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.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
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