To the Altar Server candidates:

Welcome and thank you. You have decided to become an altar server. To be an active participant in the Mass is very special. By serving God in the church you are also learning how to serve God outside the church by helpingpeople who are in need. We will discuss this in our training session. I welcome you and I pray that you will learn to understand the rites of our holy faith and serve the church with joy and reverence. Are you ready? Let’s begin!

So Let’s begin. Just like when they build a house or other type of build-ing they start with a foundation. The foundation is part of the building that supports the rest. You need a strong foundation in order to have a strong build-ing.Remember when Jesus said to Peter “You are my rock and on this rock I will build my church.” You can say Peter was the foundation of the entire church. People also have foundations— we can call them characteristics. Charac-teristicsare the things we would like to see in an altar server.

What Characteristics should a Server posses?A Server should posses the following characteristics:•Naturalness and discretion of movement - don't fumble and stumble.•Naturally alert and attentive - don't daydream, yawn or fall asleep.•Natural Foresight - anticipate what might happen next.•Be able to work together in a team.•Be able to facilitate the public expression of shared prayer.

When a construction company builds a foundation for a new building they must follow a set of rules or guidelines. There are certain requirements they must follow—they have to do these things or the foundation will not support the building. If altar servers do not meet the requirements they will not be a strong foundation (support) for the Mass.

Requirements for Altar Servers CandidatesA Candidate should fulfill the following requirements:•A strong desire to serve at the Altar of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.•Be an active member of the parish community and believe in the teach-ings of The Holy Catholic Church.

•Have already made their First Holy Communion and started fourth grade.•Know all the prayers of the of the Mass from memory.•Know how to properly genuflect.•Know how to make the sign of the Cross.•Know how to receive Holy Communion in the approved manner.

What do I need to know to be a good altar server?

You will need to learn more about your faith. Altar servers play a very important role during the Mass. It is important that you not only know what to do but a little bit as to why you do it.Just like everyone who works they need to learn more about the job they do. Many jobs have words that other people outside the job may not even know.You will need to learn some new words and their meanings. Don’t worry it’s not as bad as vocabulary can be. We will take our time and learn the things we need to know and have fun while doing it.

Once we finish with the training you will be assigned to work with an ex-perienced server who will help you put into practice what you learned in train-ing.

How do you become good at something? Take baseball for instance—you can only become really good by practicing. The more you practice the better you will become.

Same with video games. The first time you play a new game you don’t do very well do you? Every time you play the game you get a little better.Then one day you get the high score. If you pay attention during training and practice what you learned you will become a very good altar server.

Different jobs that Altar servers carry out at Mass –

Thurifer - This is an experienced server who will carry the Thurible(incensor). The thurible will be required during the service and it is the job of the Thurifer to have it ready as required. Care must always be taken as a smoldering charcoal fire is used in the thurible which reaches extremely high temperatures.

Different jobs that Altar servers carry out at Mass –

Cross-bearer - The server, who carries the processional cross at the beginning and end of the service.

Different jobs that Altar servers carry out at Mass –

Book bearer - This server has the job of holding the book of prayer for the priest at the beginning and end of the service. It is this servers responsibility to make sure that the book is open on the correct page and is held in such a way that the priest can read it with ease.

Some Basic RulesBefore you come to Church.•Make sure you get a good night sleep. It is very off putting for the congregation to watch a server keep yawning.•Make sure your shoes are clean.•Make sure your hands and fingernails are clean.•Make sure you have had something to eat and drink.•Make sure you arrive at church 15 minutes before mass starts.

Before Mass•Make sure your hair is tidy.•Keep quiet in the sacristy.•Say a quiet prayer before serving.After Mass•Clear away, the vessels etc from the sanctuary

Altar Server’s Dictionary

Processional Candles - These two candles are carried either side of the cross in the entrance procession. They are then used to flank the Gospel when it is pro-claimed.

Alb - A long linen tunic, worn since the four century. The name comes from the Latin word, 'albus', meaning white.

Altar - The structure on which the Eucharist takes place.

Ambo - Also called the Pulpit. This is where the readers (Lectors) Deacon or Priest reads the word of God to the people.

Altar Server’s Dictionary

Boat - The container inside which the incense is kept.

Book of Gospels - Contains all the Gospel readings for the Church's year. It is brought to the lectern during the Gospel acclamation. It may be carried into church as part of the entrance procession or put in a special place before the celebration begins.

Candlestick - The holder into which is placed the lighted candles.

Chalice - The cup that contains the precious Blood of Christ.

Altar Server’s Dictionary

Chapel of Reconciliation/Confessional Box - Here we meet with the priest to confess our sins and, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance, receive God's forgiveness in the prayer of absolution.

Chasuable - The word literally means 'little house'. Worn at Mass, it covers all the other vestments and its color changes according to the season of the Church's year. This was originally a coat; it now symbolizes the garment of Christ who is the true celebrant of every Eucharist.

Ciborium - A container that holds the body of Christ.

Cincture - A rope belt that is tied around the waist.

Altar Server’s Dictionary

Cope - A large, full-length cape, held by a clasp at the front, worn for Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and on other solemn occasions.

Corporal - Its name comes from the Latin word 'corpus' meaning a 'body'. It is a square of white cloth, on which the chalice and paten are placed during the Mass, to catch particles of the Blessed Sacrament, should any fall from the vessels. The corporal is placed on the altar either before Mass begins or during the preparation of the gifts.

Credence table - The little wooden side table on which all the things that are necessary for the Mass are placed.

Crucifix - A cross on which is the figure of Jesus.

Altar Server’s Dictionary

Cruet - Small jug that contains water or wine for the Mass.

Font - This is a pool or vessel of water in which people are baptized. It reminds us of our baptism, when we were washed clean of sin and became a member of God's family.

Flagon - Large container that holds the wine that is carried in the offertory procession.

Gospel Book - A large decorated book containing only Gospel readings for the Mass. The deacon usually carries it. If there is no deacon at the Mass then the Lector will carry the Gospel Book.

Altar Server’s Dictionary

Host - The consecrated Body of Christ.

Humeral veil - A long rectangular garment, held by a clasp at the front, worn by a priest or deacon when carrying a Ciborium or Monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament.

Incense - A substance that gives off clouds of sweet smelling smoke when sprin-kled onto burning charcoal.

Incense Boat - So called because it is usually shaped like a boat, it contains the incense, which will be burned in the thurible.

Lavabo Bowl and Towel - At the preparation of the gifts the priest washes his hands to signify the cleansing of the sins of those gathered and to prepare him-self for what he is about to do.

Altar Server’s Dictionary

Lectern - The place from which the commentator and cantor ministers.

Lectionary - A book containing all the scripture readings for Mass. It is placed on the lectern before Mass begins, or it may be carried in the entrance procession.

Paten - A plate from which the communion is served.

Presidential chair - The chair on which the Presider sits.

Altar Server’s Dictionary

Processional Cross - This is carried into church at the head of a procession, as a sign of our faith, and is the basic symbol of Christianity. It reminds us that Jesus died for us.

Purificator - A cloth that is used to wipe the chalice each time it is used.

Pyx: A small metal container, used to take Holy Communion to the sick and housebound.

Sacramentary - A book that the priest uses at his chair and at the altar. It can also be called the Missal.

Altar Server’s Dictionary

Sacristy - The room where the clergy and servers prepare themselves for the service.

Sanctuary - Sacred part of the church where the Altar, Lectern and presiden-tial chair are.

Sanctuary Lamp - The lamp that is kept burning on the sanctuary to show that the blessed sacrament is present.

Stations of the Cross - These depict, usually in fourteen stages, the journey of Jesus to Calvary, his crucifixion on the cross and his laying in the tomb.

Altar Server’s Dictionary

Stole - This important vestment, worn around the neck, shows that the priest is celebrating one of the Sacraments. It also shows that the priest has the duty to preach the Word of God.

Tabernacle - The cupboard where we keep the consecrated bread.

Thurible - The container inside which charcoal is burned, it is suspended from chains and is also swung during parts of the service. This contains the burning charcoal on to which grains of incense are placed. Incense has been used since early times to honor people and things. For this reason during our worship we incense the people and priest, the altar, the Book of Gospels and the Blessed Sacrament.

Votive candles - These are burned at shrines and in front of statues to repre-sent the prayers and petitions of those who have prayed there.

GUIDELINES FOR SERVING MASS AT ST. JOSEPH

Before Mass:Arrive in sacristy at least 15 minutes before mass time. Wear long pants/slacks/dress (no shorts) and shoes; NEVER sneakers (unless they are completely black), sandals, clogs, or high heels). Select alb that fits.Sign in on schedule to indicate your attendance.Genuflect when passing tabernacle. Be in back of church 5 minutes before mass time

Mass:Procession down aisleCandle bearers light candles. Lead server will process down the aisle after the cantor begins to sing, candle bearer's following. (If you are late and processional is about to begin, do not run down side aisle to try to get in procession. Wait in the altar sacristy and when priest ascends altar, take your place.

Mass:Penitential Rite and Opening PrayerServer at the end of pew holds Sacramentary after priest says, "Let us pray".

Mass:GospelAfter the Psalm is sung/read, Two Servers will go to the altar when the priest approaches the altar. Both immediately take position at the candles and wait till priest moves to ambo, then take places for Gospel. After Gospel, Server return the candles to their stands, and return to your seats on the altar.

Mass:OffertoryAfter the homily, place chalice, Sacramentary on altar.Go with priest to receive wine and water cruets and ciborium from gift bearers. Server with hosts, place on altar and proceed to Credence table to get ready with cruet of water. Servers with cruets go to altar, standing near altar and hold for priest to take. Server with wine cruet should be closest to altar and hold it out first. When servers return with cruets, one should unfold towel and proceed to altar for washing of hands.

Mass:Post CommunionAs priest is returning to altar after giving Communion, servers go to credence table bring water cruet to altar, passing in front of altar. When priest returns to his chair, return to pew.

Mass:After Mass:Return priest chalice, paten, cruets, purificator, towel, finger bowl and empty ciboriums to sacristy. Place used purificator and hand towel in laundry bin.Extinguish all candles. Either refill cruets for next mass, and place in refrigerator. Neatly hang alb.

Thank you for your interest in serving at Mass.

If you have any questions about this material please ask the pastor, Fr. Andy to explain anything you do not understand.The next step in server instruction is to practice the different actions that the altar server does during mass.Please call the rectory for a time to practice.