Friday, May 28, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Pope John Paul II Adress to Altar Boys 28 February 1987
...I exhort you to be always dedicated and fervent in your duty. Regard it has as an honour to serve God's ministers. Most of all, be happy to serve Jesus present to the altar!
This generous commitment of yours as altar servers often implies and even demands considerable sacrificies. Well then, accept them willingly: participate with spirit and devotion in the Masses which you serve, also offering them for the many boys and youths who unfortunately do not frequent the Church. Thus you will be little apostles, who obtain the graces of the Lord for so many souls, and prepare for yourselves a great and precious treasure in heaven.
This generous commitment of yours as altar servers often implies and even demands considerable sacrificies. Well then, accept them willingly: participate with spirit and devotion in the Masses which you serve, also offering them for the many boys and youths who unfortunately do not frequent the Church. Thus you will be little apostles, who obtain the graces of the Lord for so many souls, and prepare for yourselves a great and precious treasure in heaven.
THE AIM OF A KNIGHT OF THE ALTAR
The aim of a knights of the altar is to go heaven and be with God our Father - in other words, to become a Saint. However, God wants us to be saints not only after our life, but rather precisely here on earthly life, but rather precisely here on earth, by doing ordinary activities in the best way that we can doing our ordinary activities in the best way that we can. For a Knight, "ordinary activities" include, among others, prayers, study, work recreation, relationship with our family and friends, and services are done in the church as a member of a Knight of the Altar Organization.
MOTTO OF KNIGHTS OF THE ALTAR
Called to serve!
The Knights of the Altar motto takes inspiration from Christ Himself who became a man like of us, chose to suffer and die, ready “to serve and not to be served.”
The Knights of the Altar motto takes inspiration from Christ Himself who became a man like of us, chose to suffer and die, ready “to serve and not to be served.”
HISTORY OF KNIGHT OF THE ALTAR
God’s chosen people, and we find “servers” in the pages of the Old Testament. Before the great temple was built by King Solomon, boys were dedicated to the service of God in certain holy places. In 1Samuel 2:3, we read a boy Samuel who served God in sanctuary of Shiloh. Later, when the Temple was built in at Jerusalem, the men of the family of Levi, the Levites, assisted their priest in their duties of sacrifice, praise and blessing.
Altar servers also go all the way back to Last Supper where in the Gospels Jesus tells his apostles to secure this particular upper room and prepare it for them to celebrate the Passover meal. The first Masses were celebrated in homes for families, their relatives and intimate friends. The acolytes, or altar servers, who helped the celebrant were very likely the children of the host, or persons who were within the small circle of believers.
The early Church continuing the tradition of men and boys assisting public worship. From the underground Church, persecuted in Rome, we have the story of Saint Tarcisius, a young Christian given the dangerous mission secretly taking the Blessed Eucharist to the prisons. He was caught and tortured, but he did not reveal the sacred Gift he was carrying.
In the fourth century, the Church gave official status to those assisting the clergy in worship. These assistants were called “acolytes”, which comes from the Greek word for “followers” and “attendants”. Acolytes were ordained to this office, a “minor order” as distinct from the major orders: bishop, priest, deacon. Gradually, the order of acolyte lost its distinct rule and became only one of the steps towards to priesthood. In recent years the ministry of acolyte has been broadened. No longer it seen in terms of a step towards priestly ordination but in terms of service (ministry) within the Church community. The ministry has now been restored to the laity who exercised it in the early Church. Servers really developed from ministry of acolyte. First there were not enough deacons to assist the bishop or priest in the ceremonies of the Mass. Their role was deputed to acolytes and other clerics. But as the Church grew, there were many places where the only ordained man was the local priest, so the assistant role of acolyte was deputed to men and boys, the altar servers. As the ceremonies of the Church developed so were the various form of ritual required many assistants, especially for solemn celebrations.
Here and abroad, Mass servers are often called “Knights Of the Altar”, a thoroughly anachronistic title. There are two groups, one was organized by the Salesians, and the other which is diocesan. Knights of the Salesians are categorized as “Adelpos”, “Christophoros”, and other impressive Greek words. On other hand, the Knights of diocesan parishes use medieval classifications: Junior Knight, Senior Knight and Grand Knight. In the Archdiocese of Manila and other parishes, the functions of the acolyte are deputed to the Ministry of Altar Servers (for the youth and young boys).
The Church is giving Altar Server a serious responsibility – to take on the sacred role of chosen men. This is a great honor. Pope John Paul II says, “…you are far more than ‘helpers of the parish priest’. Above all, you are servants of Jesus Christ the eternal High Priest. Thus, you are especially called to be young friends of Jesus1” and “…you will be little apostles who obtain the graces of the Lord for so many souls, and prepare for yourselves a great and precious treasure in heaven.2”
Altar servers also go all the way back to Last Supper where in the Gospels Jesus tells his apostles to secure this particular upper room and prepare it for them to celebrate the Passover meal. The first Masses were celebrated in homes for families, their relatives and intimate friends. The acolytes, or altar servers, who helped the celebrant were very likely the children of the host, or persons who were within the small circle of believers.
The early Church continuing the tradition of men and boys assisting public worship. From the underground Church, persecuted in Rome, we have the story of Saint Tarcisius, a young Christian given the dangerous mission secretly taking the Blessed Eucharist to the prisons. He was caught and tortured, but he did not reveal the sacred Gift he was carrying.
In the fourth century, the Church gave official status to those assisting the clergy in worship. These assistants were called “acolytes”, which comes from the Greek word for “followers” and “attendants”. Acolytes were ordained to this office, a “minor order” as distinct from the major orders: bishop, priest, deacon. Gradually, the order of acolyte lost its distinct rule and became only one of the steps towards to priesthood. In recent years the ministry of acolyte has been broadened. No longer it seen in terms of a step towards priestly ordination but in terms of service (ministry) within the Church community. The ministry has now been restored to the laity who exercised it in the early Church. Servers really developed from ministry of acolyte. First there were not enough deacons to assist the bishop or priest in the ceremonies of the Mass. Their role was deputed to acolytes and other clerics. But as the Church grew, there were many places where the only ordained man was the local priest, so the assistant role of acolyte was deputed to men and boys, the altar servers. As the ceremonies of the Church developed so were the various form of ritual required many assistants, especially for solemn celebrations.
Here and abroad, Mass servers are often called “Knights Of the Altar”, a thoroughly anachronistic title. There are two groups, one was organized by the Salesians, and the other which is diocesan. Knights of the Salesians are categorized as “Adelpos”, “Christophoros”, and other impressive Greek words. On other hand, the Knights of diocesan parishes use medieval classifications: Junior Knight, Senior Knight and Grand Knight. In the Archdiocese of Manila and other parishes, the functions of the acolyte are deputed to the Ministry of Altar Servers (for the youth and young boys).
The Church is giving Altar Server a serious responsibility – to take on the sacred role of chosen men. This is a great honor. Pope John Paul II says, “…you are far more than ‘helpers of the parish priest’. Above all, you are servants of Jesus Christ the eternal High Priest. Thus, you are especially called to be young friends of Jesus1” and “…you will be little apostles who obtain the graces of the Lord for so many souls, and prepare for yourselves a great and precious treasure in heaven.2”
Thursday, February 18, 2010
SLOW ME DOWN, LORD
Slow me down, Lord
Ease the pounding of my heart by
quieting of my mind.
Steady my hurried pace with a vison of
the eternal reach of time.
Give me, amid the cofusion of the day
the calmness of the everlasting hills.
Break the tensions of my nerves and
muscles with the soothing music of the
singing streams that live in my memory.
Help me to know the magical, restoring
power of sleep.
Teach me the art of taking minute
vacations - of slowing down to look at a
flower, to chat with a friend, to pat a dog,
to read a few lines from a good book.
Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me to
send my roots deep into the soil of life's
enduring values that I may grow toward the
stars of ny greater destiny.
Ease the pounding of my heart by
quieting of my mind.
Steady my hurried pace with a vison of
the eternal reach of time.
Give me, amid the cofusion of the day
the calmness of the everlasting hills.
Break the tensions of my nerves and
muscles with the soothing music of the
singing streams that live in my memory.
Help me to know the magical, restoring
power of sleep.
Teach me the art of taking minute
vacations - of slowing down to look at a
flower, to chat with a friend, to pat a dog,
to read a few lines from a good book.
Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me to
send my roots deep into the soil of life's
enduring values that I may grow toward the
stars of ny greater destiny.
Interview with God
I dreamed I had an interview with God.
So you would like to interview me? God asked.
if you have time, i said .
God smiled.
my time is eternity .... what questions do you have in mind for me?
what surprises you must about human kind?
God answered...
that they get bored with childhood, they rush to grow up, and then long to be children again.
that they lose their health to make money ... and then lose their money to restore their health.
that by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live in neither the present not the future .
that they live as if they will never die , and die as though they had never lived.
God's hand took mine and we were silent for awhile.
and then i asked: as a parent, what are some of life's lessons you want your children learn?
to learn they can not make anyone love them, all they can do is let themselves to others.
to learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.
to learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in those they love, and it can take many years to heal them.
to learn that a rich person is not one who needs the least.
to learn that there are people who love them dearly , but simply do not yet know how to express or show their feeling.
to learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it differently.
to learn that is not enough that they forgive one another , but they most also forgive themselves.
thank you for your time , i said humbly.
is there anything else you'd like your children to know?
God smiled and said : just know that i am here ... always.
So you would like to interview me? God asked.
if you have time, i said .
God smiled.
my time is eternity .... what questions do you have in mind for me?
what surprises you must about human kind?
God answered...
that they get bored with childhood, they rush to grow up, and then long to be children again.
that they lose their health to make money ... and then lose their money to restore their health.
that by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live in neither the present not the future .
that they live as if they will never die , and die as though they had never lived.
God's hand took mine and we were silent for awhile.
and then i asked: as a parent, what are some of life's lessons you want your children learn?
to learn they can not make anyone love them, all they can do is let themselves to others.
to learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.
to learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in those they love, and it can take many years to heal them.
to learn that a rich person is not one who needs the least.
to learn that there are people who love them dearly , but simply do not yet know how to express or show their feeling.
to learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it differently.
to learn that is not enough that they forgive one another , but they most also forgive themselves.
thank you for your time , i said humbly.
is there anything else you'd like your children to know?
God smiled and said : just know that i am here ... always.
She met God at a dance
She is glorious
transcending the tide of earthbound rhythm.
And her face- the canvass of laughter and tears
And time turns resplendent like a waltz
and she always moves with grace
reminding us of the power of God to change lives eternally.
Because that is what life is-
an amazing dance
even though the dance leads into dark valleys and lonely places
it remains a dance
and God has beckoned her
He placed her hand in His.
the glorious dance that began one fair and gallant dawn
when a stone was rolled away and Mary,
a grieving mother turned sorrow into dancing
her heart danced with unspeakable joy
and the music began
and the dance of eternal life began
and so the dance continues
a dance that reminds us of a soon coming feast when a father welcomes his children
a home with many rooms and new wine
transcending the tide of earthbound rhythm.
And her face- the canvass of laughter and tears
And time turns resplendent like a waltz
and she always moves with grace
reminding us of the power of God to change lives eternally.
Because that is what life is-
an amazing dance
even though the dance leads into dark valleys and lonely places
it remains a dance
and God has beckoned her
He placed her hand in His.
the glorious dance that began one fair and gallant dawn
when a stone was rolled away and Mary,
a grieving mother turned sorrow into dancing
her heart danced with unspeakable joy
and the music began
and the dance of eternal life began
and so the dance continues
a dance that reminds us of a soon coming feast when a father welcomes his children
a home with many rooms and new wine
St. Julian of Cuenca, Spain
Saint Julian of Cuenca was the second bishop of Cuenca, Spain, and was also a professor, hermit, priest, and preacher.
Born in Burgos, he studied at the cathedral school there and then studied at the university at Palencia, earning his doctorate there. He was appointed professor of philosophy and theology there in 1153.
During his time in Palencia, Julian worked as a basket-maker and maker of other trade goods in order to earn extra money for the poor of the city, as well to support himself.
In 1163, at the age of 35, he left Palencia to live a life of solitude in a modest house outside of Burgos, located on the banks of the Arlanzón. He was ordained (in 1166) and received minor orders, and together with a young companion, Lesmes, lived a life of mortification and contemplation.
Subsequently, he and Lesmes took to the road as itinerant preachers, reaching Córdoba and Toledo (in 1191). The archbishop of Toledo, Martín II López de Pisuerga, appointed Julian as archdeacon at Toledo. Along with his administrative duties, Julian continued preaching as well as making baskets in order to raise money for the poor. Julian served for 5 years as archdeacon at Toledo.
Juan Yáñez, the first bishop of Cuenca, died on December 14, 1195; Julian was chosen by Alfonso VIII of Castile to succeed Yáñez in June 1196. The diocese of Cuenca had been established in 1183 after the city of Cuenca had been conquered from the Moors by Alfonso VIII on September 21, 1177.
As bishop, Julian continued his preaching, reformed the practices of the local clergy, and did charity work for the Christians, Jews, and Muslims of his city. On a yearly basis, he would retire to the country to live a life of solitude and contemplation, and continued his habit of making baskets.
A legend associated with Julian is that Jesus Christ appeared to him in the guise of a beggar in order to thank him.
Julian died on January 28, 1208.
Born in Burgos, he studied at the cathedral school there and then studied at the university at Palencia, earning his doctorate there. He was appointed professor of philosophy and theology there in 1153.
During his time in Palencia, Julian worked as a basket-maker and maker of other trade goods in order to earn extra money for the poor of the city, as well to support himself.
In 1163, at the age of 35, he left Palencia to live a life of solitude in a modest house outside of Burgos, located on the banks of the Arlanzón. He was ordained (in 1166) and received minor orders, and together with a young companion, Lesmes, lived a life of mortification and contemplation.
Subsequently, he and Lesmes took to the road as itinerant preachers, reaching Córdoba and Toledo (in 1191). The archbishop of Toledo, Martín II López de Pisuerga, appointed Julian as archdeacon at Toledo. Along with his administrative duties, Julian continued preaching as well as making baskets in order to raise money for the poor. Julian served for 5 years as archdeacon at Toledo.
Juan Yáñez, the first bishop of Cuenca, died on December 14, 1195; Julian was chosen by Alfonso VIII of Castile to succeed Yáñez in June 1196. The diocese of Cuenca had been established in 1183 after the city of Cuenca had been conquered from the Moors by Alfonso VIII on September 21, 1177.
As bishop, Julian continued his preaching, reformed the practices of the local clergy, and did charity work for the Christians, Jews, and Muslims of his city. On a yearly basis, he would retire to the country to live a life of solitude and contemplation, and continued his habit of making baskets.
A legend associated with Julian is that Jesus Christ appeared to him in the guise of a beggar in order to thank him.
Julian died on January 28, 1208.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
St. Thomas Aquinas, "Adoro te devote"
"Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore
Masked by these bare shadows, shapes and nothing more,
See, Lord, at thy service low lies here a heart
Lost, all lost in wonder at the God thou art.
Seeing, touching, tasting are in thee deceived;
How says trusty hearing? That shall be believed;
What God's Son has told me, take for truth I do;
Truth himself speaks truly or there's nothing true."
Masked by these bare shadows, shapes and nothing more,
See, Lord, at thy service low lies here a heart
Lost, all lost in wonder at the God thou art.
Seeing, touching, tasting are in thee deceived;
How says trusty hearing? That shall be believed;
What God's Son has told me, take for truth I do;
Truth himself speaks truly or there's nothing true."
Duties after Mass
The Wine & Water Cruets:
• Water and wine cruets when the wine cruet did not contain the Blood of Jesus:
o Remove cruets from credence table.
o Pour unused wine back into bottle.
o Rinse wine and wine cruets with clean water.
o Place wine and water cruets on drainer.
• Wine cruets when the wine cruet contains the Blood of Jesus:
o Remove the cruets from credence table.
o Set the wine cruet on the special locked sink in the sacristy for the priest or deacon to purify. Do not rinse out the wine cruet if it contains the Precious Blood of Jesus.
The Chalice:
• Remove the Chalice and Ciboria from the Credence Table. Also remove any other cups used in the distribution of the Precious Blood of Jesus during the Mass.
• Place all used Purificators in the special linen bag reserved for their keeping.
• Return Chalice Veil to drawer.
• Place Corporal and Burse in the drawer.
• Place Chalice and gold Paten in their proper places.
• Place linen covered Pall in the drawer.
• Place Chalice and Ciboria in their proper places.
• Place any cups used in the distribution of the Precious Blood on the sink specially reserved for the purification of Holy Objects. The priest or deacon will take care of these.
Note: When they are not available, you should be sure that nothing from these cups gets into a regular sink. Only the special sink (with locking cover) is specially set aside for this purpose.
The Bowl, plate and towel:
• Remove bowl, towel, and dish from credence table.
• Dry bowl with towel.
• Place towel in linen bag.
• Place bowl and dish in proper places.
The Candles:
Extinguish the candles by using the proper tool. Do not smash the wicks. If you use your fingers instead of the tools provided, look like you feel no pain. It is distracting to see servers acting scared of a little candle.
General Closing Duties:
• Return the intention book to the front door of the Church. Clean up any mess you made.
• Pick up the lectionary (book of readings) from the Sanctuary and place it closed on the pulpit.
• Remove all notes and papers from the sanctuary and Pulpit and place them on the preparation table in the Sacristy.
• Quickly and quietly take off your cincture and alb. Place it neatly on a hanger (in the Altar Server closet).
• Water and wine cruets when the wine cruet did not contain the Blood of Jesus:
o Remove cruets from credence table.
o Pour unused wine back into bottle.
o Rinse wine and wine cruets with clean water.
o Place wine and water cruets on drainer.
• Wine cruets when the wine cruet contains the Blood of Jesus:
o Remove the cruets from credence table.
o Set the wine cruet on the special locked sink in the sacristy for the priest or deacon to purify. Do not rinse out the wine cruet if it contains the Precious Blood of Jesus.
The Chalice:
• Remove the Chalice and Ciboria from the Credence Table. Also remove any other cups used in the distribution of the Precious Blood of Jesus during the Mass.
• Place all used Purificators in the special linen bag reserved for their keeping.
• Return Chalice Veil to drawer.
• Place Corporal and Burse in the drawer.
• Place Chalice and gold Paten in their proper places.
• Place linen covered Pall in the drawer.
• Place Chalice and Ciboria in their proper places.
• Place any cups used in the distribution of the Precious Blood on the sink specially reserved for the purification of Holy Objects. The priest or deacon will take care of these.
Note: When they are not available, you should be sure that nothing from these cups gets into a regular sink. Only the special sink (with locking cover) is specially set aside for this purpose.
The Bowl, plate and towel:
• Remove bowl, towel, and dish from credence table.
• Dry bowl with towel.
• Place towel in linen bag.
• Place bowl and dish in proper places.
The Candles:
Extinguish the candles by using the proper tool. Do not smash the wicks. If you use your fingers instead of the tools provided, look like you feel no pain. It is distracting to see servers acting scared of a little candle.
General Closing Duties:
• Return the intention book to the front door of the Church. Clean up any mess you made.
• Pick up the lectionary (book of readings) from the Sanctuary and place it closed on the pulpit.
• Remove all notes and papers from the sanctuary and Pulpit and place them on the preparation table in the Sacristy.
• Quickly and quietly take off your cincture and alb. Place it neatly on a hanger (in the Altar Server closet).
Order of the Mass
Entrance Procession:
Wait for the priest at the entrance where the Entrance Procession is to begin. Sometimes the usher will close the front doors and clear the center isle for you. When signaled to go, the cross-bearer and the candle-bearers will proceed into the isle and wait for the priest. The cross-bearer should stand at the third pew from the back with the two candle bearers one pew behind him. If more servers are present, they should line up behind the candle bearers. Servers should wait in these positions for the start of the entrance hymn. At the start of the entrance hymn, the servers will lead the entrance procession to the Altar.
After entering the Sanctuary, the cross-bearer will face the altar, bow, and move to the cross-bearer Mass position. Following the cross-bearer, the candle-bearers will enter the Sanctuary and will also bow to the Altar and then proceed to place their candles in their Mass places and then go to their Mass positions. The cross-bearer will place the processional cross in the stand. All servers will then genuflect to the tabernacle (at their assigned positions) when the priest (and deacon) genuflect.
Opening Prayers:
During the Glory to God in the Highest (Lord have mercy . during lent), the server behind the priest's chair (server number three) will pick up the sacramentary and wait for the priest to say, Let us pray.
When the priest says, Let us pray, server three will proceed directly in front of the priest. Server three will then give the priest the sacramentary. The priest will then open the book and give it to server three to hold. Hold the sacramentary at the height that the priest hands it to you. Keep the pages flat, and do not move about while the priest is reading.
When the priest is finished, close the sacramentary and return it to its place. Sit down in your chair for the first readings.
The Alleluia:
At the end of the second reading, during the Alleluia, servers two and three should get up and walk to the procession candles on the Altar Steps. Servers two and three should genuflect to the tabernacle and then pick up their candles. They should stand facing the Altar with their candles and wait for the priest or deacon.
The Gospel:
Servers two and three should then bow to the Altar with the priest or deacon and then proceed to the gospel stations at either side of the podium when the priest or deacon move to the podium. The other servers should stand at their normal positions when the people and stand.
Servers two and three should stand at the gospel positions. The servers holding the candles should face the reader during the Gospel. All servers should pay very close attention to the words of Jesus in the gospel and face the reader to demonstrate to the people how they are paying attention.. The arm that is holding the upper part of the candle should point toward the people.
Maintain these positions during the gospel and then return the candles to altar step again when the Gospel is over, Genuflect to the tabernacle, and return to your seats. Sit down and listen to the homily.
The Collection:
All servers sit with the people during the collection. Candle-bearers, during the last collection, when the ushers are about half of the way down the middle aisle, will stand up and proceed to their candles and then genuflect to the tabernacle in unison. After genuflecting, they should pick up the candles and proceed to the back of the church.
When the ushers have the procession ready, turn toward the altar and lead the gift procession to the priest. Do not wait for the priest to tell you to move. Start as soon as you are ready. It is always better to be ready than caught off guard. The cross bearer (server #1) and the optional server (server #4) should stand when the priest and deacon stand and follow them to receive the gifts. Servers should wait at the left side, and behind, the priest. Server one should take the water and wine cruets from the priest and place them on the credence table. If there is no deacon. Take the gold paten with the unconsecrated hosts first, then the cruets. The optional server(s) can take whatever the priest or deacon hands them.
The candle-bearers should walk together (starting on your left foot) toward the sanctuary. Never carry anything but your candle! When you reach the sanctuary, pass around the priest and deacon and proceed to the front of the altar. Set down your candles and genuflect to the tabernacle and move to positions where they can help the priest and deacon accept the gifts.
Servers should take the intention book and place it on the lower shelf of the credence table. Never set it on the Altar. The priest will take the collection basket and place it in front of the altar or another appointed place.
Preparation of the Gifts:
Server one should remove the tops from the wine and water cruets and give them to servers two (wine) and three (water). With server two having the open wine cruet and server three having the water cruet, they should stand with their toes touching the Altar step and wait.
Server two and three should hand the deacon or priest the wine or water as directed. Stand together until the deacon or priest is finished. If it is the priest who takes the wine and water, bow together to the priest when he is finished and returns the cruets to them (never bow to the deacon). Return to the credence table with the water cruet where server number one should give server two an unfolded finger towel and server three the washing bowel.
Server one should then stand ready to assist the younger servers if the need arises.
Servers two and three should return to the altar step and stand there with your toes touching the step. When the priest comes to you, server three should hold out the bowl. Server three should then pour the water over the priest's hands, collecting the water in the bowl until the priest signals the server to stop pouring. Server two will then hand the towel to the priest. When server three has the towel back, both servers should bow to the priest and return to the credence table. Server number one should then neatly arrange the cruets, towel, and bowl on the table.
No server is to sit down. They are to return to the altar and stand. Remain standing there until all kneel. Server number one should stay in this position until after all are kneeling.
The Eucharistic Prayer:
All servers return to there normal positions and kneel on the Altar Step.
The Altar Bells
The bells will be rung at three separate times during the Consecration:
First:
• When the priest holds his hands over the gifts of wine and water and says:
Eucharistic Prayer No 1: "Bless and approve . . . Let it become for us the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, your only Son, our Lord."
Eucharistic Prayer No 2: "Let your Spirit come upon these gifts to make them holy, so that they may become the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Eucharistic Prayer No 3: "We ask you to make them holy by the Power of Your Spirit, that they may become the Body and Blood of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ."
Eucharistic Prayer No 4: "Father, may this Holy Spirit sanctify these offerings. Let them become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. . . .
• The server should ring the bell again (three distinct rings; one for the Father, one for the Son, and one for the Holy Spirit) during the elevation of the Body of Jesus Christ our God.
• The server should ring the bell for the last time (three distinct rings as before) during the elevation of the Blood of Jesus Christ.
Because these are solemn times, (the bread and wine we offered just before has now become the real BODY and BLOOD of Our God, Jesus Christ) ring the bells reverently. At the two elevations, the bells are to be shaken three distinct times in honor for the Holy Trinity: Once for the Father, Once for the Son, and Once for the Holy Spirit.
The Closing Prayers:
Server number two should assist the priest or deacon in removing all objects from the Altar after the purification of the chalice, paten, and ciborium(s). If any chalice, paten or ciborium which has held the Eucharistic Bread and/or Wine has not been purified by the priest or deacon for some reason it must be handled in a very reverent manner since the Real Body of Jesus Christ is still present in them. Even after these items have been purified, they must still be held in reverence because of the sacramental use of these items during the Consecration.
All servers are to sit until the priest says: "Let us pray" then server three will proceed directly in front of the priest and give the priest the sacramentary. The priest will then open the book and give it to server three to hold. Hold the sacramentary at the height that the priest hands it to you. Keep the pages flat, and do not move about while the priest is reading. When the priest is finished, close the sacramentary and return it to the stand behind the deacon's chair.
Note: Some times the priest will say the final prayer from the Altar and the book will not be needed.
All servers should then be standing in front of their chairs and follow along with the people.
The Exit Procession:
When the priest and deacon are kissing the altar, servers two and three should proceeded to the front of the Altar, genuflect to the tabernacle, pick up the candles, and return to their standard positions. Cross-bearer should pick up the processional cross. When the priest and deacon have walked around to the center of the altar the servers should take up their final procession positions. When the priest and deacon genuflect, all servers bow to altar. All servers then turn and proceed quickly down the center aisle. Extinguish candles in rear of the church and get back to the sacristy as quickly as possible.
Wait for the priest at the entrance where the Entrance Procession is to begin. Sometimes the usher will close the front doors and clear the center isle for you. When signaled to go, the cross-bearer and the candle-bearers will proceed into the isle and wait for the priest. The cross-bearer should stand at the third pew from the back with the two candle bearers one pew behind him. If more servers are present, they should line up behind the candle bearers. Servers should wait in these positions for the start of the entrance hymn. At the start of the entrance hymn, the servers will lead the entrance procession to the Altar.
After entering the Sanctuary, the cross-bearer will face the altar, bow, and move to the cross-bearer Mass position. Following the cross-bearer, the candle-bearers will enter the Sanctuary and will also bow to the Altar and then proceed to place their candles in their Mass places and then go to their Mass positions. The cross-bearer will place the processional cross in the stand. All servers will then genuflect to the tabernacle (at their assigned positions) when the priest (and deacon) genuflect.
Opening Prayers:
During the Glory to God in the Highest (Lord have mercy . during lent), the server behind the priest's chair (server number three) will pick up the sacramentary and wait for the priest to say, Let us pray.
When the priest says, Let us pray, server three will proceed directly in front of the priest. Server three will then give the priest the sacramentary. The priest will then open the book and give it to server three to hold. Hold the sacramentary at the height that the priest hands it to you. Keep the pages flat, and do not move about while the priest is reading.
When the priest is finished, close the sacramentary and return it to its place. Sit down in your chair for the first readings.
The Alleluia:
At the end of the second reading, during the Alleluia, servers two and three should get up and walk to the procession candles on the Altar Steps. Servers two and three should genuflect to the tabernacle and then pick up their candles. They should stand facing the Altar with their candles and wait for the priest or deacon.
The Gospel:
Servers two and three should then bow to the Altar with the priest or deacon and then proceed to the gospel stations at either side of the podium when the priest or deacon move to the podium. The other servers should stand at their normal positions when the people and stand.
Servers two and three should stand at the gospel positions. The servers holding the candles should face the reader during the Gospel. All servers should pay very close attention to the words of Jesus in the gospel and face the reader to demonstrate to the people how they are paying attention.. The arm that is holding the upper part of the candle should point toward the people.
Maintain these positions during the gospel and then return the candles to altar step again when the Gospel is over, Genuflect to the tabernacle, and return to your seats. Sit down and listen to the homily.
The Collection:
All servers sit with the people during the collection. Candle-bearers, during the last collection, when the ushers are about half of the way down the middle aisle, will stand up and proceed to their candles and then genuflect to the tabernacle in unison. After genuflecting, they should pick up the candles and proceed to the back of the church.
When the ushers have the procession ready, turn toward the altar and lead the gift procession to the priest. Do not wait for the priest to tell you to move. Start as soon as you are ready. It is always better to be ready than caught off guard. The cross bearer (server #1) and the optional server (server #4) should stand when the priest and deacon stand and follow them to receive the gifts. Servers should wait at the left side, and behind, the priest. Server one should take the water and wine cruets from the priest and place them on the credence table. If there is no deacon. Take the gold paten with the unconsecrated hosts first, then the cruets. The optional server(s) can take whatever the priest or deacon hands them.
The candle-bearers should walk together (starting on your left foot) toward the sanctuary. Never carry anything but your candle! When you reach the sanctuary, pass around the priest and deacon and proceed to the front of the altar. Set down your candles and genuflect to the tabernacle and move to positions where they can help the priest and deacon accept the gifts.
Servers should take the intention book and place it on the lower shelf of the credence table. Never set it on the Altar. The priest will take the collection basket and place it in front of the altar or another appointed place.
Preparation of the Gifts:
Server one should remove the tops from the wine and water cruets and give them to servers two (wine) and three (water). With server two having the open wine cruet and server three having the water cruet, they should stand with their toes touching the Altar step and wait.
Server two and three should hand the deacon or priest the wine or water as directed. Stand together until the deacon or priest is finished. If it is the priest who takes the wine and water, bow together to the priest when he is finished and returns the cruets to them (never bow to the deacon). Return to the credence table with the water cruet where server number one should give server two an unfolded finger towel and server three the washing bowel.
Server one should then stand ready to assist the younger servers if the need arises.
Servers two and three should return to the altar step and stand there with your toes touching the step. When the priest comes to you, server three should hold out the bowl. Server three should then pour the water over the priest's hands, collecting the water in the bowl until the priest signals the server to stop pouring. Server two will then hand the towel to the priest. When server three has the towel back, both servers should bow to the priest and return to the credence table. Server number one should then neatly arrange the cruets, towel, and bowl on the table.
No server is to sit down. They are to return to the altar and stand. Remain standing there until all kneel. Server number one should stay in this position until after all are kneeling.
The Eucharistic Prayer:
All servers return to there normal positions and kneel on the Altar Step.
The Altar Bells
The bells will be rung at three separate times during the Consecration:
First:
• When the priest holds his hands over the gifts of wine and water and says:
Eucharistic Prayer No 1: "Bless and approve . . . Let it become for us the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, your only Son, our Lord."
Eucharistic Prayer No 2: "Let your Spirit come upon these gifts to make them holy, so that they may become the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Eucharistic Prayer No 3: "We ask you to make them holy by the Power of Your Spirit, that they may become the Body and Blood of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ."
Eucharistic Prayer No 4: "Father, may this Holy Spirit sanctify these offerings. Let them become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. . . .
• The server should ring the bell again (three distinct rings; one for the Father, one for the Son, and one for the Holy Spirit) during the elevation of the Body of Jesus Christ our God.
• The server should ring the bell for the last time (three distinct rings as before) during the elevation of the Blood of Jesus Christ.
Because these are solemn times, (the bread and wine we offered just before has now become the real BODY and BLOOD of Our God, Jesus Christ) ring the bells reverently. At the two elevations, the bells are to be shaken three distinct times in honor for the Holy Trinity: Once for the Father, Once for the Son, and Once for the Holy Spirit.
The Closing Prayers:
Server number two should assist the priest or deacon in removing all objects from the Altar after the purification of the chalice, paten, and ciborium(s). If any chalice, paten or ciborium which has held the Eucharistic Bread and/or Wine has not been purified by the priest or deacon for some reason it must be handled in a very reverent manner since the Real Body of Jesus Christ is still present in them. Even after these items have been purified, they must still be held in reverence because of the sacramental use of these items during the Consecration.
All servers are to sit until the priest says: "Let us pray" then server three will proceed directly in front of the priest and give the priest the sacramentary. The priest will then open the book and give it to server three to hold. Hold the sacramentary at the height that the priest hands it to you. Keep the pages flat, and do not move about while the priest is reading. When the priest is finished, close the sacramentary and return it to the stand behind the deacon's chair.
Note: Some times the priest will say the final prayer from the Altar and the book will not be needed.
All servers should then be standing in front of their chairs and follow along with the people.
The Exit Procession:
When the priest and deacon are kissing the altar, servers two and three should proceeded to the front of the Altar, genuflect to the tabernacle, pick up the candles, and return to their standard positions. Cross-bearer should pick up the processional cross. When the priest and deacon have walked around to the center of the altar the servers should take up their final procession positions. When the priest and deacon genuflect, all servers bow to altar. All servers then turn and proceed quickly down the center aisle. Extinguish candles in rear of the church and get back to the sacristy as quickly as possible.
Order of Preparation
Arrival for Mass
Every Altar Server should perform these tasks when scheduled to serve at Mass.
• Servers must arrive 15 minutes early for every Mass they are scheduled to serve at.
• Quietly put on your alb and cincture in space designated for the Altar Servers to dress in.
• At ten minutes to Mass time light one alter candle in the sanctuary if all scheduled Altar Servers are not yet present. This will be a sign to anyone in the main body of the church to come forward and volunteer to replace the missing server(s).
Preparation for Mass:
Wine & water:
• Rinse wine and wine cruets with clean water and allow to drip dry for a few seconds.
• Fill the wine cruet with the wine bottle. Depending on parish needs more than one wine cruet may be required. The priest or deacon can inform you about any unusual needs.
• Fill the other cruet with cold fresh water from the cooler, tap or bottled water container.
• Place wine and water cruets on the offertory gift table in the designated spot near the front entrance of the church or where ever designated by the priest.
Paten:
• Remove the gold paten from where it is stored.
• Arrange about 25 small unconsecrated hosts and one large unconsecrated host neatly on the gold paten.
• Place gold paten and unconsecrated hosts on the offertory gift table with the wine and water cruets.
• The priest or deacon will tell you if further ciborium and hosts will be required for the Mass. If they are place them on the Credence Table in the Sanctuary.
Chalice:
• Get a clean Purificator from the Purificator drawer of the Preparation Table in the sacristy.
• Open the first fold and drape it over the Chalice so the cross on the Purificator is in the center of the Chalice and aligned with the cross at the base of the Chalice.
• Remove the linen covered plastic Pall from the drawer and place it on the chalice over the Purificator.
• Check the small book on the preparation table for the proper vestment color or ask the priest or deacon.
• Get the proper color Chalice Veil and Burse from the drawer in the preparation table.
• Cover the Chalice with the Veil.
• Make sure there is a Corporal in the Burse. If there is none then get one form the Purificator drawer and place it into the Burse.
• Place the Burse, containing the Corporal, on the top of the Chalice.
• Place the prepared Chalice on the Credence Table in the Sanctuary.
• Arrange the Chalice on the Credence Table so the Chalice Veil is neat and square with the table. The veil should hide the Chalice from the view of the people.
Bowl, plate and towel:
• Remove the washing bowl from its storage spot and clean it if required.
• Get a clean, fresh towel from the towel drawer in the preparation table. Place the bowl, and towel on the Credence Table.
Candles:
• At ten minutes to mass time light one candle (the one near the sacramentary) if all Altar Servers are not present. If all scheduled servers are present or some servers attending the Mass volunteer to replace the late scheduled servers, light all the candles.
• After lighting the candles, extinguish the lighter. When using a taper candle lighter the taper is to be extinguished by pulling the taper into the lighter for a few seconds. After the taper is out, immediately push the taper back out of the lighter body to keep it from sticking inside the lighter.
Note: If the taper is stuck when you go to use the lighter, the taper can be freed by heating the lighter tip with matches until the wax holding the taper melts. Be careful when working with wax and flames.
General Instructions:
• Get the sacramentary for the opening prayer from it place in the sanctuary.
• Check with the priest or deacon to make sure that the place marker is in the pages for the day's Mass.
• Return the sacramentary to the its storage location in the Sanctuary for use at the opening and closing prayers of the Mass.
• Ask the priest or your parents how many collections there will be and then tell the other servers.
• Server Number One, The Cross Bearer, is the group leader and should check to see that all the preparations have been properly carried out by the other servers.
• At five minutes to Mass time, Server Number One should lead the group in the Altar Servers' Prayer.
• A four minutes to Mass time light the altar and tabernacle candles for Mass.
• At three minutes to Mass time move to the front doors to wait for the ushers to prepare for the procession.
Every Altar Server should perform these tasks when scheduled to serve at Mass.
• Servers must arrive 15 minutes early for every Mass they are scheduled to serve at.
• Quietly put on your alb and cincture in space designated for the Altar Servers to dress in.
• At ten minutes to Mass time light one alter candle in the sanctuary if all scheduled Altar Servers are not yet present. This will be a sign to anyone in the main body of the church to come forward and volunteer to replace the missing server(s).
Preparation for Mass:
Wine & water:
• Rinse wine and wine cruets with clean water and allow to drip dry for a few seconds.
• Fill the wine cruet with the wine bottle. Depending on parish needs more than one wine cruet may be required. The priest or deacon can inform you about any unusual needs.
• Fill the other cruet with cold fresh water from the cooler, tap or bottled water container.
• Place wine and water cruets on the offertory gift table in the designated spot near the front entrance of the church or where ever designated by the priest.
Paten:
• Remove the gold paten from where it is stored.
• Arrange about 25 small unconsecrated hosts and one large unconsecrated host neatly on the gold paten.
• Place gold paten and unconsecrated hosts on the offertory gift table with the wine and water cruets.
• The priest or deacon will tell you if further ciborium and hosts will be required for the Mass. If they are place them on the Credence Table in the Sanctuary.
Chalice:
• Get a clean Purificator from the Purificator drawer of the Preparation Table in the sacristy.
• Open the first fold and drape it over the Chalice so the cross on the Purificator is in the center of the Chalice and aligned with the cross at the base of the Chalice.
• Remove the linen covered plastic Pall from the drawer and place it on the chalice over the Purificator.
• Check the small book on the preparation table for the proper vestment color or ask the priest or deacon.
• Get the proper color Chalice Veil and Burse from the drawer in the preparation table.
• Cover the Chalice with the Veil.
• Make sure there is a Corporal in the Burse. If there is none then get one form the Purificator drawer and place it into the Burse.
• Place the Burse, containing the Corporal, on the top of the Chalice.
• Place the prepared Chalice on the Credence Table in the Sanctuary.
• Arrange the Chalice on the Credence Table so the Chalice Veil is neat and square with the table. The veil should hide the Chalice from the view of the people.
Bowl, plate and towel:
• Remove the washing bowl from its storage spot and clean it if required.
• Get a clean, fresh towel from the towel drawer in the preparation table. Place the bowl, and towel on the Credence Table.
Candles:
• At ten minutes to mass time light one candle (the one near the sacramentary) if all Altar Servers are not present. If all scheduled servers are present or some servers attending the Mass volunteer to replace the late scheduled servers, light all the candles.
• After lighting the candles, extinguish the lighter. When using a taper candle lighter the taper is to be extinguished by pulling the taper into the lighter for a few seconds. After the taper is out, immediately push the taper back out of the lighter body to keep it from sticking inside the lighter.
Note: If the taper is stuck when you go to use the lighter, the taper can be freed by heating the lighter tip with matches until the wax holding the taper melts. Be careful when working with wax and flames.
General Instructions:
• Get the sacramentary for the opening prayer from it place in the sanctuary.
• Check with the priest or deacon to make sure that the place marker is in the pages for the day's Mass.
• Return the sacramentary to the its storage location in the Sanctuary for use at the opening and closing prayers of the Mass.
• Ask the priest or your parents how many collections there will be and then tell the other servers.
• Server Number One, The Cross Bearer, is the group leader and should check to see that all the preparations have been properly carried out by the other servers.
• At five minutes to Mass time, Server Number One should lead the group in the Altar Servers' Prayer.
• A four minutes to Mass time light the altar and tabernacle candles for Mass.
• At three minutes to Mass time move to the front doors to wait for the ushers to prepare for the procession.
Responsibilities of Altar Servers
The Altar Server must comply with all the following rules to continue to serve at The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
• Attend Holy Mass on every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation when physically possible.
• Cultivate a personal prayer life within the Church. The acts of faith, hope, and charity enjoined by the first commandment are accomplished in prayer. Lifting up the mind toward God is an expression of our adoration of God: prayer of praise and thanksgiving, intercession and petition. Prayer is an indispensable condition of being able to obey God's commandments.
• Altar Servers are not to leave the sanctuary after the start of the Mass for any reason except bathroom emergencies, illness, or when directed to do so by the deacon or priest. There are no other exceptions. If you think that there is another good reason, ask the priest or deacon before leaving the sanctuary. Thirst is never a good reason.
• Attend all Altar Server prayer and scheduling meeting as announced. Failure to attend without sufficient reason will result in being removed from the Altar Server list.
• Serve at every Mass they are scheduled for. When you fail to serve at a Mass without sufficient cause you are denying the whole parish of one member of the team. See on how to arrange for a substitute when you know in advance of a scheduling conflict.
• Arrive at the Mass to be served at least ten minutes before the starting time to prepare for the Celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist.
• Perform the duties assigned during the Mass in the prescribed orderly manner. Never trade positions with other servers without the permission of the server director, priest or deacon.
• Maintain a prayerful posture during at all times in the Sacristy. See the posture requirements at end of this manual
• Stay for at least ten minutes after the Mass to return the Sanctuary, Sacristy, and preparation areas to a neat and orderly appearance.
• Call the rectory office whenever you server cannot make a scheduled prayer meeting.
• Make your own arrangements for another Altar Server to take your place when you will miss a Mass you are scheduled to serve. Do not call the rectory if you cannot make the Mass, you must find your own substitute. This requirement is not in effect in the case of sudden illness or family emergencies but is to be adhered to for sporting events, family scheduled events, and school events.
• Attend Holy Mass on every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation when physically possible.
• Cultivate a personal prayer life within the Church. The acts of faith, hope, and charity enjoined by the first commandment are accomplished in prayer. Lifting up the mind toward God is an expression of our adoration of God: prayer of praise and thanksgiving, intercession and petition. Prayer is an indispensable condition of being able to obey God's commandments.
• Altar Servers are not to leave the sanctuary after the start of the Mass for any reason except bathroom emergencies, illness, or when directed to do so by the deacon or priest. There are no other exceptions. If you think that there is another good reason, ask the priest or deacon before leaving the sanctuary. Thirst is never a good reason.
• Attend all Altar Server prayer and scheduling meeting as announced. Failure to attend without sufficient reason will result in being removed from the Altar Server list.
• Serve at every Mass they are scheduled for. When you fail to serve at a Mass without sufficient cause you are denying the whole parish of one member of the team. See on how to arrange for a substitute when you know in advance of a scheduling conflict.
• Arrive at the Mass to be served at least ten minutes before the starting time to prepare for the Celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist.
• Perform the duties assigned during the Mass in the prescribed orderly manner. Never trade positions with other servers without the permission of the server director, priest or deacon.
• Maintain a prayerful posture during at all times in the Sacristy. See the posture requirements at end of this manual
• Stay for at least ten minutes after the Mass to return the Sanctuary, Sacristy, and preparation areas to a neat and orderly appearance.
• Call the rectory office whenever you server cannot make a scheduled prayer meeting.
• Make your own arrangements for another Altar Server to take your place when you will miss a Mass you are scheduled to serve. Do not call the rectory if you cannot make the Mass, you must find your own substitute. This requirement is not in effect in the case of sudden illness or family emergencies but is to be adhered to for sporting events, family scheduled events, and school events.
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