Altar Server Prompts
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– READ AND BE READY FOR YOUR NEXT STEP
  1. 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
  2. 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
  1. 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.
  2. After the “Holy, Holy, Holy” – Both Servers kneel down: hands folded, kneel straight, eyes forward. Do not stare at the congregation.
  3. 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)
  4. 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.
  5. 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
  1. When Father says “Let Us Pray”
    • Take the Missal to Father and hold it open. Return to chair after reading.
  2. 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