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Stole - A liturgical vestment worn as a sign of
ordained ministry. Bishops and presbyters (priests)
wear the stole over both shoulders.
Deacons wear the stole over the right shoulder,
clasping it on the left, at the waist.
St. Martin of Tours
Tabernacle - Receptacle for reserving the
consecrated hosts that are used for taking
communion to the sick and viaticum. In many church
buildings, in accordance with liturgical law, the
tabernacle is housed in an Eucharistic chapel separate
from the main worship space. A sanctuary lamp burns
near the tabernacle.
ALTAR SERVER’S PRAYER
Open my mouth, O Lord, to bless your Holy
Name. Cleanse my heart from all evil and
distracting thoughts.
Enlighten my understanding and inflame
my will that I may serve more worthily at
your holy altar.
O Mary, Mother of Christ the High Priest, obtain for me
the most important grace of knowing my vocation in life.
Grant me a true spirit of faith and humble obedience so
that I may ever behold the priest as a
Representative of God and willingly follow him in the
Way, the Truth, and the Life of Christ.
Amen.
ALTAR SERVERS’
HANDBOOK
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Boys and Girls,
Thank you for volunteering to serve at the altar of
the Lord at St. Martin of Tours Parish! As altar
servers, you play an important role in the
celebration of Holy Mass, and are a valuable
asset to the priest and the parish community. This
manual is a rundown of the various responsibilities
of the altar server and is primarily meant to help
servers to serve Mass well. Remember that you are
serving Almighty God at each Mass. Again, thanks for
serving your parish and our Lord!
Fr. Francis, Pastor.
PRELIMINARY RULES
Although the duties of the altar server are many and
varied, the most important responsibility of the altar
server during Mass is to pray.
•
•
•
To be an altar server at St. Martin of Tours, you
must first have received the Sacrament of
Reconciliation and made your First
Communion.
An altar server must attend every Mass they are
scheduled for. If for some reason the server cannot
attend the assigned Mass, it is the server’s
responsibility to find a replacement. If there is a
problem finding a replacement, contact either
George Hatch (519) 645-7070 or Martin Jimenez at
the Office.
Thurible - The special vessel which holds burning
charcoal and into which incense is placed. The
device holding the incense is called the “boat.”
Chasuble - The liturgical vestment, worn over the
alb, as an outer garment by bishops and presbyters/
priests. The color of chasubles follows the liturgical
year.
Chrism - A holy oil consecrated for use in the
sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders,
the dedication of a church building and the
consecration of an altar.
Consecration - The term most commonly used for
the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass. Consecrating means
to make holy, to set apart through special prayers and
ritual action.
Genuflection - A gesture of respect and adoration
consisting of bending the right knee to the floor
while keeping one’s torso erect. One genuflects
before the tabernacle and the blessed sacrament.
Liturgy - The official, public worship of a church is
called liturgy (literally, "the work of the people").
Liturgy includes both the seven rites of the Church
called Sacraments and non-sacramental rites (e.g.
Liturgy of the Hours, Blessings, Funerals, etc.).
Sanctuary - Often, the sanctuary is understood as
the area of a church building where the altar, ambo
and chair are located. It is more broadly understood
as the entire worship space.
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Lavabo - The bowl used by the presiding
celebrant for washing his hands before the
Eucharistic Prayer at Mass.
•
Please arrive 15 minutes before Mass begins.
Upon arrival, the server should vest in cassock
(black) and surplice (white).
Lectionary - The lectionary contains all the
Scripture readings for Mass for the entire
liturgical year. There are three cycles of Sunday
readings (A, B, C) and two for weekday readings (I,
II) as well as readings indicated for other rites (e.g.
funerals, religious professions, etc.).
•
Appropriate Attire: Dress as you would to go
anywhere important. Male servers should dress in
collared shirts, dress pants or khakis. Female
should wear dresses, pants or some other
appropriate attire. Beach attire, gym clothes and
T-shirts are not appropriate at Mass.
Pall - A square piece of cardboard or plastic which
is covered by linen and used to cover the chalice.
•
It is also suggested that you wear clean shoes.
No work boots or flip-flops.
Paten - A plate or bowl used for the bread that
will be consecrated and distributed at Mass.
•
Everyone, including altar servers, should genuflect
when crossing in front of the tabernacle, or
entering a pew when Jesus is present, Body and
Blood, in the Eucharist.
•
Servers must demonstrate the ability to make use
of the “tools of the trade”, such as matches,
candle lighters, books and candles, etc.
Purificator - A linen cloth used by the priest or
deacon to dry the chalice after washing and
purifying it. Used purificators must always be placed
in the proper container for sacred cloths.
Sacramentary - The book of prayers and
instructions for the presiding celebrant used
during the liturgy.
Stoup - The holy water fountains or bowls at the
entrances of the church.
Surplice - A wide-sleeved linen worn over a
cassock by clergy and altar servers in some
parishes.
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JOB DESCRIPTION AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
Typically, there will be three or four servers
assigned to a particular Mass on Saturdays
and Sundays. The three or four positions will be
defined as the following:
•
•
•
•
The Cross/Book Bearer (Crucifer)
Server one (Torchbearer)
Server two (Torchbearer)
Server three (Thurifer)
The Cross/Book Bearer: This is typically the older or
more “seasoned” server, who carries the cross during
the Entrance, Offertory, and Closing Procession. He or
she will be responsible for also holding the book for the
priest during the opening and closing prayers (a.k.a.
the “Let us Pray” prayers). This server will be
responsible for lighting the candles before Mass as well
as extinguishing them afterwards. The Cross bearer
should supervise other servers, and will make sure
everything is in its proper place before and after Mass.
He or she is the team leader.
Server one: This server is one of the candle bearers
for the opening, gospel, and closing processions.
Server one will also be responsible for the following
tasks: Bringing the book to the altar during the
preparation of the gifts, going down to the foot of the
altar with the priest to receive the gifts, holding the wine
for the priest or deacon, assisting in the washing of the
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Altar - The table used during the Liturgy of the
Eucharist, a symbol of Christ. It is both the altar of
sacrifice and the meal table for the holy banquet.
Ambo - The table of the Word, usually a reading
stand, used to proclaim the Scriptures during the
Liturgy of the Word at each liturgical celebration.
Aspergillium - The holy water sprinkler.
Cassock - A long tunic-like garment which reaches
from the neck to the heels and is worn by some
servers and clergy.
Chalice - The cup used to hold the wine that will
be consecrated and distributed to the assembly at
Mass.
Ciborium - A container with a lid used to store
consecrated hosts in the tabernacle.
Corporal - A white linen cloth, usually with a cross
in the centre, used to protect any particles of the
Precious Body and Blood of Jesus from falling to
the altar cloth.
Credence Table - The small side table, usually
near the altar, for placing liturgical objects (e.g.
cruets, lavabo, chalice, corporal, etc.).
Cruets - The pitcher-like containers for holding
the water or wine to be used at Mass.
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Additional Things to Keep in Mind
•
After Mass, the Cross Bearer will extinguish
the candles. Servers, please hang up
cassocks and surplices after use.
•
If only two servers are present, there will be no
candles used. The Cross Bearer will still lead the
procession, and the other server walks in
procession directly behind the Cross Bearer. In
rare cases of one server, the cross will be used,
and the server will assume all duties as needed.
•
Most funerals will require the assistance of the
Funeral Altar Guild Servers. For other special
masses, everything will be explained to the
servers as necessary prior to these liturgies.
HELPFUL DEFINITIONS ALTAR
SERVERS SHOULD KNOW
Alb - A loose-fitting, floor-length white garment
that may be worn by all liturgical ministers.
Ordained ministers (bishops, presbyters and
deacons) wear stoles and outer vestments in
addition to the alb as signs of their office.
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hands, ringing the bells, during the
consecration, and taking the book off
the altar after communion.
Server two: Like Server One, this
server is a candle bearer for the
opening, gospel, and closing processions.
However, during the Offertory, this server will bring
up the chalice to the altar, and will be responsible
for un-assembling the chalice during the appropriate
time at Mass. Server Two will be responsible for
the following tasks: assist in receiving the gifts at
the foot of the altar with the priest, holding the water
for the priest or deacon during the preparation of the
altar, pouring the water when the priest washes his
hands, and bringing the water to the priests for
purification of the chalice after communion
(if applicable).
Please Note: On occasion, there will be a need for
a fourth server to serve as an incense bearer on
special liturgical occasions. This server will be
responsible for lighting the incense, and disposing
of the leftover charcoal after Mass.
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THE ORDER OF MASS
•
Before Mass & Entrance
Procession
•
All servers should be vested and ready to
go 5 minutes before Mass.
•
The candles are lit by the crucifer (cross bearer)
approximately 10 minutes before the start of Mass.
Likewise, use the appropriate instrument to light
the candles. Avoid using matches, please use the
lighter in the sacristy.
•
Typically, a brief prayer may be said before the
start of Mass with the priest and other liturgical
ministers.
•
The procession forms at the main entrance in the
foyer of the Church.
•
The order of procession will consist of the
following: (1) Cross, (2) Servers One and Two
holding the candles, the lector, the Eucharistic
Ministers, the deacon (if present), and the priest.
•
In cases where there is an Incense bearer, that
server will lead the procession (ahead of the
cross).
•
Please begin the procession only after singing a
couple of lines of the hymn. Please do not walk
too quickly; it is not the Boston Marathon.
After the distribution of the Communion, the priest
or deacon reassembles the chalice and sits
down. The altar servers remove the book,
chalice, ciboria, etc. from the altar to the
credence table.
End of Mass
•
The Book Bearer will proceed with the opened
book to the priest for the prayer after communion.
•
After the final blessing and dismissal, the Servers
One, Two and Cross Bearer will stand behind the
altar waiting for the priest to do the final reverent
head bow, and then, Servers will take the candles
and Cross, and proceed to the front of the altar
for the closing procession.
•
The closing procession will follow the same order
for the servers.
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•
After the offertory prayers have been said, the priest will
turn to his left, and servers one and two should come
forward to the priest with the lavabo to wash his hands.
(Server One should hold the towel, and Server Two
should pour the water.) After this action is completed,
the servers should make a slight and reverent bow to
the priest, and then return to their place.
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•
Once at the altar, the Cross bearer should place the
crucifix in the proper stand, and then go stand
behind the Altar and wait for the priest to do the
reverent head bow the second time after he kisses
the Altar table. The stand for the crucifix is located
to the left of the Altar and slightly next to the pulpit.
Then you go to your place
•
The Candle Bearers should proceed and place the
candles in the stands located on each side of the
credence table. Then, they both stand behind the
Altar and wait for the priest to do the reverent head
bow the second time after he kisses the Altar table.
Then they go to their places.
•
The servers will be seated in the chairs and
kneelers provided next to the credence table and
altar.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
•
After the “Holy, Holy”, all servers kneel at their place.
Except for Server One which kneels on the side step
next to the altar to ring the bells. Server One will ring
the bells on two occasions during the Eucharistic prayer.
•
First Ring: When the priest raises the host. Server
One will ring the bells three distinct times.
•
Second Ring: When the priest raises the chalice. The
server will again ring the bells three distinct times.
•
After the Eucharistic prayer is completed, all will stand
for the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer and Sign of Peace.
The servers will stand in line at the foot of the altar,
behind the priest. Important note to all servers:
Please exchange the sign of peace only with those
immediately around you in the sanctuary. Although it is
well meaning, it is liturgically improper to go around the
Church to exchange peace, for it disrupts the flow of the
liturgy.
Opening Rite
•
After the exchange of the peace, the cross bearer
brings the additional ciboria (vassals to distribute the
Holy Communion) to the altar.
•
After the procession, the servers
stand at their respective places.
•
The Gloria will be recited or
sung, except during Lent and Advent. Near the end of the Gloria
(at the line “For your alone are the most high”), the
Cross/Book Bearer will approach the priest with
the Sacramentary (the small red book located in
one of the kneelers next to the credence table)
opened to the proper page for the opening prayer.
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Offertory
•
Keep the pages as flat as possible, and keep your
fingers away from the text. When the priest is
finished, the server will put the book back to the
proper place by the kneeler.
Liturgy of the Word
•
•
After the Opening Prayer, all the
servers sit to listen attentively to the
Word of God.
The tradition at St. Martin’s is to use the candles
for the Gospel procession. The Procession starts
from the centre of the Sanctuary, goes to the left
side of the Altar down the couple stairs through the
carpeted area and get to the Ambo on the other
side. During the Alleluia, all stand. After the Priest
or Deacon approaches the altar to do a reverent
head bow, Servers One and Two come forward
with the processional candles to lead the priest to
the pulpit. The servers will stand on opposite sides
facing the pulpit during the proclamation of the
Gospel. After the Gospel, the candle bearers place
the candles in the appropriate place and go to their
seats.
Immediately after the prayer of the
Faithful is completed (and the people
sit down and the collection begins),
Server One brings the Sacramentary
to the altar (the big Red book located
in the credence table), opened with the red marker and
place at the left hand side of the altar.
•
At the same time: Server Two will immediately
proceed to place the chalice, corporal, purificator,
and the other chalices used for the precious blood
on the altar. This items are located in the credence
table. Everything is placed outside of the Corporal.
•
At this time, the Cross Bearer goes to the back of
the church with the Cross to lead the offertory
procession.
•
When the collection is completed, All Servers will
proceed with the priest to the front of the altar to
receive the gifts of bread and wine; and the
collection basket (the basket is then placed under
the altar).
•
When the priest goes to the altar to say the offertory
prayers, Server One and Two will promptly come
to the altar with the cruets (vessels) filled with wine
and water to be poured into the chalice. The priest
will take them from you. After the pouring is
completed, the servers should make a slight and
reverent bow to the priest and return the cruets
back to the credence table.