Altar Servers Theory Guide

(2012-2013)

Contents

Page 1: Altar Servers 5 Core Values

Page 2: Altar Servers Ranking System

Page 3-4: Order of the Mass

Page 5: Liturgical Seasons

Page 6: Liturgical Calendar

Page 7: Liturgical Vestments

Page 8: Liturgical Colours

Page 9-10: Liturgical Terms

Page 11: The 7 Sacraments

Page 12: Liturgical Missals

Page 13-15: Liturgical Symbols

Page 16-20: Altar Vessels

Page 21: St. Pius X

Page 22: Ten Commandments

Page 23: Days of Obligations/Days of Fasting and Abstinence

Page 24: Holy oils/others

Page 25: Serving Posture

Page 26: Archbishop

Page 27: Feast Days

Page 28-30: Prayers

Altar Servers 5 Core Values

What are our Altar Servers 5 core values?

1) Discipline

2) Respect and Honour

3) Commitment

4) Responsibility

5) Positive Attitude

Page 1

Altar Servers Ranking Structure

Thurifer

Cross

1st Server

2nd Server

Alk

Novice is not considered a rank

Page 2

Order of the Mass

1) Introductory Rites 2) Liturgy of the Word Opening procession 1st Reading

Greetings Responsorial Psalm

Penitential rite/I confess 2nd Reading

Kyrie/Lord have mercy/Absolution Gospel Acclamation

Gloria Gospel

Opening Prayer Homily

3) Liturgy of the Eucharist The Creed/Nicene Creed

Offertory General Intercession

Preparations of the Gifts

Prayer over the Gifts

Eucharistic Prayer

Preface Dialogue

Preface

Holy Holy/Sanctus

Epiclesis

Consecration/Institution Narrative

Memorial Acclamation

Final Doxology (Most important part of the mass)

The Great Amen Page 3

4) Communion Rite

The Lord’s Prayer/Our Father

Sign of Peace

Breaking of Bread/ Fraction of the Bread

Communion

Prayer after Communion

5) Concluding Rite

Announcements

Final Blessings

Closing Procession

Page 4

5 Liturgical Seasons

How long does each season last?

Advent: 4 Weeks

Lent: 40 Days

Easter: 7 Weeks

Ordinary Sundays: 33 Weeks

Christmas: 12 Days

What does each season mean?

Advent: The coming of Christ into the World

Lent: Fasting and Penitence in preparation for Easter

Easter: Celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus

Ordinary Sundays: Get closer to God in our Life

Christmas: Celebrate the Birth of Jesus

Page 5

Liturgical Calendar

Advent: 1st Sunday of Advent marks the start of the Liturgical

Calendar

Ash Wednesday: Marks the start of Lent

Passion (Palm) Sunday: Marks the start of Holy Week

Solemnity of Christ the King: Marks the end of the Liturgical

calendar

During year A cycle, the Gospel of Matthew is the primary

Gospel that is used for readings. During Year B, Mark is the

primary Gospel and during year C, Luke is the primary Gospel.

Gospel of John is read on particular Sundays of the Year

Page 6

Liturgical vestments

Altar Servers Vestments:

Cassock/Alb: Differentiate the difference between the Altar Servers and the

Congregation.

Cincture/sash: Worn around your Cassock or Alb and fasten it.

Cape: Differentiate the Altar Servers from the Priest.

St. Benedict’s Crucifix: It’s worn around the neck and the medal on the crucifix is

used to ward off spiritual and physical dangers especially those related to evil or

temptation.

Priest Vestments:

Cassock/Alb: Differentiate the difference between the Priest and the Congregation.

Stole: Symbol of authority, worn by the priest to Minister a Sacrament.

Chasuble: Worn by the priest as it symbolizes Love.

Humeral Veil: Worn by the priest when carrying the Monstrance on Maundy

Thursday, Novena Sessions and Holy Hour.

Cope: Worn by priest during Eucharistic Adoration (Holy hour), Eucharistic

Procession, Funeral Services, Wedding Services and special Solemnities.

The Chasuble is worn over the stole because it symbolizes that Authority is at the

service of Love.

Page 7

Liturgical Colours

What does different Liturgical Colours Symbolize?

Green: Hope and Growth

Red: The Lord’s passion, Holy Spirit and Martyrdom

Purple: Penance and Repentance

Pink: Joy

White: Purity and Holiness

Gold: Majesty and Glory

When do we wear these Liturgical Colours?

Green: Ordinary Sundays

Red: Palm/Passion Sunday, Feast of Martyrs, Feast of the Lord’s

Passion and Cross, Funeral of Popes and Cardinals, Feast of Saints

Purple: Advent, Lent (except 3rd Sunday of Advent and 4th Sunday of

Lent), Funeral mass

Pink: 3rd Sunday of Advent and 4th Sunday of Lent

White: Christmas Seasons, Easter Seasons, Holy Thursday, Feast of

Saints, Wedding and Baptism

Gold: Christmas season, Easter season and Ordination Masses

Page 8

Liturgical Terms

INRI: Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews

IHS: Jesus, Savior of Men

Pulpit: Ambo, Lectern

Sacramentary: Roman Missal

Holy Holy: Sanctus

Our Father: The Lord’s Prayer

Kyrie: Lord Have Mercy/Absolution

General Intercession: Prayer of the Faithful

I Believe: Nicene Creed

Transubstantiation: Transformation of Bread and Wine becoming the Body and

Blood of Jesus Christ

Catholic: Universal

Corpus Christi: Body and Blood of Jesus Christ

Altar Servers: Acolyte

Pope: Vicar of Christ

Nativity: Birth

Holy Trinity: God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

Page 9

Penitential Rite: I Confess

Holy Family: Jesus, Mother Mary and St. Joseph

Ave Maria: Hail Mary

Triduum: (3 days of mass preparations) Example; Before Easter, it recalls the

passion, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

Lamb of God: Agnus Dei

Blessed Sacrament: Consecrated body (bread) and blood (wine) of Jesus Christ

Epiclesis: Call upon the Holy Spirit

Consecration: Sacred

Eucharist: Holy Communion, Thanksgiving

Sacrament: A sign of the Sacred

Matthew: Man

Mark: Lion

Luke: Bull

John: Eagle

Page 10

The 7 Sacraments

1) Sacrament of Baptism: For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a

lifelong journey of Commitment and discipleship.

2) Sacrament of the Eucharist: We believe in the real presence of Jesus, who died for

our sins. As we receive Christ's Body and Blood, we also are nourished spiritually and

brought closer to God.

3) Sacrament of reconciliation: Through confession, we find God's unconditional

forgiveness and as a result we are called to forgive others.

4) Sacrament of Confirmation: It is most often associated with the gifts of the Holy

Spirit.

5) Sacrament of marriage: For Catholics, the Sacrament of Marriage, or Holy

Matrimony, is a public sign that one gives oneself totally to this other person. It is also a

public statement about God: the loving union of husband and wife speaks of family

values and also God's values.

6) Sacrament of Holy Orders: In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, or Ordination, the priest

being ordained vows to lead other Catholics by bringing them the sacraments (especially

the Eucharist), by proclaiming the Gospel, and by providing other means to holiness.

7) Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick: It is a Ritual of healing appropriate not only

for physical but also for mental and spiritual sickness.

Page 11

Liturgical Missals

There are 3 Liturgical Missals:

1) Sacramentary: Consist of Gospel readings, opening prayers,

Eucharistic prayers, special Blessings and Closing prayers

2) Book of Gospels: Consist of Gospel readings of Matthew, Mark,

Luke and John

3) Lectionary: Consist of 1st reading from the Old Testament or New

Testament, Responsorial Psalm, 2nd reading from the New

Testament and Gospel readings.

The 1st reading is read on weekday and weekend mass. It’s taken from

the book of Old Testament: Genesis to Malachi (Bible)

The 2nd reading is only read on weekend mass. It’s taken from the

Books of New Testament: Acts to revelations (Bible)

The Gospel reading that is taken from the Lectionary is only read on

weekday mass.

There are 150 Psalms and 13 Eucharistic Prayer

Page 12

Liturgical Symbols

The Dove: The Dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit,

God forgiveness and peace

The Lamb: The Lamb is a symbol of Jesus Christ

victory over death in his resurrection. The Lamb is

white in colour which symbolize Purity and Innocence

The Fish: The fish is used by Christians to identify

themselves in time of prosecution

Page 13

The Alpha and the Omega: Christ is the Beginning and

the End of all creations

Chi-Rho: Chi-Rho invokes the crucifixion of Jesus, as

well as symbolizing his status as Christ

Fleur De Lis: The Lily represents Purity, and in turn to

the Virgin Mary. Three sepals symbolize the Holy

Trinity

Page 14

Sacred Heart of Jesus: Jesus love for mankind

Why do we make a Small Cross on our Forehead, Lips

and Heart during gospel??

Forehead: That the word of God be kept in our Mind

Lips: That the word of God be Proclaim by our Lips

Heart: That the word of God be loved and cherished in our Hearts

Page 15

Altar Vessels

Altar Vessels that is used by Altar Servers:

Alk

Boat

Cross

Thurible

Communion Plates

Altar Bells

Altar Lamp

Altar Vessels that is used by the Priest:

Chalice

Paten

Ciborium

Communion Bowls

Sprinkler/Aspersory

Monstrance/Ostensory

Luna

Pyx

Cruets

Page 16

Altar Linens

Altar Linens used by Priest: Pall

Purificator

Finger Towel

Corporal

Altar Table Cloth

Order of the Chalice

Corporal [Top]

Pall

Paten

Purificator

Chalice [Bottom]

Page 17

Why do we have to use these Altar Vessels during

mass? What is it used for? :

Alk: It is used to hold lighted candles which remind us that Jesus is the

light of the world. It has long poles which is held by Altar Servers during

opening procession, Gospel and closing procession

Boat: Contains incense that’s used for incensing

Cross: Accompanied with a Long pole and held by the Altar Server during

Opening and Closing Procession. This reminds us that we are followers of

Jesus

Thurible: Contains hot charcoal and when incense is poured into the

Thurible, smoke rises from the Thurible and it shows that our prayers are

rising up to Heaven

Communion Plates: Used by the Altar Servers to catch crumbs that drops

from the Host

Altar Bells: Rung by Altar Server during Consecration, when the priest

drinks the wine before communion and Gloria during Christmas, Easter

Virgil, Easter Sunday and Maundy Thursday

Altar Lamps: Lighted candles shows the presence of Jesus

Page 18

Chalice: Holds the mixture of the water and wine for the priest to

consecrate and consume. [When the water (people) is mixed with the wine

(Jesus) it symbolizes the unity of Jesus and his people]

Paten: Holds the host that’s to be consecrated

Ciborium: Contains host which have or have not been consecrated. Used

by the priest/Communion Ministers to distribute the host to the congregation

Communion Bowls: Holds the host which has been consecrated. Used by

the priest/Communion Ministers to distribute the host to the congregation

Sprinkler/Aspersory: Holds the holy water for sprinkling when there is

special Blessings

Monstrance/Ostensory: Hold the Luna which contains the blessed

Sacrament (Body of Jesus) during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament (Holy Hour, Novena)

Luna: Contains the Blessed Sacrament (Body of Christ)

Pyx: Contains the Host which will be distributed to the Communion

Ministers during mass so that the Communion Minister can deliver the Host

to the sick who are unable to attend mass

Cruets: It holds the water and wine separately without it being mixed

Page 19

Why do the Priest have to use these Altar Linens

during mass? What is it used for? :

Pall: A piece of Stiffened Square Linen used to cover the Chalice at the

Eucharist. It can also be a Cloth ornamented or plain, placed over the coffin

at Funeral masses

Purificator: A purificator is a small piece of rectangular white cloth with a

cross at the centre, used at Communion to cleanse the Chalice

Finger Towel: A small piece of rectangular white cloth with the cross at

the top left hand corner. Used by the Priest after washing his hands, when he

is done with Preparations of the Gifts. Archbishop uses it after washing his

hands when administering the Sacrament of Confirmation. (The priest wash

his hands and wipe it with the finger towel to cleanse the priest from his

sins)

Corporal: A square white Linen cloth on which the Host and Chalice are

placed on it during mass to prevent stains on the altar cloth. It’s also placed

under the monstrance during at Benediction or under the Blessed Sacrament

Altar Table Cloth: A large rectangular cloth that is used to cover the Altar

Table. It also prevents the Altar Stone that is beneath the Altar cloth from

getting stained

Altar Stones: Contains relics of martyrs in them and it is inserted on the

surface of the Altar table and that is what makes the Altar table sacred.

Page 20

St. Pius X

Pope St. Pius X is our Altar Servers Patron Saint.

(1835-1914)

Feast of St. Pius X: August 21

Born poor and humble of heart

Undaunted champion of the Catholic faith

Zealous to restore all things in Christ

Crowned a holy life with a holy death.

His English name is Joseph Sarto.

Page 21

Ten Commandments

1. I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not have other

gods besides me.

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord God in vain

3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day

4. Honor your father and your mother

5. You shall not kill

6. You shall not commit adultery

7. You shall not steal

8. You shall not bear false witness

9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife

10. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods

Page 22

Days of Obligations

All Sundays

The Ascension of the Lord

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

All Saints day

Christmas

Days of Fasting and Abstinence

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday

Page 23

Holy Oils

Oil of Catechumens: Used in Baptism

Oil of Chrism: Used in Baptism, Confirmation and

Priestly Ordination

Oil for the Sick: Used in the Sacrament of the Sick

Novena

A form of devotion consisting of special prayers or

services on 9 consecutive days (9 days before Feast day)

How many times can we receive the host

within a day?

Ans: 2 times

Page 24

Serving Posture

Standing: We stand in reverence to show the utmost

respect to the Eucharist, especially when we are in God’s

house and where Jesus in present

Bowing: We bow to the priest as the priest represents

Christ during mass. We bow to the Altar table as it is

consecrated, contain relics of martyrs and represent the

throne of God. We bow to the congregation as a sign of

peace

Kneeling: We kneel down during prayers as a sign of

Respect, Humility and Homage to God

Genuflecting: Genuflecting is a sign to Deep respect and

reverence towards God. We only Genuflect towards the

Tabernacle and the Eucharist.

Tabernacle: It is a Glorious tent where the Body of Christ

(Consecrated bread) resides in.

Page 25

Archbishop

We always address the Archbishop as Your Grace.

The Archbishop always put on his Mitre (Headdress) and

holds the Crozier (Shepard Staff) for Liturgical functions

Mitre: A bishop's Mitre is the head-dress worn by a

bishop as a symbol of Authority

Crozier: The Crozier Symbolize the Archbishop

obligation to stand as a firm support for the faithful.

The Archbishop usually Celebrate the Sacrament of

Confirmation which involves the youths and the Feast day

of the church itself

Page 26

Feast Days

Mary, Mother of God All Souls

The Epiphany of the Lord Christ the King

The Baptism of the Lord The Immaculate Conception,

The Presentation of the Lord of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Annunctiation of the lord

Ash Wednesday Christmas Day/holy innocent

Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary Holy Family

Palm Sunday

Maundy Thursday

Good Friday

Easter Virgil

Easter Sunday

Saint Joseph Worker

Ascension of the Lord

Our lady of Fatimah

Pentecost

The Most Holy Trinity

Corpus Christi

The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus/immaculate heart/St Anthony of padua/our lady of perpetual succout/st.anne and

st jokim/st peter and paul

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary/ Nativity of the b.v.m

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross/our lady star of the seas/Archangels and angels/st.theresa/st.jude

All Saints

Page 27

Prayers

The Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be thy name;

Thy kingdom come

Thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Hail Mary:

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Glory Be:

Glory be to the Father,

and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Page 28

The Apostle's Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord,

Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into Hell. The third day He arose again from the dead;

He ascended into Heaven, sited at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty;

from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope.

To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve: to thee do we send up our sighs,

mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate,

thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile,

show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Amen.

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, make me holy Body of Christ, be my salvation

Blood of Christ, let me drink your wine Water flowing from the side of Christ, wash me clean

Passion of Christ, strengthen me Kind Jesus, hear my prayer Hide me within your wounds And keep me close to you

Defend me from the evil enemy And call me at the hour of my death

To the fellowship of your saints That I might sing your praise with them

for all eternity. Amen.

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known

that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help

or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, We fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins my Mother;

to thee do we come, before thee we stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate,

despise not our petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer them. Amen.

Saint Michael Prayer

Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle.

Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;

and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,

by the power of God

cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits

who prowl throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartfully sorry for having offended thee, and I detest all my sins because of

Thy just punishment, but most of all because I have offended Thee my God, Who is all good and

deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more, and to

avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.

Morning Offering

Dear Lord, I do not know what will happen to me today. I only know that nothing will happen

that was not foreseen by You, and directed to my greater good from all eternity. I adore Your

holy and unfathomable plans, and submit to them with all my heart for love of You, the Pope,

and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Amen.

Grace Before Meals

Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through

Christ our Lord. Amen.

Page 30