Guide for Altar Servers

This guide explains how altar servers serve in this parish.
 Please follow it exactly, even if you have served elsewhere differently.

Who May Serve at the Altar

In this parish, anyone who has reached First Holy Communion age may serve at the altar.

This includes:

  • children
  • teenagers
  • adults

Altar serving is not limited to a particular age group. What matters is:

  • reverence
  • willingness to learn
  • ability to follow instructions

All servers, whatever their age, are expected to serve with the same care, discipline, and attention.

The Purpose of Altar Serving

An Altar Server assists the priest (and deacon, if present) in the celebration of the Holy Mass.

By serving well, you help the Mass to be:

  • orderly
  • reverent
  • prayerful

Serving is a ministry, not a performance.
 Stillness, discipline, and attention matter more than speed.

Vesture

Altar servers wear cassock and surplice.

  • Cassock fastened properly
  • Surplice clean and sitting correctly

The Serving Team (Usual Roles)

At a full Mass we normally have:

  • Crucifer
  • Thurifer
  • Boat Bearer
  • Acolytes (usually two)
  • Book Bearer
  • Master of Ceremonies (MC)

Each role is distinct.
 The MC directs the servers at all times.

Before Mass

Arrival and Preparation

  • Arrive 15 minutes before Mass
  • Go to the sacristy
  • Vest neatly
  • Check assigned roles with the MC
  • Silence phones
  • Spend a moment in quiet prayer

Entering and Leaving the Sanctuary

Genuflection

  • Servers genuflect in twos, never singly unless unavoidable
  • Move together
  • Pause together
  • Rise together

Genuflect toward the tabernacle, slowly and deliberately.

This applies:

  • at the beginning of Mass
  • whenever crossing the sanctuary
  • at the end of Mass

Entrance Procession

Order (No Deacon)

  1. Thurifer
  2. Boat Bearer
  3. Crucifer
  4. Acolytes
  5. Book Bearer
  6. MC
  7. Priest

Order (With Deacon)

  1. Thurifer
  2. Boat Bearer
  3. Crucifer
  4. Acolytes
  5. Book Bearer
  6. MC
  7. Deacon carrying the Book of the Gospels
  8. Priest

The MC walks immediately before the deacon.
 The deacon walks immediately before the priest, carrying the Book of the Gospels raised slightly and reverently.

On Reaching the Sanctuary

  • All genuflect in pairs with the priest
  • The deacon places the Book of the Gospels on the altar as directed
  • Servers go quietly to their places

Posture and Hands

When standing or walking:

  • Hands joined
  • No unnecessary movement

When seated:

  • Sit upright
  • Hands together or resting neatly on lap

Good posture is part of reverent service.

During the Liturgy of the Word

  • Sit still
  • Listen attentively
  • Do not whisper or fidget

Servers are part of the congregation at this point.

The Book Bearer

The Missal

When the priest says “Let us pray”:

  • Bring the Missal
  • Hold it steady at the correct height
  • Remain still until the prayer is finished
  • Return the book carefully

The Priest’s Biretta

When the priest sits:

  • The book bearer approaches calmly
  • Hands the biretta so that the priest can receive it using the middle tab
  • The priest takes the biretta himself
  • The book bearer steps back quietly

When the priest stands again:

  • Retrieve the biretta if required
  • Do so calmly and without drawing attention

The biretta is never placed on the altar.

After the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy)

Immediately after the Sanctus:

  • Thurifer and acolytes move to the foot of the sanctuary
  • MC directs exact positioning
  • Remain still and attentive

This prepares for the Eucharistic Prayer.

Incense

Thurible and Boat

  • The thurible contains the charcoal and incense
  • The boat contains the incense grains

When incense is used:

  • Boat bearer presents the boat open
  • Thurifer holds the thurible steady
  • Close it carefully after incense is added

Leading the Priest During Incensation

  • The thurifer leads the priest
  • Walk slowly
  • Stop clearly so the priest can incense:
    • the altar
    • the cross
    • the gifts

Incensing the Patron

If the patron statue or image is near the sanctuary:

  • After the altar and cross, the priest also incenses the patron
  • The thurifer leads the priest to the patron
  • Stop squarely and remain still until the incensation is complete

This is done only when the patron is close to the sanctuary.

Preparation of the Altar

This is overseen by the MC, assisted by acolytes.

Chalice, Veil, and Burse

  • The chalice is prepared with veil and burse
  • The burse is removed
  • The corporal is taken out and placed on the altar

Placement of the Burse (Parish Custom)

  • The burse is stood upright behind the altar candles
  • It should face the altar
  • It is not laid flat
  • It is not moved again unless instructed

Handle all items carefully and reverently.

Bells

The bell is rung only at specific moments, gently and clearly.

The Bell Is Rung:

  • Once, at the epiclesis
     (when the priest places his hands over the gifts)
  • At the elevation of the Host
  • At the elevation of the Chalice
  • Once, at the priest’s reception of Holy Communion

If a ring is missed, do not try to catch up.

Holy Communion

Order of Receiving Communion

  1. Priest
  2. Deacon (if present)
  3. Altar servers
  4. Extraordinary Ministers

Servers receive before Extraordinary Ministers.

How Servers Receive Communion

Altar servers:

  • do not come forward
  • receive Holy Communion kneeling at their bench
  • receive on the tongue, can receive from the chalice when convenient
  • remain still and prayerful afterwards

This sets a clear example of reverence.

Communion Paten

  • one server holds it under the chin of each communicant
  • keep it steady
  • move calmly and carefully

After Communion

  • Return to stillness
  • Assist with clearing the altar only if instructed
  • Do not move unnecessarily

End of Mass

Before the Recessional

  • The Prayer to St Michael is said
  • Servers remain still and attentive

Recessional

  • Servers line up calmly
  • The priest is flanked by servers
  • All genuflect together in pairs
  • Turn and walk out together slowly and reverently

Behaviour at All Times

Servers should:

  • move calmly
  • remain attentive
  • follow the MC
  • avoid unnecessary movement

Stillness helps everyone pray.

If You Are Unsure What to Do

  • Watch the MC or priest
  • Stillness is always better than guessing
  • Learning takes time — that is normal

A Final Word

Serving at the altar is a great privilege.

You assist at holy things and set an example for the whole congregation.

Serve:

  • quietly
  • carefully
  • prayerfully

By serving well, you honour Christ and His Church.