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| altar server guidelines |
Daily Mass Guidelines and Reminders for Server
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Cross/Book/Wine
– Daily Mass |
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| Introductory
Rites 1) Lead procession from sacristy, make sign of Reverence (bow head) upon entering sanctuary; place cross in stand, pick up Sacramentary and come in front of Father, right next to the microphone stand, as soon as Father gets to the chair. 2) After Father concludes opening prayer, hold the sacramentary on your lap or place it on chair. Sit on bench. Liturgy of the Word 1) After homily, if Father does the General Intercessions from the chair, hold the book/binder in front of Father. Liturgy of the Eucharist Preparation of the Altar and the Gifts 1) After the homily and intercessions, place sacramentary to the left of the corporal or on the book-stand. 2) If there is a procession of gifts, come down to receive the gifts with Father. 3) Bow at center of the altar; go to BVM side. 4) With the server holding the water cruet, bring cruet of wine to Father with handle of cruet toward Father. 5) Return to credence table, put down cruet of wine, pick up hand towel. 6) Come to altar with towel open for Father to dry his hands. 7) Return towel to credence table. DO NOT PUT TOWEL IN BOWL. 8) When the rest of the congregation stands at “Pray… that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father,” go to and stand in front of pillow on BVM side. Kneel when rest of congregation kneels. Communion Rite 1) Lord’s Prayer (“Our Father”) – stand. 2) Sign of Peace - offer sign of peace to Father first, then to other server; get patens. 3) Breaking of the Bread - “Lamb of God…” return to position in front of pillow. After “Lamb of God… grant us peace,” kneel with rest of congregation. Remain kneeling until Father drinks from the chalice. 4) Communion – Stand up, go to the BVM side altar rail; receive Holy Communion. Assist with patens, keeping the paten level at all times. After communion, hand the paten to the priest or return it to the altar for it to be cleaned. 5) Help bring all purified vessels back to credence table. 6) When altar is cleared of all vessels, reverence the altar, remove sacramentary from altar, sit on bench on St. Joseph side, and wait for Father to stand at the chair. When Father stands, come over with the book for the prayer after communion. Concluding Rite 1) After the blessing and dismissal, place sacramentary on chair, wait for Father to reverence the altar, get cross from stand. 2) Line up in center aisle behind Father, make sign of reverence (bow of head) when Father genuflects, lead procession back to sacristy. |
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Server/Water/Bells
– Daily Mass |
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| Introductory
Rites 1) Sign of Reverence (genuflect) upon entering sanctuary; go to BVM side; stand in front of bench. 2) After Father concludes opening prayer, sit down on bench. Liturgy of the Word Liturgy of the Eucharist Preparation of the Altar and the Gifts 1) Place chalice on the altar to the right of the corporal. 2) Place two cups on the altar if communion will be given under both species (8:00 AM daily Mass). 3) Receive gifts with Father if there is a procession. 4) Place any ciboria with unconsecrated hosts that come up in procession or are on the credence table on the altar. 5) With the server holding the cruet of wine, bring the water to Father with the handle of the cruet toward Father. 6) Return to credence table with other server. Pick up wash bowl. 7) Come to altar; pour water over Father’s fingers into wash bowl. 8) Return bowl and water to table. 9) When the rest of the congregation stands at “Pray… that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father,” go to and stand in front of the pillow with the bells. Kneel when rest of congregation kneels 10) Ring Bells: 1) Hands over the gifts. 2) Elevation of the host. 3) Elevation of the chalice. Keep the rings short. Communion Rite 1) Lord’s Prayer (“Our Father”) – stand. 2) Sign of Peace - offer sign of peace to Father first, then to other server; get patens. 3) Breaking of the Bread - “Lamb of God…” return to position in front of pillow. After “Lamb of God… grant us peace,” kneel with rest of congregation. Remain kneeling until Father drinks from the chalice. 4) Communion – Stand up, go to the BVM side altar rail; receive Holy Communion. Assist with patens, keeping the paten level at all times. After communion, hand the paten to the priest or return it to the altar for it to be cleaned. 5) Bring water cruet to Father to purify vessels. Pour water over Father’s fingers into chalice or bowl paten. 6) Bring purified vessels and patens back to credence table and alcove. Stand in front of bench. Concluding Rite 1) After the blessing and dismissal, line up in center aisle behind Father, make sign of reverence (genuflect) when Father genuflects, follow cross-bearer into the sacristy. |
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Reminders
to Servers |
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| 1)
Be in sacristy and dressed in alb 15 minutes before the start of Mass. 2) Check to see that everything is set up correctly before Mass. 3) Always wear shoes to serve (no sneakers or flip-flops). If it is a gym day, please bring shoes to wear for Mass, especially if you are scheduled to serve a funeral. 4) Talk with your partner. Review roles and guidelines before Mass. 5) If you are unsure about something, ask Father. 6) When on the altar, always move slowly and smoothly. 7) If you are unsure of something, look to Father for guidance. 8) Servers sit on the benches. Always sit with your feet flat on the floor and your hands folded in your lap or placed on your knees. 9) Please pay attention to the readings and make the responses with the congregation. If you look distracted, you will be a distraction for others. 10) Always carry the chalice with two hands. (One hand on stem, other hand on top). 11) Do not place anything on the corporal. (The square cloth on the center of the altar). 12) Ciboria are brought directly to the altar at the presentation of the gifts. 13) Hand cruets to Father with the handle facing Father. 14) Keep patens level at all times. 15) When Father finishes purifying a vessel and places it to the side of the altar, it can be returned to the credence table. 16) Work together until all the vessels are cleared from the altar. 17) You are responsible to clean up after Mass. 18) Only one server is needed for 6:30 Mass. Please coordinate with your partner so that every day of the week is covered. 19) If you are unable to serve a Mass once the schedule has come out, you are responsible for finding a substitute. 20) Do not be worried about making mistakes. Everybody will make mistakes when learning. It is OK. It is how we learn. It will take a while to become familiar with the guidelines and to become comfortable serving. Be patient with yourself. Even the priest forgets things now and then. Review and ask questions after Mass if you were unsure of something. Remember, Mass is always perfect, because it is God’s work, not ours. Jesus made the perfect sacrifice once and for all, and he gives us the opportunity to share in that perfect sacrifice at every Mass. 21) It is a tremendous privilege and honor to serve at Mass and many graces are received. Being so close to the altar should help you to focus at Mass. Do not miss the opportunity to pray at Mass, to thank Jesus for what you’ve been given, and to ask him for help for all your needs. 22) Maintain a spirit of silence in the sacristy before Mass and pray before you serve. |
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Prayer
before Serving |
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Heavenly
Father, we ask your blessing upon us, that we may serve at your
altar with reverence, attention, and love, in order to draw others
to do the same. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. |
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Nuestra
Senora de Guadalupe Our Lady of Guadalupe Queen of the Americas |
| St. Agnes Parish Office
/ Rectory + 233 W. Gay Street, West Chester, PA 19380 + 
610-692-2990 +  info@saintagnesparish.orgFor questions, comments or problems regarding the Saint Agnes Parish website, please contact Galfano Design + This website last updated 10/03/2008 |
