AVE MARIA

MASTER OF THE CEREMONIES AT SOLEMN HIGH MASS

GENERAL PRINCIPLES / INSTRUCTIONS –

1. MC knows the function of all in the ceremony.
2. In order to see to the carrying out of the ceremony most smoothly, MC’s position is not absolutely fixed.
3. His main focus of attention is on the celebrant – do not make him wait on you.
4. If necessary, he guides the servers by a subtle gesture. If a mistake is of minor importance, he lets it pass and
points it out after the ceremony. Remember that the best MC is the one that is hardly noticed.
5. He arrives in good time before the ceremony to see that all is prepared, i.e. on the credence and on the altar
(missal set and opened). If need be, he also familiarizes himself with the intonation card.

VESTING – MC helps the sacred ministers vest, paying particular attention to their albs, and makes sure that all
servers are present.

PROCESSION – MC signals all to bow to the processional cross saying, Procedamus in pace. He leads the
ministers to the foot of the altar and stands at the right, leaving enough room for the Deacon and Celebrant.

ASPERGES – When the ministers arrive, he signals them to genuflect. After the organ has stopped, he signals all to
kneel. He receives the aspergillum from Th and gives it to D. MC and Th then kneel. When C sprinkles all the
servers, MC signals to stand and genuflect. MC and Th lead the ministers to the back of the church for the
aspersion of the choir1. MC and Th split near the back, allowing the ministers to pass between them. After closing
together again, MC signals a genuflection when the ministers are ready. MC and Th lead them back to the
sanctuary, where they separate to either side at the foot of the altar. When the ministers arrive, MC signals a
genuflection, takes the card and hands it to D who gives him the aspergillum. MC then gives the aspergillum to
Ac1. After the prayer, MC signals all to genuflect, receives the card from D and gives it to Ac2. At the sedilia he
then takes the cope from C at and gives it to Ac1.

PRAYERS – When the ministers are vested, MC leads them to the altar, signals a genuflection and signals the
servers to kneel. MC makes all the responses with D and SD.

INCENSATION of the ALTAR – As C ascends the altar; MC signals servers to rise, goes to Epistle Side and
receives boat from Th, who is on his right. When C kisses the altar, they ascend without bowing and MC gives the
boat to D. After imposition, D returns the boat to MC (who gives it to Th) and MC then takes the missal and
descends the Epistle Side and faces the altar. He replaces the missal after the incensing of the Epistle Side and
stands on the second step. He turns toward the nave when C is incensed.

INTROIT and KYRIE – When D and SD have lined up behind C, MC turns toward C and points out the Introit and
makes the sign of the cross. He bows with C for the Gloria Patri.

GLORIA – At the end of the last sung Kyrie, MC signals the ministers to go to the center of the altar and brings the
intonation card to C (this is omitted when there is to be no Gloria). When C intones, he bows first to the altar and
then to D and SD to ascend. He returns the card and goes to his place on the Epistle Side. MC then genuflects
1
Watch out for the Gloria.

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with the ministers and accompanies them to the sedilia (Note: the sacred ministers will genuflect on the predella,
the MC in plano2). He then makes all the prescribed bows to the tabernacle.

COLLECT(S) – After making the sign of the cross, he signals the ministers to rise and go to the altar. He signals a
genuflection and goes to the missal. After the Oremus he points out the Collect(s) and then descends to get the
Epistolarium from the credence table. The leaves of the book should always be in his right hand. He presents it to
SD, bowing before and after, accompanies him to the foot of the altar (note that they will have to bow for Per
Dominum… at some point), genuflects on his left and goes with him to where he is to sing the epistle. He waits for
C to sit and then signals SD to begin. Upon the Epistle’s completion MC responds Deo Gratias and goes with SD
to the foot of the altar, genuflects and leads SD to the epistle side of the altar with MC leading. SD receives C’s
blessing, descends and gives the book to MC (who returns it to the credence table). He then goes to the missal.

GRADUAL and ALLELUIA (Tract) – After the Gradual and Alleluia (or Tract) have been read, MC leaves3 to the
sedilla with the ministers. After the beginning of the Alleluia (or Tract) MC gets the Evangeliarium from the
credence table and returns to the sedilia.

GOSPEL – When five lines of chant remain to be sung, MC signals the ministers to rise and to return to the altar.
He signals a genuflection and gives the Evangeliarium to D (with the proper bows). After D has placed the book
on the altar, MC ascends to impose incense with Th. After the imposition, MC gives the boat to Th, descends and
stands in front of Ac2. Th joins him on the right and they lead the Acs to the foot of the altar. When D descends
MC signals to genuflect, and all then “train” to the place where the Gospel will be sung. The servers split to allow
SD to pass, who stands between Acs flanked by acolytes; MC and Th flank D. MC then takes the thurible from Th.
When D signs himself, MC turns and signs himself facing C. He then turns back and gives the thurible to D. He
bows with D before and after the incensation and then returns the thurible to Th. Whenever the Holy Name is sung,
he bows to C4. After SD answers Laus tibi Christe, MC allows him to pass; and then he leads ACs, genuflects at the
middle and then receives Evangelarium from SD. He places EV on the credence and comes back to his position. There he
waits for the Sacred Ministers to align themselves at the foot of the altar before C departs for sermon.

CREDO – After the sermon, MC accompanies the ministers back to the altar and signals them to genuflect.
Intonation is done as at the Gloria. MC makes all the bows with the ministers and genuflects with them during the
recited Et incarnatus est. He meets the ministers at the foot of the altar for the sung Et incarnatus est and signals
all to kneel5. After Homo factus est he signals to rise and to genuflect before going to the sedilia. MC goes directly
to credence and brings the burse to the awaiting D at sedilia. MC accompanies D to the altar, helps him with his
alb and resumes his position. He makes all the prescribed bows to tabernacle during Credo.

OFFERTORY – After making the sign of the cross at the end of the Credo, MC bows to the ministers and leads
them back to the altar. He signals them to genuflect and then stands in his usual position. After the Oremus is
sung, MC meets SD at the foot of the altar (MC on right of SD), genuflects with him and leads him (single file)
over to the credence to get the chalice. MC removes the humeral veil from the chalice and goes behind the SD to
place it on him. If necessary, he assists SD in covering the chalice. If there is a ciborium or luna, MC brings it to
the altar immediately following SD. He then stands in his place on Epistle Side.
2
In plano simply means on the floor as opposed to on the predella or the steps.
3
Mc should not bow before leaving even if the celebrant did.
4
These turns should always be towards D.
5
Celebrant may choose to sit at sedilia for this part of Credo (except on Christmas and Annunciation when he must kneel).

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INCENSATION – After C has offered the chalice, MC goes to impose incense with Th as usual. Having returned
the boat to Th, MC goes directly to the left of C, supporting his left elbow with right hand whenever a genuflection
is made. MC remains at the missal after the Gospel side has been incensed. After the Orate fratres, MC signals
SD to say the Suscipiat. Immediately after the Suscipiat has been completed, he points out the Secret with his left
hand. MC is incensed after D. Toward the end of the Preface he signals D and SD to ascend, making room for SD.
The ministers having recited the Sanctus, he makes sure that SD turns the page of the missal to the Canon of the
Mass.

CANON – MC turns to his left and descends the steps on the Gospel side without genuflecting on the predella. He
goes to his usual place on the Epistle Side, genuflecting as he passes the center. After the Hanc igitur he makes
sure that Th approaches the steps on the Epistle Side. If there is a ciborium to be consecrated, he waits for D to
uncover it; otherwise, he gives the signal for all to kneel as soon as D has switched to the Epistle Side. After C has
adored the Precious Blood the second time and the bell has finished ringing, MC signals all to rise. When C says
Nobis quoque peccatoribus MC goes to the Gospel side. At the Per quem hæc omnia he genuflects simultaneously
with D (D on predella, MC in plano) and ascends the altar steps to the left of C. He assists C with genuflecting and
turning pages.

PATER NOSTER –At Et dimitte nobis he signals D and SD to ascend (they genuflect before ascending).

PAX DOMINI – At the Pax Domini, MC signals SD to genuflect and ascend the steps to the left of C. MC
genuflects with the ministers and remains on the predella as they recite the Agnus Dei. He genuflects with SD,
descends the steps on the Gospel side and stands at the left of SD at the foot of the altar. After SD has received the
Pax from D, he signals D and SD to genuflect with him and leads SD (at right of MC) to the choir (highest ranking
priest is first to receive Pax). Then he leads SD to the altar where he receives the Pax, genuflects with SD and goes
to Ac1 and CB (SDCB receives Pax before Ac1) to give him the Pax. He then returns to the Gospel side.

COMMUNION – The servers and ministers bow when C consumes the Sacred Species. After the consumption of
the Precious Blood, MC signals Tbs to approach the altar; and once they arrived at the sides, He signals all to kneel
without genuflection. D and SD alone bow for the Confiteor. After Indulgentium MC signals servers to rise and
kneel on the bottom step of the altar. After SD has received Communion, MC signals all to rise, genuflect, and
kneel on the predella. After he himself has received Communion, he signals all to stand. All descend and genuflect
at MC’S signal, and MC goes to the epistle side of the sanctuary where he stands facing the place of distribution.
When the ministers have finished distributing Communion, MC kneels at his normal position as they pass. The
tabernacle having been closed, he signals all to rise.

ABLUTIONS – MC remains at his place. When D places the missal on the Epistle Side, MC turns the page to the
Communion prayer. He points out the prayer for C; and remaining at the missal, he points out the Postcommunion
prayer as well.

ITE MISSA EST – After the Postcommunion MC closes the missal and brings the intonation card to D for the Ite
missa est (or Benedicamus Domino6). He then returns the card and goes to his place on the epistle side. After the

6
According to SSPX custom Benedicamus Domino is sung whenever the Mass is solemnized in some way by an extra ceremony before or
after Mass. See also Rubrics of the Roman Breviary and missal (1960) [nos.507-510].

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sung Deo Gratias he signals all to kneel for the last Blessing , and then to rise. MC sees that all the servers line up
for the recession after they have signed themselves for last Gospel. After the ministers descend, he signals all to
genuflect and he processes out behind Tbs. Upon arrival in the sacristy he signals a bow to the processional cross,
bows to C and signals all to kneel for C’s blessing. He then helps C unvest (it is often more convenient for D to do
this, in which case MC is still to remain at least to hang up albs).

LAUS DEO SEMPER

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 AVE MARIA

Solemn Ceremonies with Two MCs

Do we need these notes anymore?

PRAYERS AT FOOT OF ALTAR to GLORIA – MC2 at “MC position” on Gospel side. After genuflection at end
of Gloria, he gates over with ministers to sedilia and stands facing MC1 on the left of ministers. MC1 as normal.

GLORIA to GRADUAL – At the end of the Gloria, MC2 remains at sedilia area next to the Acs. MC1 goes to the
missal. MC2 gets the Epistolarium at start of Collect and gives it to SD. He accompanies SD for the Epistle
reading and receives the Epistolarium back as normal. When the ministers return to sedilia for Gradual and
Alleluia, MC2 makes his way back to his place at sedilia. MC1 gets the Evangeliarium as normal and assists at
imposition of incense.

GOSPEL to CREDO – MC2 remains at sedilia area and makes his way in front of Ac2. He performs the gospel
movement as normal. MC1 remains in plano on the left of priest during Gospel. At the end of gospel movement,
MC2 makes his way to his sedilia spot. During sermon MC1 faces the priest and MC2 faces the altar. See solemn
mass with 1 MC. MC1 gets the burse for D as normal.

CANON – At end of Credo both MCs gate back. At Offertory MC1 assists SD with humeral veil. MC1 assists at
incensation of gifts and altar. MC2 removes the missal for incensation and remains at missal when he returns with
it. After C is incensed, MC1 returns to his respective position (in plano).

CANON to PATER NOSTER – MC2 descends to his respective position (in plano) after Sanctus. He genuflects
with D at the Per quem haec omnia and ascends to missal. MC2 signals ministers to genuflect and ascend at Et
dimitte nobis of Pater Noster. MC1 genuflect with ministers and removes humeral veil from SD. He genuflects
after descending and gives the humeral veil to Ac1. At the Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum, MC2 signals SD to
genuflect and ascend the steps to the left of C. MC2 descends to his place after Agnus Dei after genuflecting with
SD.

PAX DOMINI – MC2 accompanies SD to choir to give the Pax. When they return to foot of altar (no
genuflection), MC1 meets them on right of SD and receives the Pax. All three genuflect. MC1 gives Pax to MC2
and both genuflect. MC1 carries Pax to Ac1.

COMMUNION to ITE MISSA EST – After consumption of Precious Blood, MC2 signals Tbs to rise. After
servers’ Communion MC1 goes next to Acs; MC2 goes next to Cb. MC1 faces C giving Communion to faithful.
Both kneel at their respective spots when ministers return to the altar. MC1 goes to missal for Communion and
Postcommunion. MC2 gets the intonation card for Ite missa est at the Oremus of the last Postcommunion.

Laus Deo Semper.

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