Altar Server Training—Session 3

Third Session

∙Reviewnames of items that were learned from Second Session that will be used in this session.

– Altar

– Altar cloth or large table cloth that is on top of altar, but under everything else

– Ambo or pulpit / lectern where readings are proclaimed

– Book of Gospels (red or gold colored book that has the special Gospel readings)

– Chalice (glass or metal cups for Communion)

– Ciborium or bowl that is a bit deeper and will hold hosts

– Corporal or “place setting” which is placed on top of the Altar, under the chalice and paten / ciborium

–Credence table (holds supplies for the altar: water, towel, etc.)

– Cruet which contains water for mixing with the wine

– Flagon or pitcher where the wine is poured from

– Lavabo set or hand-washing set (bowl, pitcher and towel)

– Lectionary (multi-colored book of Bible readings)

– Pall (cover with cross on it (hard square material) placed on the chalice to keep debris out.)

– Paten or plate which will hold the hosts

– Purificator or napkin used to wipe the chalice

– Roman Missal (red book of Mass prayers)

∙“go live” with Walking through the Liturgy of the Eucharist

– First server to arrive for Mass is to light the candles by the altar.

– Corporal is usually on the altar.

– Set Credence table with Roman Missal, 3 chalices, pall, 3 patens, 3 purificators, lavabo set, and cruet of water.

– Cue—when priest is seated for the collection, the servers prepare the altar with grace and dignity in their movement.

The following items are brought to the altar. Rule of thumb: Carry one item in one hand.

Roman Missal with 3 purificators, 1-2 palls, and place on corporal.

Watch the priest at all times. When he stands up to receive the gifts, servers are to join him at the foot of the sanctuary steps.

  • The priest will hand off the gifts in this order:
  • Paten of bread to server who places it to the left of the corporal.
  • Flagon of wine to server who places it to the left of the corporal.
  • The donation basket will be handed to server and placed in front of the altar.

The priest does the Lifting prayers for bread.

Next, he fills the chalices with wine. A server is to bring over the cruet of water to be added to the wine and then returns cruet and empty flagon to credence table.

After the Lifting prayer for wine, two servers approach priest with the lavabo set and towel. One server holds bowl and pitcher of water. The other server holds the towel in opened position for the priest to use. While the priest’s hands are down, the server pours the water slowly over them. When the priest lifts his hands, the server is to stop pouring the water. Once he has watched his hands, the lavabo set and towel are returned to the credence table.

Cue--Lamb of God

  • Server to bring 3 patens to the altar--left side of the corporal.
  • All servers to gather to the left of the altar closest to sacristy to receive Eucharist. Parent permission is needed to receive from the Chalice.

Cue—Afterdistribution of Communion

The servers are to clear the altar and bring everything to the credence table. Again, dignity in movement is needed. The priest will either move items to the left of the corporal or hand them off to the server. Carry one item in one hand or carry one item in each hand. No more than two items at a time are to be carried.

∙Put it all together:

– Walk 3 servers at a time through the setting of altar and clean up.

Thank you for your service to the community.

1