Altar Server Prefect training

Leaders of Prayer for the Community

SERVER PREFECT TRAINING

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Qualities of the Prefect:

 The Prefect is the Leader of Prayer
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 The Prefect leads by good example at Mass
and in life
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and in life
 The Prefect assists in training the other
Servers
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and in life
 The Prefect assists in training the other
Servers
 The Prefect has knowledge and understanding
of the Mass


Reminders:
The people also look up to the Prefect

Reminders:
The Prefect can set the tone of prayer for the
congregation

Reminders:
The Prefect can set the tone of prayer for the
congregation
The Prefect assists the Priest at the altar when
necessary

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Serving reminders:

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It is important to 'look alert' at all
times during the Mass, not
slouching when sitting or looking
around unnecessarily.

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Serving reminders:

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When seated, pay attention to the
liturgical action

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Serving reminders:

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When seated, pay attention to the
liturgical action
Feet should be flat on the floor
and hands should be flat on your
lap

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Serving reminders:

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Folded Hands
When not seated, hands should
be folded as follows:
1. Palms and fingers together at
chest level, pointed at a 45 degree
angle
2. Left thumb over the knuckle of
the right thumb

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Serving reminders:

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Sign of the Cross
1. Folded hand position (keeping
left hand on chest)
2. Keeping fingers
together, touch the head
(Father), above stomach
(Son), left shoulder (Holy) to
right shoulder (Spirit)
3. Return to folded hands
position.



Serving reminders:

Genuflection
This is a sign of reverence shown to
the Blessed Sacrament, exposed on
the altar or in the Tabernacle. One
should genuflect when entering the
church (at one's seat), when leaving
and if crossing in front of the Blessed
Sacrament. If no Tabernacle is
present, a reverent, deep bow to the
altar is appropriate. To genuflect...
1. Stand still with body erect
2. Kneel with the right leg (move the
right leg back slightly, touching the
knee to the floor)
3. After a brief pause, return to
upright position

Serving reminders:
Genuflection:


4. When the Blessed Sacrament
is exposed, a double
genuflection (where the left
knee is brought to the floor after
the right knee, then raised
first), is used
5. At each step of this process, a
brief, distinct pause should be
included

 Serving

reminders:
Carrying the Cross
Walking at a moderate, dignified
pace ...
1. Hold the cross straight, with the
corpus (Body of Christ) directly
forward

 Serving

reminders:
Carrying the Cross
pace ...
forward
2. Approach the altar and stop. Wait
for the candle-bearers to line up on
each side of you. Bow your heads At
the same time toward the tabernacle
and altar.

 Serving

reminders:
Carrying the Cross
pace ...
forward
2. Approach the altar and stop. Wait
for the candle-bearers to line up on
each side of you. Bow your heads At
the same time toward the tabernacle
and altar.
3.Proceed to the appropriate side to
place the cross in the sacristy.

 Serving

reminders:

Carrying a Candle
There are two candle bearers...
1. Walk on opposite sides of the
cross bearer, carrying the
candles straight
2. The outside hand should be at
the knob (near the top) of the
candle holder, with the other
hand under the base



Serving reminders:

Holding a Missal:
The book should be held as steadily
and as high as possible in the
position directed by the priest. One
hand should support the weight of
the book in the middle to avoid
unnecessary movement.
Keep your head and eyes down: don’t
stare at the celebrant.
If the Missal is too heavy, you can
rest it on your forehead.

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Serving reminders:

Bells:

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Serving reminders:

Bells:
 Bells are rung three times during
the Mass-

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Serving reminders:

Bells:
the Mass Once at the Epiclesis (when the
priest puts out his hands over the
gifts

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Serving reminders:

Bells:
gifts
 Three times at the elevation of the
Eucharist

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Serving reminders:

Bells:
gifts
Eucharist
chalice

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Serving reminders:

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Incensation:

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Serving reminders:

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Incensation:
1. The four times for using incense
are...

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Serving reminders:

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Incensation:
are...
... the altar before Mass begins

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Serving reminders:

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Incensation:
are...
... Before the reading of the
Gospels

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Serving reminders:

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Incensation:
are...
Gospels
... gifts, altar, servers, celebrants
and congregation during the
preparation of the gifts

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Serving reminders:

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Incensation:
are...
Gospels
... gifts, altar, servers, celebrants
and congregation during the
preparation of the gifts
... Body and Blood of Christ after
each is elevated

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Serving reminders:

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Carry the thurible in the right hand
(left hand on chest) holding the
chain just below the top to the right
side with a gentle swinging motion

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Serving reminders:

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Carry the boat to the right of the
thurible carrier in the right
hand, or in the left hand if carrying
both

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Serving reminders:

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

Carry the boat to the right of the
thurible carrier in the right
hand, or in the left hand if carrying
both

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Transfer thurible to left hand prior
to the celebrant adding
incense, using the chain to raise
the lid. Make a head bow before
giving and after receiving the
thurible

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Serving reminders:



5. To incense...
... Transfer the end of the chain to
your left hand, grasping the chain
with the right six inches above the
cup
... Raise the right hand to the
chin, twelve inches from the
body, the chain lying on the index
finger secured by the thumb
... Swing with the arm and hand
smoothly
... Bow the head before and after
the start of each set of swings
... The Blessed Sacrament and the
Celebrant gets three distinct
swings, the deacon, the ministers
and congregation two



... The celebrant is incensed after
he has incensed the altar, before
washing his hands
... When incensing the
congregation, swing center, left
and then right separately
... The boat bearer adds incense to
the thurible at the end of the
'Sanctus‘ [Holy, Holy, Holy], and the
thurifer goes to the
center, genuflects to the Sacrament
and turns and kneels in front of the
altar
... Each elevation is incensed three
swings

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6. Benediction: after the celebrant
incenses the Sacrament, the
thurifer takes the thurible and
kneels about three feet behind
the celebrant. Three double
swings accompanying each
movement of the Sacrament. The
servers remain kneeling until the
Sacrament is reposed

LITURGICAL RULES AND PRACTICES


The celebration of Mass is
the action of Jesus and the
People of God


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People of God
The Mass is the center of the
whole Christian life


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People of God
whole Christian life
Church’s life and of the life
of each individual
-GIRM #16


Preparation for Mass
 Be at church early
enough to learn about
any changes for that
day’s Mass, especially
for a Holy Day or
Feastday such as
Christmas or Easter



Check the credence
table to be sure that
everything needed for
the Mass is in place

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Check the credence
table to be sure that
everything needed for
the Mass is in place
The items used for Mass
include:

 The chalice with the
purificator, paten, host,
pall and corporal


(GIRM #118)

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A ciborium on the
credence table if the
Mass will have a lot of
people

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A ciborium on the
credence table if the
Mass will have a lot of
people
A ciborium on the table
in the back of the church
for the Procession of the
Gifts
(GIRM #118)

 Two cruets, one with
water and one with
wine of there is no
offertory procession.





Two cruets, one with
water and one with wine
of there is no offertory
procession.
If there is to be an
offertory procession, the
cruet with wine is put on
the table in the back of
the church with the
ciborium.
(GIRM #118)



The pitcher, bowl and
towel for the washing of
the hands





The pitcher, bowl and
towel for the washing of
the hands
The container of water if
there is to be the
sprinkling rite
(asperges) or on Easter
Sunday for the renewal
of baptismal promises
(GIRM #118)

 The Missal set to the
Mass of the day, which
is found in the Ordo
and placed on the
credence table

 The Missal set to the
Mass of the day, which
is found in the Ordo
and placed on the
credence table
 The small Missal for the
chair is placed on the
book bearer’s chair
(GIRM # 118)

Duties of the Book
Bearer
 The book bearer should
be chosen before Mass
 This can be any server
 The book bearer is
responsible for the
following actions at
Mass:

 Bringing the Missal to
the celebrant for the
opening prayer
NOTE: This is usually
done after the
Gloria, except in the
seasons of Lent and
Advent when the Gloria is
not recited

 The Gloria…is sung or
said on Sundays outside
Advent and Lent, and
also on solemnities and
Feasts, and at particular
celebrations of a more
solemn character.
(General Instruction of
the Roman Missal)

 In the seasons of
Advent and Lent, the
Collect (Opening
Prayer) is said directly
after the Penitential
Rite

 The Book Bearer brings
the Missal to the
priest, or the acolyte
who is setting the altar.
 The Book Bearer hands
the Missal to the
minister at the altar:
servers do not put
anything on the altar
themselves

 “The acolyte is
instituted for service at
the altar and to assist
the Priest and Deacon.
It is his place
principally to prepare
the altar and the sacred
vessels…”
(GIRM # 98)

 “In the absence of an
instituted acolyte, lay
ministers may be deputed
to serve at the altar and
assist the priest and the
deacon”
(GIRM # 100)
 In the parishes of St.
Mary and St.
Ignatius, these ministers
are the servers and the
Prefects




The Prefect should make
sure that all is in place
before the Mass begins





The Prefect should make
sure that all is in place
before the Mass begins
Be sure that the altar
candles are lit before
preparing for the
Entrance Procession

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We will prepare to serve
at Mass by reciting the
Altar Server Prayer
before Mass



Open my mouth, O Lord, to bless
Your holy Name. Cleanse my
heart of all evil and distracting
thoughts. Enlighten my
understanding, and enflame my
will that I may serve worthily at
your Holy Altar. O Mary, Mother
of Christ the High Priest, obtain
for me the important grace of
knowing my vocation in life.
Grant me a true spirit of faith, and
humble obedience so I may ever
behold the priest as the
representative of Christ and
willingly follow him in the way and
the truth and the life of Christ.
Amen.

The Entrance Procession
 “When the people are
gathered, the Priest and
ministers, wearing sacred
vestments, go in
procession to the altar in
this order:
 The thurifer carrying a
smoking thurible if
incense is being used
(GIRM #120)

 The ministers who carry
lighted candles, and
between them an
(instituted) acolyte or
other minister with the
cross
(GIRM #119)
In the parishes of St. Ignatius
and St. Mary, the other
ministers are the Server
Prefect or Senior Server

 “The procession
assembles:
(thurifer), cross
bearer, candle
bearers, lector or deacon
(carrying the Book of
the Gospels)…
(Ceremonies of the Modern
Roman Rite #248)

 Liturgical practice and
tradition calls for the cross
and candles together in
the procession.
 The processional cross is
only used when there are
servers to escort the cross
with candles.
 The only exception to this
rule is the funeral liturgy
when there are not enough
servers to carry candles.

 “Ministers carrying the
processional cross or
candles bow their heads
instead of genuflecting”
as they approach the
altar.
(GIRM #274)




The Entrance
Procession
The (servers) and other
ministers
(GIRM #119)

 The priest who is to
celebrate the Mass
(GIRM #119)

]
Thurifer
X U X
Candle bearer *Crucifer *Candle bearer
W
W
W
W
Other servers
W
W
Other ministers
v
v
Concelebrants
&
Deacon with the Book of the Gospels
o
Celebrant

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Incensation
“Incense may be
used…at the beginning
of Mass, to incense the
cross and the altar.”
(GIRM #376)

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Incensation
“The altar is incensed in the
following way…the
celebrant bows to the altar
and proceed to incense
it, turning to the right, then
walking around it…If the
cross is suspended above or
placed behind the altar…it
is incensed when (he)
arrives at the center of the
front of the altar.
Roman Rite #378)



Incensation
The thurifer should go to
the side of the altar with
the MC or the Prefect
until the priest kisses the
altar. As soon as the
celebrant stands up, the
thurifer and boat bearer
should approach him and
raise the thurible for the
celebrant to put incense
onto the coal.



Incensation
The MC accompanies the
celebrant around the
altar for the incensation
as the thurifer waits for
them at the side of the
altar. When the
celebrant returns to the
back side of the altar, the
thurifer approaches to
take the thurible from
him and put it on the
stand.

Collect (Opening Prayer)
 “A server holds the missal
open before the
celebrant…”
 At the end of the
Collect, “The server
closes the book, bows
and takes it away.”
Roman Rite #255)

Ceremonial Action:
Bowing
 “There are two bows in
the modern Roman Rite:
the bow of the
body…and the bow of
the head.
Roman Rite #201; GIRM
#275)

Ceremonial Action:
Bowing
 A bow of the body is made
to the altar when the
Blessed Sacrament is not
on or behind it, to the
celebrant, before and after
an incensation and when
it is specified in various
rites.”
#274, #275)

Ceremonial Action: Bowing
 A bow of the head is made at
the mention aloud of the
three Divine Persons (Glory
be to the Father, etc.), at the
holy names of Jesus, Mary
and the saint whose feastday
is being celebrated
#274, #275)





Ceremonial Action: Bowing
A slight bow also expresses
mutual respect and gratitude
before and after receiving an
object or being assisted in some
way during a ceremony.
We bow to the celebrant and to
any other minister, such as the
deacon or another server, when
giving something to them or
receiving something from
them.

(Ceremonies of the Modern Roman
Rite #203; GIRM #274, #275)



Liturgy of the Word
“At the “table of the
word”, God speaks to
His people. Through
the ministry of the
word, Christ is present
among us.”
(Ceremonies of the
Modern Roman Rite
#256)





Liturgy of the Word
During the first
reading, the singing of
the psalm and the second
reading, the servers
sit, hands on their
laps, and listen to the
readings of the day.
The Prefect should be
attentive to the celebrant
or MC in case anything is
needed during this time.




Liturgy of the Word
The Gospel Procession
“…if incense is used, the
priest puts some in the
censer…The Priest then
proceeds to the
ambo, accompanied, if
appropriate, by ministers
with incense and candles”
(Rubrics of the Roman
Missal #14)

Liturgy of the Word
 “Having bowed to the
altar, (the priest) takes
up the Book of the
Gospels which was
placed upon it…he
proceeds to the ambo…
(GIRM #175)

Liturgy of the Word
 “…He is preceded by a
thurifer, carrying a
thurible with smoking
incense, and by servers
with lighted candles.”
(GIRM #175)

Liturgy of the Word
 “…at the words, A reading
from the Holy
Gospel…(the priest) signs
the book with his thumb
and, afterwards, himself
on his forehead, mouth
and breast. He incenses
the book and proclaims
the Gospel reading.”
(GIRM # 134)

Liturgy of the Word
The Gospel
 “During the Gospel all
stand and turn towards
the ambo to honor
Christ in his word. The
candle bearers stand on
either side of the ambo.”
(GIRM #134; Ceremonies of
the Modern Roman Rite
#262)




Liturgy of the Word
The Gospel
During the reading of
the Gospel, the thurifer
stands behind and to
the right of the Priest.

Liturgy of the Word: The Gospel
Thurifer

MC

v

]
Priest

&

XnX
Candle Bearer Ambo Candle Bearer

Liturgy of the Word:
The Creed
After the homily, all stand
to recite the Creed, which is
to be said on all Sundays
and solemnities.
 “All bow deeply at “by the
Holy Spirit…man.” All
kneel at these words on the
solemnities of Christmas
and the Annunciation.”
(GIRM #68; Ceremonies of the
Modern Roman Rite #265)


Liturgy of the Eucharist

Preparation of the altar


“After the Prayer of the
Faithful…the Acolyte or
Priest prepares the altar.”
(GIRM #178)




“The celebrant and
people sit while the
celebrant or acolyte
prepares the altar.

Roman Rite #270)




Meanwhile the ministers
place the corporal, the
purificator, the
chalice, the pall and the
Missal on the altar.
(Rubrics of the Roman
Missal #21)




The book bearer brings
the Missal to the altar
and hands it to the
Acolyte.

The Offertory Procession
 “It is appropriate for the
faithful’s participation
to be expressed by an
offering…of the bread
and wine for the
celebration of the
Eucharist…”
(GIRM #140)

 “The offerings of the
faithful are received by
the priest, assisted by
the acolyte or other
minister. ”
(GIRM #140)

 “Servers should take the
bread and wine…to the
altar or credence table.
(The priest) should not
have to carry anything
himself to the altar.”
(Ceremonies of the
Modern Roman Rite
#272)

 The server who receives
the ciborium proceeds
to the altar and hands
the ciborium to the
Acolyte or
celebrant, who then
places it on the altar.

 The server who receives
the cruet of wine
proceeds to the
credence table, removes
the top of the cruet and
waits for the other
server to take the water
cruet to the altar

Preparation of the Gifts
 The priest, standing at the
altar, takes the paten with the
bread and, holding it slightly
raised above the altar, says
inaudibly:
 Blessed are you, Lord God of all
creation, for through your
goodness we have received the
bread we offer you: fruit of the
earth and work of human
hands, it will become for us the
bread of life.
(Rubrics of the Roman Missal #23)

 Then (the priest) places the
paten with the bread on the
corporal…the…Priest pours
wine and a little water into the
chalice, saying quietly:
 By the mystery of this water
and wine may we come to share
in the divinity of Christ, who
humbled himself to share our
humanity
(Rubrics of the Roman Missal #23)

 The rubrics call for the
wine to be presented
first and then the water.
 Make sure that the
server with the wine
cruet offers the wine
before the server with
the water.

 After the gifts have been
prepared the priest places
the chalice on the corporal
and bows to say:
“With humble spirit and
contrite heart may we be
accepted by you, O Lord, and
may our sacrifice in your
sight this day be pleasing to
you, Lord God.”

 When you see the
celebrant bow at the
altar, be ready with the
pitcher, bowl and towel
to go to the altar so he
can wash his
hands, unless incense is
used.

 “If incense is used, the
priest then puts some
in the thurible, blesses
it without saying
anything, and incenses
the offerings, the cross
and the altar.”
(GIRM #144)

 “A minister, while
standing at the side of
the altar, incenses the
priest, then the people.”
(GIRM #144)

 After offering the gifts, or
after incensing the
gifts, the rubrics tell us:
 Next the priest stands at
the side of the altar and
washes his hands, saying
quietly:
 Wash me, O Lord, from
my iniquity and cleanse
me from my sin.
 (Rubrics of the Roman
Missal #28)

 After the washing of the
hands, the servers put
the bowl, towel and
pitcher on the credence
table and go to their
seats for the Eucharistic
Prayer.

 When spreading out
the corporal, make sure
that the folds and
creases are down so
that when it is folded
up any particles of the
Host may be folded
inside the cloth

The Eucharistic Prayer
 If incense is to be used at
the consecration, the
thurifer puts some
incense into the thurible
at the beginning of the
“Holy, holy, holy” and
then goes to kneel on
the middle step to the
right side of the altar.

 “A little before the
consecration, when
appropriate, a server
rings a bell as a signal
to the faithful.”
(GIRM #150)

 “(All kneel) for the
consecration, at the
epiklesis…when a server
sounds the bell.”
(Ceremonies of the
Modern Roman Rite
#402)

 “Epiklesis” is a Greek
word that refers to the
calling down of the
Holy Spirit on the gifts
of bread and wine on
the altar.

 We know that the Holy
Spirit is present when
the celebrant holds his
hands out over the
bread and wine on the
altar, a gesture of
sacrifice representing
the descent of the Holy
Spirit

 “If incense is being
used, when the host and
the chalice are shown to
the people after the
Consecration, a minister
incenses them.”
(GIRM #150)

 “…the thurifer incenses
the Blessed Sacrament
at each elevation…the
M.C. or boat bearer
helps to prepare
incense.
(Ceremonies of the
Modern Roman Rite
#403)






“At each elevation (a server)
may ring the bell”
Roman Rite #403)
“A little before the
Consecration…a minister
rings a small bell as a signal
to the faithful. The minister
also rings the small bell at
each elevation by the
Priest…”
(GIRM #150)

The Lord’s Prayer and
the Sign of Peace
 All stand to recite the
Our Father together
with hands in the
prayer position.
 At the Sign of
Peace, servers give the
sign of peace to each
other

the Sign of Peace
 The Priest may give the
Sign of Peace to the
ministers but always
remains within the
sanctuary, so that the
celebration is not
disrupted.
 GIRM # 154

the Sign of Peace
Then, if appropriate, the
Deacon, or the Priest adds:
 Let us offer each other the sign of
peace
 And all offer one another a
sign, in keeping with local
customs, that expresses
peace, communion and charity.
The Priest gives a sign to a
Deacon or minister.
(Rubrics of the Roman Missal # 129)




Communion
The servers and Prefects
approach the altar only
after the Priest has
received Communion
and then receive
Communion before
returning to their seats



Communion
The Missal is left on the
altar until the Celebrant
is finished cleansing the
vessels after
Communion



Communion
When the celebrant
and ministers leave the
sanctuary to distribute
the Blessed
Sacrament, the servers
and Prefect go to their
kneelers or seats and
use this time to pray.



Communion
“When distribution of
Communion is
finished, the priest
himself immediately
consumes at the altar any
consecrated wine that
happens to remain; as for
any consecrated hosts
that are left…(he) carries
them to the place
designated for the
reservation of the
Eucharist.”
(GIRM #163)






Communion
For St. Mary’s Servers
If servers are seated or
standing nearby when the
priest and other ministers
return to the altar after
Communion, they should
stand and when the celebrant
brings the ciboria to the
Tabernacle.
They should face the Lord in
their presence (that is, while
facing the Tabernacle) and
genuflect with the priest
before he closes the
Tabernacle door.



Purifications
“…standing at the
altar…(the Priest) purifies
the paten or ciborium over
the chalice, then purifies
the chalice…and dries (it)
with a purificator. If the
vessels are purified at the
altar, they are carried to
the credence table…”
(GIRM # 163)





Purifications
When the Eucharist is
reposed in the
Tabernacle, the servers
should be immediately ready
to bring the cruet(s) with
water to the altar for the
purification of the vessels.
The servers approach the
Priest and hand him the
cruet, waiting until it is
handed back. The server
then bows and puts the cruet
back on the credence table.



Purifications
Usually the Extraordinary
Ministers wait for the vessels at
the altar, receive them from the
priest and return them to the
credence table. If there are no
Extraordinary Ministers, or if
there are not enough
Eucharistic Ministers, the
servers should be prepared to
receive the vessels and place
them on the credence table.
The Prefect should be aware of
the situation and be prepared
to direct the other servers to
assist when necessary.






Purifications
Remember: as soon as the
Blessed Sacrament is
reposed in the Tabernacle, it
is permissible to be seated.
A period of quiet prayer
follows.
If there is to be a procession
at the end of Mass, the
candle bearers and the
crucifer go to the sacristy
and prepare the cross and
candles when the Priest
stands to say the Prayer after
Communion

Prayer After Communion
 Standing at the chair, the
celebrant recites the
prayer after Communion.
(GIRM # 165)
 The Book Bearer should
be ready after
Communion to bring the
Missal to the chair for the
Communion Prayer.





Concluding Rites
“When the prayer after
Communion is
concluded, brief
announcements to the
people may be made.”
(GIRM # 166)
If there are announcements
to be made, the Book
Bearer may step back and
hold the book down until
the celebrant is ready to
give the blessing.





Concluding Rites
“Then the priest, extending his
hands, greets the People…he
makes the Sign of the Cross over
the people…On certain days and
occasions this blessing …is
expanded and expressed by a
prayer over the People or another
more solemn formula.”
(GIRM # 167)
The Prefect should be aware of
the solemnity of the celebration
and if there is a special blessing
at the end of Mass. The Book
Bearer should be informed of this
before going to the chair.



Recessional
As soon as the Priest
approaches the altar for
veneration at the end of
Mass, the Book
Bearer, crucifer, candle
bearers and other servers
should go immediately to
the center aisle and form
the procession facing the
altar so that when they
turn around to leave, the
procession is in the correct
order.



Recessional
It should be remembered
that if you have something
in your hands, a bow of the
head toward the altar and
Tabernacle is required. If
you have nothing in your
hands, genuflect, going
down on your right knee.
Either of these actions
should be done along with
the celebrant.



Recessional
Remember that the
procession does not end
until we reach the
sacristy, so we should
maintain our liturgical
posture until then



After Mass
After Mass, we will pause
to say the Altar Server
Prayer After Mass
together in the sacristy

After Mass
O Lord Jesus Christ, eternal
high priest, I thank you for
the privilege of having
served at your Holy Altar.
Now as I put aside the
garments of that service I
ask that I may at all times
think of you. May I ever seek
you and find you. May I
always follow you. Ever
ready in your service, may I
always come to do your will
in all things and by your
grace persevere until the
end. Amen.

After Mass
After the hymn has
finished it is the duty
of the Servers to put
out the candles and
bring the Missal into
the sacristy

Altar Server Prefect training

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