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Altar Server Manual: Second Edition: March 27, 2019
Altar Server Manual: Second Edition: March 27, 2019
Altar Server Manual: Second Edition: March 27, 2019
Observer Role
After the training you should be able to serve, and you may ask the other servers or priest to help guide
you. However, if you don’t think you’re quite ready, you may take on the observer role. That means you
process in with the other altar servers, let them tend to the various duties, and then process out. You’ll
stay seated in the pew and come up for Communion at the right time. The goal here is for you to watch
how others serve. See how they move, what they do, and when they do it. This should be used for one
to three masses.
Another option is to review this manual, to retake the training, or contact someone from the Formation
Team to have some one-on-one training with you. Don’t be afraid to ask; we are here to help you succeed!
Before Mass
1. Prepare prayerfully: Arrive at least 20 minutes before the mass to prepare prayerfully and physically.
An altar server should spend some time in prayer before they vest and serve. It should be a special
moment during which you reflect on what is about to happen and to thank God for the grace of serving
at his Altar. Silence is part of this preparation for mass, so altar servers should not be loud and
boisterous in the Sacristy. Altar servers should also go to confession frequently; particularly for any
mortal sin.
2. Good behavior: An altar server is first and foremost a Christian; and they should, at all times, be the
best example of what is means to follow Christ. For this reason they should practice showing respect
to their teachers, parents, and all those around them. They should avoid all bad language, immodesty,
and violence. An altar server is always grateful and attentive to the needs of others; always seeing
their work as a service and a privilege, never as a status that makes them better than others. In all,
they should strive after the heights of virtue after the imitation of the Saints and our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. After praying, go to the Sacristy. Sign-in on the volunteer sign-in sheet in the binder on the counter.
4. Put on a cassock and a surplice.
5. Check to see if items you will be using during mass are in their appropriate place on the Credence
Table and Sanctuary area. Occasionally the sacristan may forget to put something out or something
was moved for a special occasion and not returned. If in doubt, ask the sacristan or adult formator.
a. The crucifer (cross bearer) should check to see that the Roman Missal and the Sanctus Bells
are in the appropriate places. The crucifer will also handle the Roman Missal throughout the
mass (and ring the sanctus bells in the future sometime).
6. Light all candles in the Sanctuary at least 10 minutes before mass. Please use the taper to do so.
7. All servers should have a clear understanding among themselves as to what role they will have during
the mass. These include crucifer/book bearer, candle bearers, and assisting server(s), and
occasional thurifer and boat bearer.
8. Obtain all the items necessary for processing into mass and take them to the Sacristy. Then with the
clergy, head to the Narthex for prayer and procession.
1
Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite: The Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours, Revised Edition. Peter J. Elliot. Ignatius
Press. San Francisco. 2005. No. 166.
2
The Roman Missal: The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, Third Typical Edition. (Washington D.C.: United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2011), no. 274.
3
Ibid.
Introductory Rites
1. After the Penitential Act & Gloria, the crucifer/book bearer immediately brings the Roman Missal (or
liturgical binder for special occasions) to the priest. Stand in front of him holding the book open for
him to read. If the server is tall enough to block sight of the priest, then he/she should stand a little to
the side of the priest. When the priest is finished reading, the book bearer returns to his/her chair with
the Roman Missal. Place it on the stand next to your pew.
2. The servers sit at the same time as the other servers take their seats.
At the 11:15 Mass when by the ambo, the candle bearer nearest the altar will step outward more so as
not to block or run into the interpreter. This will also be the case for some special masses. Please see
the picture below.
4
The Roman Missal: The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, Third Typical Edition. (Washington D.C.: United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2011), no. 117.
Never flick or shake the corporal open in midair lest pieces of the Body of Christ be flung everywhere.
Such an action would show disrespect for the Blessed Sacrament and for the altar linen.
While there are some specific duties for each role, we are making a prudential judgment to avoid having
everything too scripted or assigned. This is because in the end it is the altar servers’ duty in general to
prepare everything for the altar. If a new server undertakes a role and doesn’t complete one task, the
liturgy director fears that it may not get done by the other servers since it wasn’t “their job” to do it.
5
The Roman Missal, no. 178.
After Mass
1. Return to the Sacristy by going outside toward the circle driveway and then back into the church using
the side door. If it’s really poor weather outside, you may return to the Sanctuary and Sacristy through
the church. The crucifer should hold the processional cross high and the other servers should follow
behind.
2. While still vested, return the crucifix and candles to their proper places.
3. Candles should be extinguished with the taper (extinguisher) and it should be hung back up in the
closet with the thurible and incense.
4. The cassocks and surplices should be HUNG UP on the hangers according to the number signs
indicating cassock sizes. Hang the item to the right of the number.
1. Altar – this is the table where the Sacrifice of the mass takes
place, where the bread and wine are consecrated into the Body
and Blood of Jesus Christ.
2. Altar Candles – These are the candles placed on or near the Altar
or Ambo for the celebration of mass.
4. Chalice Veil - A large square cloth that covers the chalice and
paten together. The color varies according to the liturgical season.
10. Cruets - Containers used for the water or wine. The cruet of water
is always used. The cruet of wine may be replaced by a flagon
which is a large container for the wine. See the description below.
These cruets are brought up in the presentation of the gifts.
12. Flagon – large pitcher-like vessel used to hold the wine that will
be consecrated at mass. It is filled before mass and brought
forward at the time in the mass when the gifts are presented.
16. Pall - A stiff, white square cover that is placed over the paten when
it is on the chalice to protect its content. It is usually white but it
may match the priest’s vestments and liturgical color for the
season. This pall is different from a funeral pall. Pall
17. Paten - A saucer-like plate that usually matches the chalice with
which it is used. It holds the Host consecrated during mass.
22. Surplice –It is a vestment of white linen with wide sleeves worn
over a cassock. It is often used by those serving at the altar,
sometimes by a priest for the administration of the sacraments.
1. Alb- The white garment worn by the priest or deacon under his
other vestments. It is also a white garment sometimes worn by altar
servers. It comes from the Latin word albus, meaning white.
6. Boat Bearer- the altar server responsible for preparing and using
the “boat,” working in tandem with the thurifer. He or she stands to
the left of the thurifer when needed.
10. Charcoal- coal used within a thurible/censer that once lit with a
flame, is ready to burn incense placed over it.
11. Charcoal Tongs- metal tongs that allow someone to pick-up coals
without soiling or burning the hands.
12. Chasuble - The outer vestment worn by the priest during mass that
varies in color according to the liturgical season.
13. Concelebrant- a priest who celebrates the mass with the Main
Celebrant.
16. Incense Boat - A small metal container that holds the incense that
is put in the thurible. It has a lid and comes with a small spoon.
17. Lectionary - The book of Scripture readings used during the mass.
It comes from the Latin word lectio, meaning a reading.
19. Paschal Candle- Large candle symbolizing the light of the risen
Christ. It is displayed in the Sanctuary from Easter through
Pentecost.
23. Sanctus Bells - Holy bells which are rung by the altar server at
very important times of the mass.
24. Stole - The long, thin, scarf-like piece of cloth that is worn by a
priest over the alb and under the chasuble. It is worn over the back
of the neck and drapes over the front of the body.
26. Thurifer (THUR-uh-fuhr)- The person who wields the thurible and
responsible for its preparation with charcoal and incense.
6
Lang, Jovian P., OFM. Dictionary of the Liturgy. New York: Catholic Book Publishing, 1989. “Thurible.”
18. Pyx- this word comes from the Greek pyxis, meaning box,
and it refers to a receptacle in which consecrated hosts are
kept for transportation, particularly for distribution to the sick.
1. Altar Server Pews- This is reserved seating for the altar servers
to sit during liturgies.
3. Ambry- This is the place where the holy oils are kept for display
and use.
10. The Confessional (East and West-side)- This is the main space
used for the sacrament of confession. It is located in the back of
the church on two sides.
11. Mezzanine- this is the second floor of the church that contains
additional seating, possibly space for the choir, and additional
storage. We do not have one at St. Ignatius Martyr