Instructions for Altar Servers and Cross Bearers
1. If you have a nice pair of shoes, wear them. Arrive in the sacristy at least 10-15 minutes before the Mass begins. Remember to
genuflect when you approach or pass by the tabernacle as a sign of reverence to the Blessed Sacrament.
2. The altar servers vest in an alb (it should be long enough to cover your pants and legs, but not so long that you step on it) & a
cincture (HG & SH: which is the color of the current liturgical season). (HG: Put a wooden cross around your neck).
3. Light the candles next to the altar in the sanctuary 5-10 minutes before Mass begins (HG: and turn on the altar light). Genuflect
when you pass by the tabernacle.
4. When it is time to go to the entrance to the church, the servers bring songbooks and the cross bearer brings the cross. Stay out
of the way of people who are entering the church; greet them.
5. When we begin singing, the cross bearer leads the procession up the aisle. The altar servers walk together, about 4 or 5 pews
behind the cross bearer, singing the opening song.
6. Stop at the 1st step. The cross bearer goes to the side of the cross stand. The servers leave room for Father and the deacon or
lector in between them. The servers genuflect when Father genuflects, and the cross bearer bows his/her head. The cross bearer
puts the cross in the stand and s/he and the altar servers go to their places.
7. After the sign of the cross, greeting, penitential or sprinkling rite, and Gloria (which we don’t sing or say during Advent and
Lent), the priest says, “Let us pray,” and the cross bearer takes the sacramentary to Father. The cross bearer holds the book
while Father leads us in praying the opening prayer. From now until the end of Mass, the focal point is the altar, so bow towards
it whenever you pass by (do not genuflect towards the tabernacle during Mass).
8. After the prayer of the faithful, while the ushers are taking up the collection, the cross bearer takes the sacramentary to the altar
and removes the wooden gospel book stand from the altar. The servers bring the chalice, corporeal, and communion cups from
the credence table to the altar. Place the cups on the piece of plastic and the chalice next to them. Don’t bring the purificators
(white cloths) or bowls. The priest or deacon will unfold the corporeal and place it on the altar.
9. When the priest or deacon goes down the steps to receive the gifts, the servers join him. He will give one of the servers the
bread bowl and the other the pitcher of wine. The server with the bowl of bread brings it to the priest or deacon at the altar and
hands it to him. [Don’t just set the bowl or pitcher on the altar; hand them to the priest or deacon.] The server with the pitcher
of wine takes it to the credence table (and removes the stopper if there is one). The servers then walk together to the altar, one
carrying the container of wine and the other the cruet of water. Hold them with the handles facing the priest (or deacon) so he
can take them from you.
10. Return together to the credence table. Don’t sit down at your place while you are waiting to do the next thing; just stand next to
the credence table. Pick up the things needed to wash Father’s hands: cruet of water, bowl, and towel (fully unfolded). Walk
together to the altar; pour plenty of water over Father’s hands. After he dries his hands, return these items to the credence table.
Then go to your places.
11. During the eucharistic prayer, kneel on the kneelers. The servers ring the bells while Father is holding the host, after he says:
“Take this, all of you, and eat it: this is my body which will be given up for you.” Ring the bells again while he is holding the
chalice, after he says: “Do this in memory of me.”
12. At the sign of peace, exchange peace with each other and the priest (and deacon). Then bring the communion bowls from the
credence table to the altar. Stand in line and receive communion with the Eucharistic ministers. Sing the communion song.
13. After communion, the servers clear the altar of everything. The cross bearer takes the sacramentary from the altar.
14. When the priest sits down, everyone will sit and reflect for a while. When Father stands and says, “Let us pray,” the cross
bearer brings him the sacramentary so he can lead us in praying the prayer after communion.
15. Sing the closing song at the end of Mass. The cross bearer gets the cross when the priest (and deacon) walks to the altar and
kisses it. Everyone walks down the steps to their places, facing the altar. The priests, deacon and servers genuflect, the cross
bearer bows his/her head, and the cross bearer leads the procession to the entrance of the Church.
16. After Mass, the cross bearer puts the cross away. A server extinguishes the candles using the candle extinguisher (HG: and turns
off the altar light). Return your alb, cincture, and songbook to their proper places. As you leave the church, be sure to
genuflect when you pass by the tabernacle.
9/2010