Altar Servers Guide

“I will go to the altar of God, to God who gives joy to my youth…”

-Psalm 42


Requirements for Altar Servers

·Be at the Church 15 minutes before you are scheduled to serve.  If you cannot be there it is your responsibility to find a substitute.
·At all times please keep a reverent attitude.  You should be respectfully quiet and prayerful so as to set a good example, this is God’s dwelling place!
·Please pay attention, Holy Mass is the most important thing that happens in the world, you need to be attentive.
·Outside of Mass (before and after) genuflect to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament each time you pass the tabernacle.
·In order to serve worthily at God’s Holy Altar, you must be dressed appropriately.  Boys and girls are to wear long pants, a shirt with sleeves, socks and dress shoes.
·Please do not wear sandals, “flip-flops” or open-toe or open-heel shoes.  (Not only is this too casual for the sanctuary, it makes genuflecting awkward and unsightly.)
·Please do not wear shorts.
·Girls may wear small earrings and a watch, boys may wear a watch but no earrings, no other jewelry should be visible while serving.
·Girls with long hair should keep it pulled back while serving.

Ceremonial Actions for Servers

·Standing:  When you stand your feet are flat on the ground, and your hands are folded flat with your fingers pointing up, unless you are holding or carrying something.
·Walking:  You walk slowly and deliberately, not rushed.  If you are carrying something, hold it properly, if not your hands are folded straight up.
·Sitting:  When you sit both feet are flat on the ground, do not cross you legs.  You place your hands flat on your lap.
·Bowing:  When you bow, both hands are folded straight, unless you are carrying something and bow your head and shoulders toward the object being reverenced.
·Genuflecting:  When you genuflect, both hands are folded straight up, your right knee is bent to the floor and rests for a moment near your left foot.  Keep your back and head straight. 

Helpful Hints

·Do not come to Mass with chewing gum in your mouth.
·If you have a cell phone when you serve, turn it off and leave  it in the sacristy.   
·If you are serving one of the later Masses eat something before Mass so you do not become weak or faint.
·If, while serving, you feel sick go immediately to the sacristy.
·Be courteous with the cassocks and surplices, hang them up appropriately when finished serving.
 
Cross Bearer

·This job should be done by the most experienced server at that Mass.
·You will be responsible for leading the processions and helping the other servers if they need it, in addition to your other duties.
·After you have vested and said your prayers, you and the other servers should go to the back of Church to the little sacristy and wait for the prayer.
·After the prayer, you with a server with a candle on either side of you wait at the entrance of the church for the procession to begin.
·At the signal, the procession begins, walk slowly and deliberately down the isle and at the foot of the Altar steps, you and the other two servers bow to the Altar.
·Put the processional cross on its stand and go to the chair next to the chalice table and, with you hands folded and eyes looking slightly down, wait for Holy Mass to begin.
·Stay in your place and make the responses with the people, sit when the people sit and listen to the readings.
·Stand for the Gospel and make the 3 little signs of the cross on you forehead, mouth and heart.  When the Gospel is over sit and listen to the homily.
·Stand for the Nicene Creed and bow to the Altar at the words, “by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the virgin Mary and became man.”  Afterwards, stand with hands folded until the petitions are over.
·When the Priest has finished the prayer after the petitions he will sit, at this time pick up the chalice with your left hand and place your right hand on top and look at the book server to see if he\she is ready.  When you both are ready you meet in the middle, bow to the Altar and place your items on the Altar, the chalice on the right side (where the deacon is and the book on the left side.  Come together in the middle again, bow and go back to your places.
·Help the bell server by giving him\her the tray with chalices and you take the wine, go directly to the right side of the deacon or acolyte and he will put the chalices on the Altar.  The bell server returns the tray and goes to his\her chair.  You stay beside the Altar, and receive the empty wine pitcher from the deacon or acolyte, and return it to the credence table.
·When the priest and deacon go to receive the gifts, go with them.
·When the deacon returns to the Altar bring him the water by going directly to his right side.  The bell server will receive the empty wine pitcher and you will receive the water, both of you bow and return to the credence table.
·Give the dish and water to the bell server and the towel to the book server, they will come directly to the right side of the Altar and wash the priest’s hands and then return to the credence table.
·Stand at your chair, with the other two servers.
·At the “Holy, Holy, Holy” all three servers, with the cross bearer in the middle go down the Altar steps to the front of the Altar, the bell server goes to the bell, the cross bearer to the left corner of the altar and the book server to the right corner and all kneel when the people kneel.
·After the “Great Amen” All stand, and pray the “Our Father” with hands folded.
·When it is time for the sign of peace, all turn to your right and go up to receive the sign of peace from the priest.
·After you have been given the sign of peace, walk behind the altar, bow to the center, and go to the credence table to get items for communion.
·Bring the silver bowels to the Altar by bowing in the center and placing them behind the book.  Bow at the center again and return to your chair.
·At the “This is the Lamb of God…” kneel when the people do and say “Lord I am not worthy…”  then when the extraordinary ministers come up, get in line for Holy Communion.
·After Holy Communion, return to your chair and sit respectfully and say your prayers to the Lord who has just come into your body and soul.
·When the priest and deacon return from Communion everyone stands.  Everyone genuflects in their place when the priest and deacon genuflect to the Blessed Sacrament on the Altar.
·As the sacred vessels are being purified, you may be seated.
·Meanwhile, the book server will go to the Altar and pick up the book (and stand) and return to his/her seat.
·Stand when the Priest says, “Let us pray,” and make the sign of the cross at the blessing.  As soon as the music starts, go to pick up your cross.  When the Priest goes to the Altar go immediately to the floor in front of the Altar and bow as they genuflect.
·Process out walking slowly and deliberately, stop in the middle of the foyer, turn around and the Priest will say the prayer, then return to the little sacristy with the cross.
·Make the response to the veneration of the Cross, “We adore you O Christ and we bless you- because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.”
·Help to bring the sacred vessels into the sacristy.
·Return to the main sacristy and respectfully hang up your cassock and surplice.

Book Server

·You will be responsible for the Sacramentary (the Mass Book).  This is the book where all the prayers of the Mass are found and it is a holy object to be treated with reverence.
·After you have vested and said your prayers, go to the back of Church with the other servers.
·You will carry a candle at the beginning and end of Mass.  This is a symbol of Christ as light of the world and reminds us that Christians once had to worship in the dark of secret, so be honored to carry your candle to God’s holy Altar.
·You walk on the right side of the cross bearer, (the side of church where the priest’s chair is) and when you and the other servers get to the foot of the Altar, bow and then go and place your candle on the table to the right side of the sanctuary behind the wall.
·Walk with the bell server to the center of the sanctuary, bow to the center of the Altar then go to your chair.
·Go to your chair which is next to the offering table (where we put the money basket.”  After the priest invites us to call to mind our sins, bring the book to the deacon and hold it for him.  When he is finished, return to your chair.
·Towards the end of the Gloria bring the book to the deacon or acolyte who will open it for you, then stand in front of the priest.  He will say or sing a prayer, when everyone says, “Amen” return to your chair and put the book on the chair next to you and sit as you were taught.
·Stand for the Gospel and make the three little signs of the cross on your forehead, mouth and heart, stand with your hands folded and listen respectfully to the Gospel.  Sit when the people sit for the homily.
·Stand for the Nicene Creed and bow to the Altar at the words, “by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the virgin Mary and became man.”  Afterwards, stand with hands folded until the petitions are over.
·After the petitions, the priest will sit, you will pick up the book (or the book and the stand together if it is used) and look at the Cross bearer to see if he or she is ready.  The cross bearer will be holding the chalice, the two of you come together in the middle, bow to the Altar, you place the book (and stand) on your side of the Altar.
·Then you and the cross bearer step back from the Altar, come together, bow and then go back to your original place and stand in front of your chair.
·When the priest, deacon and other servers go to receive the gifts, you go with them and stand next to the Priest.
·The priest will hand you the collection and when the Priest turns to go back to the Altar, then you put the collection on the little table next to your chair, then reverently walk to the other side, bow when you cross the center of the Altar and go to join the servers on the other side.
·The cross bearer will hand you the towel which you hold across your folded hands.
·The bell server will go to the priest to wash his hands, you follow the bell server.
·After the Priest has washed his hands, you and the bell server bow to him and return your items to the credence table, then stand in front of the extra chair on that side.
·At the “Holy, Holy, Holy,” you lead the other servers down in front of the Altar staying on the first step.  You stand at the corner of the Altar on the book side, the cross bearer on the other side and the bell server at the bell.  Kneel when the people kneel.
·After the “Great Amen” All stand, and pray the “Our Father” with hands folded.
·When it is time to receive the sign of peace, the bell server will join you in front of the altar the cross bearer will be in the middle and book server in the same place, all bow and turn to your right.  Go up the altar steps, receive the sign of peace from the priest and go to the chairs on the other side bowing when you pass the center of the altar.
·At the “This is the Lamb of God…” kneel when the people do and say “Lord I am not worthy…”  then when the extraordinary ministers come up, get in line for Holy Communion.
·After Holy Communion, return to your original chair and sit respectfully and say your prayers to the Lord who has just come into your body and soul.
·When the priest and deacon return from distributing Communion everyone stands.  Everyone genuflects in place when the priest and deacon genuflect to the Blessed Sacrament on the Altar.
·When the priest and deacon are finished at the Altar, the Priest will go to purify the vessels and the deacon will fold the coporal on the Altar.  When the deacon leaves the altar, go to the center of the Altar, bow and pick up the book (and stand) and return the stand to the little table and place the book beside you and be seated.
·Stand when the Priest says, “Let us pray” and bring the book to the deacon or acolyte who will open it.  Then stand in front of the priest while he sings\says the prayer.  After the “amen” return to your chair and set the book down.
·Make the sign of the cross at the blessing.  As soon as the music starts, meet the bell server at the center, bow to the Alter and go to get your candles.  When the Priest goes to the Alter go immediately to the floor in front of the Altar to the same side you walked in on and bow as they genuflect.
·Walk beside the cross bearer, slowly and deliberately, when you get half way into the foyer turn around and the priest will say the prayer and you make the response “We adore you O Christ and we bless you- because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.”
·Return you candle to the little sacristy and blow it out.
·Help to bring in any sacred vessels that are in the sanctuary.  
·Return to the main sacristy, and respectfully hang up you cassock and surplice.

Bell Server

·You will be responsible for sounding the bell at the miraculous coming of Jesus, our God and our King, when he comes to the Altar under the appearance of bread and wine.  You will alert the faithful people that God is now in our midst.  You will also assist at the altar with the other servers.
·After you have vested and said your prayers, go to the back of Church with the other servers.
·You will carry a candle at the beginning and end of Mass.  This is a symbol of Christ as light of the world and reminds us that Christians once had to worship in the dark of secret, so be honored to carry your candle to God’s holy Altar.
·You walk on the left side of the cross bearer, (the side of church where the pulpit is) and when you and the other servers get to the foot of the Altar, bow and then go and place your candle on the table to the right side of the sanctuary behind the wall.
·Walk with the book server to the center of the sanctuary, bow to the Altar, and go to your chair next to the cross bearer’s.
·Stand with your hands folded and respond to the prayers.  Sit when the people sit and listen to the readings.
·Stand for the Gospel and make the three little signs of the cross on your forehead, mouth and heart, stand with your hands folded and listen respectfully to the Gospel.  Sit when the people sit for the homily.
·Stand for the Nicene Creed and bow to the Altar at the words, “by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the virgin Mary and became man.”  Afterwards, stand with hands folded until the petitions are over.
·Remain standing at your place while the cross bearer and the book bearer take the chalice and book to the Altar.
·Then the cross bearer will hand you the chalices on the tray and the cross bearer will pick up the wine.  The two of you will go directly to the right side of the deacon or acolyte at the Altar.
·The deacon or acolyte will put the chalices on the Altar and pour wine into them.  As he is pouring the wine return to the credence table, you place the tray underneath the credence table, then return to your chair and remain standing there.
·When the priest, deacon and book server go to receive the gifts, you go with them and stand next to the Deacon.
·The priest will hand you the large silver bowel with the hosts to be consecrated.
·When everyone returns to go back to the Altar, go with them, staying on the same side of the altar as the deacon and hand him the bowl, he will place this on the Altar.
·The deacon will pour the wine into the chalice(s), wait for him to give you the empty pitcher.
·Then go to the credence table and put the empty pitcher on it then the cross bearer will hand you the dish and water and the towel to the book server.
·When the priest is ready, you go to the side of the Altar where the priest is and pour water over his hands and wait there as he dries them.
·Then you and the book server bow to the priest and return your items to the credence table.  Then go and stand in front of your chair.
·At the “Holy, Holy, Holy,” you follow the others servers down the steps, then you go and stand next to the bells and remain there and kneel when the people kneel.
·When the Priest places both hands, flat over the gifts (at the epiclesis) ring the bells sharply once.  (This is a warning that the Lord is soon coming.)
·When the Priest elevates the Sacred Host, ring the bell sharply three times, distinctly and deliberately.  (This tells the faithful people that God is now here.)
·When the Priest elevates the Precious Blood in his chalice, ring the bell sharply three times, distinctly and deliberately. (Again this tells the faithful people God is here and we are reminded of His Blood being shed for us on the cross.)
·After the “Great Amen” stand and pray the “Our Father” with hands folded.  When the priest says, “Let us offer each other the sign of peace” you go to join the other servers in front of the Altar, bow, and turn to your right, go in a line to receive the sign of peace from the Priest.  Then go to the chairs on the chalice side of the sanctuary, bow when you pass the center of the altar and get the purificators for the communion cups and place them on the altar near the chalices or hand them to the deacon, then stand in front of your chair.
·At the “This is the Lamb of God…” kneel when the people do and say “Lord I am not worthy…”  then when the extraordinary ministers come up, get in line for Holy Communion.
·After Holy Communion, return to your original chair and sit respectfully and say your prayers to the Lord who has just come into your body and soul.
·When the priest and deacon return from distributing Holy Communion everyone stands.  Everyone genuflects in place when the priest and deacon genuflect to the Blessed Sacrament on the Altar.
·After the Blessed Sacrament has been put back into the tabernacle and the book server has removed the book from the Altar, you may sit while the priest and deacon and acolyte purify the vessels.
·Stand when the Priest says, “Let us pray,” make the sign of the cross at the blessing.  As soon as the music starts, meet the book server in the middle of the sanctuary, bow to the Altar go to get your candle.  When the Priest goes to the Altar go immediately to the floor in front of the Altar to the same side you walked in on, and bow as they genuflect. 
·Walk beside the cross bearer, slowly and deliberately, when you get half way into the foyer turn around and the priest will say a prayer to which you make the response.  “We adore you O Christ and we bless you- because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.”
·Then return you candle to the little sacristy and blow it out.
·Help to bring in any sacred vessels that remain in the sanctuary.
·Return to the main sacristy, and respectfully hang up you cassock and surplice.
 
Thurifer

·You will be responsible for carrying the thurible (censer).  Incense is a symbol of our prayers ascending to heaven and the Sacrifice of the Mass going up to God as a sweet and delightful fragrance.  It also symbolizes God’s grace and blessings falling down upon us.
·After you have vested and said your prayers, check the boat (the little dish that holds the unused incense) to make sure it is full.  Also check the thurible to make sure it has burning charcoal inside.
·Go to the back of Church with the other servers to the little sacristy and say the prayer with the priest and other ministers.
·In the foyer, bring the thurible to the Priest who will impose incense and bless it.  Then take your place at the head of the procession.
·At the signal, lead the procession to the Altar, bow to the Altar and go to stand behind the Altar in the center, leaving enough room for the priest and deacon to reverence the Altar.
·When the Priest and deacon turn around, go to them and hand the boat to the deacon or M.C.  Hold the thurible up so the priest can impose incense and wait for him to bless it.  Hand the thurible to the deacon.
·Stand to the right side of the Altar facing the priest’s chair and wait for the priest to incense the Altar.
·When the priest stops to incense the crucifix, face the crucifix.
·When the priest returns to the center, the deacon will hand you the thurible, take it, bow at the center of the Altar and return it to the stand.
·Stand at your chair, next to the book server.
·After everyone says “Thanks be to God” at the end of the Second Reading, go to the thurible stand, get the thurible and boat and stand next to the deacon.
·Hand him the boat and hold up the thurible for the priest to impose incense and bless it.
·Take the boat and the thurible and go to the center of the Altar (back a few feet) and wait for the deacon to pick up the book of Gospels.
·Walk slightly ahead of the deacon and lead him to the pulpit and stand behind him.
·When the deacon has introduced the Gospel, he will turn around and take the thurible and incense the Book of Gospels.
·After he has done this take the thurible from him and stand behind him gently swinging the thurible left to right during the reading of the Gospel.
·After everyone has responded “Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ” go to the center of the Altar, bow and return the thurible and boat to the stand and sit at your chair for the homily.  (If the priest is to preach, you bow to the Altar at the same time but behind the priest and deacon.)
·Stay at your chair until the gifts have been received.
·When the priest goes to the Altar to offer the bread and wine you go to the stand to get the thurible and boat.
·Walk to the center of the Altar, bow and go to the deacon who will take the boat, hold up the thurible so the priest can impose incense, take the boat from the deacon and give the deacon the thurible.
·Stand where you did at the beginning of Mass.
·When the priest and deacon return to their places, stand next to the deacon and bow with him to the priest.
·The deacon will incense the priest then bow again, bow with the deacon.
·Accompany the deacon to the foot of the Altar where he will incense the faithful.  Bow when the deacon bows and before you turn around, take the thurible from him and the two of you bow to the Altar, the deacon will go to the left, you go to the right and put the thurible on the stand and you stand by the stand until the “Holy, Holy, Holy.”
·When the priest sings the preface, put 3 scoops of incense into the thurible.
·At the “Holy, Holy, Holy” the other servers will come down to the front of the Altar on the other side, you come down on your side and stand in the middle of them at the center of the Altar.  The cross bearer will be on you left, and the book server on your right.  Kneel at the end of the “Holy, Holy, Holy”
·When the priest elevates the Sacred Host, raise the thurible with your right hand, your left hand holding the ring, and swing the thurible twice toward the Sacred Host.  Do this three times (double-swing, three times.)
·When the priest elevates the Chalice with the Precious Blood, repeat as you did with the Sacred Host.
·As you kneel during the rest of the Eucharistic Prayer, gently swing the thurible left to right so the smoke does not constantly rise to your face.
·After the “great Amen” you and the servers with lights will stand, bow profoundly, and return your items to their places.  The three of you will stand in a line in front of the server’s chairs on that side and wait for the sign of peace.
·When the priest says, “Let us offer to each other the sign of peace” go to the normal place to receive the sign of peace and then return to one of the chairs on the same side you are on, the other servers will go to the other side.
·Get in line for Holy Communion as the other servers do, receive Holy Communion, then return to your chair and pray to Our Lord who has just come into your body and soul.
·Stay at your chair until after the priest has given the last blessing.
·When the other servers go to get cross and candles, you go to get the thurible and boat and bring it to the deacon who will take the boat and the priest will again impose incense.
·Receive the boat from the deacon and when the deacon and priest go to the Altar you go to the floor and face the Altar leaving enough room for the cross and candles to be in front of you so that when you turn around you are the first person out.
·Lead the procession out and wait in the foyer for the priest to reverence the cross and say the prayer to which you make the response, “We adore you O Christ and we bless you- because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.”  
·Then take the thurible and boat back to the main sacristy and dump the contents of the thurible outside and put them back on the stand, fill the boat if necessary.
·Respectfully hang up your cassock and surplice.