Altar Servers

Click here to access the Altar Servers Official Site

To be an altar server is a special honor and a great privilege in the Catholic Church. Altar servers today can trace their roots or genealogy to the order of Acolyte, a ministry that once was reserved only for those who were going to be ordained priests. One can look upon being an altar server as a special and unique ministry by which you, a young person, can help to spread the word and the love of Christ through your actions and words.

 
ALTAR SERVER'S DUTIES -- ORDINARY SUNDAY MASSES
 

I. PREPARATION

A. Arrive for your scheduled Mass 15 minutes prior to the start of the Mass.
B. Wear clean shoes, black shoes preferred. If you wear sandals wear them with socks never bare feet.
C. Select your alb. The alb should be long enough to come to the top of your shoes. Remember your alb is a sacred vestment and should be treated as such..
D. Make sure these items are in place for Mass.
1. Sacramentary.
2. Water pitcher, bowl and hand towel on the table
3. Cruet of water on table.
4. Book stand on altar for the Book of Gospel


II. POSTURE AND REVERENCES

A. The role of the Altar Server is to assist the Priest and the whole community in the celebration of the Mass. Posture and attitude are very important.
B. Hold your hands together unless you are carrying something or sitting.
C. Stand with your weight evenly placed on both feet.
D. Sit straight.
E. Pay attention to the Priest and the flow of the Mass..

III. THE MASS

 PART 1

BE WAITING AT THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH WITH CROSS AND CANDLES FIVE MINUTES PRIOR TO MASS STARTING

A. The Procession
1. Cross and candle bearers. 
2. Lector 
3. Concelebrating Priests
4  Principal Celebrant
B. As the procession enters the sanctuary, the Cross Bearer places the Cross in its stand on the altar. The candle bearers walk behind the Cross Bearer and place their candles next to the Ambo and then proceed to their seats and stand in front of their seats.
C. At the opening Prayer when the Celebrant says "Let us pray", bring the sacramentary to him and hold it so that he can read it.

PART 2

START THESE DUTIES WHEN THE COLLECTION BEGINS

D. Offertory (After the General Intercessions when everyone sits down.)
1. Place the Sacramentary on the altar.
2. Remove the bookstand from the altar.
3. Bring the Chalice to the altar.
5. Go with the Celebrant to receive the gifts..
7. Bring the cruet of water to the Celebrant (or the Deacon).
8. Bring the water pitcher, bowl, and towel to wash the Celebrant's hands.
9. Go to your seat .
10. Stand after the Amen.

11. Join hands with each other and the celebrant for the Our Father.

 PART 3

CLOSING OF MASS

E. Bring the sacramentary to the Celebrant when he says "Let us pray". (Hold the sacramentary so that the Celebrant can read it.
H. Close the sacramentary and return to your seat when the Celebrant makes the Sign of the Cross.
I. When the closing hymn begins, the Cross bearer should get the Cross, candle bearers should get the candles, and all servers should go to their places in the church aisle.
J. Turn and face the Altar.
K. When the Celebrant, Priests, and Deacons enter the aisle, turn and process at a normal walking pace to the back of the church.

IV. AFTER MASS (CLEANING UP)

A. Take the washbowl to the Sacristy and empty water into the sink, wipe the bowl dry, and return it to the table.
B. Extinguish the candles.
C. Hang up your alb (neatly) and any others that may have fallen to the floor of the closet.

NOTE: If you cannot serve the Mass to which you are assigned, you must arrange for your own substitute.