Bowing & genuflecting before the Tabernacle and Altar
BEFORE and AFTER MASS - Anytime you cross in FRONT of the tabernacle without anything in your hands, or in a Procession, you stop, face the Tabernacle, genuflect and continue with the action.
DURING MASS - Anytime you cross in FRONT or BEHIND the altar without anything in your hands, you stop, face the Altar, genuflect, and continue with the action.
Entrance Procession, when at the altar (all simultaneously)
If you have anything in your hand, you are to bow.
If nothing is in your hand, you are to genuflect.
Hands - When they are empty, you are to cross them.
Thurifer is to place the hand (not being used) over their heart.
Assignments during Mass
(1) Thurifer # 1
Processions: Entrance, Offertory, Gospel, Eucharistic, and during Consecration
( 1) Thurifer # 2
Eucharistic Procession
(1) Crucifer
(?) Candle bearers
(1) Server to hold the incense boat & guides the Thurifer walking backwards
(1) Server to hold the roman missal
(1) Server to hold the Oil Dialogue
(2) Servers to ring bells
(1) Server to operate the Crotalus “clacker” (wood mallet)
(2) Servers to assist deacon with receiving (oils, bread, wine, offerings)
(16) 4 groups of 4 to escort:
Group 1 (Oil # 1)
Group 2 (Oil # 2)
Group 3 (Oil # 3)
Group 4 (Bread, Wine, and Offerings)
Servers to assist with preparing the altar
Servers to assist with the “lavabo” washing of priest hands
(5) - Servers to hold Communion Patens during the Communion Procession
(1) altar server follows the EMHC to the choir loft
Processions
They are solemn & holy.
Walk slow with dignity and reverence. Take your time.
Example of how to process as an altar server (click here).
Entrance Procession (ORDER)
Thurifer “thurible Bearer” - leads the procession
Do not start the procession until the choir begins to sing.
Crucifer “Cross Bearer”
Candle Bearers – line up side-by-side with each other, behind the Cross Bearer.
Torch bearers - line up side-by-side with each other,
Additional Altar Servers – lineup in pairs, side-by-side with each other, behind the Candle Bearers.
Deacon or reader, with the Book of Gospels
Concelebrating priests
Presiding Priest
Gloria
Bells (servers will ring bell during the Gloria),
CUE: Once the chanted “kyrie” is finished, the sacristan will flip the switch in the sacristy to start tolling the exterior bells. The organist will not start playing until the bells start ringing.
4 groups (4 servers in each group) + 2 altar servers to help (1 receives oil & 1 holds book)
Altar server that receives oil places it to the ambry and comes back to receive the next oil
1 altar server receives the oil and places it in the ambry - then comes back to altar
Group 1 will escort the first oil to the altar.
Two servers in front of the oil bearer, and 2 servers behind the oil bearer.
Once finished, return to the altar (you are done)
Group 2 servers will escort the 2nd oil. Once finished, return to the altar. (you are done)
Group 3 servers will escort the 3rd oil. Once finished, return to the altar. ( you are done)
Group 4 will escort the bread, wine, and offerings of the people.
CUE: Once the general intercessions “petitions” - Groups 1 - 4 will head to the back of the church. The 2 assigned altar servers to receive the oil and gifts will head to the foot of the altar when the collection is finished and music has stopped. .
As always, processions are sacred. Walk slow with dignity .Take your time, it is solemn.