ALTAR SERVER AND THE

LITURGY
WHAT IS LITURGY?
The liturgy, according to Vatican II, is an action of
Christ and of his Body, the Church. Liturgy is the
central worship we give to God as members of his
family which is the Church. In the liturgy we worship
God in three forms: through the celebration of the
Eucharist, through the celebration of the (7)
Sacraments, and through the Liturgy of the Hours
(Divine Office or Breviary).
EUCHARIST
The most important liturgy of the Church, however, is
the celebration of the Eucharist, which we also called
the Mass. The Mass is a celebration of Christ, a
celebration of the Church, and also a celebration of
our community which we do especially on Sundays.
EUCHARIST
The Mass consists of 4 elements:
Gathering
Story-telling
Sharing
Commissioning
EUCHARIST
The Mass consists of 4 elements:
Gathering
 The mass starts with a gathering song (entrance song)
 The church is gathered together for worship.

Story-telling
 During reading we listen to and receive God’s message.
 The church listen to the God’s message through reading of

scriptures.
EUCHARIST
The Mass consists of 4 elements:
Sharing
 During communion we share in the Body and Blood of Christ.

Commissioning
 At the end of the Mass we are sent forth to bring the Good
News to others.
How to Prepare Mass
Preparation of the Altar (GIRM 79-81)
The altar is to be covered with at least one cloth. On or
near the altar there are to be candlesticks with lighted
candles, at least two but even four, six, or if the bishops
of the diocese celebrates, seven. There is also to be cross
on or near the altar. The candles and cross may be
carried in the entrance procession. The Book of the
Gospels may be carried in the entrance procession then
placed on the altar. (GIRM 79)
How to Prepare Mass
Preparation of the Books
Next to the priest’s chair – the Sacramentary and the
folder with the Prayers of the Faithful. The Sacramentary
must be marked in its proper pages for a particular
Sunday (prayers, preface, canon, etc…)

The ambo or lectern – the lectionary which must be

marked in its proper pages for the readings for a
particular Sunday (first reading, responsorial psalm,
second reading)
How to Prepare Mass
Preparation of the Books
At the offertory table at the entrance of the church – the
Book of Gospel which shall be carried by the reader. This
book will also be marked in its proper pages for the
gospel of a particular Sunday.
How to Prepare Mass
Preparation of the Credence Table
On the credence table – the chalice, corporal,
purificator, a paten and ciboria with the bread for the
communion of the ministers and the people,
communion plate for the communion of the faitful; the
requisites for the washing of hands. (GIRM 80)
How to Prepare Mass
Preparation of the Offertory Table (at the entrance of
the church)
On the table for preparation of the gifts – cruets
containing wine and water, a ciborium with bread
(hosts), and other things to be offered.
How to Prepare Mass
Preparation of the vestment
In the sacristy – the vestment for the priest and
ministers:
 Priest - sotana, stole and chusable
 Deacon - sotana, stole and dalmatic
 For other ministers – lawfully approved vestments or uniform

(GIRM 80)
BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE
MASS
In general, Mass has two main parts:
Liturgy of the Word
 Where readings from the Bible are read and explained.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

 Where we give thanks to God for all he has done for us
through Jesus by recalling his death and resurrection and
sharing the bread and wine which have become the Body and
Blood of Christ.
BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE
MASS
In particular, the Mass follows a prescribe sequence
which is called the Order of the Mass (Regular Mass).

Introductory Rites
Entrance Song (We gather to praise and worship God)
 This part opens the celebration and accompanies the
procession of priest and servers to the Altar. It should be sung,
to deepen our unity together and introduce us to the Mystery
of the Season or Feast.
BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE
MASS
Order of Simple Entrance Procession
 Once the congregation has gathered, the priest and the

ministers, clad in their vestment, go to the alter in this order…

 Altar Servers with 2 lighted candles

 Readers with the Book of Gospels

 Other Ministers (other servers, lay ministers, deacon,

concelebrants)
 The Priest who is to celebrate the Mass
BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE
MASS
Reverence at the Altar
 On reaching the altar, the priest and ministers make the
proper reverence, that is, pro
Opening Rite
 The priest then goes to the chair. After the entrance song, and
with all standing, the priest and the faitful make the sign of
the cross. The priest says: In the name of the father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit; the people answer: Amen.
 Then facing the people and with hands outstretched, the

priest greets all present. He may give a very brief introduction

to the Mass of the day. (GIRM 86)
BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE
MASS
Penitential Rite
 This part invites us to be sorry for our sins. We come to God in
a spirit of contrition, so that we may celebrate the Eucharist
worthily and grow in grace. The rite includes “I confess and
Lord have Mercy”.
Lord have Mercy and Gloria
 After the penitential rite, the Kyrie and Gloria (if prescribe)
are said. The Gloria maybe intoned (started) either by the
priest, the cantors or by everyone together. (GIRM 87)
BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE
MASS
Opening Prayer or Collect
 With his hands joined, the priest then invites the people to
pray, saying: LET US PRAY. All pray silently with the priest for
a while. The then the priest with hands outstretched says the
opening prayer in behalf of the people, at the end of which
people responds: AMEN
BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE
MASS
LITURGY OF THE WORD (Listen to God’s message for
us)
 FIRST READING – After the opening prayer, the reader goes to
the lectern (without bowing) for the first reading. All sit and
listen and make the acclamation at the end (GIRM 89). Note:
on a Sunday or Solemnity, the first reading is usually taken
from Old Testament.
 RESPONSORIAL PSALM – After the reading, the psalmist or

cantor of the psalm, or even the reader, sings or recites the

psalm and the congregation sings or recites the response.
(GIRM 90)
BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE
MASS
LITURGY OF THE WORD (Listen to God’s message for
us)
 SECOND READING – Then, if there is a second reading
before the gospel, the reader reads it at the lectern as before
(without bowing). All sit and listen and make the acclamation
at the end. (GIRM 91)
 ALLELUIA or GOSPEL ACCLAMATION – The alleliua or

other chant, according to the season, follows. (GIRM 92)

BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE
MASS
LITURGY OF THE WORD (Listen to God’s message for
us)
 GOSPEL READING – The priest or deacon takes the Book of
the Gospels on the altar and takes it to the ambo
 At the ambo the priest opens the book and says: THE LORD

BE WITH YOU, the he says: A READING FROM… making the

sign of the cross with his thumb on the book and on his
forehead, mouth and breast. (Note: if incense is used, the
priest inceses the book at this time). After he proclaims the
gospel, the priest kisses the book and people make the
customary acclamation. (GIRM 95)
BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE
MASS
LITURGY OF THE WORD (Listen to God’s message for
us)
 HOMILY – The homily is an explanation and proclamation of
the reading of the Liturgy. The homily is given at the chair or
at the lectern. (GIRM 97)
 CREED OR PROFESSION OF FAITH – The profession of faith

is said by the priest together with the people. (Note: at the

words, by the power of the Holy Spirit, etc… all bow; on the
solemnities of the Announciation and Christmas all kneel).
(GIRM 98)
BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE
MASS
LITURGY OF THE WORD (Listen to God’s message for
us)
 PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL or GENERAL INTERCESSION –
Next, with the people taking their proper part, follow the
general intercessions (prayer of the faithful), which the priest
directs from his chair or at the lectern. (GIRM 99)