RITES OF INVESTITURE FOR ALTAR SERVERS

The Mass shall begin with the procession of the priest and all altar servers and with the otherministers
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.

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

Coordinator:
Reverend and dear Father N., before you and the community
of believers are the altar servers and new members who wish to be officially recognize a
s members of the Ministry of Altar Servers. 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.

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 OFFERRING OF SELF
 
Assisting or Guest Altar Servers will now give the new vestments to all altar servers.

(Blessing of Vestments)
Priest:
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 vestments + 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.

(Altar servers to be installed form a single line and come forward with their parents)
Priest:
Wear this cassock, in which you are vested, with the greatest respect, for it is part of the
armor you shall wear as an Altar Server in the service of your Lord and Master Jesus
Christ.

(After the wearing of Cassocks, the priest continues)

Priest:
By the power vested in me by the church, I accept your pledge and encourage you
to persevere in your good intentions. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit. Amen.
 Prayers of the Faithful
Priest:
God provides the church with suitable ministers to assist in divine worship. Let us pray
for these new liturgical ministers, that God may bless them as they undertake their
new roles of service to this parish. For every petition, we answer:

(R.) LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.

1:
For the church of Christ and for this parish of Saint Peregrine Laziosi, that all Christians
may offer themselves as living sacrifices, we pray to the Lord: (R.)
 
2:
For all liturgical ministers of our parish, that they may deepen their commitment
toserve God and their neighbor, we pray to the Lord: (R.)

3:
For all the Altar Servers, that the light of Christ may shine in their hearts the love and
service of God to all people, we pray to the Lord: (R.)
 
4:
For all Sacristans, that the preparations they make for the celebration of the liturgy may
remind us to prepare our hearts for worship, we pray to the Lord: (R.)

5:
That the Holy Spirit may always stand beside us and help us fulfill our duties and
responsibilities as servers of the altar, the people and of God, we pray to the Lord: (R.)

(Prayer of Blessing with hands extended over the new ministers)

Priest:
God of glory, your beloved Sons has shown us that true worship comes from humble
and contrite hearts. Bless our brothers and sisters, who have responded to the needs of
our parish and wish to commit themselves to your service as altar servers. Grant that
their ministry may be fruitful and our worship pleasing in your sight. We ask this
through Christ our Lord.

All:
Amen.