Acolyte Duties at Mass

Transcription

1 Acolyte Duties at Mass 1. Please be at the church 15 min before the start of Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist (Thanksgiving) the sacrament of Holy Communion). 2. Genuflect in front of the tabernacle (location of the blessed sacrament) or the Altar as you walk up to the sacristy (room used to prepare for service) 3. Find an alb (white robe) that fits you, the hem of the robe should be 3-4 inches above the ground. Use the proper colored cincture (rope). Check the calendar for liturgical color (color of the season of the church). 4. Light the two altar candles. During Easter or during a baptism, the Paschal Candle (large white candle) may also be lit. 5. Ask the priest or sacristan (person that prepares for the service) if there are any special requirements for the service. 6. Assemble with the priest and lector (reader) at the vestibule (front door of the church). One server should take the processional crucifix (cross), the other servers should take the bread and wine and place them on the table in the back of the church. 7. When instructed, proceed up the center aisle in a slow and reverent manner. First the processional crucifix, then the other servers, then the book of the Gospels (good news) and finally the priest. At the front of the nave (main body of the church), the person with the crucifix will move over to the left. The other acolytes will move over one to the right and the other to the left. The priest and lector will stand between the acolytes. Genuflect (right knee touches the floor) with the priest. Take the crucifix to the proper location while the other acolytes move to their seats. 8. During the introductory rites, the server closest to the credence table (small table) should pay close attention to the priest. He will indicate to you when he wants you to come forward by saying Let us pray. Hand the Roman Missal (book with prayers of the Mass) to Father so that he may open it up to the right prayer. When it is finished, the priest will reach forward and close the book letting you know that you can return and sit down. 9. You have no assigned duties during the Liturgy of the Word (readings), but sometimes the priest needs something (for example, a glass of water) so occasionally look at him and see if he is trying to get your attention. If so, without drawing attention to yourself, walk to him and see what he needs. 10. When the ushers come up for the second time for collection, prepare the altar by moving these items from the credence table: the chalices (cups), the purificators (thin white towels), the water cruet (bottle), the ciborium, and the Roman Missal (red prayer book) and remove the plastic stand for the Book of the Gospels. Acolyte Duties Page 1

2 11. The acolytes proceed with the priest to collect the gifts. One acolyte takes the ciborium (container for the bread) and another takes the wine cruet (bottle) and place them on the corporal (white square cloth in the center of the altar). If the priest hands you the collection basket, place it on the floor in front of the altar. Two acolytes are to remain standing at the side of the altar. The priest will pour wine into the chalices and set the empty wine cruet at the edge of the altar remove it and its stopper and put on the credence table. 12. Prepare to wash Priest s hands. One acolyte holds the finger bowl (dish) and will pour the water over priest s finger; the other acolyte will hold the towel (towel ) out and ready for the priest to use. Return the items to the credence table and remain standing. 13. During the Eucharistic prayer (prayer of thanksgiving) kneel at the step at the side of the altar. After the priest says, This is my body, which will be given up for you and lifts the host (bread) the server closest to the altar will ring the altar bells loud enough to be heard in the last pew (row of seats) of the church. Ring them again after the priest says. Do this in memory of me and lifts the chalice. 14. Just before or during distribution of Holy Communion, the priest is finished with the Roman Missal take it from him if he hands it to you or remove it from the altar during communion. Return it to the 2nd shelf on the Credence table. 15. Remain sitting during distribution of communion. The acolyte sitting nearest the Credence table will get up to take the key from the Eucharistic Minister (person that distributes communion) after he/she places the remaining hosts in the tabernacle. Place the key on the Credence table, and then sit. 16. When Communion is over, Father will sit down with the congregation (that s us) and pray silently for a few moments. When he is finished, he will stand. The server closest to the credence table should immediately come forward with the red prayer book. Hand the book to the priest who will open and close it for you. Don t walk away until Father closes the Roman Missal because sometimes there is a special blessing at the end. 17. At the conclusion of Mass, the Acolytes (persons who assist the celebrant in the performance of liturgical rites) allow the priest to leave the altar first. Genuflect towards the tabernacle when the priest does, then turn toward the congregation; proceed out, first the crucifix bearer followed by the other servers, then the priest. 18. Remember you are there to assist Father and your goal is to NOT be seen. Be reverent, be respectful, and always be alert to what is coming up next. The best way to become a good acolyte is to watch and learn from others as they are serving. 19. After Mass be sure to extinguish the candles and hang up your alb and cincture. 20. Thank You for assisting in the celebration of the Mass. Acolyte Duties Page 2

3 Helpful Hints Be on time there may be special requirements that you need to be aware of (baptism for example) Arrange for a substitute when needed Use the restroom before Mass begins Ask another server or the Sacristan if you are unsure of anything before the start of Mass. Its OK to ask questions. Pay attention to the celebrant (priest) - different celebrants may vary things a little Pay attention to the other acolytes they may have missed something Observe fellow acolytes when you are not serving you can learn most from watching others. The hem of the alb should be 3-4 inches off the ground when worn. Move slowly and respectfully in you re alb. Do not wear bright colors or prints under the alb if you can help it. A bright red shirt for example may look pink to the congregation. Wear nice, comfortable shoes or sandals boots or flip flops just don t look so good (bright colored footwear also looks out of place) Try to sit or stand still fidgeting gets noticed your goal is to not be seen Don t twirl the cincture (cord) during the service Fold your hands when not carrying a sacred object or holding your missal / song book If you feel ill or warm, quietly excuse yourself to the sacristy there is water in the fridge. You may go outside for fresh air if needed. If you must cough or yawn, please cover your mouth Sing, pray, celebrate the Mass - you are not a sideline observer, but rather an up close participant Hang up your alb and cincture neatly after mass for the next server Before you leave the sacristy see if there is anything more that you can do. Acolyte Duties Page 3

4 Alb and Cinture A B Look at the calendar or the Altar cloth to determine the color of the cincture used for Mass A The white robe is called an alb. The hem of the alb should be 3-4 inches off the ground when worn. B Tie the cincture in a simple knot around your waist Acolyte Duties Page 4

5 Before Mass C D E The gifts brought to the altar are taken to the back of the Nave and placed on the table before the start of Mass. Each altar server carries one of these items C D E The Open Ciborium (bread) Wine Cruet Processional Crucifix Acolyte Duties Page 5

6 Preparing for the Liturgy of the Eucharist F G I J H K During the collection remove the plastic holder for the Book of Gospels and place on the credence table. Prepare the altar by placing the following items F Three Chalices G Water Cruet and Wine Cruet * H Open Ciborium with Host * I Three Purificators J Roman Missal K Open Ciborium Remove the cruet stoppers and place on the credence table. * After the collection place the bread and wine on the altar Acolyte Duties Page 6

7 Preparing for the Liturgy of the Eucharist L M N The gifts brought to the altar are placed as shown L M N Ciborium (bread) is placed on the (corporal) white cloth on the center of the Altar Wine Cruet is placed on the corner of the corporal Offering basket is placed at the front of the Altar. If there are flowers or the Nativity Scene in front of the Altar place the basket to the side of the Altar Acolyte Duties Page 7

8 A B Terms To Know C D E G F I M N J L H K O A B C D E F G H Alb (Acolytes Robe) Red Cincture Sanctuary Candle Tabernacle Processional Crucifix Three Chalices Water Cruet and Wine Cruet Open Ciborium with Bread I Three Purificators J Roman Missal K Open Ciborium L Corporal (White Cloth) M Censor N Incense Boat O Aspergillum (sprinkler) Acolyte Duties Page 4