Altar Server training

1. To the Altar Server candidates:
Welcome and thank you. You have decided to
become an altar server. To be an active participant in
the Mass is very special. By serving God in the
church you are also learning how to serve God
outside the church by helping
people who are in need. We will discuss this in our
training session. I welcome you and I pray that you
will learn to understand the rites of our holy faith
and serve the church with joy and reverence. Are you
ready? Let’s begin!

2. So Let’s begin. Just like when they build a house
or other type of build-ing they start with a
foundation. The foundation is part of the building
that supports the rest. You need a strong
foundation in order to have a strong build-ing.
Remember when Jesus said to Peter “You are my
rock and on this rock I will build my church.”
You can say Peter was the foundation of the
entire church.
People also have foundations— we can call them
characteristics. Charac-teristics
are the things we would like to see in an altar
server.

3. What Characteristics should a Server posses?
A Server should posses the following characteristics:
•Naturalness and discretion of movement - don't fumble
and stumble.
•Naturally alert and attentive - don't daydream, yawn or
fall asleep.
•Natural Foresight - anticipate what might happen next.
•Be able to work together in a team.
•Be able to facilitate the public expression of shared
prayer.

4. When a construction company builds a foundation
for a new building they must follow a set of rules or
guidelines. There are certain requirements they
must follow—they have to do these things or the
foundation will not support the building. If altar
servers do not meet the requirements they will not
be a strong foundation (support) for the Mass.

5. Requirements for Altar Servers Candidates
A Candidate should fulfill the following
requirements:
•A strong desire to serve at the Altar of Our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ.
•Be an active member of the parish community
and believe in the teach-ings of The Holy
Catholic Church.

6. •Have already made their First Holy
Communion and started fourth grade.
•Know all the prayers of the of the Mass from
memory.
•Know how to properly genuflect.
•Know how to make the sign of the Cross.
•Know how to receive Holy Communion in the
approved manner.

7. What do I need to know to be a good altar server?
You will need to learn more about your faith. Altar servers
play a very important role during the Mass. It is important
that you not only know what to do but a little bit as to why
you do it.
Just like everyone who works they need to learn more about
the job they do. Many jobs have words that other people
outside the job may not even know.
You will need to learn some new words and their meanings.
Don’t worry it’s not as bad as vocabulary can be. We will
take our time and learn the things we need to know and
have fun while doing it.

8. Once we finish with the training you will
be assigned to work with an ex-perienced
server who will help you put into practice
what you learned in train-ing.

9. How do you become good at something?
Take baseball for instance—you can only
become really good by practicing. The
more you practice the better you will
become.

10. Same with video games. The first time
you play a new game you don’t do very
well do you? Every time you play the
game you get a little better.
Then one day you get the high score. If
you pay attention during training and
practice what you learned you will
become a very good altar server.

11. Different jobs that Altar servers carry out at Mass –
Thurifer - This is an experienced server who will carry the
Thurible(incensor). The thurible will be required during
the service and it is the job of the Thurifer to have it ready
as required. Care must always be taken as a smoldering
charcoal fire is used in the thurible which reaches
extremely high temperatures.

12. Different jobs that Altar servers carry out at Mass –
Cross-bearer - The server, who carries the processional
cross at the beginning and end of the service.

13. Different jobs that Altar servers carry out at Mass –
Book bearer - This server has the job of holding the book
of prayer for the priest at the beginning and end of the
service. It is this servers responsibility to make sure that
the book is open on the correct page and is held in such a
way that the priest can read it with ease.

14. Some Basic Rules
Before you come to Church.
•Make sure you get a good night sleep. It is very off putting
for the congregation to watch a server keep yawning.
•Make sure your shoes are clean.
•Make sure your hands and fingernails are clean.
•Make sure you have had something to eat and drink.
•Make sure you arrive at church 15 minutes before mass
starts.

15. Before Mass
•Make sure your hair is tidy.
•Keep quiet in the sacristy.
•Say a quiet prayer before serving.
After Mass
•Clear away, the vessels etc from the sanctuary

16. Altar Server’s Dictionary
Processional Candles - These two candles are carried either side of the
cross in the entrance procession. They are then used to flank the
Gospel when it is pro-claimed.
Alb - A long linen tunic, worn since the four century. The name comes
from the Latin word, 'albus', meaning white.
Altar - The structure on which the Eucharist takes place.
Ambo - Also called the Pulpit. This is where the readers (Lectors)
Deacon or Priest reads the word of God to the people.

17. Altar Server’s Dictionary
Boat - The container inside which the incense is kept.
Book of Gospels - Contains all the Gospel readings for the
Church's year. It is brought to the lectern during the Gospel
acclamation. It may be carried into church as part of the
entrance procession or put in a special place before the
celebration begins.
Candlestick - The holder into which is placed the lighted candles.
Chalice - The cup that contains the precious Blood of Christ.

18. Altar Server’s Dictionary
Chapel of Reconciliation/Confessional Box - Here we meet with
the priest to confess our sins and, through the Sacrament of
Reconciliation or Penance, receive God's forgiveness in the
prayer of absolution.
Chasuable - The word literally means 'little house'. Worn at
Mass, it covers all the other vestments and its color changes
according to the season of the Church's year. This was originally
a coat; it now symbolizes the garment of Christ who is the true
celebrant of every Eucharist.
Ciborium - A container that holds the body of Christ.
Cincture - A rope belt that is tied around the waist.

19. Altar Server’s Dictionary
Cope - A large, full-length cape, held by a clasp at the front,
worn for Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and on other
solemn occasions.
Corporal - Its name comes from the Latin word 'corpus'
meaning a 'body'. It is a square of white cloth, on which the
chalice and paten are placed during the Mass, to catch particles
of the Blessed Sacrament, should any fall from the vessels. The
corporal is placed on the altar either before Mass begins or
during the preparation of the gifts.
Credence table - The little wooden side table on which all the
things that are necessary for the Mass are placed.
Crucifix - A cross on which is the figure of Jesus.

20. Altar Server’s Dictionary
Cruet - Small jug that contains water or wine for the Mass.
Font - This is a pool or vessel of water in which people are
baptized. It reminds us of our baptism, when we were washed
clean of sin and became a member of God's family.
Flagon - Large container that holds the wine that is carried in
the offertory procession.
Gospel Book - A large decorated book containing only Gospel
readings for the Mass. The deacon usually carries it. If there is
no deacon at the Mass then the Lector will carry the Gospel
Book.

21. Altar Server’s Dictionary
Host - The consecrated Body of Christ.
Humeral veil - A long rectangular garment, held by a clasp at
the front, worn by a priest or deacon when carrying a Ciborium
or Monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament.
Incense - A substance that gives off clouds of sweet smelling
smoke when sprin-kled onto burning charcoal.
Incense Boat - So called because it is usually shaped like a boat,
it contains the incense, which will be burned in the thurible.
Lavabo Bowl and Towel - At the preparation of the gifts the
priest washes his hands to signify the cleansing of the sins of
those gathered and to prepare him-self for what he is about to
do.

22. Altar Server’s Dictionary
Lectern - The place from which the commentator and cantor
ministers.
Lectionary - A book containing all the scripture readings for
Mass. It is placed on the lectern before Mass begins, or it may be
carried in the entrance procession.
Paten - A plate from which the communion is served.
Presidential chair - The chair on which the Presider sits.

23. Altar Server’s Dictionary
Processional Cross - This is carried into church at the head of a
procession, as a sign of our faith, and is the basic symbol of
Christianity. It reminds us that Jesus died for us.
Purificator - A cloth that is used to wipe the chalice each time it
is used.
Pyx: A small metal container, used to take Holy Communion to
the sick and housebound.
Sacramentary - A book that the priest uses at his chair and at
the altar. It can also be called the Missal.

24. Altar Server’s Dictionary
Sacristy - The room where the clergy and servers prepare
themselves for the service.
Sanctuary - Sacred part of the church where the Altar, Lectern
and presiden-tial chair are.
Sanctuary Lamp - The lamp that is kept burning on the
sanctuary to show that the blessed sacrament is present.
Stations of the Cross - These depict, usually in fourteen stages,
the journey of Jesus to Calvary, his crucifixion on the cross and
his laying in the tomb.

25. Altar Server’s Dictionary
Stole - This important vestment, worn around the neck, shows
that the priest is celebrating one of the Sacraments. It also shows
that the priest has the duty to preach the Word of God.
Tabernacle - The cupboard where we keep the consecrated
bread.
Thurible - The container inside which charcoal is burned, it is
suspended from chains and is also swung during parts of the
service. This contains the burning charcoal on to which grains of
incense are placed. Incense has been used since early times to
honor people and things. For this reason during our worship we
incense the people and priest, the altar, the Book of Gospels and
the Blessed Sacrament.
Votive candles - These are burned at shrines and in front of
statues to repre-sent the prayers and petitions of those who have
prayed there.

26. GUIDELINES FOR SERVING
MASS AT ST. JOSEPH

27. Before Mass:
Arrive in sacristy at least 15 minutes before mass time.
Wear long pants/slacks/dress (no shorts) and shoes;
NEVER sneakers (unless they are completely black),
sandals, clogs, or high heels). Select alb that fits.
Sign in on schedule to indicate your attendance.
Genuflect when passing tabernacle. Be in back of church 5
minutes before mass time

28. Mass:
Procession down aisle
Candle bearers light candles. Lead server will process
down the aisle after the cantor begins to sing, candle
bearer's following. (If you are late and processional is
about to begin, do not run down side aisle to try to get in
procession. Wait in the altar sacristy and when priest
ascends altar, take your place.

29. Mass:
Penitential Rite and Opening Prayer
Server at the end of pew holds Sacramentary after priest
says, "Let us pray".

30. Mass:
Gospel
After the Psalm is sung/read, Two Servers will go to the altar
when the priest approaches the altar. Both immediately take
position at the candles and wait till priest moves to ambo, then
take places for Gospel. After Gospel, Server return the candles
to their stands, and return to your seats on the altar.

31. Mass:
Offertory
After the homily, place chalice, Sacramentary on altar.Go
with priest to receive wine and water cruets and ciborium
from gift bearers. Server with hosts, place on altar and
proceed to Credence table to get ready with cruet of water.
Servers with cruets go to altar, standing near altar and
hold for priest to take. Server with wine cruet should be
closest to altar and hold it out first. When servers return
with cruets, one should unfold towel and proceed to altar
for washing of hands.

32. Mass:
Post Communion
As priest is returning to altar after giving Communion,
servers go to credence table bring water cruet to altar,
passing in front of altar. When priest returns to his chair,
return to pew.

33. Mass:
After Mass:
Return priest chalice, paten, cruets, purificator, towel,
finger bowl and empty ciboriums to sacristy. Place used
purificator and hand towel in laundry bin.
Extinguish all candles. Either refill cruets for next mass,
and place in refrigerator. Neatly hang alb.

34. Thank you for your interest in serving at Mass.
If you have any questions about this material please ask the
pastor, Fr. Andy to explain anything you do not
understand.
The next step in server instruction is to practice the
different actions that the altar server does during mass.
Please call the rectory for a time to practice.