Section 1 - General Information

Section 2 - Order of the Mass

Section 3 - Diagrams

Section 4 - Glossary

Thank you for offering to help our parish community as an altar server. You are

there to assist Father as he celebrates Mass. Pay close attention to Father at all

times, so you are ready to help if and when you are needed and you always know

what’s going on.

An altar server should have received the sacraments of First Communion and

Reconciliation. A server should also learn the main prayers of the Mass: The

Gloria, Our Father, I am not worthy and the Holy, Holy, Holy. A server should

know the names of the places in the church (eg sanctuary, altar, sacristy), the

items used in the Mass and what they are used for (eg chalice, paten, corporal,

alb, etc.). Servers must be able to use properly the “tools of the trade” especially

matches, lighter and candles). When lighting matches, always strike down and

away from you.

Servers should be neat, clean and simply dressed. Albs are made from

lightweight material and what you wear underneath might show through. For

that reason, avoid bold stripes and designs of any kind that might show through.

Solid colors are fine, but light colors are best for shirts and tops. Neat clean shoes

should be worn.

Always sit with your feet flat on the floor and your hands folded in your lap or

placed on your knees. You should be still and sit up straight. Don’t fidget or

slouch. This could distract Father or the people at Mass. You are doing your best

job if no one notices you are there. When on the altar, always move slowly and

smoothly.

Arrive 15 minutes before mass begins and put on your robe (alb), belt (cicture) and

cross. Check length in mirror (about ankle length) and check to make sure the alb is

straight and tidy. You can ask another server .

Check to see that everthing is setup correctly for mass. Help sacristain put out items if

needed. Talk with your partner. Review roles and guidelines before mass. If you are

unsure of anything ask Father. 5 Minutes before mass light candles on either side of altar

with taper. Bow when you pass in front of the cross. After lighting the altar candles,

return to the sacristy and wait for Father. When leaving sacristy, pause at the bottom of

the steps, pause with other server, turn to face the tabernacle and bow before

proceeding to the back of the church.

Entrance procession is in this order: Cross Bearer, book server, lector, priest. Try to

keep a distance of about two pews between you and the person in front of you as you

cross goes to the right, the second altar server goes to the left, the lector and the priest

stand between the two altar servers. When the priest bows, the servers and lector also

bow. The Cross Bearer returns the cross to it’s stand in the sacristy and remains standing

in front of his/her chair on the sacristy side of the sanctuary. The book server goes up to

his/her chair, on the other side and remains standing. Generally, when the congregation

is standing, you stand; when they are sitting, you sit; when they are kneeling, you may

kneel or stay standing (according to Father’s preference).

After the Gloria, (or after the Kyrie during Lent or Advent), when the priest says,

“Let us pray,” the book server brings Father the prayer sacramentary (red book) from

the side table (also called credence table). The book must be held very steady as Father

opens the book to the opening prayer. Be sure to keep the pages flat, your fingers out of

the text and do not move about while the priest is reading. After the prayer, return the

book to the lower shelf of the table and sit down for the readings.

The Readings

First Reading (Hebrew Scripture/Old Testament) - Remain Seated

Responsorial Psalm(s) - remain seated

Second Reading (Christian Scripture/New Teastament) - remain seated

Gospel Acclamation (Alleluia) - STAND

Homily - SIT

Reciting of the Creed - STAND

Prayers of the Faithful (Intentions) - STAND

During the readings, the server should sit or stand when appropriate, responding as

indicated in the missal.

The Liturgy of the Word ends with the Prayer of the Faithful.

1. Preparation of Gifts (offetory hymn begins & collection baskets passed)

A. If Father will be setting the Altar: When Father moves toward the altar, both

servers move to the credence table. Hand Father items as requested, (sacrementary,

chalice, purificator, paten, corporal and pall, other cups and purificators, corporal,

paten, pall) bowing your head to Father each time. If the Deacon is there, assist the

Deacon with setting the altar.

B. If Father would like you to set the Altar:

After setting the Altar, you will either return to your chair and sit down, briefly or

proceed with Father down the steps to receive the gifts.

When the priest stands and moves towards the front, follow him and stand slightly

behind him and to the side. He will give you the bread and wine, which you will place

After placing the bread and wine on the Altar, do not return to your seat. instead, go

to the credence table. The book server picks up the small container (cruet) of water,

remove the stopper and stand a few feet from Father. When Father turns and reaches for

the container, hand it to him handle first . (Anytime an item passes between you and the

priest or deacon you should bow your head in respect). He will pour a few drops of the

water into the wine and then return the container to you.

Return to the side table, the book server picks up the lavabo bowl, and the cruet of

water. The cross bearer picks up the towel. Again stand a few feet from the priest and

wait for him to turn towards you. As he does, move forward and pour some water over

his hands. Hold the bowl under his hands and pour the water over them. He will dry his

hands with the towel and either drape it on your arm or return it to you. (If you are

serving alone you will need to drape the towel on your arm first then pick up the cruet

with one hand and the lavabo bowl with the other. Return all the items to the table,

neatly please, and then sit down.

COMMUNION RITE

When the Ministers of Communion line up in the sanctuary to receive communion,

join them in line to receive as well. If there are two altar servers one may stand with the

cantor. After receiving communion, return to your chair and sit down.

After the congregation has received communion, the Eucharistic Ministers or Father

will begin clearing the Altar. Please stand between the credence table and altar and if

asked, please take any vessels, etc., that are left on the credence table to the sacristy and

return to your chair.

When the priest says, “Let us pray,” bring him the prayer book as you did at the

beginning of Mass. When finished, return the book to the lower shelf of the credence

table and return to your seat. Remain standing.

The order for the recessional is the same as before: server with cross, 2nd server,

lector, priest. The recessional begins after the priest blesses the people and dismisses

them with the words, “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord” or "The Mass is ended, go

in peace.” The altar server who carried the processional cross at the beginning should

get the cross from it’s stand for the recessional. Follow Father to the bottom steps of the

sanctuary. Turn and bow to the altar when Father bows. Cross server leads recessional.

After the recessional, wait at the back of the church for most of the congregation

to clear the aisles and head back to the sacristy. The Cross Server returns the cross

to it’s stand and one server should put out the Altar candles using the snuffer. Do

not blow the candles out as this spreads wax onto the Altar cloth.

Return to the sacristy and place your cross and cincture in the drawer. Hang the

alb neatly in the closet.

Other duties of the Altar server include: carrying the incense and thurible;

carrying the cross and candles; carrying the holy water during rites of blessing and

sprinkling; ringing the bells at the appropriate times. They are always to process in

and recess out with the priest.

Servers are to participate fully all liturgies. Along with the congregation, they

are to respond to the prayers and dialogues of the celebrant. Likewise, they are to

join in the singing of hymns and other chants of the liturgy.

Remember that your service is a calling from God, It is God who placed in your

heart the desire to be an Altar server. Always pray before Mass. When you genuflect

before the tabernacle on your way into the sacristy is a good time to pray. Ask God

for the grace to serve Him with reverence and dignity. After Mass, stop again to

pray to our Lord. Thank him for allowing you to serve, asking his blessing on

yourself and your family.

When a Catholic priest prays at Consecration over the bread and wine, the

bread and wine change into the Body and Blood of Jesus. There is no physical

change that we can see. The appearance of the bread and wine remain the same

after they have been changed into Jesus. The change is spiritual. The “stuff” that

makes up the bread and wine has been replaced by the Body and Blood of Jesus,

without changing their appearance in any way. The Holy Eucharist is a constant

reminder that God is not bound by the laws of the physical universe He created.

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 become comfortable serving. Be patient with yourself.

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.

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.

Pray before you serve.

Prayer before Serving

credence

table

priest’s chair

Altar server’s chairs

Sacristy

lamp

paschal

candle

baptismal

font

Main Altar

Altar candles

cube

lectern

(ambo)

stairs

Mary’s Altar

cantor

(singer)

deacon’s chair

(if present)

The Sacristan will set the credence table, it will look similar to this:

towel

chalice cup cup

corporal

2 purificators

priest’s purificator

bowl

cruet

The Altar is set during the collection and before the presentation of the Gifts.

The Altar server takes from the credence table and places on the Altar:

1. The corporal. Place the corporal in the middle of the Altar. Unfold the

corporal as follows:

1 2

3

4

2. Place the purificator to the right of the corporal as shown:

purificator

corporal

3. Place the chalice on the corporal as shown:

edge of Altar

chalice

4. Place the sacramentary on the altar as shown. Open the sacramentary at

the first ribbon marker (usually a dark red ribbon).

Sacramentary

5. After the gifts have been received, place the paten and pitcher on the

Altar as shown:

When you have finished setting the Altar it should look like the following

picture:

paten

pitcher

paten

chalice pitcher

purificator

corporal

Sacramentary

edge of Altar

edge of Altar

same mystery, the table on which a sacrifice is offered and the table which Jesus

celebrated the Last Supper.

saints. The stone, consecrated by the bishop, is placed in a craved out area on the Altar.

The hosts and chalice are placed on the stone during the sacrifice of the Mass. The

custom of the stone and putting relics in the stone reminds us of the early church when

the Mass was offered in the catacombs. These early Altars were simply a stone placed

over the tomb of a martyr.

candles symbolize the triumph of light over darkness (good over evil).

inside and out with wood, the doors to the tabernacle lock with a key. The tabernacle is

used to keep consecrated hosts (the body of Jesus) that was not distributed during

communion.

wall. It is always located next to the tabernacle. When the candle is burning is signifies

that Jesus is present in the tabernacle in the form of consecrated hosts.

hold the linens, chalice, cups, bowl, cruet and sacramentary.

first and second readings. The Lector, or reader, stands at the Lectern. The priest also

uses the Lectern to read the Gospel.

top. Used during baptism.

during special celebration.

Baptismal Font. This Altar is in honor of Our Blessed Mother.

Book of Intentions on. The book, pitcher, paten, and the collection is brought to the

Altar during the Presentation of the Gifts.

called the Presidential chair, that is raised up on a small platform under the cross. This is

so everyone can see him. The other two smaller chairs, also on a raised platform, are for

the Altar servers.

where all the items needed for Mass are kept when not in use, and where all other church

supplies are kept.

entrance of the priest, Altar server and the lector at the beginning of Mass. The Book

contains the Gospels.

priests uses for saying the Mass. It does not contains the Gospels or Epistles. The Epistles

are the first and second readings. The Sacramentary is kept on the second shelf of the

credence table when it is not being used.

will be poured into the Chalice by the priest and will be consecrated into the precious

blood of Jesus.

chalice to protect the wine/blood of Jesus from dust or bugs from falling in. Used during

the weekday mass.

top. The Ciborium is kept in the tabernacle and contains the consecrated hosts. One of

the Eucharistic Ministers will take the Ciborium from the Tabernacle and place it on the

Altar before communion.

the Blood of Christ. The Eucharistic Ministers use these cups during communion.

Blood of Christ during the consecration. The Eucharistic Ministers pour the precious

blood from the pitcher into the cups for communion.

consecrated body of Jesus.

sewed on it, that is folded three times. The word purificator is from the word purify

meaning to make clean. The Purificator is used by the priest to wipe the chalice after he

takes a drink and before he offers the chalice to the Eucharistic Ministers. The

Eucharistic Ministers also use a Purificator when they offer the cup to the community

during communion.

napkin with a small cross sewed on it. The word corporal comes from the Latin word

"corpus", meaning body. It is called a corporal because the body of Jesus rests on it.

Mass. The cruet is a small container that looks like a tiny pitcher. It holds water that is

used to pour over the priests fingertips. It is also used when the priests mixes water and

wine during the consecration. This is in memory of the blood and water that poured

from the side of Jesus when He died on the cross.

different styles of albs, but they all cover the body from neck to feet. The alb symbolizes

the garment that Jesus wore, and is a symbol of purity of the body and soul of those

worthy of assisting at Mass.

the waist to secure the alb so that it will not interfere with walking. The cincture reminds

us of the cord that was used to tie Jesus to the pillar. It symbolizes binding ourselves

against evil and preparing to do good.

symbolizes the carrying of the cross.

symbolizes the seamless garment worn by Jesus and it also reminds us of Gods

encircling love for us. The color of the chasuble and stole are the same.

Angels, Saints who were not martyrs, Weddings, and Funerals.

Apostles, evangelists and martyrs.

of the Monstrance has a small door. The inside holds a glass container called the Luna.

The priest puts a consecrated host in the luna, and places the Luna in the Monstrance.

The Monstrance is then placed on the Altar for Benediction or Exposition of the Blessed

Sacrament.

special occasions. An Incense Boat is the container that holds the unburned incense.

The Censer is a metal container that holds hot coals. It has a top with air vents and a long

chain so that it can be carried. Incense is scooped out of the incense boat and sprinkled

on the hot coals in the censer. When the incense is burned in makes smoke. Incense

symbolizes our prayers ascending to God, it is used as a blessing and it reminds us of the

gifts frankincense and myrrh given to baby Jesus by the Magi.

a procession during special celebrations.

ball on a handle. The priest puts the Aspergillum in a container of Holy Water, so that

water will get inside the Aspergillum through little holes. The priest then walks through

the church and blesses everyone by sprinkling them using the Aspergillum. This is used

on special celebrations.

of the bells let people know that something important is happening. Bells are used

during special celebrations.

at Mass. They forgive sins, perform baptisms, marriages, funerals, run the parish and

lead the people closer to God. Their ordination to the priesthood can be traced to the

Apostles who were the first priests after Jesus.

baptism, marriages, and help run the parish. He does not offer mass or hear

confessions.

priest at mass.

priest in giving communion. There are usually three Eucharistic Ministers assisting at

mass, two Ministers of the Blood of Christ and one Minister of the Body of Christ. They

also can bring communion to people who are sick at home or in the hospital.

of the Faithful at mass. He or she walks at the head of the procession into and out of

church carrying the Book of the Gospels.

track of all the church supplies, sets up for mass, takes care of all the vessels, linens,

laundry, and cleans the church.

ordain priests. This authority is given to him by the Pope.

and advises the Pope, consecrates Bishops and elects the Pope.

“Pontiff” and “Holy See”, and will be the leader of the church until he dies.

table and hand items to Father as requested. (Corporal, Sacramentary, Chalice,

Ciborium, additional cups and purificators). Bring the items to the side of the

altar so Father doesn’t have to move to the credence table.

the steps and place on the altar.

brings Water Cruet to the side of the altar for Father to add to wine.

server pours water over Father’s Hands into Lavabo Bowl. Cross Server opens

towel for Father to dry his hands.

Body of Christ and again when Father elevates the Blood of Christ.

can be returned to the sacristy. The Sacrementary can be removed from the altar

and may be held by book server at his/her chair until the closing prayer.

the church.