Saint Michael The Archangel Parish – Prosperidad

Altar Server Ministry

BECOMING A KNIGHT OF THE ALTAR

( B A S I C A LTA R S E R V E R S E M I N A R )
Ta l k 1

The server
At the Altar, your
service is directed
to:

1. God
2. Help the clergy
3. Assist the people
All of your actions are seen
You are more than ‘helpers
of the parish priest’. Above
all, you are servants of
Jesus Christ the eternal High
Priest

- Pope John Paul II

Serving is more
than helping
others.
Tradition of Serving
 Special assistants in
public worship were
not invented by the
Church. God, Himself
has His chosen people
to become His
servants.
 ACOLYTES
* The Assistants were called “acolytes” which came from the Greek word for “follower” or
“attendants”.
* Minor order : Acoloytes
* Major order: Bishop, priest, deacon
* Before: Acolyte became only one of the steps towards priesthood.
* Nowadays: No loner is it seen as a step towards priestly ordination but in terms of
service (ministry) within the church.
* As the ceremonies of the Church developed, so were the various form of ritual required
many assitants, especially for the solemn celebrations.

Samuel
St. Tarcius

12 Apostles
What does the church
expect of you?
What does the church
expect of you?
 Your commitment to the
altar is not only a duty but
a great honor, a true holy
service, an authentic
liturgical service which puts
- Pope John Paul II you beside your Bishop,
priests, and deacons.
 The ideal
(Profile of a Server at the Altar)
 The ideal
• One of the simplest ideal would be
to be as helpful as to the clergy as
possible.

• You are empowered to share in the

priestly sacrifice of Jesus Christ,
the Eucharistic sacrifice.

• You are a special link in the

combined action of adoration and
praise, which the church celebrates
in her liturgy.
 Reverence
- Reverence for God and for sacred objects.

- Reverent actions, peaceful and dignified

behavior, should be seen by the people
when you stand at the altar.

- One key to this ideal of reverence is the

memory. Always remember who you are
and what you are doing.

- True reverence is helped by your

understanding of the liturgy.
 discipline
- You must be trained to serve.
- Training involves discipline.
- Part of the discipline of serving
is team-work.
- Discipline involves obedience.
- Faith always involves
obedience. A strong life of faith
always involves self-discipline.
 decorum
- Decorum means what is
proper.
- Examples of a lack of
decorum include fooling about
in the sacristy, untidy or lousy
appearance, and talking
during Mass.
- Decorum requires a sense of
dignity.
 piety
- Piety is the soul or spirit of all our
worship of God.
- It is an attitude which directsyour
whole life towards God.
- This interior motive of piety is
shown in visible acts.
- The altar server who accepts this
ideal wants to play his role in the
liturgy worthily and well.
- Team-work was mentioned
as part of good serving.
- As you serve,you make
many friends among others
called to this ministry.
- Our Lord told us to “Love
one another as I have loved
you.”
CONCLUSION

What a great privilege it is that we are

called to be in this ministry to serve Jesus
and His people. Jesus has done so much
for us. We show our gratitude by our faithful
service to Him.
Ta l k 2

The LITURGY
II. Presence of Christ
a. In the assembly of the people
b. In the sacred minister
c. In the proclamation of the readings
d. In the sacraments
e. In the Mass
III. Your Role in the Liturgy
- There should be at least one server to
assist the priest.
- Mass is not to be celebrated without a
server, except for grave necessity.
- a. Ministry of Acolyte
- leading role of serving the Mass
- a layman, instituted into the ministry
by the bishop or his representative
- servers and acolyte are a kind of
direct link between the people and
the priest
IV. The Server is a Sign
a. The server is a visible sign, an instrument
through whom God acts.
b. Through words or actions (procession)
c. Through the objects we use (incense, candles,
etc.)
d. Through ritual actions (genuflection, bowing, etc.)
e. “If you understand what you are doing and do it
well, the people are helped to understand what
God is doing in the saving action of the liturgy.”
f. “As a server, you are part of the signs and
symbols of the Liturgy, able to help or hinder the
meaning and power of worship
 The Church recalls and celebrates the
whole Mystery of Christ, his coming and
birth, his ministry, his saving death and
resurrection, his ascension and the sending
of the Holy Spirit and our lives in Him, as we
wait the second coming.
 SOLEMNITIES
- including all Sundays, which begin
in the evening of the preceding day,
with a special vigil Mass for some
solemnities (eg. Easter vigil)
 FIESTS
Celebrated within the limits of a
calendar day
 MEMORIALS
- either obligatory (M) or optional (m),
with only one memorial celebrated
when more than one optional
memorial falls on the same day
 FERIALS
On which there may be an optional
memorial, and when the priest may
select a Mass of his own choice,
unless otherwise directed by the
calendar
LITURGUCAL SEASONS
The beginning of the Church year,
celebrates the two-fold coming of Christ
(Incarnation and Final Judgment) – With
Christian joy, we celebrate his first
coming; in Christian hope, we await his
second coming – Liturgical color: violet –
Advent season has 4 weeks, including
the 9 days of Simbang Gabi
celebrates Jesus’ Birth, the Incarnation, God
becoming Man
– 2 focal points: (1) Christmas Day with its octave
(8 days) including several feasts and concluding
with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and (2)
The Solemnity of Epiphany (including the Baptism
of the Lord)

– Liturgical color: white

– When we give ourselves to prayer
and penance, to hearing the Word
of God and to acts of charity
– We prepare for Easter and recall
the grace of Baptism
– It runs from Ash Wednesday until
the Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Holy
Thursday)
– The sixth Sunday of Lent marks
the beginning of the Holy Week
(Palm Sunday), which recalls the
sufferings of Our Lord.
– Liturgical color: violet
– Covers the 50 days between Easter Sunday and
Pentecost
– celebrated as feast days, but the first 8 days after
the Easter Sunday are called the Easter Octave
and are celebrated as the Solemnities of the Lord
– Ascension of our Lord to heaven is celebrated
on the 40th day after Easter
– Liturgical color: white; red (Pentecost Sunday)
– (1) Sundays between the
Epiphany and Ash Wednesday, and
(2) Sundays between the Pentecost
and Advent
– Solemnity of Christ the King is the
last Sunday of the liturgical year
 LITURGICAL COLORS
WHITE used for festive occasions, times of joy and glory (Christmas, Easter,
and the feasts of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, angels, and
saints)
RED may stand for blood or the fire of the Holy Spirit (Palm Sunday, Good
Friday, Pentecost, commemorations of the Lord’s Passion, on days
celebrating the martyrs of our faith)
GREEN used during Ordinary Time; the color of growth

VIOLET – a sign of sorrow for sin and waiting for the Lord, or may be a sign of
mourning (Advent, Lent, or Masses for the dead and funerals)
ROSE used for the third Sunday in Advent and the fourth Sunday in Lent, as a
sign of rejoicing as the great feasts draw near
 TABERNACLE

PLACE OF SERVERS
CREDENCE TABLE

CHAIR
ALTAR

LECTERN
a. The Altar – ‘the place of sacrifice”; “the table of the Lord”, where He feeds us with His
Body and Blood; ‘Table of the Eucharist’
b. The Lectern – the place reserved for the readings of the Word of God and usually for
the homily – also called ‘the Table of the Word’; another term for the lectern is ‘ambo’
c. The Chair – it is the sign of the priest’s role of presiding over the assembly during the
Liturgy of the Word and in the concluding rite of the Mass
d. The Tabernacle – the place of the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament
e. The Credence Table – it is used by servers which is usually on the left side of the altar
viewed from the congregation
f. The Sacrarium – a basin or sink, with a separate drainpipe directly to the earth for the
disposal of water used for sacred purpose. The ashes of blessed, burnt objects, such as
oils used in the Sacraments are also washed down this drain.
g. Place of the Servers – Servers sit in some convenient place on the sanctuary, not
facing the people or beside the priest
“The server treats the church building with utmost respect, which extends to the sacristy – a
place for the preparation for worship. In here, the servers behave quietly and efficiently,
willing to help prepare what is to be used during a celebration of worship and waiting to put
away objects which have been used after the celebration.”
Ta l k 3

The MASS
 It is important for each server to know the structure of the
Mass. This is not merely a matter of knowing “What comes
next”, but of understanding the meaning of each step in the
celebration of the Divine Liturgy.
 A. Introductory Rites
B. Liturgy of the word
C. Liturgy of the Eucharist
D. Concluding Rites
1. Entrance Song- Opens the celebration and accompanies the procession of the priest and
servers of the altar

2. Veneration of the Altar- Greeting of the people. As it the sign of Christ himself, center of the
church and of the Eucharistic assembly, the altar is shown reverence by 3 traditional gestures: the
bow or the customary reverence, The kiss, and the incensation.

3. The Penitential Rights- Invites us to be sorry for our sin, and takes away venial or minor sins
which do not need absolution in private confession

4. The Gloria- Is an ancient hymn of praise song or recited in appropriate celebration especially on
feast and solemnities

5. The Opening Prayer- Is introduced with an invitation to prayer and a time of silent prayer. On
behalf of the people.
1. The First Scripture reading- This is taken from the Old testament

2. Responsorial Psalm- continues the theme of the reading or express the mood of the season or
occasion.

3. The Second Scripture Reading- this is taken from any portion of the new testament which is
not a gospel, especially the letters of Paul.

4. The Alleluia or the Gospel Verse- Should be sung, Our joyous welcome to the word in the
gospel.

5. The Gospel- The major reading of the Liturgy of the word.

6. The Homily- Is an explanation and proclamation of the reading of the liturgy.

7. The Profession of Faith- or the Creed is our act of faith.

8.The Prayer of the Faithful or The General Intercession- offers the petition of the community
before god.
1. The Preparation of the Gifts- The Bread and wine which God has given to us is given back to
God, from whom everything comes

2. The Eucharistic Prayer- Is a prayer of thanksgiving, a prayer of consecration, a priestly prayer

of sacrifice.

*There are various steps in this greatest prayer of the liturgy:

a. Preface- The priest leads us on offering thanks to God.

b. Sanctus- We all praise the Holy trinity.
c. Epiclesis- The priest extends his hands over the gifts and ask the holy spirit to change them to
the body and blood of Christ
d. Narrative of institution- is the form of words, taken from the last supper, use for consecration.
e. Elevation- the priest shows us the Host and the Chalice and we adore our lord
f. Acclamation- we proclaim the Mystery of faith, that we believe in the real presence of Jesus and
his sacrifice, Christ giving himself for us.
g. Anamnesis- we remember the saving death and resurrection of our lord, made present here and
now through the Eucharis.
h. Offering- the priest express what’s happening happening, what we offer Christ the victim to the
Father, that we offer ourselves in Him the true priest, that we became one in Christ.
i. Intercession- prayer for others, unite the Church on earth, in purgatory and in heaven to this one
sacrifice, offered for the living and the dead, in reached by the prayers of our lady and the saints.
j. Doxology- the priest raises the chalice and the paten, the body and blood of Christ, offering
through Him, with Him and in Him, and all the people respond with a great AMEN.

3. The Communion Right- begins with the lord’s prayer, when we ask for our daily bread the food
for who have been forgiven.

a. Right of peace
b. Prayer after Communion
1. The presider gives a Blessing, which may take a simple or solemn form.

2. The presider in the Dismissal, send each of us into the world, loving and serving the lord, living
out the Eucharist we have offered and celebrated.
Ta l k 4

Sacred object and vestments

CORPORAL
A sacred cloth of white linen around
twenty inches square upon which the
chalice, paten and ciboria are placed
during Mass. When not in use, it is
folded three times each way so as to
form nine equal squares and placed in
the burse. All vessels that actually con
tain the Blessed Sacrament chalice,
paten, ciborium and monstrance –
must be placed on a corporal.
PALL
A square of linen, stiffened
with starch, cardboard, or
plastic, set on the chalice to
prevent dirt or insects from
falling into it.
PATEN
Is the plate on which the bread
Host) used by the presider is
placed and created during the
Mass. It is usually of the same
material as the chalice and is
place on top of the chalice at
the start of the Mass
Purificator
A small piece of white absorbent
linen, approximately eight by
sixteen inches, folded in three
lengthwise, and marked with a
cross in the center, employed
during the Mass. It is used y wipe
the lip of the chalice after the
reception of the Precious Blood
and to dry the chalice after it is
washed at he end of or after Mass.
Chalice
THE CHALICE is a cup usually
but not always supported by a
"node" (the central part of the
vessel, usually a knob) and set on
a base. This vessel is used to hold
the Precious Blood of the Lord at
the Mass.
Ciborium
THE CIBORIUM is really a paten
in the form of a chalice with a lid
because the Sacred Body of our
Lord is placed in it. It is used to
contain the Hosts reserved in the
tabernacle.
Cruets
Vessel to hold the wine and
water at the mass
Pitcher and basin
are used to hold and catch the
water for the washing of the
hands of the presider after the
Offertory and Communion.
They are always paired with a
towel.
Finger towel
are used to hold and catch the
water for the washing of the
hands of the presider after the
Offertory and Communion.
They are always paired with a
towel.
BELL
known as the "sanctus bell" is
rung by a server at Mass, at the
two elevations and as a warning
before the consecration. It has a
prac tical use, to draw attention to
the most sacred moments of the
liturgy. In some places it takes the
form of a set of bells. It may also
be used during the Eucharistic
blessing at benediction.
SACRAMENTARY
The volume of presidential prayers
for the officiant of the Eucharist
and for any rites connected with
the Mass. Vatican Council Il
restored the rule that all members
of worshipping community,
whether ministers or lay persons,
should perform only those parts
which pertain to their office in
accordance with the principles of
the Liturgy.
LECTIONARY BOOK
The liturgical book that holds the
Scriptural readings used during
the Liturgy of the Word in the
Mass. This is usually placed at the
ambo and Lectern.
CREDENCE TABLE
is a movable table to the side of
the altar, covered with white cloth,
upon which are placed the things
needed for sacred functions,
particularly the Mass, such as the
chal ice, cruets, basin and finger
cloth or towel.
Sacramentary Stand
is placed on the altar at the
preparation of gifts. It takes
various forms, a metal or wooden
book-rest or a cushion
Thurible and boat
It is used in incensing. Burning
charcoal is placed in the thurible
and the incense powder is kept in
the boat
Lunette
A glit clip which holds the Host
when exposed in the
monstrance
Holy water vessel
is also known as the "bucket"
and the sprinkler as an
"aspergil". The sprinkler may
take the form of a brush or of
a hollow bulb, perhaps
containing a sponge, with
openings so that drops of
water may be sprinkled on
people or objects.
Ta l k 5

Rules of ceremonies
Whenever two or more are
performing an action, e.g.
genuflecting, bowing,
walking, reciting a prayer,
they should act together at
the same time and with the
same speed. Nothing is
more conducive to the
smoothness of a
ceremony.3
In all ceremonies, strict precedence is observed.
1. Superiors walk at the right of, or behind inferiors; the
place of dignity in a Procession is at the end (if the
celebrant is vested).
2. When possible, inferiors cross behind, rather than in
front of superiors.
3. Those of lower ranks sit after those of higher ranks sit,
but rise before them.
4. In the sanctuary, those of higher rank sit on the Gospel
side.
By “basic actions we mean “how” the server carries out his
duties.
New servers will need to be taken through the basics before
they can be allowed “on the altar”.
The great sculptor Michelangelo sport months making minor
alterations to his statue of Moses, When someone asked
why he spent so much time on these fine details, he replied,
“Trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle.”
What we are trying to learn may be matter of little things, or
trifles. But when all these details are put together, we have
good serving, efficient, reverent, and intelligent.
• Your hands must always be clean, with clean fingernails. Wash them
fore you serve because you will handle things which are holy.

• Joined hands are held before the breast at 45 degrees, palms

together fingers extended thumbs crossed, right over left.

• The joined hands are an expression of prayerful reverence and self-

discipline When all servers learn to hold their hands in the same way,
a sense of harmony and reverence is achieved. It takes some
practice.

• Make sure you keep your fingers together, and never let them droop
forward. This way of joining hands is only tiring if you press your
hands together too hard.
Your hands tell a story to people. How carefully do you make the
sign of the cross? This is our salute to God, an expression of our
faith. So often we see people make it carelessly. There is a
correct technique.

Begin with your hands joined. Then, placing the left hand below
the breast (fingers extended and thumb flat, you take your right
hand to the forehead, with fingers and thumb together and
extended.

You also learn an important point from making the sign of the
cars. Whenever your right hand is busy, handling the cruet,
passing something, always keep your hand flat below your
breast, with fingers extended. Thumb and fingers together. If your
right hand is busy, you never let your left hand dangle beside
• When your hands are unoccupied, hold
them joined before your breast.
• When one hand is occupied, place the
other open on your breast.
• When seated, place your hands on your
knees.
• BOOKS: with the open side to the left.
However, when you are about to present a
book to a superior minister, carry with the
op side to the right
• CANDLES: in the outside hand.
• THURIBLE: carry it in your left hand
before it is filled with incense. And carry it
in the right after it has been filled (cf.
below: INCENSING).
 To rise for someone is a sign of
reverence.
• The position of sitting denotes authority to teach and
rule.
• Whenever you stand, you hold your hands together
correctly.
• When you sit, at once place your hands, palms down, on
your knees, fingers together. Never cross them, and
never sprawl about, as this looks untidy.
• Always sit up straight, and never lean back or slouch in
your seat.
• When two or more servers sit down, they should sit
down at the same time and rise at the same time.
When you walk, never hurry.
Always walk erect, at a moderate pace and
without gazing about.
You never walk backwards or sideways. Not only
does this look foolish, but it can lead to
accidents.
In ascending or descending steps, do not bother
about your robes. They will not get in the way, so
there is no need to stare down.
If you are walking with other servers, try to keep in step. This is
most important in processions. The secret of a good procession
has three elements:
Spread out – do not crowd one another. There is plenty of
room, and a procession looks like a triumphant Christian
parade if it is neatly arrange The cross-bearer must always
stay well back from the thurifer, or he is liable to make
contact with the thurible
Look straight ahead, and do not get distracted by anyone
outside the procession.
Move at a steady pace, neither too fast nor too slow.
When walking alone, always turn toward the
person or thing of greater dignity, e.g. the
Blessed Sacrament, altar, bishop or
celebrant.
When walking with another, ordinarily, turn
toward the person with whom you are
walking.
Exception: Under no circumstances should
you turn your back to the Blessed Sacrament
if it is exposed.
Genuflection (bringing the right knee to the ground)
is a special sign of Homage paid only to God. It is
directed primarily to our Lord Jesus Christ, ever
present in the Blessed Sacrament, either exposed
or in the Tabernacle, and for the Holy Cross in the
solemn adoration during the liturgical action of
Good Friday
Bow of the Head – You bow your head, without any
hurry and never too deeply, as a sign of respect
when receiving any object, for example a cruet,
from the priest. You bow to a bishop whenever your
duties require you to approach him or leave him
during any celebration. You bow at the Name of
Our Lord or the Trinity during any text which you
recite, for example in the Creed and Gloria, the
Blessed Virgin Mary and the name of the saint
when the Mass or Office is celebrated in his honor.
Always move at a sensible speed,
neither too fast nor too slow, When
moving in pairs or groups always move
together as a team, If you both have to
turn around together to move in the
opposite direction turn in towards one
another.
If you carry a sacred book, for example the
sacramentary, do so reverently.
When approaching the presider, the cover of the
sacramentary is turned away from you, at a breast
level, and as you exit, the cover is turned towards
you.
If you have to hold the Sacramentary for the priest,
hold it at a suitable height closed or open, Hold it in
such a position that you can still see the priest.
Keep the book still.
Do not take it away until the prayer, etc., is
finished. Be careful where you put your fingers,
underneath the book, because you may hide the
words of a prayer printed at the bottom of the page
or at the edge of the paper.
Hold the page flat.
Remember that these books are valuable, handle
them with care and do not wrench the pages back
because this may break the spine of the binding.
Clean hands do not leave dirty finger marks on the
book.
The candle bearers carry two candles, to honor the cross in
procession, to honor our Lord in His Holy Gospel, and in the
Sanctus.

The basic rule is one hand around the knob, the other hand
under the base, the bowl to catch wax at eye level.
For the pair of candle bearers; each server places his
outside hand around the knob.
Hold the candles still, when walking or standing. Make sure
you pick them up and replace them together in their
designated place.
Hold them straight, to prevent wax falling on the floor and
try to hold them at the same height which is easier if servers
are of the same stature.
In giving an object to the priest, you are acting on behalf of
the people. With clarity and reverence, let them see what
you are presenting on their behalf.

If you bring the priest a ciborium containing bread or a

paten with the large bread, hold it up at such a height that
the people can see it. Do not let the altar hide it.

In presenting a ciborium or cruets, come close to the priest,

so he does not have to stretch out to you. It may be best to
hold them underneath. As you present cruets, do not jerk
them forward suddenly. Reach out naturally. Be helpful and
considerate.
In giving an object to the priest, you are acting on behalf of
the people. With clarity and reverence, let them see what
you are presenting on their behalf.

If you bring the priest a ciborium containing bread or a

paten with the large bread, hold it up at such a height that
the people can see it. Do not let the altar hide it.

In presenting a ciborium or cruets, come close to the priest,

so he does not have to stretch out to you. It may be best to
hold them underneath. As you present cruets, do not jerk
them forward suddenly. Reach out naturally. Be helpful and
considerate.
• In receiving objects from the priest, do not jerk them from
his hand. Take them naturally, in your right hand, and
bow your head to the priest before you return to the side
– a sign of respect.
• If serving on your own, it is customary to present the wine
cruets first, with your right hand, then pass the water
cruet to your right hand, receiving back the wine with
your left hand then handing the water cruet to the
priestvwith your right hand, then passing the wine cruet
to your right hand, and Finally receiving the water back
with your left hand.
• In presenting a cruet or any object with your right hand,
always remember to keep the left hand flat on your
breast, thumb and fingers together.
If there are two servers, as soon as they have placed the
wine and water cruets back on the credence table (unless
they must wait for the censing), the first server (on the right)
takes the pitcher and the dish, the second server (on the
left) takes the towel. Both come to the side of the altar,
perhaps not as close to the table top as when offering
cruets, and wait for the priest side by side. When he
extends his hands, the first server holds the dish directly
beneath them, and pours a reasonable amount of water
over all his fingers, without leaning forward. The second
server, holding out the in-folded towel gives it to the priest to
dry his hands. He receives the towel back in both hands,
just as he offered it, and both servers bow their heads
together to the priest and return to the credence table.
If there is only one server, he must first open out
the towel and drape it over his left arm, before he
takes the pitcher and dish to the priest. He washes
the priesr’s hands, and then raises his left arm, still
holding the dish, so that the priest can take the
towel and dry his hands. He takes the towel back
on the arm, bows, and returns to the credence.
 Only a taller server should carry the processional cross.
Because he bears the cross, he does not bow or genuflect
on approaching or leaving the altar.
The figure of the crucifix always points out, away from the
cross-bearer. To keep control of the staff, and to keep the
cross straight and now swaying from side to side, you need
to find a good grip of the staff.
The left hand should hold the lower part of the staff, with the
right hand securing the upper part of the staff.
You may find it helpful to keep the right hand before your
eyes.
Hold the staff out from your body, so that your legs will not
get tangled with the staff as you move.
Hold the cross high, so that it never trails on the
ground, but do not hold it at an extreme height
because this looks foolish and you may lose
control of the cross.
There should be a stand or a socket to hold the
cross when not in use, either at the side of the
sanctuary or if it is used as the altar cross, in some
position near the altar.
Never let the cross lean against the wall, because
it may slide down or fall over and cause harm.
a.) as a signal to start the mass
b.) at each elevation or showing of the
Host and Chalice, after the
consecration
c.) perhaps a signal for Communication,
when the priest drinks from the chalice
or soon after he has received the
precious Blood.
After the deacon or priest says “ Let
us give...”. Give the peace first to
the one at their right, then to the
one at their left.
1. Both stand facing each other with joined
hands. The one receiving the pax bows to the
one giving it
2. The one giving the pax places his hands, palms
downward, on the shoulders of the other. The
one receiving the pax places his hands, palm
upward under the other’s elbows, bows toward
the other’s left shoulder.
3. Both straighten up, face each other with
hands joined and bow.
1. Reverence to the Sacrament. All who enter the
church, let them adore the Blessed Sacrament
either by visiting it’s chapel or atleast by kneeling.
2. Reverence to the Altar. Deep bow to the altar by
all who enter or leave the sanctuary or pass in front
of the altar.
3. Respect to the Gospel. During the proclamation
of the Gospel, all stand and turn to the reader.
4. Respect towards the Bishop and other persons.
All greet the bishop or priest with a deep bow when
approaching him, or leaving or passing in front of
him.
1. Incense is first used for the entrance
procession and to honor the altar at the beginning
of Mass.
2. It is used to honor our Lord in the Reading of
the Gospel.
3. It is used to honor the gifts at the preparation of
the gifts, and also the clergy and people sharing
in the one sacrifice.
4. Finally, it is used to honor our Lord at the
elevation or showing of the Host and Chalice
during consecration arid the doxology.
Carry the thurible in your left hand before it is
filled with incense, and in the right hand after
it has been filled. When carrying it hold the
chains just below the disk or put your thumb
through the stationary ring on the disk.
1. Approach the priest with the boat-bearer. At
once, transfer the thurible to your left hand.
2. Slide the securing ring up the chains, approx. 30
cm.
3. Pull the sinlge chain that lifts the lid, so that the
lid comes up and is stopped by the ring.
4. Now grip that chain against the other three
chains, in your left hand, at the disc, so the lid will
not slide down again and close the thurible.
5. Grasp the chains at the securing ring with your
right hand, at the same time, lowering your left
hand and disc to your breast, and then extend the
bowl and chains in your right hand at a level which
is convenient for the presider.
6. The boat-bearer holds the boat open, with the
spoon handle toward the presider, so he may
easily spoon the grains onto the coals. When he is
placing incense on the coals, keep the thurible still,
keep it the level of his lap. If he is standing, keep it
at the level of his waist.
1. With your right hand, lower the thurible until the
three chains are extended.
2. Release your left-hand grip on the single chain
at the top disc, and now lower the lid gently the top
of the lid in place.
4. If you are going to keep the thurible for a
procession, for example at the Gospel, transfer
your grip from the left to the right hand, at the top
of the chains, at the disc, letting your left hand rest
against your breast, the thurible now swinging
gently beside you.
1. If you are to hand the thurible to the presider or
another minister, first make sure you have secured
the lid. Then transfer the top of the chains and disc
to your right hand, and the chains held above the
bowl to your left hand.
2.You can now present the thurible to the presider
or minister. Your right hand, with the top his right
hand. This means that he is now able to use the
thurible to cense the altar, and the book or the gifts.
3. At once, you join your hands properly, turning
and moving back a few paces, according to the
situation.
When the thurible is swung towards
a person or object, this act of honor
is known as incensation or censing.
In assisting another to vest,
stand at his left. When
assisting him diverst, stand at
his right.
a.) Lector
b.)Altar Servers
c.) Special Ministers of Holy
Communion
d.) Deacon
The musical transition of the Universal
Church is a treasure of inestimable value
greater even that of any part. AS SACRED
SONG IS UNITED TO THE WORDS, IT
FORMS A NECESSARY OR INTEGRAL
PART OF THE SOLEMN LITURGY
1. Key Concept of the Instruction
2.The Ideal Form of Worship
3.Rules of Sung Mass
4. Degres of Sung Mass