among faithful
 Sign of the Cross
o Symbol of salvation accomplished by God
o Sign of divine protection
 Washing of Hands
o Internal purity/sanctity necessary for celebration of Holy Qurbana
 Incensing
o Prayer and adoration offered to God
o Denotes glory of God, remission of sins, reconciliation, repentance, grace of God, sanctification,
presence of God