Module 3 – The Mass

Module 1 – What is an Altar Server

Module 3 – The Holy Mass:

As an Altar Server, it is important for each server to know the structure of the Mass. It is not
merely a matter of knowing “what comes next” but of understanding the meaning of each part of
the Holy Mass. The Mass itself is an action moving steadily forward to its supreme moments,
when Heaven and Earth meet in the great mystery of the Altar.
Parts of the Mass:

INTRODUCTORY RITES:
Entrance Hymn – a hymn which opens the celebration and accompanies the procession of the
priest and the ministers to the Altar. It is sung, to deepen our unity together and to introduce us to
the mystery of the season or feast.
Veneration of the Altar – It is done by the clergy after the Entrance Hymn. As the sign of
Christ, center of the Church and of the Eucharistic body the altar is shown reverence by the 3
traditional gestures: the bow or the customary reverence, the kiss, and the incensation(when
incense is used)
Greeting – The presider greets the assembly which is a reminder of the unity of the Church in
God’s grace.
Penitential Rite – It invites us to be sorry for all our sins, and takes away all our venial sins
which do not need absolution in private confession. We come to God in a spirit of contrition, so
that we may be worthy in celebrating the Eucharist.
Gloria – An ancient hymn of praise sung or recited in solemnities (except Advent and Lent) and
appropriate feasts.
Opening Prayer – An invitation to prayer and a time of silent prayer. On behalf of the people
the priest offers the prayer to God and thus the people respond “AMEN”|

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LITURGY OF THE WORD:
First Reading – A reading coming from either the Old or New Testament which expresses the
mood of the celebration
Responsorial Psalm – A responsory that continues the mood of the 1st The Responsory is made
by the people as their prayer and the Cantor makes the psalm the main prayer.
Second Reading – A Reading taken from the New Testament which is not the Gospel and said
only during Solemnities.
Alleluia/Gospel Proclamation – A joyous welcome to the Holy Gospel
Homily – An explanation, Proclamation of the readings of the Liturgy
Creed – The profession of Faith as a follower to the teachings of Christ in the Church
Prayers of the Faithful – The offertory of the petitions of the community before God.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST:

Offertory – The people offers the works of their hands to God.
Prayer over the Gifts – The priest raises up the offerings to God.
Sanctus – The people praises the Holy Trinity, “Holy, holy”
Acclamation and Anamnesis – The faithful proclaims the mystery of faith and remember the
death and resurrection of Christ made present through the Eucharist.
Lord’s Prayer – The people recites the prayer Jesus taught the Church.
Rite of Peace – The people beg for the peace and unity of the Church
Agnus Dei – The people asks God to take away the sins of the world.
Communion – The priest and other Ministers distributes the Eucharist to the people.
Prayer after Communion – On behalf of the people the priest offers a Thanksgiving prayer to
God and thus the people respond “AMEN”

Final Blessing – A blessing that the presider gives to the people, which concludes the Mass in
the power of the Holy Trinity, by making the Sign of the Cross which is the sign of Faith.

Dismissal – The presider or the Deacon sends the people to serve love to others.

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 Duties and Responsibilities:
 To be faithful in attending to their duties in serving at the Mass.
 To arrive at least 30 minutes before their appointed duty.
 To notify their coordinator if they will not be able to attend to their schedules. They are
also expected to look for their replacement during the said schedule.
 To have a knowledge of the parts of the Mass and the importance of each, as well as an
understanding of their particular roles and responsibilities
 Pray the prayer before mass, and after mass before and after service.
Prayer Before Mass:
Heavenly Father as I prepare to assist in this mass let me first declare once more my faith and
trust in you. Open my mouth to praise you in word and song. Open my ears to hear your word, take from
my heart all evil and distracting thoughts, help me keep myself from useless conversations, let me
remember that in serving in this mass I am in fact reverently your son Jesus in offering you the fruits of
his passion and death. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you, may the divine food, the sacred body
and blood of our savior which I will partake in holy communion bring me eternal salvation Amen.

Prayer After Mass:

PRIEST: May the mass we had celebrated be for each of you a benefit!
RESPONSE: Indeed! For each and every one of us
PRIEST: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
RESPONSE: As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without Amen.

LATIN:
PRIEST: Pro Sit!
RESPONSE: Pro Omnibus et Pro Singulis!
PRIEST: Gloria Patri et Fillio et Spirito Sancto,
RESPONSE: Sicut Erat in Principio et nunc et Semper et in Saecula Saeculorum Amen.

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