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| So You Want To Be an Altar Server |
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The Altar Servers form a very important part of the church and every parish is enriched through their dedication and service. But, what does it take to be an Altar Server? Is it for you? Do you have the qualities and enthusiasm to serve the Priest in celebration of the Mass and other services? Here, James Murphy, our former Master of Ceremonies and as such one of the most experienced and most enduring Altar Servers in our parish has prepared the definitive guide to any would-be server; and explains in detail the training required, the rules to be followed and the personal qualities which contribute to being a successful server. Any youngster wishing to find out more about the life of an Altar Server can contact the coordinator, Declan Logue, by telephone on 07904 004242 or email by clicking here. Contents 1. Introduction.1.1 Requirements for Altar Servers Candidates.2. Some base rules. 2.1 Before you come to Church.3. Training. 3.1 Posture. 4. Different jobs that Altar Servers carry out. 5. The history behind some of the things in the Catholic Church. 5.1 The Church.6. Beginners. 6.1 Time Keeping.7. Intermediates. 7.1 Tasks.8. Advanced. 8.1 Tasks.9. The Archconfraternity of Saint Stephen - The Altar Servers Guild. 9.1 The objects of the Guild of Saint Stephen are:10. Dictionary Altar servers must have a deep sense of the spirit of the liturgy and be trained to perform their functions in a correct and orderly manner. You may want to do it but when you actually do you may find you do not like it. As a Server you have a special ministry in the Church. It is your privilege to assist the priest at the Altar. This means that there is a certain way that is appropriate to behave. Remember that you are always part of the congregation even if you are sitting in a different place to them. A good server not only serves the Sunday Mass, but also makes themselves available for other services. Being a server means serving God and his people at mass. That is what makes serving Mass worth doing, and worth doing well. That is what makes good servers want to do their best Part of the ministry of servers is to help "set the pace" for all who take part in the Mass. What you do there and how you do it can help other people to understand the Mass better and make their love for God stronger. As a server you should try to become very involved also. The people in church will be watching you carefully. They are not so interested to see if you make mistakes, but they like to see what it means to be really involved in the Mass. People will take more interest in the Mass if they see you taking more interest in it while you serve." Altar Servers can be said to be a very fortunate that he/she been chosen by God to give his service during the celebration of the liturgy. The liturgy is a public act of worship that the church gives to God, so the service of the Altar Server is extremely important. The role of the Altar Server is very important because he/she is one of the closest persons to the Altar and to the Priest representing Jesus Christ during the celebration of the Holy Mass and the administration of the Sacraments. The service of the Altar Server is very appreciated by the church. Good Altar Servers give their service with major attention and respect. Their behavior is a very important aspect because it can arise in other Servers that wish to serve on the altar 1.1 Requirements for Altar Servers Candidates A Candidate should fulfil the following requirements:
1.2 Characteristics of a Server A Server should posses the following characteristics:
2.1 Before you come to Church.
Arrive at the church at least fifteen minutes before Mass begins. If the weather is bad, you will probably have to leave home a bit earlier than usual. Servers should come to church properly clothed. The wearing of sneakers is not allowed. If one has solid black sneakers, he/she may wear them. When you arrive at the church, stop and think about what a special building you are entering. Your church is a place where God lives with his people in your parish, and a place where God's people come together to praise God. Put on a clean, unwrinkled cassock. Treat these vestments with care. And to check that if the cassock is not too short. To do so look at yourself in the mirror and see if your socks are showing, if so you will need a bigger size. Please also remember to hang them back up after using your cassock. Get things ready according to your allocated job. The MC for the day will tell you what your job is. Place the cruets (small pitchers) filled with water and wine in their usual place: either on the credence table in the sanctuary, or with the ciborium on the table in the church for the offertory procession. (At back of church.) Check to see that the bowl and finger towel for washing the priest's hands are on the credence table. Also place the chalice on the credence table. Place the key to the tabernacle in front of tabernacle. You should check to make sure all the proper items are set up for mass. Also, remember that during mass people are watching you. They do make comments to the priests and the M.C. about how well or bad the servers were at Mass. You are not supposed to be laughing or talking while serving. However, you are to respond to the priest and sing with the congregation throughout the Mass. Be quiet in the sacristy and avoid making unnecessary noise. At mass. At this time you can say a prayer before mass begins. Be especially ready to help the priest if he is a visitor to your parish. He may ask you some questions about how Mass takes place in your church. If he does, try to answer them clearly. He wants to serve the people at Mass well, just as you should and you can be a big help to him. About five minutes before Mass is scheduled to begin, one of the servers lights the candles on the altar. Sometimes you may be asked to light other candles also. During the weeks after Easter, you will light the large Easter Candle that has a special place in the sanctuary. Lighting the candles tells the people that Mass is about to begin. You should light them in such a way that people will find it a pleasure to watch. When lighting the candles, know that you are suppose to do and be careful for the safety of the church and all who are in it, including yourself. Keep the flame away from your vestments. The cross bearer leads followed by the two candles followed by the lector and then the priest accompanied by the fourth server Note: The cross and candles always lead the procession/recession. If incense is used, then the incense bearer (thurifer) leads. When you are processing to the altar remember this is not a race. We have plenty of time to get to our destination. Walk slowly. Servers can distract the congregation in their prayer because of the way servers are standing or sitting. Hands should be folded in one of two positions – locked together held at the chest or pressed together at the chest. If two servers need to move they are to move together. Don’t move without your partner. Take everything to the sacristy, and extinguish the candles using the candles snuffers. Finally, return your alb to its hanger and place it in its right order and manner of hanging. Should you ever have any question regarding your service at the Altar, do not hesitate to ask the priest or the M.C. Join in the prayers of thanksYou will receive appropriate training to get you started. During the training you will learn some basic information about the Catholic Church. You will also learn how to carry out specific tasks while serving at the Altar. Once you have successfully completed this initial training usually about six months you will be enrolled into the Altar Servers Guild. If you are still enjoying serving then after about a year you will receive your medal. Posture is how you are using the parts of your body at a particular time. A server has to carry out a number of different actions at mass, and so there are a number of different postures. We do a lot of walking everyday and sometimes we get sloppy as we do it. Always walk with your back straight and your head held high. When you bow to someone or something at mass, it should be a smooth forward inclining of your head and shoulders. When you bow to the altar, bow deeply at the waist and bring yourself slowly to your full height. When you bow to the priest, bow your head slowly and gracefully. Never walk and bow at the same time: stop before bowing. When you genuflect, keep your hands in front of your chest while you go down on your right knee. Keep your body straight. Do not wobble back and forth, or you may look like a newborn lamb trying to walk. Be sure that your alb isn't going to trip you on the way down or up. When you kneel, your body should be upright and your hands should be in front of your chest, well above your waist. If you lean your body forwards or backwards you will hurt the muscles in your back or the ligaments in your knee. Always stand up straight with both feet firmly on the floor six to eight inches apart. This will give you balance and comfort at the same time. Don't lean against the furniture or against the walls. Sit down on your stool or chair carefully and gracefully. Once you are seated, sit tall and don't slouch. Place your hands on your lap or flat on your thighs in a relaxed manner. Watch how the priest holds his hands and do as he does. Unless you are sitting down or carrying something (like a candle); your hands should be kept joined in front of your chest; either locked together, or palm-to-palm, fingers pointing upward. Keep your hands high up on your chest. If you are carrying something in one hand hold the other hand flat on your chest. During Mass always look towards the place where the action is happening: the celebrant’s chair, the lectern or the altar. When a reader is reading the scriptures, you should be looking at the reader. When you are talking to someone you expect that person to look at you the same is true at mass. Never look at the people in the congregation, rather look just above their heads. If there is an MC keep an eye on him or her. They might want you to do something at any time. Know what you are to do while serving, and when you are to do it. Never fidget. Always do things smoothly. If you make a mistake, never get flustered. 4. Different jobs that Altar Servers carry out. MC - Master of ceremonies. This is one of the most experienced server who is able to take charge of the whole ceremony. This server will also deal with problems as they arise in the Mass. If done well then no one will know that any problems have occurred. Thurifer - This is a senior server who will carry the Thurible. 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 smouldering charcoal fire is used in the thurible that reaches extremely high temperatures. Cross-bearer - The server, who carries the processional cross at the beginning and end of the service. Acolyte - Acolytes serve in pairs, and carry candles at the beginning and end of the Mass, as well as at the gospel. Boat Bearer - The boat contains incense that is used in the thurible. It is the boat bearers' job to make sure that the boat is available when required by the Thurifer. 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 server’s 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. Bell ringer - This server will ring the bells at the consecration. Care is required to ring them at the appropriate moment and to ring them at the correct volume and duration. Gift collector - The job of this server is to go and lead the procession of the gifts into the church. They also take the collection and place it in front of the Altar 5. The history behind some of the things in the Catholic Church. Most assemblies set aside a special place to gather. Long ago, people who gathered for worship might have called such a place a temple. Today we call it a church, which is another word for "assembly." Our church, no matter how different it is from other churches, will have things in common with the temple where the Israelites worshipped God. This was God's home. In Moses' time, it was a large tent. No human, except for the high priest, ever went into this tent and he, only once a year. In our time, the tabernacle is a much smaller place where we keep the bread that has become the body of Christ. It looks a little like a cupboard, but it is really a shelter for God. The tabernacle is still covered by a cloth representing the tent. Long ago before Jesus was born bread was very nourishing and was sometimes all that people ate. Bread represents all food and means 'life'. If you share bread with your neighbours that means you are willing to share your life with them. Sometimes, people still call wheat "the staff of life." If the bread you see at Mass looks more like a wafer than bread, just remember the story of the first Passover. The Israelites ate "unleavened bread" because they were in a hurry to get away from the Egyptians. Normal breads, with leaven or yeast, takes an hour or two to rise. The Israelites had no time. Centuries later, Jesus and the Apostles ate unleavened bread on the feast of the Passover as a way of remembering the freeing of their ancestors from Egypt. Centuries after Jesus, we use unleavened bread at our Mass - and that's a way of remembering Jesus who was remembering Moses. In Jesus time, wine was an everyday drink. Like bread, it also represents all drink and all life. It is sometimes red in colour, like blood, and full of 'spirits' that can make people lively (if you drink too much). On ceremonial occasions, Jewish people take a cup of wine and give a specific blessing to God. Blessed are you, O Lord Our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who gave us the fruit of the vine. At mass if you listen closely, you will hear the priest say something like this during the Preparation of the Gifts and you, along with other members of the assembly, will answer, "Blessed Be God, Forever." At Passover, Jews and Christians say this prayer four times and drink four cups of wine. Jesus did the same thing when he celebrated Passover, including the time we call the Last Supper. We do the same as a way of remembering Jesus who was remembering his ancestors. Just like bread and wine, water represents life. You can live a long time without food, but only a few hours without water. During the Preparation of Gifts, the priest mixes a little water with the wine and later washes his hands with water, just like you wash your hands before you eat - or do you? The washing of hands with water symbolises innocence. Pilate publicly washed his hands after Jesus trial. "So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, 'I am innocent of this man's blood'" (Matthew 27:24). The most important water is in the baptismal font. If the baptismal font is at the door of your church, you can bless yourself with its water as you enter. The chalice is the most important part of our 'table setting'. In the Middle east, where Jesus came from drinking from a common cup was a very powerful symbol. It meant you were to shed your blood for those who drank with you. Soldiers drank from the same cup before going into battle. Jesus and the apostles drank from the same cup on the night before Jesus died. The important thing about the cup is that we share it. Those who drink from the cup bind themselves to each other and to Jesus, the Messiah. That is why drinking from the cup is one way to receive communion. The mass is a ceremonial meal. Just as your family might use candles for a special meal at home, so we use candles at church. This makes the consecration meal more special or holy. Candles play a large part of Catholic culture. They burn with a living flame and so indicate life. At Mass candles are lit to symbolise Jesus as the light of the world, and to link our present-day Eucharist with those of the early Church in the Catacombs. Candles help to create a sense of occasion, and used to be carried in procession before the Roman Emperors as a mark of respect, As today they are carried before the Book of the Gospels. Candles are usually in even numbers; this serves to remind us that Jesus is both true God and true Man. It signifies prayer and sacrifice, and is also a sign of honour and respect. During the days of persecution attempts were often made to force Christians to burn incense in front of a statue of the Roman Emperor. To do so, of course, was to turn one's back on Christ. It is surprising, therefore, that it eventually became common practice for Christians to use incense in their worship. This candle symbolises Christ the light who has overcome the darkness of the world. It used to be lit on Easter Eve and burned at services until Ascension Day. Nowadays it burns at all services up till the day of Pentecost, which is the new termination of the Easter season. During the Easter season the Candle stands at the Gospel side of the Altar. After the Easter season it is moved to stand beside the baptismal font. It is lit for all Baptisms and Funerals. At home when you have a special meal you may use a special tablecloth. The same happens at Mass. If there is no tablecloth, you can find a small square of cloth called a "corporal" that represents a tablecloth. This should be placed in the centre of the altar with the creases down so that it can be folded without turning over. When you show full understanding and are able to put what is required of you into practice you are ready to move on to the intermediate stage. It may take some time to get to the intermediate stage, as you need a good basis on which to build for the future. Always arrive in good time, at least 20 minutes before the start of Mass and 30 minutes on special occasions. This will allow plenty of time for the Mass preparation required and will avoid rushing at the last minute. It is important to realise that it is a great privilege to serve the liturgy of the Church and should be reflected in how we dress and behave. Thus it is important that you wear appropriate clothes and footwear for serving at the liturgy. Dress smartly and, if at all possible, wear a pair of smart, dark coloured shoes. No shoes with flashing lights in. No watches that make a noise. No headgear. Respect the vestments you wear; keep them clean and in good condition. Hang them up properly when you have finished serving. Most importantly you should remember that looking after your vestments and the way you dress are your responsibility. When in the sacristy or in church, show the greatest of respect for where you are and for those around you. Do not distract others by the way you behave. Never talk on the sanctuary, except when participating in the Mass. Sit and kneel in an appropriate manner. When you are not holding something, join your hands together. Never run or cause people to look at you thus distracting them from their prayers. Remember to pay close attention to the things happening so that you are ready to do what you have to when you have to. Take full part in the Mass including the singing of the hymns. It is important that you pay close attention to what goes on before Mass begins. Become familiar with what is required for each Mass, where things are to be found and where they need to go. It is important that you have a good attitude to serving and that you realise what you are doing, why you are doing it and for whom. You will be expected to maintain a high standard of serving. During the beginners stage of your training you will be expected to carry out the following tasks.
You will also be asked to do other tasks like putting out Hymnbooks, and mass sheets. It is important that you know what happens at the different parts of the Mass. You should know what the responses are and be able to join in at the appropriate time. Take notice of where the candles are placed and when they are required during the Mass.
6.8 Assisting at the Preparation of the Gifts The first action is to lead the procession of gifts into from the back of church. Next bring the cruets to the priest When finished with the jug and the flagon of wine place them on the credence table. After this the incense is needed. Take the boat and follow the Thurifer up to the priest. After incensing the altar the priest washes his hands and so you bring forward a bowl containing water and a lavabo. He dries his hands on the linen cloth. Return the items to the credence table after use refolding the lavabo. 6.9 Moving Around the Sanctuary You should now be able to move around the sanctuary in a dignified manner that does not draw attention to yourself and distract others. During the Eucharistic Prayer the bell is rung on four separate occasions:
Join the other servers in the Sacristy in a prayer of thanks. Help bring all the items from the sanctuary into the sacristy and put them away neatly. Note where things go. You are not finished till all the things have been cleared from the sanctuary and been put away properly. This stage will be complete when you can do all of the above well and when you have shown yourself to have the potential to be a good server. Faithful attendance is most important and you must maintain the high standards you have shown. Once you are competent at the beginners stage and have shown you are ready to move on you will start the intermediate stage. During this stage you will learn to:
7.2 Setting the Church for Mass It is important that everyone knows how to set up for Mass and what things should be where. On the lectern should be placed the lectionary that will be used for the readings during the Mass. Check it is on the correct page. Take careful note of what things are brought from the sanctuary and what things are left on. Remember when carrying anything that they are valuable objects and should be treated with care. Never carry more than two things at once. Never run with anything in case you drop it. Remember that everything has a home and should not be left in the sacristy for someone else to clean away. This is just as important as serving and so no one should go until everything has been cleared away or the next Mass prepared for. Finally, hang up your vestments properly and keep the vesting area in good order. 7.5 Maintaining High Standards It is important that you have a good attitude to serving and that you realise what you are doing, why you are doing it and for whom. You will be expected to maintain a high standard of serving. When the person responsible for the servers is satisfied that you are competent in all of the above you will move on to the advanced stage. As before, it may be appropriate for you to wait for a period of time before moving on to the final stage. This stage is directed to those who have finished the two previous stages of the course. It will cover the more difficult jobs that you will have to do. A head server ought to have completed this stage of the course. Be able to maintain a high standard in what you have learned in the two previous stages. Be able to use the thurible. Be able to carry the processional cross. Have some understanding of what to do on big feasts. Show leadership qualities. Anticipate and sort issues before they become problems. 8.2 Using the Thurible during Mass The server carrying the thurible leads the procession and, after genuflecting, moves to the altar where incense will first be used. The priest places incense into the thurible and with it reverences the altar and cross. The thurible is then returned to its stand. At the end of the second reading the thurible is brought to the priest, who puts incense into it. The thurible will then be carried in procession to the lectern where it is used to reverence the Book of Gospels or Lectionary. At the preparation of the gifts, the thurible is used to incense the gifts, the altar, priest and people. The server may also offer incense when the priest shows the host and chalice to the people during the consecration. At the end of the Eucharistic prayer the thurible is then returned to its stand and is not needed any more. At the end of Mass, the server processes out with the others taking with the collection for safekeeping. 8.3 Carrying the Processional Cross The server carrying the processional cross follows the thurifer to the altar, or leads the procession when there is no thurifer. The cross bearer bows to the altar and sets the processional cross in its place. At the end of the Mass the cross bearer collects the cross and leads the procession out of the church. 8.4 Understanding what to do on Big Feasts The server has to be able to assist at big feasts such as Christmas and Easter. These are often more complex Masses and at this level you must be able to help as much as possible. 8.5 Displaying Leadership Qualities At this stage you should be able to lead others who serve. You must be honest and reliable. You will need to make decisions and instruct others on what to do especially new servers. You must be friendly to the younger servers and involve them in conversation. You must encourage the younger servers to reach their full potential. You should also oversee what happens before and after Mass. You should lead by example so that when the task is completed the servers say they did it themselves. Those who finish this part of the course will be qualified as head servers, where the need arises. 8.6 Maintaining a High Standard You must be able to show that over a period of time you can maintain a good standard in what you have learned in the two previous stages. This way you will set a good example to those who are following you along the course. When you finish this stage of the course you will have reached a good level and you will be able to take part in the community's liturgy more fully. Always remember the honour that you have been given in being chosen to serve. Strive to develop your skills and improve the quality of your serving. Most importantly, remember the importance of what you do and that you do it not for yourselves or your own gain, but for the people of God, the Body of Christ of which we all are members. 9. The Archconfraternity of Saint Stephen - The Altar Servers Guild 9.1 The objects of the Guild of Saint Stephen are: To encourage, positively and practically, the highest standards of serving at the Church's liturgy and so contribute to the whole community's participation in a more fruitful worship of God. To provide altar servers with a greater understanding of what they are doing so that they may serve with increasing reverence and prayerfulness and thereby are led to a deepening response to their vocation in life. To unite servers of different parishes and there dioceses for they're mutual support and encouragement. The Guild of St Stephen is an International Organisation of Altar Servers founded in England in 1904 by Father Hamilton McDonald when he formed a Society of Altar Servers at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in London. The Guild spread, and in 1934, Pope Pius XI enabled all Guilds of Altar Servers throughout the British Commonwealth to be affiliated with the Archconfraternity at Westminster. 9.3 Constitution and Organisation The Archbishop of Westminster is the Superior General of the Archconfraternity and he appoints a priest to be the National Director of the Guild. Lay Central Council consisting of a Lay President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and other members assists him in the running of the Guild. The Central Council is responsible for running the business side of the Guild. Many diocesan bishops appoint a Priest Director of the Guild for their own diocese and together these form National Council of Priest Directors, which is an advisory body to the National Director. Some dioceses have organized their own local Lay Councils to assist the Diocesan Director in furthering the work of the Guild. The Guild may be erected in any parish with the permission of the bishop of the diocese (see Canon 312 of the new Code of Canon Law) and shall then be affiliated to the Arch confraternity at Westminster Cathedral. Thus, in each parish, while maintaining its objects and keeping the rules of the Arch confraternity, the Guild can be independent in its constitution and organisation. Â Membership of the Guild is open to any server, without limit of age, who can serve Mass, and who has shown a wish to live up to the objects and standards of the Guild. Servers will have been given adequate training and reaches the necessary standard before being admitted to the sanctuary and then should serve satisfactorily for a minimum of six months before being enrolled as a member of the Guild. The parish priest, or the local director of the Guild, decides whether a candidate is eligible and worthy of admission to the Guild and he is empowered to perform the ceremony of enrolment and invest the server with the Guild medal, using the prescribed form of enrolment.
9.6 We also recommend the following:
I offer myself to God almighty, There is a special ceremony of enrolment into the Guild. During the ceremony the server makes a solemn promise (the wording of which is given above) and is presented with the Guild Medal, which is made of bronze and is worn around the neck, hanging from a red cord. 9.9 The medal means two things: First, the parish priest, or local director of the Guild, has decided this particular server is eligible and worthy to be admitted to the Guild. Second, the server accepts and wears the medal as a sign of commitment - commitment to server regularly: commitment to serve as well as possible. A commitment is a serious promise, and this promise is a serious one because it is made to God and the Church. The letters xp are the first two letters of the name of ‘Christ’ in Greek. The top is the crown of victory given by God to everyone who overcomes evil, especially those who die for him. At the bottom are the palm branches, traditional signs of the martyrs who died for Christ. The Latin words are the guild motto: they declare that to serve at the altar is to serve Christ himself. And the reward of all and faithful serving is a share in his kingdom. Cui servire regnare est To serve Christ is to reign Acolytes' 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 proclaimed. 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. Cassock - Full-length gown with sleeves worn by servers and priests.
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. Host - The consecrated Body of Christ. Incense - A substance that gives off clouds of sweet smelling smoke
when sprinkled onto burning charcoal. 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 himself for what he is about to do. Sacrament - A book that the priest uses at his chair and at the altar.
It can also be called the Missal. Tabernacle - The cupboard where we keep the consecrated bread. For further information, click here or call Declan on 07904 004242. |
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