Ministries Instructions

- Ministries

Altar Servers
General Requirements
1. Who may serve: All registered parishioners who are in the fourth grade and higher. Servers are encouraged to participate through their Senior year of high school. All candidates must have attended at least one training and have the commitment and ability to perform this role with reverence.
2. Dress Guidelines:
1. Clothing: Dress pants or dress preferred. No shorts or torn jeans.
2. Footwear: Dress shoes preferred. No flip flops or no-show athletic socks.
3. Hair and makeup: Should be neat and clean and out of face. Makeup should be minimal and natural looking.
1. Conduct: On or off the altar, the server represents the church.
Note: Before and after mass, servers will genuflect to the tabernacle. During mass, servers will bow their heads.

Order of the Mass

Before mass: put on appropriate size white Alb and correct color of cincture. The cincture color will match the color on the altar. Light candles by the tabernacle, at the ambo and the altar. The cross and the altar candles need to be taken to the back of the church for entrance.

Entrance Procession: Cross, candles side by side, then Father. Cross (server 1) will not stop at the steps but go directly up to the stand and place the cross in the stand, then move to the chairs. The two candle servers will stop at the steps leaving space for Father to stand between them and genuflect. Once Father starts getting up from the genuflection, immediately move up the steps and place the candles in the holders and move to stand in front of the chairs. If there are two servers, there are no candles processed in and the second server will stop at the altar to the left of Father. Genuflect with Father, as soon as you stand go up the stairs to the chairs.

Prayers: Altar servers should say ALL prayers along with the congregation.

Opening Prayer: When Father says “Let us pray” server 2 will bring the book from the chair and stand to the front right of Father, with the top of the book against the sternum and the bottom of the book lifted so Father can open to the correct page. Server 2 will NOT open the book. When Father is finished with the prayer he will close the book and server 2 will take the book to the Credence table.

Liturgy of the Word: Servers will sit during the readings, stand at the Alleluia and Gospel, and sit during the Homily along with the congregation.

Profession of Faith/Creed and Prayers of the Faithful: When Father comes back to his seat from the ambo, the servers will stand.

Presentation of the Gifts: After the prayers of the faithful, when Father sits down server 1 will get the cross and proceed to the back of the church. Servers 2 and 3 will set the items from the Credence table onto the altar and then return to chairs.

After Father sets the altar, he will go to the bottom of the stairs to wait for the gifts. Servers 2 and 3 will go to the bottom of the stairs, one on each side of Father. As the cross bearer leads the gifts down, the cross will go up the stairs to the left of the servers to replace the cross, then move to chair.

Father will take the water and wine cruet and pass to a server. Take the cruets to the altar and remove the lids and put them on the credence table. If there is a 3^rd server, Father will pass the ciboria to them. Take the ciboria to the altar and remove the lid and take to the credence table. Server 1 stays at their chair, server 3 will stay at the Credence table, server 2 will go back to the altar and remove the cruets when Father is finished. Set the cruets on the Credence table and put the tops back on.

Server 2 will take the towel and hold over folded hands, server 3 will hold the bowl in one hand and the water in another hand. Both servers will move close to the altar and wait for Father. When Father turns to the servers, server 3 will pour water over Father’s hands into the bowl, server 2 will offer the towel to Father. If there are only 2 servers, server 1 will step in and take the place of server 3. When Father is done, take the bowl, water and towel to the Credence table and then stand in front of the chairs.
Holy, Holy, Holy: Move to the bottom of the steps as soon as the prayer is started and stand.
Servers 1 and 2 will kneel at the left of the altar and server 3 will kneel at the bells. If there are only 2 servers then one on the left and one at the bells. The bells are rung once at the epiclesis, when Father holds his hands over the Chalice and Ciboria, three times at the elevation of the Body, and three times at the elevation of the Blood.

Our Father: Stand at the bottom of the steps.

Sign of Peace: Move to the altar. Stand in a line close to the edge of the altar.

Communion: Father will give you communion after the Eucharistic Minister. You will receive the Precious Blood from the Eucharistic Minister. If you do not wish to receive, gently shake your head “no”. After all 3 servers have received, sit in the chairs.

After Communion: When any of the Eucharistic Ministers come back up onto the altar, the servers will stand. As Father comes back to the altar, server 2 will get the water cruet from the Credence table and set it on the altar. As Father finishes purifying the vessels, server 2 and 3 will remove the items and set them on the Credence table. Server 1 will stay at the chairs. The book will go back to the chairs with server 2.

Prayer after communion: Wait for Father to return to his chair, sit when he sits for announcements.

Blessing and Dismissal: Stand when Father stands, he will say “Let us pray”, server 2 will bring the book from the chair and stand to the front right of Father, with the top of the book against the sternum and the bottom of the book lifted so Father can open to the correct page. Server 2 will NOT open the book. When Father is finished with the prayer he will close the book and server 2 will take the book to the Credence table.

Recessional and Closing Song: When the closing song starts, server 1 will get the cross and go down the stairs to the first word and face the altar. When Father goes to the altar, servers 2 and 3 will move to the bottom of the stairs and face the altar leaving room for Father to stand between. Genuflect with Father. When Father and servers rise from genuflection, server 1 will turn and start up the aisle towards the back of the church. Servers 2 and 3 will move quickly in front of Father and walk behind the cross and in front of Father.

After mass: The server 1 will walk down the side aisle and up to the sacristy. Wait for the end of the song, to place the cross in the stand. Then extinguish the candles. Hang Alb and cincture in closet.

St. Bernard Catholic Church

Phone: (785) 456-7869
Email: [email protected]
Address: 17665 Old Post Road, Wamego, KS 66547

Ministries Instructions

Altar Servers