Saint Michael The Archangel Roman Catholic Church

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Saint Michael The Archangel Roman Catholic Church

• Altar Server Training
• I will go up to the Altar of God, the God of my
  Youth Ps. 43

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To Know Him, To Love Him, and to Serve Him

• It is the purpose of human beings to know God and
  to love and serve Him in this life so that we
  might be happy with Him in the next.
• God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is
  perfect and deserves perfect worship.
• The Mass, which is a sacrifice and recalls what
  God has done for us, is perfect worship.

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Sacrifice

• The Mass is a sacrifice. It represents to us in
  an un-bloody way, the one sacrifice of Jesus on
  the cross, which happened so that our sins would
  be forgiven.
• At the Mass, Catholics who are not in a state of
  serious sin are able to receive the Body and
  Blood of Jesus as he promised His Apostles at the
  Last Supper, the night before he died.

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The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

• During the Mass, bread and wine literally become
  the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus
  Christ, who rose from the dead and ascended into
  heaven.
• It is the Risen Jesus whom we receive when we go
  to Communion and we call this the Eucharist. God
  gives us this special gift so that we have the
  strength to live good lives as Catholic
  Christians and to make us Holy, like He is Holy.

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The Sacraments and the Church

• When Jesus was here on Earth, he established the
  Church and made Saint Peter the leader of his
  Church or Pope.
• Jesus also established the seven sacraments and
  left these to His Church.
• We receive Grace from the Sacraments, which
  really changes us and makes us Holy.

• The Seven Sacraments are
• Baptism
• Confession or Reconciliation
• Eucharist
• Confirmation
• Marriage
• Holy Orders
• Anointing of the Sick

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Holy Orders

• There are 3 levels of the Sacrament of Holy
  Orders Bishop, Priest, and Deacon.
• The man who receives the Sacrament of Holy Orders
  is changed and given power by the Holy Spirit to
  perform some or all of the Sacraments.
• Since Jesus chose only men to be his Apostles,
  only baptized males are called by God and may
  receive this sacrament so that they may serve the
  faithful people of Gods Church.

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Bishop

• A Bishop has the fullness of Holy Orders. Often,
  he is in charge of a diocese or a local church
  made up of many parishes and other institutions.
• As the Diocesan Bishop, he is the chief shepherd
  and father to the people in the diocese.
• Only a bishop may ordain other men priests or
  deacons. With the Popes permission, he may
  ordain a priest a bishop. Most of the time, it is
  the bishop who confirms young people.

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Our Bishop

• His Excellency
• The Most Reverend
• Frederick F. Campbell,
• Eleventh Bishop of
• Columbus
• Ex umbris et imaginibus in veritatem
• From out of the darkness and shadows and into
  the truth

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Priest

• A priest is one who offers sacrifice. A Catholic
  priest shares in the ministry of the Bishop and
  is changed when he is ordained to become like
  Jesus (an alter Christus) so that he may act in
  the Person of Jesus.
• A priest offers Holy Mass, baptizes, anoints the
  sick, witnesses marriages, and hears confessions.
  With the permission of the Diocesan Bishop, a
  priest may celebrate the Sacrament of
  Confirmation.
• It is the High Priesthood of Jesus in which the
  Catholic Priest shares. Therefore, in the
  sacraments the priest speaks as Jesus would,
  saying This is my body and I absolve you of
  your sins

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Deacon

• A deacon is ordained to serve the poor and needy
  and to act as Jesus would with Charity.
• A deacon may baptize, witness marriages, and
  assist with the burial of the dead. A deacon also
  assists the Bishop or the Priest at Holy Mass.
• Unlike priests and bishops, a deacon may be
  married. Some deacons are studying to be priests
  and are therefore not married.

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Serving Holy Mass

• Serving at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is a
  huge privilege. The altar server must be
  responsible and trustworthy.
• Jesus will bless all those who serve Him at His
  altar and make sacrifices for His people.
• Altar servers must always be reverent and
  respectful of the great Mystery they are so near.

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What to Wear

• A server wears an alb, or white garment while
  serving Holy Mass or another liturgy or devotion.
  The alb should fall to just above the ankles. The
  alb is a symbol of purity.
• The cincture is the rope which is tied around the
  waist. The knot should always be on the servers
  right side. The cincture symbolizes chastity and
  should either be white or match the color of the
  priest and deacons vestments.

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What else to wear

• Always dress appropriately for Holy Mass.
• For girls this means dark, flat shoes with a
  small or no heel. Slacks, a skirt, or a dress may
  be worn under the alb.
• For boys this means dark dress shoes and dress
  pants. Shirts should not have large writing on
  them.
• NEVER wear tennis shoes or denim jeans!

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Responsibility

• ALWAYS arrive AT LEAST 15 minutes before Holy
  Mass begins. Sign in and put on your vestments.
• Listen carefully to any special instructions you
  are given.
• If you are unable to serve on a day which you
  have been scheduled, you MUST find a substitute.

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Vocabulary

• The outer vestment of the priest is the chasuble.
• The outer vestment of the deacon is the dalmatic.
  
• Both the deacon and the priest wear the alb and
  stole under their outer vestment.

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More Vocabulary

• The cup used at Mass is the chalice and the plate
  used is called the paten. The bowl-like dish used
  for hosts is called the ciborium.

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Linens

• The cloth used to cleanse the chalice is called
  the purificator.
• The cloth which is laid upon the altar on which
  the chalice and paten are placed is called the
  corporal.
• The stiff square placed over the chalice is
  called the pall.
• Occasionally, the chalice is veiled and the
  corporal is placed in the burse.

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Liturgical Colors

• Green is the color of Ordinary Time.
• Red is the color of Pentecost, Good Friday,
  feasts of Martyrs and Apostles, and Palm Sunday.
• White is the color of important Solemnities and
  feasts as well as the Easter and Christmas
  seasons. White may also be used at funerals.
• Violet is the color of Lent and Advent and is
  sometimes used at Funerals.
• Black is sometimes used at funerals and on All
  Souls Day.
• Rose may be used on the 3rd Sunday of Advent
  (Gaudete) and the 4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare).

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Server Roles

• One server will normally carry the cross. This
  server is called the crucifer.
• Two servers will sometimes carry candles and they
  are called candle bearers.
• Sometimes, a server will carry incense. He or she
  is called the thurifer.
• On important solemnities, several servers will
  carry tall candles called torches, they are
  called torchbearers.

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Postures

• There are several postures, or ways of
  positioning the body that servers must observe
  while serving Holy Mass.
• These include genuflections, bows, standing,
  sitting, kneeling, holding books, cruets, and
  other objects.
• What ever he or she is doing, a server will
  ALWAYS be reverent.

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Genuflections

• When genuflecting, a server will touch his or her
  right knee to the ground while bending the left
  knee.
• During Holy Mass, a server will genuflect when
  entering or leaving the sanctuary if they are not
  carrying candles, the cross, or anything else.
• A genuflection is always made to Jesus, who is in
  the tabernacle, when crossing in front of the
  altar when not serving Holy Mass or when Mass is
  not being celebrated.

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Bows

• There are 2 types of bows simple and profound.
• A simple bow is made by touching the chin to the
  chest. This is done by the crucifer, the
  thurifer, and the candle bearers when entering or
  leaving the sanctuary. A simple bow is also made
  at the mention of the names of Jesus, Mary, or
  the Saint of the Day.
• A profound bow is made by bending at the waist
  until the upper body is parallel to the ground.
  This is done by all at the words by the power
  of the Holy Spirit He was born of the Virgin Mary
  and became man during the creed whenever it is
  prayed. This is also done during Holy Mass
  whenever a server crosses in front of the altar
  and is not carrying anything and at the mention
  of the three persons of the Most Holy Trinity
  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit .

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Server Duties

• During Holy Mass, there are several important
  jobs which servers must assist the priest or
  deacon in doing.
• The role which the server is filling is NOT
  important when doing these different jobs.
• For example, sometimes, a crucifer may hold the
  book or a candle bearer may assist the deacon in
  preparing the altar.

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The Procession

• When there are enough servers, they process
  through the aisle from the back of church
  (nearest High Street) or the side door near the
  Blessed Mothers altar.
• The order of procession is
• Thurifer
• Cross and candles
• Extra servers, two by two, or in the center of
  the aisle if there is only one.
• If there are only two servers, they normally
  carry nothing and walk side by side at the front
  of the procession.
• If there is only one server, he or she may carry
  the cross at the front of the procession.

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At the Altar

• Having preceded the priest and deacon, when the
  altar is reached, the servers step aside, leaving
  plenty of space for the deacon and priest to step
  to the foot of the altar, or the last set of
  steps.
• When the priest and deacon genuflect or bow, all
  servers make a simple bow or genuflect.
• The servers then place their objects in their
  proper place and stand in front of their seats.

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Introduction and Penitential Rite

• Once at their seats, all servers remain standing
  and cross themselves once the Priest begins Holy
  Mass.
• The Penitential Rite follows and it is followed
  by the Gloria on Sundays and solemn feasts.
• Near the end of the Gloria or immediately after
  the penitential rite, the server who will hold
  the book takes it in his or her hand and stands
  directly in front of the priest, who will open
  the book, and the priest says the opening prayer.

• When holding the book, which is called the
  Sacramentary (it is the big red book), always
  stand directly in front of the priest and hold
  the book still.
• Once the prayer is finished, the book is placed
  on the credence table and the server is seated.
• The duty of holding the book is very important
  and does not depend upon what role the server is
  filling. Normally, the book will be held by a
  server who is seated behind the priest and
  deacon.

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Sitting in the Sanctuary

• Whenever servers are seated, they will sit tall
  and square in their seats. NO SLOUCHING.
• The servers hands will either be folded in their
  lap or placed upon his or her own knee. Upon
  sitting, the server may adjust his or her alb and
  cincture.
• The server will NEVER fidget with their cincture,
  lean forward or do anything which may cause a
  distraction. ALWAYS look directly forward. NEVER
  look into the nave, which is where the
  congregation is seated, this will better enable
  you and the congregation to pray.

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The Gospel and the Homily

• After the first reading, the responsorial psalm,
  and the second reading (which follows only on
  Sundays and solemn feasts), the Gospel is read by
  the deacon or the priest.
• When the priest stands, all servers shall stand.
• Servers will ALWAYS stand and look toward the
  ambo or pulpit while the Gospel is being read.
• After the Gospel, all servers will be seated,
  keeping their eyes forward.

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Standing in the Sanctuary

• Whenever a server is standing in the Sanctuary,
  he or she will stand up straight and NEVER
  slouch.
• The servers will ALWAYS keep their hands folded
  in front of their chest.
• NEVER allow your arms to fall to your sides!

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Prayers of the Faithful

• Following the Creed or otherwise after the
  homily, the server who is holding the book will
  immediately pick up the binder and stand directly
  in front of the priest.
• If there is a deacon, he will read the petitions.
  After the priest introduces the prayers, the
  server will move directly in front of the deacon.
  When the deacon has finished, the server will
  return to stand directly in front of the priest
  and remain there until the petitions are
  completed.
• If there is not a deacon, the server will remain
  in front of the priest while the lector reads the
  petitions.
• ALWAYS hold the binder still and keep your
  fingers away from the pages.

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Offertory

• After the prayers of the faithful, one server
  will assist the deacon in preparing the altar.
  Otherwise, one server will prepare the altar
  alone. Normally, this will be the cross bearer.
• One or two other servers will go with the priest
  to receive the gifts of bread and wine. Normally
  this will be the servers seated behind the priest
  and deacon.

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Setting the Altar

• When there is a deacon, the server will simply
  assist by handing the book and vessels to him.
• When a server prepares the altar when there is no
  deacon, he or she will do so in this manner
• Bring the chalice to the altar. Unfold the
  corporal in the center of the altar. Place the
  chalice to the right of the corporal and the
  purificator and pall to the right of the chalice.

• 2. If the chalice veil is used, fold it and
  return it to the credence table.
• 3. Move any extra ciboria containing bread to
  the altar to the left of the corporal.
• 4. Move the Sacramentary to the left of the
  corporal.
• 5. Return to your seat.

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Receiving the Gifts

• After the bread and wine are received by the
  priest and handed to the servers, they will turn
  and proceed to the ambo side of the altar.
• The bread is immediately handed to the deacon or
  placed on the corporal. This server immediately
  then retrieves the water from the credence table.
• The server who is holding the wine remains
  standing on the second step.

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Preparation of the Chalice

• The servers shall stand on the second step and
  hold the cruets of wine and water with the
  handles facing out toward the priest and deacon.
• The servers shall remain standing on the second
  step until the cruet of water is returned to the
  server by the priest or deacon.

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Washing of the Fingers

• Immediately after the server is handed back the
  cruet of water, both servers turn and retrieve
  the dish and towel.
• The server who held the cruet of wine places that
  cruet on the credence table and will hold the
  unfolded towel.
• The server who is holding the cruet of water will
  take up the dish in his or her other hand.
• Proceeding to the second step, the server will
  pour a small amount of water over the fingers of
  the priest when he places them above the dish.
• Both servers will return the cruet, dish, and
  towel to the credence table after the priest
  returns the towel.
• Both servers immediately proceed to stand in
  front of the chairs nearest the credence table.

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Walking in the Sanctuary

• Whenever servers are walking in the sanctuary,
  they shall always do so in a REVERENT manner,
  with their hands folded in front of them.
• A server will always walk in a calm and somewhat
  slow manner in the sanctuary. NEVER will a server
  hurry or run!

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Eucharistic Prayer

• After the prayer over the gifts, which ends when
  the people respond Amen, all servers will
  proceed to stand in front of the altar near the
  cushions on which they will kneel.
• All servers will kneel after the singing of the
  Holy Holy Holy and be sure to keep their alb
  off their shoes.
• All servers will kneel with their hands folded in
  front of their chests and they will look directly
  forward. Remain absolutely still.
• PRAY! Look at Jesus who is made present directly
  in front of you. Ask him what he wants you to do
  with your life, and He will tell you!

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Our Father

• All servers will remain kneeling until after the
  singing of the Great Amen. After this, the
  servers will stand and recite the Our Father.
• After the completion of the Our Father, the
  servers will exchange a sign of peace with the
  other servers nearest to them and proceed to the
  side of the altar and exchange a sign of peace
  with the priest and deacon.

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Sanctus Bells

• The bells are rung when the priest extends his
  hands palms down over the bread and wine. This is
  called the epiclesis.
• The bells are rung again when the host and the
  chalice are elevated.

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Holy Communion

• After the signs of peace have been exchanged, the
  servers will proceed to stand at the edge of the
  carpet on the ambo side. Here they will receive
  Holy Communion.
• After all of the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy
  Communion and the priest and deacon have left the
  sanctuary, all servers will return to the
  cushions and kneel and pray their thanksgiving.
  After they are finished praying, the servers will
  return to their seats and sit down. One server
  will remain at the credence table on the ambo
  side and assist with the purification of the
  vessels. When this is completed, that server will
  also take his or her seat.
• Remember to PRAY! Jesus loves you so much that he
  has given himself to you. Ask Him what He wants
  you to do with your life. He will answer!

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Post Communion

• After the completion of the Communion Rite, a
  server will stand before the priest at his chair
  with the Sacramentary once the priest stands up.
• The server will place the book on the credence
  table. If there are announcements, the priest may
  ask for the binder otherwise the server will
  stand at his or her seat.

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Blessing and Conclusion

• All servers will cross themselves as the priest
  gives the blessing.
• As soon as the deacon or priest announces the
  conclusion Mass is ended, go in peace, all
  servers will retrieve the cross and candles and
  stand in front of the altar, facing the altar.
• Once the priest and deacon have genuflected or
  bowed to the altar, the servers will turn and
  begin the procession in the same way that they
  entered.

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After Mass

• Upon returning to the sacristy, all servers will
  line up in front of the crucifix and bow with all
  others who participated in the procession.
• The water cruets will now be refilled, the dish
  used for finger washing will be dried out, and
  the towel refolded and put in their proper place.
  
• Candles are extinguished ONLY if there is not
  another mass following.
• If there are no other instructions, the servers
  may take off their vestments and leave.

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Incense

• At times, a server will be asked to be the
  thurifer. The incense should be lit about 10
  minutes before Mass begins.
• Incense may be used at the beginning of Holy
  Mass, at the Gospel, and before the washing of
  the fingers. The priest will instruct the
  thurifer when he will use incense.
• The thurible is used by holding the chain in one
  hand by putting a finger through the ring at the
  end. The boat is held in the other hand and the
  chain is swung while carrying the incense.
• When the incense is charged, the boat is handed
  to the priest or deacon and the lid is raised
  with the same hand.
• BE CAREFUL! Burning charcoal is HOT!

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Noteworthy

• Always hang up your alb neatly. If you have wax
  or a stain on your alb, place it in the marked
  box in the closet.
• When wearing an alb, make sure that it is
  straight and neat, not bunched up in the front or
  back.
• Dont forget to sign in and if you are unable to
  serve, please find a substitute.

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THANK YOU!