ALTAR SERVER HANDBOOK

Thank you for becoming an altar

server at Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Parish!

This handbook contains information that you will learn as you advance as an altar
server and will be a useful resource to you for years to come.

We pray that your experience as an altar server brings you into a deeper friendship with
Christ and helps you to realize the great dignity of your service. St. John Paul II,
addressing altar servers, once said:

“Therefore, in the liturgy, you are much more than simple "helpers of the parish priest."
Above all, you are servers of Jesus Christ, of the eternal High Priest.”

The ministry of the Altar Server is an opportunity for boys & girls in the fourth grade and
older who have received their 1st Communion to assist the priest and the entire
assembly at Mass on Sundays and other special occasions. Altar Servers, vested in a
while alb with a cincture and cross, carry the processional cross and candles, hold the
Missal for the Priest, prepare the altar, and washes the hands of the Priest. Servers
also respond to the prayers and sing the hymns with the rest of the assembly. Altar
Servers fully, actively, and consciously participate in the liturgy.

Prayer of an Altar Server

O God, You have graciously called me to serve You upon Your altar. Grant me the
graces that I need to serve You faithfully and wholeheartedly. Grant too that while
serving You, I may follow the example of St. Tarcisius, who died protecting the
Eucharist, and walk the same path that led him to Heaven. St. Tarcisius, pray for me
and for all servers. Amen.

Credits: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Credits: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Credits: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Credits: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Glossary of Terms
Listed below are the names and descriptions of the areas and items that are used in the
liturgy.
Areas Within the Church
Nave: The main portion of the Church where the pews and sanctuary are located.
Reconciliation Room: The room in the far-right corner of the church where the
Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated.
Sacristy: The portion of the Church where the priests, deacons, servers, and lectors
meet to vest and prepare themselves for Mass.
Sanctuary: The area of the Church that contains the altar and the ambo.
Vestibule: The area inside the front door before entering the nave.

Special Books
Sacramentary (Roman Missal): The large red book from which the priest prays during
Mass.
Lectionary: The book from which the lectors (readers) proclaim the Word of God.
Book of the Gospels: The book used to proclaim the Gospel.

Special Furniture
Altar: The large table from which the priest presides over the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Ambo: Where the lector stands to read the Scripture readings and the priest or deacon
proclaims the Gospel.
Credence Table: The table that has the chalices, Communion bowls or patens, finger
bowl, water cruet and finger towel.
Presider’s Chair: The chair on which the priest sits when he leads the assembly in
prayer.
Tabernacle: The ornamental, locked box where the Blessed Sacrament, the
consecrated Eucharist is kept.
Sacred Vessels
Chalice: The large cup that holds the wine that becomes the Blood of Christ. Ciborium:
A round, gold container that is used to hold the hosts. Ciboria that hold consecrated
hosts are stored in the Tabernacle.
Cruet: The little pitcher that holds either water or wine for use during the Mass.
Paten: A small dish or bowl that holds the bread for Holy Communion.

Credits: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Special Linen
Corporal: A small cloth that sits on top of the altar where the priest places the chalice,
paten, and flagon. Its purpose is to catch any small crumbs of the Blessed Sacrament
that may fall onto the altar.

Purificator: A white cloth that is used to wipe the rim of the chalice after drinking from it.
Towel: Used by the priest to dry his hands after the hand washing.
Special Clothing
Alb: The long, white garment used to cover street clothes and worn by the priest,
deacon, and altar servers.
Cincture: A rope or cord worn around the waist (like a belt) over the alb.
Chasuble: The outer garment worn by the priest at Mass.
Humeral Veil: A white veil used by the celebrant to cover his hands when handling the
monstrance during elevation and benediction or during solemn Eucharistic processions
as on Holy Thursday.
Stole: A long, narrow band of cloth that looks like a scarf. A priest wears the stole
draped over his shoulders and hanging down in front.
Other Items
Lavabo Bowl: The small basin over which the priest washes his hands.
Monstrance: The large vessel used for showing the body of Christ for prayers outside
of Mass. Inside the monstrance is a smaller glass container called a lunette.
Thurible: The pot that holds the charcoal on which incense is burned.
Boat: A small liturgical vessel containing the incense that will be used with the thurible
Thurifer: A minister who carries the incense pot.

Before Mass:
All servers should be dressed appropriately. When you cross the nave (central aisle),
you should always bow your head to the tabernacle (that is the gold box located
on the facing right side of the the altar where the Eucharist is reserved).
Servers enter the sacristy (the room located to the right of the sanctuary). You should
arrive 15 minutes before the beginning of Mass to prepare. If there is a priest or other
adults in the sacristy, remember to greet them. After greeting everyone, you should
hang your coat or jacket on the coat rack. After you sign in, go to the closet and select
your alb. All albs are hanging in size order. Cinctures (the rope cord) are also located in
that closet. Next select a crucifix and place around your neck. If you need help with
vesting ask for help.

Credits: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Entrance Procession:
Altar servers should line up in a specific order. First comes the cross bearer followed by
the two candle bearers. If it is a special Mass with incense being used, the thurifer will
lead the procession with the cross bearer directly behind. The candle bearers will be
next to each other as you process down the aisle. You should keep two full pew spaces
between you and the person in front of you.
The procession should begin once everyone is lined up and the singing begins. The
procession should be not too fast but not too slow. Once the procession comes to the
edge of the sanctuary, the {1} cross bearer goes to the far right, one candle bearer goes
to the far far left {2}, the {3} other candle bearer goes to the left and the other server {4}
goes to the right.
When the priest reverences the altar, all will bow (from the waist). The cross bearer
goes directly into the sanctuary and places the cross in the stand. Both servers go to
their seats, remain standing and pick up a hymnal/worship aid and sing.

After the Penitential Rite (Lord have mercy) and Gloria (if used), the priest will say “Let
us pray.” The book bearer will bring the Sacramentary to him and hold it
carefully/steady as he prays the prayer. When finished, place the Sacramentary on the
left corner of the altar.
Liturgy of the Word (Readings):
Following the Collect (opening prayer), all sit for the first reading, responsorial psalm,
and second reading. At the beginning of the "Alleluia" for the Proclamation of the
Gospel, the servers should stand when the priest stands.
At the conclusion of the Gospel, servers should sit for the homily and listen. After the
priest returns to his seat and sits briefly, he will then stand and begin to recite the
Creed. Servers stand with the priest and recite the Creed.
Preparation of the Altar:
Following the Creed, the collection will occur. During the collection, server(s) 1 (and 4)
should prepare the altar by assisting the priest or deacon. The vessels need moved
from the credence table to the altar. All of the needed items should be on the credence
table. The items include Chalice w/Paten, 1 purificator, water cruet and Sacramentary.
(4 communion cups & 5 purificators when congregation is offered the Precious Blood)
When the ushers are at the second last pillar, the servers should take the processional
candles, walk down the main aisle to the back of the church and stand where the
entrance procession began waiting to accompany the gifts.

Credits: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Reception of the Gifts:

When the altar is set up, the priest or deacon will walk to the edge of the sanctuary.
Server 1 (and 4) will walk down with the priest or deacon to receive the gifts. Once
servers 2 & 3 process up, server 3 will hand his/her candle to server 2 to place back in
the stands and server 3 will stand next to the priest to receive the gifts. If there are 4
servers, servers 2 & 3 will place their own candles back in the stands & stand next to
the altar.

Please place the ciborium of hosts on the altar (remove lids & place on the right side of
the altar). As the priest or deacon prepares the gifts on the altar, Server {2 & 3} present
him with the cruet of wine and the cruet of water. The priest or deacon will pour a small
amount of water from the cruet into the wine flagon. Server {2} will return empty flagon
to the credence table and then bring the towel and finger bowl.

For the washing of the priest’s hands, one server {2} holds the finger dish with the towel
over their arm, while the other server {3} holds the water cruet and pours a small
amount of water (gently) over the priest’s hands. He will dry his hands with the towel.
Place these items on the credence table and go back to your seats.

***Whenever standing in the sanctuary during Mass, hands should be in prayer pose.***

Eucharistic Prayer:

For the ringing of the bells, at the elevation of the Body, the server closest to the bells
{2} should ring the bells gently while the Body of Christ is elevated. The same should be
done for the elevation of the Blood of Christ. Please keep ringing until the Body/Blood
of Christ is completely lowered.

Servers should stand at the invitation to recite the Our Father. After the sign of peace is
shared between the servers and the priest, servers will stand in the middle of the
sanctuary to receive Holy Communion. If you do not wish to receive the Precious Blood
from the Cup, return to your seat.

Communion:

When the distribution of Communion is finished, one server {3} should have the water
cruet ready in hand so that when the celebrant returns to the altar he can purify his
chalice immediately. When the priest or deacon is finished cleaning/purifying the
vessels, take these items, along with the Sacramentary, from the altar and place them

Credits: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

at the Creedence Table. (The Sacramentary can be taken to the small table next to the
presider’s chair)

Concluding Rite & Recessional:

When the priest stands and says “Let us pray”, the book bearer should bring the
Sacramentary to him. When finished, the Sacramentary should be placed on the back
on the presider’s table.

The procession down the main aisle is as follows:

Cross Bearer {1}, Candle Bearers {2} & {3}, Altar Server {4}, Deacon, Priest
When the priest(s) [and deacon] reverence the altar, they will then proceed to line up at
the edge of the sanctuary. They will genuflect or bow, which should be imitated by all
servers at the same time, except those carrying objects. The exit procession should
be as gradual as the entrance procession. It shouldn’t be too fast or too slow.

After Mass:

At the conclusion of Mass, servers should walk up the right aisle to the sacristy. Be
mindful of other people. When back in the sacristy, one server needs to take the candle
snuffer to extinguish the candles. Bring the various items on the credence table into the
sacristy. After this is complete, everyone should un-vest, placing their crosses and
cinctures back. Albs should be zipped up and placed back in the closet according to
size. If albs are on the floor of the closet please pick them up.

A few things to keep in mind-

*As a server, you are serving in several different ways:

• You are serving God through your worship and prayer
• You are serving the priest by helping him preside over the Mass
• You are serving your parish family by helping everyone to worship and celebrate
in the best way
possible

*When becoming an altar server, you are making a commitment to your parish. You
need to be faithful to this commitment by being present for each Mass for which you are
scheduled. Please take this responsibility seriously.

*Remember to arrive in the Sacristy 15 minutes before Mass begins. If you are unable to
serve when you are scheduled, it is your responsibility to find a replacement.

Credits: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

*Since altar servers have a very visible role in the sanctuary, the way you look and
conduct yourself during Mass makes a big difference. Please dress appropriately and
respectfully when you serve at Mass. Please wear neat, clean clothes and nice shoes.
Maintain an attitude and posture of reverence and prayerfulness.

We hope that serving at Mass will help you grow closer to the Lord and that you will find
this ministry interesting, meaningful, and enjoyable.

Everything you do as a server, no matter how ordinary it may seem, should be

done carefully and reverently, because everything is part of the worship you are
giving to God.

YOU HAVE A HOLY RESPONSIBILITY

On August 12, 2001, St. John Paul II addressed a gathering of young altar servers in
Rome and in part said,

“Therefore, in the liturgy, you are much more than simple ‘helpers of the parish priest’.
Above all, you are servers of Jesus Christ, of the eternal High Priest. Thus, you, altar
servers, are called in particular to be young friends of Jesus. Be determined to go
deeper and to cultivate this friendship with Him. You will discover that in Jesus you have
found a true friend for life.”

Our Lady of Immaculate Conception…pray for us.

PRAYER POSTURE

Standing/Kneeling Sitting

Credits: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church