1

PREPARATIONPREPARATIONPREPARATIONPREPARATION

1. Arrive at least 10 minutes before Mass.

2. Whether you are scheduled or not, GO to the Sacristy

a) Check the schedule to confirm who is scheduled to

serve.

b) If there is a notation that the server is not

available, write your name on the schedule AND

write your name in the Sign-in Sheet located on

the counter.

c) If you don't sign in, we worry that you're not

coming and we may try to find a replacement.

Altar serving is commitment. If you have 3

unexcused absences, you will be dropped from

the schedule and required to attend the next

training session before being placed on the

rotation.

d) There are 3 main SCHEDULED altar servers (#1,

#2, and #3) and up to 3 more additional servers

who are NOT scheduled. There are a maximum

of 3-4 altar servers.

e) If there is no schedule or not sure what to do,

please ask the priest if he needs an altar server

for mass. They greatly appreciate that you are

there and willing to serve.

3. If there is a visiting priest, introduce yourself to him,

explain that you will be serving at that Mass, and

ask if there is anything special he wants you to do.

4. Put on an Alb/robe:

2

a) They are hanging on the rack by size: small on the

left to large on the right.

b) If this is your first time serving, please arrive

early to check the proper size and remember

what size you use for future reference.

c) If you have a jacket, do not place it on the floor

or the counter. Please use the same hanger as

the alb and hang on the rack until mass is over.

d) The alb should go all the way down to your

ankles. Your shoes should be the only thing you

see. Please wear clean shoes. (For safety

reasons, flip-flops/clogs/slippers are not

appropriate.)

BEFORE MASSBEFORE MASSBEFORE MASSBEFORE MASS

5. Five (5) Minutes before Mass get the

crucifix/candles. Altar Server (AS) #1 brings the

crucifix and the other two altar servers #2 & #3

bring the candle to the back of the church to

prepare for procession. If the candle is not lit, DO DO DO DO

NOT light it yourself.NOT light it yourself.NOT light it yourself.NOT light it yourself. Ask an adult to assist you.

After getting crucifix and candles, altar servers join

other ministers in praying. Do not stand in the way

of parishioners who are arriving for mass. Stand by

the wall and wait until the priest rings the bell. This

signals that mass will begin.

3

DURING MASSDURING MASSDURING MASSDURING MASS

6. Lead the procession carrying the crucifix/candle.Lead the procession carrying the crucifix/candle.Lead the procession carrying the crucifix/candle.Lead the procession carrying the crucifix/candle.

Cross bearer should be in the middle. If there are

only 2 servers, cross bearer should be on the left.

Hold cross high and candle at eye-level and walk

slowly straight to the altar. Do not stop. Do not

bow. Then turn left and bring cross to its stand and

candle to the credence table. Go to your seat.

Remain standing.

7. Opening Prayer.Opening Prayer.Opening Prayer.Opening Prayer. Normally, the Opening Prayer follows

the Gloria. Priest will point to the sacramentary on

the table next to him and say "Let us pray." Altar

Server #1 brings the sacramentary to the priest. He

will open it; you stand to the left (as you face him)

and extend the sacramentary open in front of him.

8. Prepare the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.Prepare the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.Prepare the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.Prepare the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

After the Prayer of the Faithful (Intercessions), Altar

Server #1, #2 and #3 together bring up the

sacramentary and remove the Gospel's stand (AS #1),

communion cups (AS #2), and chalice (AS #3) and put

on the altar. Altar Server #1 takes wooden stand off

the altar. Altar Server #2 takes cups out of tray. Wait

for each other on top of the steps and when you all

finish, bow slightly together. The tray put on the

credence table. The wooden stand place on seat next

to the credence table (or if there is no room, place it

under the credence table). Then bring up to the altar

the ciboria if it contains hosts in it (AS #1), and if there

is a Pyx Container (AS #2) (Communion of the Sick).

4

Wait for each other on top of the steps of the altar and

when you all finish bow slightly together.

PRESENTATION OF THE BREAD & WINEPRESENTATION OF THE BREAD & WINEPRESENTATION OF THE BREAD & WINEPRESENTATION OF THE BREAD & WINE

9. During (or after) the preparation the altar, those who

carried the candles and the crucifix, bring the

crucifix/candles to the back of the church. Then the

presider (priest) will walk in front of the altar to receive

the gifts. He will signal you to walk towards him. Walk

towards the presider (priest) and turn left and return

the cross and candles. Do not stop. Do not bow.

10. Altar Server #1 brings water cruet to the priest. AS #1

will wait for the priest to give the wine carafe and the

water cruet. Bring the wine carafe and the water cruet

back to credence table. Return to your seat and remain

standing.

11. Altar Server #2 will get the basin & towel and #3 will

get the ewer. When the priest hands the wine carafe

and water cruet to AS #1, AS#2 and AS#3 will bring

the ewer, basin, and towel up to the TOP steps of the

altar. The Altar Server #2 (person holding the towel)

5

is on the left of AS #3. The presider (priest) will turn

to you and put his hands in the bowl. Pour water over

his hands. Offer him the towel and he will give it back

to you. After washing the priest's hands bow slightly.

Bring the ewer, basin, and towel back to the credence

table and return to your seat and remain standing.

12. As soon as the Choir sings the Holy, Holy, Holy all the

altar servers take their kneeling pad, walk to the right

of the Altar, and kneel when the Holy, Holy, Holy end.

13. After the Great Amen, all the altar servers stand and

say Our Father.

14. At the Sign of Peace, all Altar Servers one by one

exchange the sign of peace with the priest. Look at Look at Look at Look at

the priest's eyes.the priest's eyes.the priest's eyes.the priest's eyes. If the priest says: "The peace of

the Lord be with you always" and your answer is

"And with your spirit."

15. After exchanging the sign of peace with the priest,

stand behind the altar next to the Extraordinary

Ministers and exchange the sign of peace with your

fellow Altar Servers.

16. After receiving the Body and Blood, return to your

seat and sit. When priest arrives back at the altar,

after the Eucharistic Minister bring the Holy

Communion to the Tabernacle, immediately have

Altar Server #2 bring him the cruet of water.

Remember, to walk up to the top step.to walk up to the top step.to walk up to the top step.to walk up to the top step. Wait until

he gives back the water cruet; then return it to the

credence table.

6

17. Next, all three servers go back to the altar and put

away the rest of the items. Then return to your

seats.

RECESSIONALRECESSIONALRECESSIONALRECESSIONAL

18. After the blessing ("May almighty God bless you,

the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Amen."), get the crucifix/candle and join the priest

and the Extraordinary Ministers/Lectors in front of

the altar. (Altar servers face the altar and stand

behind everyone.) After everyone bows, lead them

out slowly. Walk out of the church door.

19. Return the crucifix and candles, (blow out candle).

AFTER MASSAFTER MASSAFTER MASSAFTER MASS

20. Hang up your alb.

______________________________________________

General NotesGeneral NotesGeneral NotesGeneral Notes

- When you are serving on the altar, you are a public

figure. The people in the congregation will sometimes

watch you and take their cues from you. Walk with dignity.

Pay attention, sit up straight, show reverence, and

generally act in a way appropriate for the holy liturgy.

- No talking and swinging of legs.

7

- Dress appropriately. Your clothes should indicate the

importance of the event you are participating in. For safety

reasons, flip-flops are not appropriate foot wear.

- Please remember that you are being relied on to perform

a needed role at the Masses for which you are scheduled.

If you don't show up, you force the Mass coordinator to

scramble to find a sub at the last minute. Make sure you

know what Masses you are schedule for. If you cannot be

at one, find a sub.

You are praying to God by servingYou are praying to God by servingYou are praying to God by servingYou are praying to God by serving

and therefore do your best as a prayer.and therefore do your best as a prayer.and therefore do your best as a prayer.and therefore do your best as a prayer.

ITEMS ON CREDENCE TABLEITEMS ON CREDENCE TABLEITEMS ON CREDENCE TABLEITEMS ON CREDENCE TABLE