Altar Servers
Generally, to be an Altar Server in Holy Cross, the candidate’s family must be a member of the parish. The young boy or girl should have received first communion and, as a minimum, be in the 5th grade. They must then attend a training session and we like to have them shadow experienced servers at least twice before becoming certified as an Altar Server.
Anyone interested in becoming an Altar Server should contact Dn. Derrel Craig at 805.530.0305 or at dnderrelcraig@holycross-moorpark.org for more information.
Altar Servers should check the Master Schedule for Altar Servers which is sent to each server and the weekly Parish Bulletin frequently to make sure they are aware of what Masses they are scheduled to serve. If you are not able to cover a Mass for which you are schedule it is your responsibility to find a replacement from among the other servers.
Prayer before Serving
Thank you, Lord Jesus,
for calling me to serve at your altar.
Please give me the grace
to serve you and your people well.
Open my mouth to praise you in word and song.
Open my ears to hear your Word.
Open my hands to do your work well.
I give you praise and glory in everything I do
now and forever. Amen.
The calling to be an altar server is a ministry and your role at Mass is very important. It is a privilege to serve God at the Holy Altar. Therefore, you should take this special ministry seriously as you assist the priest and the deacon in celebrating the Eucharist.
The MASS consists of four parts:
Preparation, Entry Procession, Assisting During Mass, and Exit procession.
I. Preparation:
A. Arrive at church 15 minutes before mass begins.
1. It is important that you arrive early for two reasons:
a. The sacristan knows you are here; and,
b. Signing in and vesting for mass.
B. Go to the altar server’s room and dress.
1. Choose the white alb that fits you comfortably.
2. Tie one red and one white cincture (ropes) around the alb at the waist.
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C. Return to the Sacristy (where you sign in and the priest, deacon, and lectors gather) prior
to the Mass.
D. Five minutes before mass, get the crucifix and, if there are three of you, get the candles and proceed to the back of the church.
II. Entry Procession
A. With the priest, deacon, and lectors, at the back of the church, you will line up at the door leading into the church.
B. When the congregation begins singing, process slowly toward the altar with the crucifix held high.
C. Upon reaching the front of the church, move to the left and replace the crucifix in it’s proper holder.
D. When the priest bows, you bow also and proceed to your front pew and remain standing.
III. Assisting During the Mass
A. After the GLORIA, the priest will say, “Let us pray”. That is your cue to walk up to hold the book for the priest to recite the Opening Prayer.
B. After the Opening Prayer, the priest will take the book and you return to your seat.
C. Pay attention to the readings and the responsorial psalm.
D. When the choir begins to sing ALLELUIA, take the candles and walk to the front of the altar, leaving the middle space for the priest or deacon, and prepare to proceed to the ambo with him.
E. Stand on either side of the ambo placing the candle’s pole on your foot as the Gospel is proclaimed.
F. After the Gospel proclamation, return the candles to the candles’ stands and return to your pew.
G. When the priest is seated, soon after the collection will be taken. Bring the chalice (cup) to the altar and place it on the side of the altar or give it to the deacon.
1. Two altar servers should then stand side-by-side with the priest ready to receive the gifts and deliver them to the altar.
2. The third altar server brings the small cruet (water) to the priest or deacon preparing the chalice. The priest or deacon will take the cruet, and when he is finished he will return it to you; then slightly bow your head and return the cruet to the credence table and place the cork back on.
3. The other two servers will carry the water pitcher and bowl, as well as the towel, to the priest. Approach the altar and wait for the priest to walk to you. When he has arrived at your place, extend the bowl and with the pitcher, pour a small amount of water onto the priest’s hands. Then, offer him the towel. When he has finished, the priest will give the towel back to you. Both servers bow and return the items to the credence table.
4. Remain standing until the HOLY, HOLY, HOLY ends and you will walk to the steps and kneel.
5. The priest will raise the Body (the large host) and say, “...this is my body which will be given up for
you.” When he pauses here, you ring the bells. Then, the priest will raise the chalice and say, “...drink this, in memory of me.” You ring the bells again.
6. At the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayers, stand and pray the Our Father, then offer the sign of peace to one another. When the priest approaches to give Holy Communion, you line up first and receive communion.
7. When the entire congregation has received communion, the priest or deacon will purify (clean and dry) the chalice; come up to the altar and retrieve it. Place it on the credence table.
8. When the priest stands up and says, “Let us pray”, you approach him immediately to
hold the book while the priest says the Closing Prayer. Upon completion, return to your pew and await the final blessing and dismissal.
IV. Exit Procession
A. At the final blessing: “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” retrieve the cross and candles.
1. When the priest and deacon come down and stand before the altar, this is your cue to line up behind the priest, with the cross and candles leading the way out of the church.
2. When the priest bows, all in the procession bow and proceed slowly toward the back of the church.
3. After leaving the vestibule, return the cross and candles to their stands, return to the vesting room, and remove and hang up both the cinctures and the alb.
***Things to remember***
1. Dress appropriately, for example: black shoes, long pants, NO shorts or tennis shoes.
2. Always be on time! If you cannot make your scheduled time, you MUST contact another altar server to replace you.
3. No laughing, joking, or talking during Mass except when asking one another for assistance.
4. If you need to use the restroom, quietly leave the church to do so.
5. To become a certified altar server, you must shadow current altar servers on two occasions. Then, you must carry out the duties of an altar server on two occasions. When you have completed these four assignments, you will be placed on the schedule. So that I know that you have completed these tasks, sign in on the altar server’s list in the position you are serving that day. For example, if you shadow at any of the masses this Sunday, sign your name alongside the regular altar servers and indicate that you are shadowing. When you serve as a regular altar server, indicate on the form, your name and the number of the times for which you are completing the task.
6. For those experienced altar servers, please instruct, show, and help the shadow altar servers so that they will learn more quickly. Please DO NOT do everything on your own and leave the shadow altar servers out; they will not learn.
7. It’s okay to make mistakes; we all do! Just smile, learn from your mistake, then move on.
May God bless you and your family abundantly with His blessings!
“For what is the altar of Christ if not the image of the Body of Christ? The altar represents the body of Christ and the Body of Christ is on the altar.”
St. Ambrose
