Holy Redeemer Altar Server Guide

HR Cross Photo Holy Redeemer

Altar Server

Guide

Functional Descriptions and Glossary:
1. Altar Servers &ndash: those who assist the Presider throughout the Mass.
2. Cross Bearers &ndash: those who carry the Processional Cross in the Processional and Recessional;
3. Thurifers &ndash: those who carry the Thurible or Incense Burner;
4. Boats &ndash: those who carry the Incense Container;
5. Alb &ndash: Long white robe, worn by Servers at Mass;
6. Corporal &ndash: the folded linen cloth used to place the Sared Vessels on at center of the altar;
7. Purificator &ndash: the folded linen cloth used to clean the Chalice;
8. Lavabo Towel &ndash: the terry-cloth towel used to dry the Presider's hands after he washes them;
9. Pall &ndash: the large white cloth, used at funerals to cover the casket.
Preparations before Mass:
1. All Ministers at the Altar, whether they be Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Hospitality Ministers, or Server/Cross Bearers, should observe a quite reverence in respect of God, His House, and those who worship Him in it.
2. Servers and Cross Bearers should arrive at least 15 minutes before Mass. Let the Presider and/or other ministers know you are there. Sign in on the assignment sheet, even if you are a substitute.
3. Dress Code &ndash: Remember, you are taking part in a most important act of worship:
  1. Ladies should wear either skirts or slacks (NO shorts) with a blouse or another nice shirt. NO sneakers.
  2. Gentlemen should wear slacks (NO shorts) all year round with either golf or oxford style shirt. NO sneakers.
  3. Vesture &ndash: Alb and Cross for Servers and Cross Bearers Choose an alb which fits (remember the size for next time), so that its length comes to your shoe tops &ndash: too long albs will cause you to trip &ndash: too short looks tacky. At the end of Mass return your alb and cross to its proper size hanger and hook.
  4. In General &ndash: NO Sneakers, NO shorts &ndash: Suggestion: wear school dress shoes.
4. Servers should check with the Persider about any special information regarding the liturgy, i. e., Baptisms, Special Blessings, Solemnities, Funerals, Holy Days of Obligation, etc.
5. Servers should light the Processional Candles.
Order of Regular Sunday Mass:
1. Processional:
  1. One Cross Bearer and two Servers are assigned for each Mass. Should there be only one or two servers (including the Cross Bearer), the Cross is still carried in procession, as it always is; if possible, in this case, place the two lighted candles in the holders in the sanctuary before Mass begins (remember to bring them back to their holders in the rear of the Church when Mass has ended).
  2. When you are ready to begin, but are still waiting for the Presider to signal that you are to move to the center aisle, stand in front of the windows near the center doors. Do not stand in the corner of the church at the cross and candle holder.
  3. Facing the altar, the order from left to right is: Server One, the Cross Bearer, and Server Two. The Cross Bearer leads the Procession slightly (one step ahead of the two Servers), and maintains a slow reverent pace. The Presider will signal when the procession is to begin.
  4. Hold Cross and Candles high enough so that the staff is at least one foot from the floor. This will make it less likely for you to spill hot wax or trip on the staffs.
  5. When reaching the altar, the Servers should make a slight bow of the head (the Cross Bearer does not bow); The Cross Bearer proceeds to the area behind the Presider's chair and places the Cross in its stand. In the meantime the Servers split and proceed to each side of the altar where then place their candles in their stands. After placing the Cross into its stand and the candles into their stands, all three servers proceed to the bench and stand.
  6. After the Penitential/Gloria Rite, Cross Bearer either brings the Sacramentary to the Presider (Father Smarsh always uses his large bright red thin Sacramentary) or holds the binder at the Presider's Chair for the Presider to pray the Opening Prayer. When the Presider has finished the Opening Prayer, the Cross Bearer returns to his place at the bench.
2. Liturgy of the Word: Servers are to stay seated at the bench and pay attention to the readings (stand for the Alleluia and Gospel) and homily. Stand with and join the Assembly for the Profession of Faith (the Creed) and the General Intercessions (Prayer of the Faithful).
3. Liturgy of the Eucharist:
  1. Offertory:
    1. During the Collection the Cross Bearer should place the Sacramentary to the left of the corporal (Fr. Smarsh's Sacramentary should be placed in the center of the altar), unless you are instructed otherwise. The servers place all the chalices that have been set out on the Credence table, on the right side of the altar, together with one purificator for each chalice. Purificators should be placed on either corner of the altar. (Note: Do not place any Communion Bowls or Pyxes on the altar at this time.)
    2. As the Presider goes to the crossing to receive the gifts, one server will stand on the left and one on the right of the Presider. The Presider will give the Book-bearer the paten and the cross bearer the wine. The collection bag will be given to the Cross Bearer (the bag is then placed in the slot at the door to the right of the altar).
    3. The servers place the paten and the wine pitcher on the Altar between the Chalices and Sacramentary. They then return to the Credence Table. One server brings to the right of the altar the water and lavabo dish and the other brings the Lavabo Towel, unfolding it to make it readily usable by the Presider. After the Presider has washed and dried his fingers, the servers will bow to the Presider. The water pitcher, bowl, towel, and wine pitcher are returned to the Credence Table. The servers then return to the their bench to be seated.
    4. Servers kneel or stand following the actions of the congregation.
  2. Sign of Peace:
    1. Exchange the Sign of Peace with each other and the Presider.
    2. Place the Communion bowls and pyx, if needed, on the right (Ambo) side of the altar, taking care not to disturb the chalices or block access to the purificators.
    3. Whichever server placed the Sacramentary on the altar should remove it during communion.
  3. Communion:
    1. After the Presider has received Communion the Cross Bearer/Altar Servers should complete the semi-circle with the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion around the altar and receive Holy Communion, should they wish.
    2. After the Presider begins to distribute Holy Communion, the servers should clear the altar. The Crooss Bearer removed the Sacramentary. Servers remain seated at their bench (they do NOT leave the Sanctuary, except in case of illness).
  4. Closing Prayer: As for the Opening Prayer, the Cross Bearer should bring either the Sacramentary (for Fr. Smarsh) or the binder to hold it for the Presider when he says, "Let us pray".
4. Recessional:
  1. As the Presider completes the Final Blessing the Cross Bearer proceeds to the Cross, at that point the Servers move to their candles. they do not remove their candles from their stands until the Crossd Bearer, as leader, begins to descend the steps.
  2. All three then proceed to the first pew in the middle aisle, turning to face the altar.
  3. When the Presider bows, the Cross Bearer/Srevers turn inward and process to the rear crossing.
  4. When the Cross Bearer/Servers arrive at the rear crossing, they stand in line facing the center aisle. They remain in place before the double doors until the Presider (and Deacon) reverence the Cross as he comes to the rear crossing.
  5. After the Presider reverences the Cross, Cross Bearer and Servers process to the cross/candle holder in the corner of the church; extinguish the candles and place the candles and Cross in the holders. Do NOT extinguish the candles until at the candle/cross holder.
  6. The Servers will then hang up their Crosses and Albs neatly (on their hangers) in the servers' closet. EXCEPTION: Servers at the 12:00 N Mass return the candles to the altar Candle holders, after hanging their abls and crosses.
Order for a Wedding Mass: Weddings are special occasions, and are never alike. Check with the Priest prior to Mass to determine what to do.
Order for a Funeral Mass – NOTE:
The Mass is the same as the Sunday Mass with a few exceptions Check with the Priest. The following are exceptions to the Sunday Mass:

The Cross Bearer continues as the Book Bearer.
Prior to the Processional, the Pall is placed over the casket. The Thurifer should hold the Holy Water, which will be used for blessing the deceased, and places it on the back table after the Presider sprinkles the casket.
Processional &ndash: the Thurifer processes behind the other Servers, carrying nothing.
If incense is to be used the Thurifer should go to the Sacristy to light the charcoal during the homily,.
During the eulogy (later in the Mass), the Thurifer goes to get the thurible from the Sacristy, then stands in the back of the Sanctuary.
In some cases, one server may have to assume the role of Boat to hold the incense.
At the recessional, the Thurifer leads the recession carrying the Thurible through the main church doors. The other Servers go to the left side of the plaza and stay there until the casket is put in the Hearse.