Altar Server Prompts
– READ AND BE READY FOR YOUR NEXT STEP
Updated Nov 2010, Jan 2015, Jan 2018
– READ AND BE READY FOR YOUR NEXT STEP
- Roman Missal (the “Missal”) server: When you arrive at your seat pick up Missal; stand to the right ready to go to Father
- When Father says “Let Us Pray” take the Missal to Father, hold it open (purple ribbon)
- Return the Missal to the book stand on the Credence Table
- When Father says “Let Us Pray” take the Missal to Father, hold it open (purple ribbon)
- When the Offertory song starts, Both Servers prepare the altar (while Father is sitting and the ushers are taking up the collection)
- Chalice with the pall, corporal, and purificator in right-center
- Take corporal off the chalice and unfold in center of altar. The cross should be in front. Do not flip corporal upside-down.
- Two cups, two purificators to the right of chalice
- Missal on bookstand. Place on the right side (for Fr. Will), or the left side (for Fr. Jonathan) of the altar
- Return plastic gospel bookstand to credence table
- When Father stands to receive the gifts, Both Servers: go to receive the gifts, one on each side of Father
- Place ciborium of hosts and the wine cruet (handle toward Father) at side of altar. Remove stopper to credence table.
- Get water cruet (remove stopper) from credence table, prepare to hand to Father when he is ready (point handle of cruet toward Father)
- Return empty wine cruet to credence table, bring the water dish and finger towel to the altar
- Wash Father’s hands. Then return the water cruet, dish, and towel to the credence table and return to your seats.
- After the “Holy, Holy, Holy” – Both Servers kneel down: hands folded, kneel straight, eyes forward. Do not stare at the congregation.
- At the Consecration:
- Left hand server ring the bells when Father says “This is the Body of Christ” and holds the Host up (one ring, count of three)
- Right hand server rings the bells when Father says “This is the Blood of Christ” and holds the Chalice up (one ring, count of three)
- When the Eucharistic Ministers are standing waiting to receive Communion:
- Both servers stand for Communion to the left of the Eucharistic Ministers.
- After Communion, return to kneelers and kneel.
- After Communion: when Father closes the tabernacle, Both Servers:
- Bring the water cruet from the credence table to the altar
- Pour water over Father’s fingers into ciborium
- Take the empty cruet and sacred vessels with purificators – as cleaned – to the credence table
- Bring Roman Missal to right-hand chair, place bookstand on credence table
- Nothing left on the altar at this time
- Return to your chair and be seated
- When Father says “Let Us Pray”
- Take the Missal to Father and hold it open. Return to chair after reading.
- When Father kisses the altar after the final blessing, Both Servers:
- The cross bearer takes the cross and moves to Father’s right in front of the steps
- The cross bearer bows and Missal server genuflects when father genuflects
- Process out, the cross bearer leading, then the Missal server, then Father
Updated Nov 2010, Jan 2015, Jan 2018