Acolytes (Altar Servers)

 

Guidelines for Altar Servers/Acolytes

 

Altar Servers should arrive 20 minutes before Mass begins. 

 

They need to make sure that:

• the candles are lit
  
• the bread and wine are on the gift table at the back of the church
• the holder for the Book of Gospels is on the altar in the appropriate place
  
• check with the celebrant for any “special” instructions

Altar servers should dress in the appropriate vestments/alb in the vestry.

 

Once they are dressed they should make sure that they have a missalette available for their use during Mass so they can fully participate in the Mass.  They may carry it in during the procession.  If they are carrying something in the procession, they should place their missalette on the chair on which they will be sitting during Mass. 

 

During the entrance procession, one altar server will carry the processional cross.  The second altar server will walk directly ahead of the Celebrant (priest) and behind the lector. The altar server should sing the opening song with the congregation while processing. 

Altar servers who are not carrying anything should make a profound bow to the altar when all who are processing in get to the base of the altar and the celebrant bows.

 

Servers should go to their designated places.

 

As soon as the priest takes his place at the presider's chair, one server should be ready to approach him with the Sacramentary.  When bringing the sacramentary forward, the server stands slightly to the side of the priest and holds the book open.

 

If the Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling of Water is to be used, the server stands ready to assist the priest as needed.  This may require that the server accompany the celebrant through the congregation.

 

If incense will be used in the liturgy, the server is responsible for keeping the coals in the censer burning.  This is usually the job of an adult server.

 

The servers listen attentively to the proclamation of God’s word and join in the singing of the responsorial psalm.

 

If incense is used for the proclamation of the Gospel, the server with the censer and incense brings them to the priest as soon as the Gospel Acclamation begins.  The priest puts incense in the censer.  If the  Book of Gospels is on the altar, the priest carries the book from the altar to the ambo.  After the priest says,  “A reading from the Holy Gospel…” and signs himself, the server gives the censer to the priest, who incenses the  Book of Gospels.  After the Gospel, the servers return the censer to its place.

 

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

 

When the presider sits down for the offertory hymn, the servers take the book holder off of the altar and place it on the lower shelf of the credence table .  The Servers place the purificator, the chalice, the communion wine cups and the Sacramentary on the altar. Once this is done they return to their chairs until they are ready to receive the gifts from the parishioners with the presider.  They assist the priest in receiving the gifts of the people.  The bread and the wine are placed on the altar for the priest.  The collection basket is placed in the front of the altar. 

 

The servers assist the priest in the washing of his hands.  They bring the water, lavabo bowl, and towel to the priest that he may wash his hands.

 

The servers are attentive during the Eucharistic Prayer through their posture and by joining in the singing of the Eucharistic Acclamations.  They  kneel in the designated place.

 

Communion

 

During the Lamb of God, the servers stand at their designated spot.  When they go up to the altar, they need to take the purificators (white cloths) and place them by each communion cup.  After communion, they take the priest's chalice back to the wooden tray on the credence table, and take the Sacramentary back with them to their chairs. 

 

The Concluding Rites

 

During the concluding rites, a server holds the Sacramentary for the priest at the presider's chair for the Prayer after Communion

 

After the dismissal, the servers (with censer, cross and candles if used) gather before the altar.  If they are not carrying anything, they make a profound bow to the altar with the priest.

 

All depart in the order in which they entered.

 

After Mass   

 

After Mass, the servers extinguish the candles, properly dispose of lighted coals, assist with other clean up as needed, and carefully hang up their vestments.

 

Additional Reflections for Altar Servers

 

Servers regularly attend Mass, even when they are not scheduled to serve. 

 

Servers know the flow and movement of the liturgy well enough to anticipate the needs of the priest and other ministers.  They do not need to be invited to perform their normal duties.

 

Attentive servers are always alert for unanticipated events during Mass (i.e. a forgotten Sacramentary, a blown out candle, a dropped cruet).  Well-trained and experienced Servers learn to deal with such incidents calmly and quietly.

 

Altar Servers move in a deliberate and graceful manner.  Rushed movements and gestures take attention away from the central action of the priest and other ministers.  Servers carry, present and use liturgical objects with dignity; this usually means carrying and holding items with two hands.

 

In order to participate more fully in the Mass and to model appropriate prayer for others in the assembly, it is desirable that servers know Mass prayers such as the Confiteor, the Gloria, the Profession of Faith (both the Nicene Creed and the Apostles' Creed), and the Lord’s Prayer. 

 

Attention to personal grooming is expected of.  Hair should be dry, clean, and neatly combed.  Ideally, dress shoes should be worn.  Hands and fingernails should be clean and neatly manicured.

 

Definition of Terms:

 

Altar Server/Acolyte - person who assists in the celebration of Mass

 

Alb - a long, white garment that can be used by all liturgical ministers

 

Brazier - a metal pan used to hold incense

 

Celebrant - the person who presides over the assembly and consecrates the Eucharist.  This person is also called the presider.

 

Censer - The covered incense burner swung on a chain as part of a religious ritual

 

Chalice (CHAL-is) - the cup used to hold the wine that becomes the Blood of Christ

 

Ciborium (si-BORE-ee-um) - a vessel used to hold the Hosts which will be used for communion; some are cup-like and others are bowl or                                                                  plate-like; they are also used to reserve the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle.

 

Cincture (SINGK-sure) - a long cord used for fastening some albs at the waist; it holds the loose-fitting type of alb in place and is used to adjust                                               it to the proper length; it is usually white, although the liturgical color of the day may be used.

 

Communion Cups - chalice-like vessels used at communion when the people receive from the cup; they are kept on the Credence Table and                                              brought to the Altar at communion time.

 

Concelebrants - the priests and bishops who join the celebrant in celebrating the Mass.

 

Corporal - From the Latin word “corpus, corporis” which means “body”, the corporal is the white cloth that folds easily and is placed on the altar                      to catch particles of the Eucharist (The Body of Christ) which may fall during the breaking of the bread.

 

Credence Table - a table near the altar on which is found the vessels and objects that will be needed for the mass.  It is located near the place                                     where the servers sit in the sanctuary.

Cruet - small glass bottle that holds water or wine

 

Eucharistic Prayer - the prayer of thanksgiving and sanctification. It is the center of the celebration. During the Eucharistic Prayer, the Church                                             believes that the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ at the words of consecration.

 

Gloria - ancient hymn of praise in which the Church glorifies God. It is used on all Sundays, except for those during Advent and Lent, and at                         solemn celebrations.

 

Homily - a reflection by the celebrant or other minister on the Scripture readings and on the application of the texts in the daily lives of the                            assembled community.

 

Incense – Material (usually certain barks or other plant products) used to produce a pleasant and odorous smoke when burned.  Incense is used                      at Mass to symbolize our prayers rising to God.

 

Lavabo Dish – The small glass dish used to wash the celebrant’s hands during Mass

 

Lectionary - contains the scripture readings for Mass.

 

Liturgy of the Word - the part of the Mass during which readings from the Scriptures are proclaimed and reflected upon.  On Sundays and                                                   major feasts, there are three readings: 1) the first reading (taken from the Old Testament, except during the Easter                                                       season),  2) the second reading (taken from the New Testament - excluding the Gospels),  and 3) the Gospel reading.

 

Liturgy of the Eucharist - the part of the Mass where the gifts of bread and wine are prepared, the Eucharistic Prayer is proclaimed by the                                                          celebrant, and the Blessed Sacrament is distributed to the assembly.

 

Lord's Prayer (Our Father) - the prayer of petition for both daily food (which means the Eucharistic bread for Christians) and the forgiveness of                                                       sins.

 

Mass - the common name for the Eucharistic liturgy of the Catholic Church.  Also referred to as Eucharist, Celebration of the Liturgy, Eucharistic                 celebration, Sacrifice of the Mass, and the Lord's Supper.

Missalette - contains all parts of the Mass for a specific season in the liturgical year, including instructions on when to stand, sit, or kneel.

 

Pall – The large white cloth, symbolic of the white baptismal garment, which is placed over the casket at a funeral.

 

Paten (PAT-en) - a saucer-like disk that holds the bread that becomes the Body of Christ.

 

Penitential Rite - a general acknowledgement of sinfulness by the entire assembly, accompanied by requests for God's mercy and forgiveness.

 

Profession of Faith - the assembly proclaims the fundamental teachings of the Catholic faith. The Profession of Faith is also called the Creed.                                            The Nicene Creed is usually recited, but the Apostles' Creed may be substituted.

 

Pulpit – Also known as the lectern or ambo, this is the tall bookstand from which the Word of God is proclaimed at Mass.

 

Purificator - a white cloth used to cleanse the chalice.

 

Responsorial Psalm - the psalm that is spoken or sung between the first and second readings.  The response is repeated after each verse.

 

Sacramentary - contains the opening prayer, prayer over the gifts, prayer after communion, and solemn blessings, Eucharistic prayers and                                          prefaces for all of the Masses, including special occasions.

 

Sacristy – the room where the sacred vessels, bread and wine, candles, altar linens, and candle lighters and extinguishers are kept.

 

Sanctuary - the area of the church in which the altar is located.

 

Sanctuary Lamp – This candle burns at all times near the tabernacle to remind us that Christ is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament

 

Tabernacle – The metal structure in the sanctuary in which the Blessed Sacrament (the Holy Eucharist) is reserved after communion. You should                          always bow or genuflect as you pass the Tabernacle.

Vestry - the room where the priest, deacon, and servers dress for Mass.

 

Washing of Hands - an expression of the desire for inward purification. The celebrant washes his hands in a symbolic cleansing to prepare                                               himself to consecrate the Eucharist.