Emmarlone Salva Ravago Altar Servers Gathering

April 23, 2012

Altar Servers Prayer Loving Father, Creator of the universe, You call Your people to worship, to be with You and each other at Mass. Help me, for You have called me also. Keep me prayerful and alert. Help me to help others in prayer. Thank you for the trust You've placed in me. Keep me true to that trust. I make my prayer in Jesus' name, who is with us in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Altar Servers are ministers Minister a person authorized to conduct/assist in religious worship/sacraments The very name Server clearly points out what they do at Mass, that is, to serve God and His people by helping the Priest and his fellow worshippers to praise God as well as they can Women and girls may be determined, by the Bishop, as altar servers With the permission of the Bishop, altar servers may perform the liturgical functions of an instituted acolyte Acolyte an altar attendant in public worship Functions and duties check The Code of Canon Law Index Altar Servers today, unlike Acolytes, are not ordained, but are commissioned by their Parish Priest Commission authority granted for a particular action or function The primary role of the altar server is to assist the priest in the celebration of the liturgy especially during Mass. This is done through specific actions and by setting an example to the churchgoers by active participation in the liturgy (e.g. by singing, responding, etc.), by being alert and physically-mentally present, and by sitting, standing and kneeling at appropriate times.

The servers may not distribute Holy Communion unless they have been mandated for this function by the Bishop Altar servers must attend every Mass that they have been scheduled. When a server cannot be present they must arrange for a replacement Altar servers are on duty from the time they enter the sanctuary at the start of Mass until they finish cleanup after the end of Mass. During the Mass their duty station is the sanctuary and a server may not leave the sanctuary except as directed by a priest, deacon or bodily necessary (e.g. when they have to go to the comfort room, etc.) Altar servers must have received first Confession and Holy Communion

Posture Altar servers should maintain a straight, formal disciplined posture. In the standing and kneeling positions their hands should be held in the praying position. When sitting the hands should be held on the lap or at the sides

Dress Servers should wear white. Black leather shoes should be worn.

Genuflection and Bowing Servers should Genuflect whenever entering a Church pew, the Sanctuary or crosses in front of the Tabernacle; they should face the tabernacle and genuflect or perform a Profound Bow. The exception is when carrying things like crosses, sacred vessels, books or candles. When the tabernacle is closed and Jesus is not present on the Altar after consecration or exposed for Eucharistic Adoration, genuflect your right knee should touch the floor, pause, and then bow your head to Jesus. When the Body of Jesus is present on the Altar or is exposed in the monstrance during Eucharistic Adoration, upon entering or leaving the Church Double Genuflect both knees should touch the floor, with the right knee first, pause, and then bow your head to Jesus.

Duties Before Mass Upon arrival the server should dress in his (Ironed) Cassock and Surplice The server should prepare the Sacred Vessels and place them on the Credence Table Five minute to Mass time the server should light all appropriate candles

Duties during Mass In a procession, the cross-bearer leads and, followed by the candle-bearers, bows to the tabernacle after entering the sanctuary. All servers will then proceed to their assigned locations after genuflecting/bowing before the tabernacle. Servers should walk slowly together starting on their left foot; the following server can only start to walk once the server preceding him has already taken at least two steps. All processions are always in order of rank: Cross-bearer first, then candle-bearers, other servers, lector, extraordinary ministers, deacons, priests, bishops, cardinals, and then the pope. Servers should sit down in their assigned positions. Bow to the Priest, not to the Deacon. The reason for doing this is that the priest acts in Persona Christi during the Consecration of the Mass.

Bell Ringing The bell is rung three times in honor of the Trinity Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Incensing Swing the incense two times when you are incensing

Duties after Mass Remove your Liturgical Clothing and hang it neatly in its proper place.

References http://dictionary.reference.com/ http://www.altarservers.org http://www.thesacredheart.com/altguide.htm