• Initial presentation
1. Cleaning up problems 2. Introducing new ideas
3. Stressing responsibility and service
SACriSty StAtion
facilitated by a sacristan
tHinGS to Cover or reinforCe At tHe SACriSty trAininG StAtion
• The Server facilitates the community in their worship
1. Your task is to not be a distraction, but to disappear 2. You serve the faithful as they strive to worship 3. You serve at the Lord’s table
• Appropriate attire (that which is decorous) / going through the dress code 1. Black slacks, black socks and black shoes, and a solid black or white
shirt (we can see strong patterns and designs through the alb) 2. Representing our Christian dignity
1. A pressed alb or surplice & a general neatness in appearance 2. Nothing should draw attention to yourself
3. Avoiding strange hair cuts, indiscrete jewelry or tattoos
• Be vested and in the sacristy 15 minutes prior to the liturgy
• Lighting the candles
1. Don’t use a lighter or match, but the taper lighter 2. Bow to the altar when approaching and leaving
• Servers provide various functions:
1. Procession
1. Thurible is carried by the Thurifer
2. Processional Cross (standard) is carried by the Crucifer …
“Lift High The Cross”
3. The light bearers are the Lucifers … make connection between liturgical responsibility and responsibility to holiness
2. Checking the sanctuary and credence table
4. Key in tabernacle?
5. The thurifer
1. When will the priest use the incense?
2. Who will bring the boat?
3. When and where does the celebrant want to impose incense at the opening procession and the introit thurifications?
6. The book bearer
1. Ask the celebrant where he wants the Sacramentary on the altar
2. Does the priest or deacon needs the Sacramentary for the penitential rite?
3. Will there be a solemn blessing, necessitating the book after the closing prayer?
• Always show deference to the M.C.
• Prayers before & after mass (reverencing the cross)
• Posture: standing erect, sitting with good posture, holding our hands
1. Our hands can be a distraction for others, but by being attentive to what we’re doing with them, we may stay focused on prayer and on our service. Whenever walking or standing, and whenever not otherwise occupied with holding things, the server’s hands should usually be placed together, palm to palm, with the right thumb crossing over the left thumb. When seated in the sanctuary, the server’s hands should be placed on both knees.
• Always move together
1. Servers should think as a team, and they should move together. For example, if they are standing, and the deacon is returning to his seat, they could wait on the deacon to begin to sit down before they sit down with him. Moving as a team requires the servers to be aware of one another, and of the clergy. We don’t want one server plopping down in a seat as soon as he or she returns, and another coming later. Remember, think as a team!
• Where to sit for mass & office
• Assisting the sacristan after mass
• Making a thanksgiving after mass
AltAr StAtion
facilitated by a cleric
tHinGS to Cover or reinforCe At tHe AltAr trAininG StAtion
• Understanding the Sanctuary 1. This is a holy place 2. Where to sit
• Genuflecting & bowing (not with things in our hands) 1. Posture
2. Striking our breast at the Confiteor 3. Bowing at the Creed
• Genuflecting & bowing (not with things in our hands)
1. To GENUFLECT is to bend the knee, and this is an act of reverence, an attitude and gesture that shows our piety and respect before our present Lord. In the Bible, the Apostles knelt in prayer, and this falling to our knee is a continuation of the ancient Christian posture of prayer. Technically, when we genuflect, we begin in a standing position, and then move down with a straight back, bending the right knee so that it touches the floor, and then we return to a standing position. Catholics make this action when entering or leaving a church wherever the Blessed Sacrament is reposed. When coming into the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and when departing the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, we always genuflect, and in many of our Catholic parishes, the Blessed Sacrament is reposed within the sanctuary, and so the priest will genuflect at the foot of the sanctuary, before entering through the gates, or ascending the steps. Also, should we pass before the Blessed Sacrament exposed in a monstrance placed upon an altar, we would genuflect. There are two feasts in the year when the faithful genuflect during the recitation of the Nicene Creed (the solemnities of the Annunciation, and Christmas). Also, we genuflect at times during the Stations of the Cross, and as we venerate the cross on Good Friday or at the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.
Whenever the altar servers carries the thurible, processional cross, torches or candles, it is common practice for that individual not to genuflect, but to stop in reference while the priest and deacon genuflect upon entering into the sanctuary.
• Holding the Book for the celebrant
1. How do our parish priests like the book to be held?
2. Keeping our eyes on the priest or deacon 3. Knowing the book
4. Keeping the ribbons in place
• Receiving the gifts
1. being passed the gifts
2. carrying the gifts to be given to the cleric
• Knowing the terms: (altar)
1. Chalice & paten, chalice veil & burse, corporal & purificator, pall &
cruets, lavabo pitcher, bowl & towel, thurible & boat, etc
• Preparation of the altar (with a deacon or concelebrant) 2. Assisting the cleric
3. Not placing things too close to the edge 4. Introduction to the chalice veil and burse 5. Introduction to the corporal
1. opening and closing the corporal with care 2. the corporal as an indication of intention 6. Introduction to the chalice and paten
7. Introduction to the purificator
1. not for our mouths, but for the vessels 8. Introduction to the pall
1. not used always
• Where things go on the altar
• Lavabo:
1. The lavabo towel is not the purificator 2. There is no bow
• The Sacring Bells (or Sanctus Bells or Tower Bells) 1. Three Rings
2. Epiclesis
3. Two elevations
• Sign of Peace
1. Soberly given 2. The Kiss of Peace
• Recession to the Sacristy or Narthex 1. Sacristy prayers
2. Helping the sacristan
3. Making a Thanksgiving after mass