Altar Server Handbook — St Leo Catholic Church — Page 12

18 19 20

21 22

23 24

25 26 27

Altar Server Handbook — St Leo Catholic Church — Page 1

St. Leo Catholic Church

Handbook

“You are the Light of the World” (Mt 5:14)

Updated: May 2015

Altar Server Handbook — St Leo Catholic Church — Page 2

Prayer of Preparation for an Acolyte

Lord, I ask that You would spark my memory To recall how Your Son, Jesus, at the first

Mass, Did serve those who were at the table

with Him In the act of washing their feet. May my service at this Mass be in that same

style; May I with a humble yet proud heart Serve the needs of the Table of the Lord. Be with me as I stand at Your Table, So that my very attitude and behavior May be filled with diligence and dignity. May nothing I do, by action or attitude, Take away from the beauty and

blessedness Of this Sacred Action. With humble gratitude for the privilege Of serving at the Altar-Table, I prepare my heart to worship You As we are now about to begin this Holy

Eucharist.

Amen.

Altar Server Handbook — St Leo Catholic Church — Page 11

1 2

3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14

15 16 17

Altar Server Handbook — St Leo Catholic Church — Page 10

Vocabulary List 1. Sanctuary--the sacred space elevated before the

congregation. 2. Sacristy--the room where Priests vest before mass. 3. Server Room--the room where the Servers vest before mass. 4. Sign-In Table--This is the table in which you will sign in

immediately when you arrive before Mass. 5. Roman Missal--the book of prayers used by the Priest. 6. Lectionary--the book of scriptures read at the liturgy of the

Word. 7. Server Alb--white robe worn over street clothes. 8. Cincture--cord used as a belt for the alb. 9. Corporal--small white cloth placed in the center of the altar. 10. Purificator--small white cloth used with the chalice. 11. Towel--small towel used by Priest after washing hands during

the liturgy of the Eucharist. 12. Cruets--small pitchers of water and wine for the mass. 13. Finger Bowl--small bowl for Priest uses to wash hands during

the liturgy of Eucharist. 14. Pitcher--large pitcher of wine for the mass processed with

gifts. 15. Tray--small tray used to carry Priest chalice/purificator, towel,

cruets, & finger bowl. 16. Chalices--gold cups used for Blood of Christ. 17. Ciborium/Bowls--gold bowls used for the Body of Christ

(ciborium is large bowl). 18. Tabernacle--special cabinet used to place the Body of Christ

(ours has an icon of the trinity on it). 19. Altar--the place where the liturgy of the Eucharist occurs. 20. Ambo--the place where the Word of God is proclaimed. 21. Presider/Deacon Chairs--chairs which Priests and Deacons sit. 22. Credence Table--the small table right of the sanctuary. 23. Welcome Table--table for gifts, bulletins, etc. in commons. 24. Sacristy Cart--cart for transporting vessels to credence table. 25. Processional Candle Sticks--candles carried during

processions. 26. Candle Lighters--special lighters used for all liturgical candles. 27. Paschal Candle--the large ornate candle used at funerals,

baptisms, and Easter. 28. Gift Basket--the large basket of $ presented with other gifts.

Altar Server Handbook — St Leo Catholic Church — Page 3

Duties Before Mass When you arrive

Go immediately to the East Wall of the Commons & check your name at the Sign-In Table. Go to the Altar Server Room and put on your

white Alb with a Cincture.

Sit and Pray: “Prayer of Preparation for Acolyte.”

Check with the Priest/Deacon for special instructions for the day. Move the following objects to the Credence Table:

Communion Bowls and Chalices with Purificators. (Sat 5:00pm & Sun 10:00am only)

Priest’s Chalice & Purificator (Sun 8:00am, 12:00pm, & 5:30pm only)

Water Cruet with water, Finger Bowl, and Towel all on the Tray.

Altar Server Handbook — St Leo Catholic Church — Page 4

Be sure the Roman Missal is on your pew.

Place the following on the Welcome Table: 1. Bowl of Hosts 2. (Mass with Wine) Wine Pitcher

(Mass w/out Wine) Wine Cruet 3. Any other gifts designated by

the Priest Lastly, assemble with the Priest and Lectors in the Commons.

Duties During Mass: Introductory Rites Procession: Obtain the processional cross from behind the Altar on the

RIGHT side and head to the back of the church. When the music begins and the Priest gives the signal, process in with reverence (hands folded if you are not carrying the cross). When the Priest gets in line, all Bow together (Do not bow if you have the cross!). Return the cross to it’s holder behind the Altar (RIGHT SIDE) and go to your pew.

Opening

Or...

Key

P = Priest

D = Deacon

S = Server

C = Candle Lighter

L = Lector (Reader)

= Candle

C

C

L

Altar

Credence Table

Am

bo

Ro

man M

issal

S

S

2

1 4

3

D P

P D L L C C S S

Altar Server Handbook — St Leo Catholic Church — Page 9

Other Reminders Be on top of your Schedule: always keep an

updated copy of the Liturgical Ministry Schedule and Roster. They are found online at:

www.stleo.net Web-Terminal (you will be emailed this

address) Sign-In Table (paper copy)

Dress neatly: clean clothes, socks, shoes (no tennis

shoes/sneakers/gym shorts) and combed hair. Be Punctual: we ask that you be at the church 20

minutes before the start of Liturgy so you have time to set up for Mass and you can receive any special instructions. If you cannot make it to your scheduled Mass, FIND A SUBSTITUTE. If you promise to substitute, BE SURE TO COME!

Be prayerful and sing: you are assisting the Priest in

leading the people in prayer. To do this, you also must PARTICIPATE during the Liturgy. You are an example for the congregation. Remember to smile, kneel, say the prayers, sing the songs, share a sign of peace, fold hands and walk reverently.

Be Respectful: whenever you pass the Altar, bow and

the Tabernacle, genuflect... in respect to the real presence of Jesus.

Be Good: you are role models for other kids at Mass! Continue Learning: concentrate each time you come

to serve and watch the other Servers/Acolytes when you are attending Mass.

Altar Server Handbook — St Leo Catholic Church — Page 8

Duties After Mass Candles… when there are no Candle-Lighters

After closing song (or after procession if there is no music), immediately go back to the altar in order to extinguish all candles with the Candle Lighters—

DO NOT BLOW THEM OUT, because you will blow wax onto the floor and/or the altar. Remember not to press too hard with the Candle Lighter - all you have to do is suffocate the fire.

If the Easter Candle is lit, please ask an adult to help you. Server Room HANG UP YOUR ALB!!!

Snap the closure. (be sure to put it on the correct hanger)

Hang up your Cincture Make sure the Server Room is

left looking neat before leaving.

Altar Server Handbook — St Leo Catholic Church — Page 5

Prayer: When the Priest says “Let us pray” (usually after the

Gloria), one Server brings the Roman Missal to the Priest. Do not rush, walk reverently and hold the book properly. Present the Roman Missal to the Priest and hold it for him during the opening prayer.

- - - - - After the Priest closes the Roman Missal, Bow and

return to your seat, placing the Roman Missal between the Servers.

Liturgy of the Word

Altar Servers should sit up straight with hands folded

in lap while listening attentively to the readings and the homily. Servers should participate by singing the responsorial psalm and gospel acclamation along with the congregation.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Preparation Rite 1. Preparation of the Altar When the ushers start taking up the collection, begin

setting up the Altar. The Servers should get the Chalice (C) with the Purificator (P) and the Water Cruet (WC) from the Credence Table and place them as shown. Then go back to your seats.

Altar

C

P

2

1 4

3

R

Key

C = Chalice

P = Purificator

R = Roman Missal

WC = Water Cruet

= Candle

WC

Altar Server Handbook — St Leo Catholic Church — Page 6

2. Presentation of the Gifts Wait for the Priest and/or Deacon to get up to

receive the gifts. Follow him/them to front of the Altar and stand on either side of him/them.

First, the Priest

and/or Deacon will hand you the Gift Basket (GB): place it on the step in front of the altar.

Then, you will receive either the Bread (B) or

the Wine (W): when everyone goes back to the Altar, place these in their proper setting on the Altar.

3. Preparation of the Gifts Go immediately to the Credence Table. One Server

should pick up the Finger Bowl and place the Towel over their arm. Then both Servers should move onto the sanctuary and stand behind the Priest and wait

- - - - - The Deacon will eventually turn around and hand the

Water Cruet to the Server with free hands. If not, you grab it off the altar yourself. When the Priest is ready, place the Finger Bowl under his hands. Pour a good amount of water over his fingers, wait for him to dry his hands, replace the Towel on your arm, Bow, and take the Finger Bowl, Towel, (Wine Pitcher given by Deacon), and Water Cruet to the Credence Table. Return to your seat.

Altar C

P

2

1 4

3

R

W B

GB

S D P S

Key

C = Chalice

P = Purificator

R = Roman Missal

GB = Gift Basket

B = Bread

W = Wine

= Candle

Altar Server Handbook — St Leo Catholic Church — Page 7

Communion Rite: Consecration Bells: After the Father says “ do this in

remembrance of me” (after consecration of Body & Blood) ring the bells loudly for 3 full seconds.

At the sign of peace, shake hands with each other and the people sitting around you, then move to get the Bowls from the Credence Table and give them to the Priest or Deacon.

Receive communion with the rest of the congregation. If you do not wish to receive communion from the Chalice, simply cross your arms over your shoulders, say “Amen” and bow your head. If you do not reach for the Chalice, the EMHC will not give it to you. Return to your seat after you have received communion.

After communion has been distributed, go to altar and take the Bowls from the Priest or Deacon to put them on the Credence Table.

Concluding Rites

Closing Prayer: When the Priest says “Let us pray”, one Server brings

the Roman Missal to the Priest. Walk reverently [do not rush] and hold the book properly. After the Priest closes the Roman Missal at the end of the prayer, Bow and return to your seat.

Procession: When the Priest moves to venerate (kiss) the Altar,

obtain the procession cross from behind the altar and begin the procession out exactly like the procession in. When mass is finished, put the cross back where you got it.