ALTAR SERVER SEMINAR

WHAT IS ALTAR SERVER?

is a lay assistant to a member of the clergy during a Holy Eucharist. An altar server attends to supporting
tasks at the altar such as fetching and carrying, ringing the altar bell, among other things. A young male altar
server is commonly called an altar boy, whereas a young female altar server is commonly called an altar
girl.

THINGS TO DO OF ALTAR SERVER?

1.TO SERVE DURING MASS.

2.TO ASSIST THE PRIEST.
4.TO PREPARE THE THINGS NEEDED.
5.TO CLEAN THE THINGS AFTER USED.

ALTAR SERVER FUNCTIONS:

1. THURIFER
one who carries a thurible in a liturgical service.
2. BOAT BEARER
The one who carries the incense boat in a liturgical service.
3. CRUCIFER
a person appointed to carry the church's processional cross, a cross or crucifix with a long staff, during
processions at the beginning and end of the service.
4. CANDLE BEARERS
The two server who carries the Candle during procession and the end of the Mass.
5. BIBLE BEARER
The one who carries the Bible during the precession and the end of the Mass.
6. BELL RINGER
A person who assign to carry and rang the bell during procession and the end of the service.
7. CREDENCE TABLE ASSISTANT
The one who prepare and to assist in the credence table during the Mass.

THINGS TO REMEMBER
PROCEDURES
1.BEFORE MASS BEGINS.
a. Arrive early and sign in --- not later than 15 minutes before Mass.
b. If you cannot be present for an assignment, please call another, Altar server from the list to take your
place.
c. Vest in an alb that fits you well.
d. Please wear your “Sunday best” clothes and good shoes (no tennis shoes).
e. Make sure that the credence table will be arrange.
f. Wait quietly, ready to be of help.
g. Join the Priest and other ministers at the back of the church.

2. INTRODUCTORY RITES.

a. Procession during the Gathering Song:

i. Thurifer and Boat Bearer
ii. Crucifer
iii. Candles
iv. Bible Bearer
v. Deacon (when present)
vi. Priest
vi. Bishop (when present)

WHAT TO DO WHEN INCENSE IS USED?

a. Incense is used after everyone has entered the sanctuary.

b. The thurifer, stands off to the left side and waits for the
Priest to kiss the Altar.
c. After he has kissed the Altar, the thurifer approaches the
Priest, hands the boat to the Priest, and opens the
Thurible.
d. The Priest puts some Incense in, blesses it, and then the thurifer closes the Thurible, and hands it to
the Priest.

viii. When you stand, stand straight.

ix. When you sit, sit straight.

3. LITURGY OF THE WORD.

a. Listen carefully to the Scripture Readings.
b. If Incense will be used: Go to sacristy after the First Reading to prepare the Incense.
c. When the “Alleluia” begins, bring the Incense to the Priest.
d. Lead the Priest/Deacon to the Ambo.
e. Swing the Thurible while you are standing. Stand until the Gospel reading is ended, then return to
the Sacristy.

4. At the Gospel

You’ll need to be ready to go as soon as the Second Reading is finished.

1. So, at the end of the first reading, the thurifer, and candle bearers get up and
go to the sacristy quietly.
2. In the sacristy, prepare with the Thurible and the candles.
3. As soon as you hear the second reading finish, walk out the door and go to the Priest.
4.The thurifer presents the Thurible to the Priest just like before.
5. The candle bearers stand on either side of the Ambo, and the thurifer behind it.
6. After the Priest says “A reading from the Holy Gospel according to N.” he will turn around to take
the Thurible from the thurifer.
7. When he is finished, he will hand it back, and everyone remains in place listening to the Gospel. The
thurifer should swing the Thurible.
9. When the Priest kisses the Book of the Gospel, the servers turn around and return to the sacristy.
5. THE EUCHARIST
i.Present the Chalice to the Priest and the Cruets.

ii. Then wait for him to return them to you.

PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS

1. The cross bearer and the candle bearers set up the Altar like usual and then help to receive the gifts.
2. In the meantime, the thurifer goes to the sacristy and gets ready with the Incense.
3. Like at the beginning of Mass, the thurifer hands the Thurible to the Priest and takes a step back.
4. When the Priest has finished incensing the Altar, the Thurifer will Incense the Priest and then the
Assembly.
5. He bows to the Priest and swings the Thurible three times. He then moves to the front of the
sanctuary, and once everyone has stood up, he bows to the people and swings the Thurible three times.
(Ask the Priest for help before Mass if you are not sure.)
6. Once the Priest has been Incensed, the credence table assistant come forward with the water, bowl,
and towel to help the Priest wash his hands.
7. Once the people have been Incensed, the thurifer puts the Thurible away in the sacristy.
8. During the Eucharistic prayer, participate in the same way as everyone Else.
9. During the distribution of Communion, remove the Mass guide and the microphone and put it in
front of the Altar Table.
11. After the communion, If the Priest would like to put a water in the chalice bring the water to him.

DURING ANNOUNCEMENT
a. When you sit down, be prepared and sit down straight.
THE DISMISAL

1. When the Priest moves in front of the Altar, move to the front of the sanctuary.
2. And process out in front of the Priest.

AFTER THE MASS

a. Return and arrange items to Sacristy.

b. Return the albs to the closet.
c. Switch off the lights and other things that is not needed to used.
The Liturgical Colors

1. Violet - This is used during Advent and the Lenten seasons. It is the color for repentance and of
preparation.
2. White -This shows purity, perfection, joy, glory, holiness and light. Used in Christmas and Epiphany
seasons and also Easter, Trinity Sunday and Ascension Day.
3. Red -Reminds us of fire and is used at the day of Pentecost. Also symbolizes blood and is used on
Saint’s Day. Is the color of love and truth.
4. Green -This color reminds us of the growth of trees and grass. Its symbolizes the life and growth of
the church. It is used throughout the season after the second Sunday of Pentecost up to the
Sunday before the last Sunday of Pentecost
5. Gold -This is a festive celebration for thanksgiving and of God’s glory. This is usually used during
Christmas until the season of Epiphany and during the season of Easter.