Weekend Altar Server Training - St. Joseph Catholic Church, Libertyville

Summary

This video is a comprehensive guide for altar servers at St. Joseph Catholic Church, providing step-by-step instructions for serving at the weekend Mass. It covers essential preparations such as arriving early, signing in, and ensuring proper attire, followed by detailed directions for the procession, candle handling, and altar service roles. It emphasizes reverence, teamwork, and participation in the liturgy, including actions during the Gospel reading, offertory, communion, and closing hymn. The video encourages altar servers to be proud representatives of the church, exemplifying joy, respect, and dedication in their service.

Takeaways

• 😀 Arrive at least 15 minutes before Mass and sign in before putting on your robe and centure.
• 😀 Wear appropriate shoes and clothing for serving—no sports shoes or bright colors.
• 😀 Be friendly, smile, and have a joyful spirit when entering the sacristy.
• 😀 There are four altar servers: a cross bearer, a book bearer, and two candle bearers. Communicate to determine your roles.
• 😀 All servers gather in the ministry room to pray before Mass begins.
• 😀 The procession starts with the cross bearer, followed by the book bearer and the two candle bearers. Follow the cues from the liturgy coordinator.
• 😀 Candle bearers must hold candles at an appropriate height, not too low or high, during the procession and Gospel reading.
• 😀 After the Gospel reading, the candle bearers return to their places, setting candles behind the chairs.
• 😀 During the offertory, candle bearers bring the chalices, and the cross and book bearers carry the Roman missile and ciborium to the altar.
• 😀 After the Great Amen, the altar servers stand in line for the Lord's Prayer and proceed for communion. Servers should step back if they will not receive the precious blood.
• 😀 After communion, altar servers prepare the altar for the closing by returning the items to the credence table and reverencing the altar before exiting.

Q & A

What should altar servers do when they first arrive at church before mass?

Altar servers should arrive at least 15 minutes before Mass, smile, be friendly, and greet everyone. It is important to start with a joyful spirit.

What is the dress code for altar servers during mass?

Altar servers should wear appropriate shoes and clothing, avoiding sports shoes and bright-colored attire.

What should an altar server do before putting on their robe and centure?

Before putting on their robe and centure, altar servers must sign in. If they are unsure about the color of their centure, they can ask the sacristan or priest.

What is the typical number of altar servers during a weekend mass?

There are typically four altar servers during a weekend Mass: one book server, one cross server, and two candle bearers.

What should altar servers do about the candles before the mass begins?

The altar servers should ask the sacristan if the candles need to be lit before the Mass starts.

How should the candle bearers position the candles during the procession?

Candle bearers should hold the candles at a steady height, neither too low nor too high, and walk side by side during the procession.

What is the role of the book server after the collect prayer?

After the collect prayer, the book server returns the Roman missile to the Credence table.

How should the altar servers handle the offertory gifts during mass?

One altar server will carry the water and wine cruets, while the other will carry the large ciborium. After receiving the gifts, they bow gently in unison before taking their positions.

What happens during the Communion rite for the altar servers?

During Communion, the altar servers return to their kneelers after receiving the precious blood. The cross and book servers walk behind the Eucharistic ministers. The book server also carries the Roman missile to the Credence table.

How should altar servers behave after the closing hymn?

During the closing hymn, the altar servers take their candles and stand in place by the kneeler. When the priest reverences the altar, the cross bearer proceeds to the middle aisle, followed by the book and two candle bearers, all turning to face the altar.