GuidelinesforAltarServers

Thankyouforyourwillingnesstoserve!Ourparishisdeeplygratefulforyourcommitmenttoserviceat
thealtar.Yourserviceanddedicationareimportanttoourparish.Yourrole,throughyouractionsand
conduct,istobringtheassemblytoafullerunderstandingoftheliturgyandagreaterloveforGod.You
haveaplaceofhonoratMassbecauseyouassistthepriestinmanyways.Asweareinthepresenceof
Jesusourking,itisbothwiseandnecessaryforyoutoperformallassigneddutieswithattention,
dignity,andreverence.

ThefollowingguidelinesforAltarServerscoversthemaindetailsatSt.FrancisXavierparishin
Parkersburg,WV,forEucharisticcelebrationsonSundaysandHolyDays;theguidelineshavebeen
developedfromtheGeneralInstructionontheRomanMissal(GIRM)andtheDioceseofWheeling
Charleston'sCelebrationofSundayEucharist.Itshouldhelpyoubecomemorecomfortableinyourrole
atthealtar.

YourdutiesaresoimportantthatevenPopeJohnPaulIItalkedaboutit.HereiswhatBlessedJohnPaul
IIsaidtoagroupofAltarServersin2001:

Thealtarserveroccupiesaprivilegedplaceintheliturgicalcelebration.Thealtarserver
presentshimselftoacommunityandexperiencesfirsthandthatJesusChristispresentandactive
ineveryliturgicalact.Jesusispresentwhenthecommunitycomestogethertoprayandrender
praisetoGod.

JesusispresentintheWordofsacredScripture.JesusispresentaboveallintheEucharistunder
thesignsandbreadandwine.Heactsthroughthepriestwho,inthepersonofChrist,celebrates
theholyMassandadministersthesacraments.

Therefore,intheliturgy,youaremuchmorethansimple'helpersoftheparishpriest'.Aboveall,
youareserversofJesusChrist,oftheeternalHighPriest.Thus,you,altarservers,arecalledin
particulartobeyoungfriendsofJesus.Bedeterminedtogodeeperandtocultivatethis
friendshipwithHim.YouwilldiscoverthatinJesusyouhavefoundatruefriendforlife."**

WhatisanAltarServer?

ThroughBaptism,weareallcalledtobeaholypeopleandroyalpriesthood(IPeter2:9),
whoserightandprivilegeitistoparticipateinChrist'sownministry.Howwedosovariesfrom
persontoperson,butthemostimportantwayisconscious,active,andfruitfulparticipationin
 themysteryoftheEucharist(GIRM,Intro.5).SincetheEucharististheactionofthewhole
Church(GIRM,Intro.5),allofushaveanindividualrightanddutytocontribute(GIRM,58).
Somearecalledtodosoinamoreparticularwaythroughliturgicalministries,suchasAltar
Server,ExtraordinaryMinisterofHolyCommunion,orLector.

SincetheEucharististhemostimportantthingwedoasCatholicChristians,theimportanceof
thisministrycannotbeoveremphasized.Itisanhonorandprivilegetoserveatthealtar,
assistingthepriestinhisresponsibilitiesofleadingthepeopleinprayer.

AnAltarServerisapartofChristsownbody,thechurch,andweworkinharmonytoglorify
Godthroughourservice.

AltarServersmaybecalledupontoserveinanynumberofsituations.Whiletheseguidelines
specificallyenvisiontheSundayMass,theyalsomayserveatweekdayMasscelebrations,
funeralliturgies,EucharisticAdoration,oranyotherpublicworshipserviceinthechurch.

Ratherthanreplacingthepriestordeacon,theAltarServerisanextensionofthecommunitys
needtoparticipateactivelyinthecelebrationofthechurchspublicministry.

Somemaybeyoungmembersoftheparish,othersmightbeadults.

WhoMayServe?

AtStFrancisXavier,anyyoungpersonwhohasreceivedtheirfirstholycommunionareeligibletoserve.
Weencourageeachyoungladyandgentlemantocontinueservingthroughhighschool,andevento
comebackduringtheircollegebreaks.Allcandidatesmustattendatrainingsession,andhavethe
commitmentandabilitytoperformthisrolewithreverence.

Althoughthedutiesofthealtarserveraremanyandvaried,themostimportantresponsibilityofthe
altarserverduringMassistopray!Beforeonemayserveatthealtar,heorshe:

Musthavereceivedfirstholycommunion
HaveastrongdesiretoservetheLord
Mustbecommittedtotheirfellowservers
Attendpracticesandmeetingsthatarescheduled
AttendtheparishschoolofreligionorPCESorPCHS

ForCatholics,nothingismoreimportantthantheMass.Itistheheartandsoulofourworshipofasa
community.ItisthecelebrationthatgivesusthestrengthweneedtoliveourChristianlife.TheMassis
asacredmealcalledtheEucharist(fromtheGreekwordmeaningthanksgiving).AtMass,wegive
thanksforallthatGodhasdoneforus,andwealleatthesamefoodthebreadoflifeandthecupof
theeternalsalvation.

ResponsibilitiesoftheAltarServer

ThealtarservermustbeabletofollowrulestocontinuetoserveatMass

Youmustbeneatandclean.Cleanface,hands,hair,shoes,etc
o Nowildhair,flashyearrings,flipflopsorshorts

Appropriateattire:dressasyouwouldtogoanywhereimportant.
o Maleserversshoulddressincollaredshirts,dresspants,orkhakis
o Femaleserversshouldweardresses,skirts(atorbelowtheknee),orsomeother
appropriateattire.
Bluejeans,beachattire,gymclothes,andteeshirtarenevertobewornat
Mass.Suchclothingisnotappropriateattireforservingatthealtar.
o Appropriatedressshoesshouldbewornbyall(preferablyblackorbrownshoesformail
servers.)
NoSneakers,workboots,orflipflops.
AttendMassonSundaysandholydays.

ServeateveryMasswhenscheduled.
o IfforanyreasontheservercannotattendtheassignedMass,itistheservers
responsibilitytofindareplacement.Ifthereisaproblemfindingareplacement,callthe
parishofficenolaterthanFridaybeforetheassignedMass.
o Remember,asyouarepartofateam.Whenyoumissyourscheduleddate,everyone
suffers.
Serversshouldknowtheresponsesandsaythemoutloud.Evenifyoudonthavearesponse
andonlyFatherisspeaking,paycloseattentiontotheprayersastheyarebeingprayed.Godis
speakingtoyoutoo!

Inordertobestserve,youshouldknowtheorderoftheMass,andwhatisgoingtohappenaswepray
together.Beforewegetintothedetailsofhowtoserve,letslookattheorderoftheMass.

THEORDEROFMASS

INTRODUCTORYRITES
EntranceProcession

Greeting
PenitentialRite(sometimes,wemayhaveSprinklingwithHolyWateratthistime)

Gloria(thisancienthymnofpraiseisusedonallSundaysandSolemnitiesoutsideofAdventandLent)

OpeningPrayer(alsocalledtheCollect.)

LITURGYOFTHEWORD
FirstReading

ResponsorialPsalm

SecondReading(omittedonmostweekdays)

Alleluia/GospelAcclamation

Homily(ateachingorlessongivenbytheBishop,priest,ordeaconthathelpsusunderstandthereadings,feast
day,orspecialoccasion)

ProfessionofFaith

GeneralIntercessions(PrayersoftheFaithful)

LITURGYOFTHEEUCHARIST
PresentationoftheGifts/PreparationoftheAltar

PrayerovertheGifts

Sanctus(Holy,Holy,Holy)

EucharisticPrayer:(thereareatotalof10EucharisticPrayersthatthepriestmaychoosefrom.Eachprayerhas
asimilarstructure.)

Memorialacclamation

GreatAmen

COMMUNIONRITE
TheLordsPrayer(OurFather)
Signofpeace

Communion

PrayerafterCommunion

CONCLUDINGRITE
Announcements

Blessing&Dismissal

RecessionalandClosingSong

ArrivingatMass

Arrive15minutesbeforeMassbegins

DressinprovidedServerClothinginSacristy.Yourcassockshouldbeanklelength.(Asyou
grow,youwillneedtobeawareoflargersizes.)Treatthevestmentswithcare,andmakesure
thattheoneyouchoosefitsproperly.

Askthepriestifthereareanyspecialchangesforthiscelebration.

SpendafewminutesinprayeryourselfbeforeMassbeginssothatyouarepreparedtoserve
well.

Someofthefollowingpreparationitemsmayhavebeendonebeforeyouarrive.Alwaysdouble
checktomakesurethatthesethingshavebeendone:

Fillthewatercruetandplaceitonthecredencetable

Makesurethatthehandtowelandhandwashingbowlareonthecredencetable

Putoutthebellsintheirplace

Whenthepriestisready,placetheRomanMissalonthetablebesidethePresiderschair.

Whenthefiveminutebellrings,lightthecandlesonthealtar.
o Alwaysusethecandlelightertolightthecandles.Properlyextinguishtheflameby
 pullingthewickintothelighterimmediatelyafterlightingthelastcandle.Whenyouget
backtothesacristy,pushthewickbackoutatleastoneinch.(thisallowsthetiptocool
sothatthewickdoesnotstick)Pleasedonotwalkbacktowardthesacristywitha
lighterstillalight,anddonotblowthewickout.

Crossbearerbringsthecrossintothesacristy

ServingatMass

AltarServersarepartoftheformalprocessionatthebeginningofMass.Theorderof
processionwillbe:
o Thurifer(ifincenseisused)
o Crucifer(ProcessionalCross)
o Servers(maycarrycandlesinmoreformalcelebrations)
o Readers
o ExtraordinaryMinistersoftheEucharist
o Deacon
o Priest
Whentold,theCrossBearerstandsatthedoortosignalthemusiciantobegin.Westarttowalk
whenthepeoplebegintosing.

Serverswalkreverentlyinprocessionwiththeirhandsfolded,atamoderatepace,andwith
eyesforward.

Comingdownthemainaisle,leaveaspacebetweenyourselfandthepersoninfrontofyou.

Whentheprocessionreachesthefootofthealtar,theThuriferandCruciferproceedtotheir
placesontheleftasyoufacethealtar.Allotherswaitforandgenuflectwiththepriest.

Uponenteringthesanctuary,serversproceedtotheirseats.Thebookbearerwillgotheright.
Ifanychairsbesidethepriestareavailable,theyshouldbeoccupiedfirst.Otherwise,servers
taketheirplaceonthepewsatthesideofthesanctuary.

TheoneserverdesignatedasBookBearerwillbeinplacewiththeRomanMissal(Book)
beforethepriestsaysLetuspray.

StayinapositionandattitudeofpersonalprayerduringMass
o Foldyourhandsandsitupstraight
o Keepyoureyesfocusedonwhatishappeningatthealtar

Serversshouldknowtheresponsesandsaythemoutloud.


PreparationofGifts

Whenthepriestordeaconisready,assistwithsettingthealtar.
o Server2(BookBearer)bringstheBooktothealtar
o Server1and3(CrossandBellServer)bringchalicestothepriestordeacon
o Whenwaitingforanextaction,serversstandnearthecredencetable

Whenthepriestgoestothefrontofthealtartoacceptthegifts,Servers2&3(BookandBells)
standoneithersideofthepriestanddeaconwithhandsfoldedwhilewaiting.

o Onewillbehandedtheplatewithbread,theotherwillbehandedtheflaganwithwine.

o Returntothealtar
Givethepatenwithbreadtothepriest.
Ifadeaconispresent,givethewinetohim.Otherwise,placeitonthealtar.
Thecrossbearerimmediatelybringsthecruetwithwatertothepriestor
deaconformixingwiththewine.
Theserverwhocarriedthewine,thenjoinsthecrossbearerwiththetoweland
bowlforwashingthepriestshands.
Theseactionsshouldoccurgracefully,yetswiftlyinordertohelptheliturgy
flowsmoothly.
ATTIMES.THEREMAYBEINCENSEUSEDATTHISPARTOFTHEMASS.IFUSED,THEHAND
WASHINGFOLLOWSTHEUSEOFINCENSE.

Serversgotothefootofthealtaroneithersidewheretheirbellshavebeenplaced,andstand
andkneelatthepropertimes.

o Bellswillberungattheelevationofthehostandagainatthechalice.

AfterthepriestsaysThisismybodywhichwillbegivenupforyou.

AfterthepriestsaysDothisinmemoryofme.

AtTheLordsPrayer(OurFather),standinplaceandhelpthepriestleadtheprayer.

Atthesignofpeace,firstexchangethesignofpeacewiththepriest,thenthedeacon,andeach
other.
o Afterthesignofpeace,standinalinebehindtheambotobepreparedtoreceive
communion.
o Afteryouhavereceivedcommunion,kneelonthestepsinfrontofthetabernacle.
o IfthereisnodeaconatthisMass,thepriesthandsthesacredvesselsfromthealtarto
thecrossbearerandtheserverreturnsthemtothecredencetable.
 o Returntoyourseatonlyafterthetabernacleisclosed.

Afterabriefperiodofreflection,thepriestwillstandforthePrayerafterCommunion.Watch
forhissignalfortheBookBearertocomeforwardsoyouareinplacewiththeBookbeforehe
saysLetuspray.
o Aftertheprayer,remaininplaceuntilthepriestclosesthebook.
o Beattentiveduringtheprayerandanyannouncementsthatmayfollow.

Atthedismissal,thepriestordeaconwillgivethefinalinstruction.Whenthepeoplerespond
ThanksBetoGod,allserversmovetotheirplacesfortherecessional.
o Allareinalineatthefootofthealtarandgenuflectwhenthepriest/presider
genuflects.(ifcarryingcross,incenseorcandles,youdonotgenuflect)
Theorderoftherecessionalis:
o Thurifer(ifincenseisused)
o Crucifer(ProcessionalCross)
o Servers(maycarrycandlesinmoreformalcelebrations)
o Deacon
o Priest
Regardlessastowherethepriestgoes,allserversreturnimmediatelytothesacristy.

AftertheMass

Remainvesteduntilallchoresarefinished.
Bringbooks,andbellsbacktosacristy
Properlyextinguishthecandlesusingthecandlesnuffer.
Askifthereisanythingelsetheyshoulddo.
Properlyhangcassockandsurpliceonthehangersprovided.

TipsforAltarServers

Thepeoplearelookingatyouforguidanceandwillfollowwhatyoudo.

YousetthetonefortheMass

Remember,botholderandyoungerpeoplearelookingatyousotheycanfollowyourexample.

MakesurethatyouknowtheorderoftheMassandalloftheresponses!

Occasionallyyoumightforgetsomethingormakeamistake.Remaincalmandcontinueto
serveinadignifiedmanner.

Ifyouforgetsomething,askthepriestordeaconforhelp
 WhenincenseisusedatMass,caremustbetakenthatitisnotkeptburningnearthesmoke
detectors.

DOsandDONTs

DO DONT

Alwaysbereverentandrespectful Makesillyfacesorgoofaround

Walkreverently Jump,skip,orrun

Payattentiontowhatishappening DayDream

Havegoodposture Slumporslouch

Listenattentively Giggle,chitchat,oryawn

Definitions

ABLUTIONCUPacovereddishofwateronthesideofthetabernacleusedbythepriest,
deacon,orExtraordinaryMinistersoftheEucharisttowashtheirfingersafterdistributing
communion.

ALBthefulllengthwhitegarmentwornbythepriest,deacon,andinsomecasesaltarservers.
Thealbissymbolicofbaptism.TheropetiedaroundthewaistiscalledaCINCTURE.

ASPERGILLIUMtheholywatersprinkler.

CASSOCKalong,tuniclikegarmentwhichreachesfromthenecktotheheelswhichiswornby
someserversandclergy.Maybeeitherblackorred.

CHALICEacupmadeofpreciousmetalthatholdsthewinewhichbecomestheBloodofChrist
aftertheconsecration.AllchalicesshouldbeputawayafterMass.Ifthechaliceswereleft
unpurifiedbythepriestordeaconafterMass,theyshouldbeleftoutonthepresentationtable
intheSacristyforpurificationlaterbythepriestordeacon.Neverputanunpurifiedchalice
away.

CIBORIUMalargecuporcontainermadeofpreciousmetalwithacoverofthesamematerial
whichwillholdTheBodyofChristintheTabernacle.Thissamevesselmaybeusedtodistribute
communion.

CORPORALawhitelinencloths,usuallywithacrossforotherdesignofwovenin,usedto
protectanyparticlesoftheBodyandBloodofJesusfromfallingtothealtarcloths.Itisalwaysa
 foldedandunfoldedastoprotectanyparticlesfrombeinglost.Thecorporalislikethebody
windingsheetusedtoholdthecrucifiedbodyofourLordinthetomb.

CREDENCETABLEthetableinthesanctuarywheretheCRUETS,CHALICES,andCIBORIUMare
keptbeforeandaftertheconsecration.

CRUETSthevesselscontainingthewaterandwindusedatMass.

FLAGANanothernameusedforthelargepitcherholdingthewinetobeusedatMass.

LECTIONARYthebookofreadingsusedfortheLiturgyoftheWord.Itusuallycontainsallof
theBiblicalreadingsusedforthethreeyearSundaycycleofreadings.Thereareother
LectionarybooksthatholdtheweekdayMassreadings.

LUNAorLUNETTEathin,circularreceptacle,havingaglassfacethatholdstheconsecrated
hostusedforadorationandbenediction.ItslidesintotheMONSTRANCEonalittletrack.

MONSTRANCEthisisalarge,ornatevesselusedtoholdtheBlessedSacramentforAdoration,
Benediction,andsolemnEucharisticprocessions.

PALLasquarepieceofcardboardorplastic,coveredbylinen,usedtocoverthechalice.

PASCHALCANDLEalsocalledtheChristCandleisaspecialtemplethatisblessedattheEaster
vigilandthatduringtheEasterseasonandbaptisms,funerals,andotherspecialevents.

PATENasmallsaucershapedplatemadeofpreciousmetalthatholdstheHost.Serversshould
beverycarefulwhentheyhavetohandleitintheirofficialduties.

PROCESSIONALCROSSthecrucifixmountedonalongsoulthatiscarriedatthefrontofthe
entranceprocession.

PURIFICATORalinenclothusedbythepriestordeacontodrivethechaliceafterwashingand
purifyingahit.UsedPURIFICATORSmustalwaysbeplacedinthepropercontainerforsacred
cloths.

PYXacase,aboutthesizeofapocketwatch,inwhichcommunioniscarriedtothosewhoare
sickorunabletocometochurch.

ROMANMISSALorSACRAMENTARYthebookcontainingtheprayersusedbythepriestduring
Mass.

SACRARIUMasinkwithitsdraingoingdirectlyintotheground,usuallyfittedwithacoverand
lock,whichisusedforthedisposalofthefollowing:thesacredlinenswashandrinsewater,
usedholywater,usedbaptismalwater,consecratedwine,andblessedashes.Nootheruseis
allowed.
 SANCTUARYspaceatthefrontofthechurchwhichisslightlyelevatedandistheplacewhere
mostoftheactiontakesplace.Thewordmeansholyplace.Itcontains:

o MAINALTARthelargetableinthemiddleofthesanctuaryonwhichthesacrificeof
theMasstakesplace.

o AMBOthespecialspacesetasideforSacredScripturereadingandpreaching.

o PRESIDERSCHAIRthechairfromwhichthepriestleadstheprayersandtheritesof
thechurch.

STOCKthemetalcontainersusedtoholdtheOilofCatechumens,theSacredChrism,andthe
OilfortheAnointingoftheSick.

SURPLICEawidesleevedgarmentwornoveracassockbyclergyandaltarserversinsome
parishes.

TABERNACLEasmallcupboardwheretheconsecratedBodyofChristiskeptfordistributionto
thesick.Itisusuallycraftedoffinematerialsuchaspreciousmetalandlinedwithfinelinensto
denotethedignityoftheplace.TherootwordmeanstheDwellingPlace(ofGod).

THURIBLEthespecialvesselwhichholdsburningcharcoalandintowhichincenseisplaced.
ThedeviceholdingtheincenseiscalledtheBOAT.Theonewhocarriesthemiscalledthe
THURIFER.

AnAltarServersPrayer

Openmymouth,OLord,toblessyourHolyName.
Cleansemyheartfromallevilanddistractingthoughts.
Enlightenmyunderstandingandinflamemywill
thatImayservemoreworthilyatyourHolyAltar.
OMary,MotherofChristtheHighPriest,obtainforme
themostimportantgraceofknowingmyvocationinlife.
Grantmeatruespiritoffaithandhumbleobedience
SothatImayeverbeholdthepriestasarepresentativeofGod
andwillinglyfollowhimin
TheWay,TheTruth,andtheLifeofChrist.
Amen
ConsiderationsforAdultServers

Albsforadultserverscanbefoundinthepriestssacristy.
RememberthattheaboveguidelinesenvisiontheSundayMasswhentherearethree
servers.
 ConsultthepriestforanyspecialconditionsintheMassyouareserving.
Adultserversmayadjustaccordingly.

PRAYERSTOKNOW
ArealreadyfamiliarwithmostoftheprayersatMassfromgoingtoMassforsolong.Theimportant
thingtorememberisthattheyaresaidinacleartone.Herearesomeofthelongerprayersthatyou
shouldknowtosayorsingduringMass:

CONFITEOR

IConfesstoalmightyGod,andtoyoumybrothersandsisters,thatIhavegreatlysinned,inmy
thoughtsandinmywords,inwhatIhavedoneandinwhatIhavefailedtodo,throughmyfault,
throughmyfault,throughmymostgrievousfault;thereforeIaskblessedMaryeverVirgin,all
theAngelsandSaints,andyou,mybrothersandsisters,toprayformetotheLordourGod.

GLORIA

GlorytoGodinthehighest,andonearththesetopeopleofgoodwill.Wepraiseyou,webless
you,weadoreyou,weglorifyyou,wegiveyouthanksforyourgreatGlory,LordGod,heavenly
King,OGod,almightyFather.LordJesusChrist,OnlyBegottenSon,LordGod,LambofGod,Son
oftheFather,youtakeawaythesinsoftheworld,havemercyonus;youtakeawaythesinsof
theworld,receiveourprayer;youareseatedattherighthandoftheFather,havemercyonus.
ForyoualonearetheHolyOne,youalonearetheLord,youalonearetheMostHigh,Jesus
Christ,withtheHolySpirit,inthegloryofGodtheFather.Amen.

PROFESSIONOFFAITH(NiceneCreed)

IbelieveinoneGod,theFatheralmighty,makerofheavenandearth,ofallthingsvisibleand
invisible.

IbelieveinoneLordJesusChrist,theOnlyBegottenSonofGod,bornoftheFatherbeforeall
ages.GodfromGod,LightfromLight,trueGodfromtrueGod,begotten,notmade,
consubstantialwiththeFather;throughhimallthingsweremade.Forusmenandforour
salvationhecamedownfromheaven,bytheHolySpiritwasincarnateoftheVirginMary,and
becameman.

ForoursakewascrucifiedunderPontiusPilate,hesuffereddeathandwasburied,androse
againonthethirddayinaccordancewiththeScriptures.Heascendedintoheavenandisseated
attherighthandoftheFather.HewillcomeagaininGlorytojudgethelivingandthedeadand
hiskingdomwillhavenoend.
 IbelieveintheHolySpirit,theLord,thegiveroflife,whoproceedsfromtheFatherandtheSon,
whowiththeFatherandtheSonisadoredandglorified,whohasspokenthroughtheprophets.

Ibelieveandone,holy,catholicandapostolicChurch.IconfessoneBaptismfortheforgiveness
ofsinsandIlookforwardtotheresurrectionofthedeadandthelifeoftheworldtocome.
Amen.

HOLY,HOLY,HOLY(SANCTUS)

Holy,holy,holyLord,Godofhosts.HeavenandeartharefullofyourGlory.Hosannainthe
highest.BlessedishewhocomesinthenameoftheLord.Hosannainthehighest.

THELORDSPRAYER(OURFATHER)

OurFather,whoartinheaven,hallowedbethyname;thykingdomcome;thywillbedoneon
earthasitisinheaven.Giveusthisdayourdailybread;andforgiveusourtrespassesaswe
forgivethosewhotrespassagainstus;andleadusnotintotemptation,butdeliverusfromevil.

SPECIALNOTESFORFUNERALS

Funeralsareatimeofgrievingforfamilies,soitisespeciallyimportantthatyoushowrespectforGodby
beingattentivenotonlytotheneedsofthepriest,butalsotobesensitivetotheneedsofthefamilythat
maybestrugglingthroughtheirlossofalovedone.

IfyouarerequestedtoserveanyFuneralMass,pleasetrytoarriveatleast15minutesbeforeMass
begins.Ingeneral,afuneralMassisverysimilartoanormalSundayMass.Herearesomethingsthat
maydifferfromaregularSundayMass.

Intheentranceprocession,Oneservercarriesthevesselwithholywater.Anothercarriesthe
Cross.

Afterthepriestblessesthecasket,weturnandprocessin.

Dependingonthepriestthepresiding,incensemaybeusedatthepreparationofthegifts.If
incenseisused,itwillbebeforethepriestwasheshishands.

Aftercommunion,therewillbeaclosingprayer.ThisisfollowedbyTheFinalCommendation.
again,thepriestwilluseincensetoblessthecasketatthefootofthealtar.

TheveryendoftheMass,thepriestordeaconwillsayInpeaceletustakeourbrother/sister
theplaceofrest.Wethenleadthefuneralprocessiontothecars.

TOLEARNMORE
Thepriestordeaconisalwaysavailabletohelpwithanyquestionsyoumayhave.Asyoulearnmore,
youwillbetterunderstandthedepthoftheMassandbeabletoprayitmoredeeply,evenwhileserving.

GeneralInstructionontheRomanMissal.(GIRM)2010.(http://www.usccb.org/prayerand
worship/theMass/generalinstructionoftheromanmissal/)

LumenGentium.SecondVaticanCouncil.1964.
(http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat
ii_const_19641121_lumengentium_en.html)

LiturgicalGuidelinesDioceseofWheelingCharleston.2012.(http://dwc.org/liturgical
information/cat_view/139worshipasacraments/231diocesanliturgicalguidelines.html)

UnitedStatesConferenceofCatholicBishops:GuidelinesforAltarServers.1994.
(http://www.usccb.org/prayerandworship/theMass/frequentlyaskedquestions/guidelines
foraltarservers.cfm)

**PopeJohnPaulII,August12,2001addresstoaltarservers.