ALTAR SERVER TRAINING BOOKLET

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• ALTAR SERVER PRAYER

o DEFINITION OF ALTAR SERVER

o DRESS CODE FOR ALTAR SERVERS

o RULES

o STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

o SACRAMENTALS AND DEFINITIONS

o REMINDERS

ALTAR SERVER'S PRAYER

Loving Father, Creator of the universe, you call your people to worship, to be with you and each other
at Mass. Help me, for you have called me also. Keep me prayerful and alert. Help me to help others in
prayer. Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in me. Keep me true to that trust. I make my prayer in
Jesus' name, who is with us in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

DEFINITION OF ALTAR SERVER

It is a great privilege to serve at the Altar of our God and therefore Altar Servers are chosen from those
who display a desire for a more intimate union with our Lord and God, Jesus Christ. Our loving Savior
becomes present on the Altar, just as He was at the Last Supper and Calvary. Accordingly, Altar Servers
have a solemn responsibility to do their assigned duties with dignity and reverence.

Our parish has Altar Servers (boys and girls), who start after their first communion and continue for as
long as we can keep them. All people of good faith are welcome and those who think they may desire to
serve are encourages doing so. All that is requires is a desire to serve at the Altar of Our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ.

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DRESS CODE FOR ALTAR SERVERS

• SHOES – dress shoes (preferably black or brown shoes for boys and brown, black or
white for girls) should be worn. No flip-flops should be worn.
• HAIR – Hair should be neat and trimmed, appropriate for boys and girls. Girls should
have their hair tied back so that it is not in their face.
1. JEWELRY – Do not wear anything that will make noise and/or will be distracting, or that
will cause you to have problems serving. Girls may wear “appropriate” earrings to
serve.
• VESTMENTS
1. ROOKIE - Alb and Cincture
a. Those that are still learning the basic knowledge of the duties and
responsibilities of an Altar Server
2. ALTAR SERVER – Alb, Cincture and Crucifix
a. Demonstrates basic knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of an Altar
Server
3. ACOLYTE – Cassock, Surplice, and Crucifix
a. Minimum of 7th Grade or older
b. Demonstrates knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of an Altar
Server
c. Has been approved by our Priest(s), Deacon(s), or Altar Server coordinator
d. Shows ability to help train those assigned to him or her
4. RED POLO-SHIRT & KHAKIS(Dressed Slacks)
a. Normally Altar Servers should be vested. In the Archdiocese of
Washington, Altar Servers may wear “other appropriate and dignified
clothing” which includes school uniforms and other lay attire that is suitable
for service within the sanctuary.
b. Girls can choose to wear a skirt but otherwise they too should be dressed in
slacks.

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ALTAR SERVER RULES

• Attend Altar Sever Training Classes

• Altar Servers should not leave the sanctuary after the start of Mass for any reason

except bathroom emergencies, illness, or when directed to do so by the Priest.

• Serve at every Mass that you scheduled for, or make arrangements to have someone

cover the Mass

• Arrive at least 15 minutes before the Mass starts to get dressed and make sure that

the Altar is prepared

• Make sure the candles are lit, bread, wine, water, towels, finger bowl, Roman Missal

(prayer book), and any other sacramentals are in their proper place

• Perform the duties assigned during the Mass in the prescribed orderly manner

• Maintain a prayerful posture during all times in the Sacristy (if you are not doing

something your hands should be folded in your lap)

• After the Mass, return to the Sanctuary, Sacristy, and preparation areas to ensure that

everything is set up for the next Mass

• Be quiet and respectful when on the Altar, you are role models

• Pray with and for the congregation all prayers

• Be attentive and respond immediately when the Priest or Deacon asks for help

• Make sure that your alb and cincture are returned the way you found them

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ALTAR SERVERS STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

1. BEFORE MASS:
1. Arrive and be dressed 15 minutes before the Mass begins
a. Make sure the alb or cassock is the RIGHT SIZE. The bottom should be right
above the tops of the shoes and the sleeves should stop at your wrists.
b. Check the calendar to make sure the cincture is the right color
2. Check to make sure that everything is set up, on the Altar, for the Mass (If there is a
visiting Priest, talk to him ahead of time to see if you need to do anything differently
for him)
3. Gather in the Community Room with the Priest, Deacon, lectors, Eucharistic
ministers, and anyone else who will be in the entrance procession.
4. Make sure you talk to the other Altar Servers to determine who will carry the
candles and be the Crucifix-bearer
a. Remember, candles are only used if there are at least 3 Altar Servers
b. Light your candles and leave them on the table until after the prayer is done

2. ENTRANCE PROCESSION:
1. After prayer, the Altar Servers will line up in the following order:
a. ALTAR SERVER #1-Crucifix-Bearer, who will line up in front of the Baptismal
Font
I. If there is only one server, the person will carry in the Crucifix
b. ALTAR SERVERS #2 and #3 (Candle bearers)
I. If there are only two servers, then no candles will be used and the server
will line up behind the Crucifix-bearer
II. If there are three or more servers then two servers, they will be candle
bearers, and will line up next to each other behind the Crucifix bearer
c. ALTAR SERVER #4 – Follows behind the candle bearers
2. Once the choir has begun to sing, the Altar Servers will begin to process in:
a. The Crucifix-Bearer will walk to the right of the Baptismal Font, along with the
candle bearer on the right
b. The candle bearer on the left will walk on the left side of the Baptismal Font
c. WALK AT A NORMAL SPEED, Do not run down the aisle

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 3. The Crucifix bearer will proceed to his/her position on the right side in front of the
pews and remain there until the Priest (and Deacon) kiss the Altar. (Remember to
bow your head when the Priest (and Deacon) genuflect(s) in front of the Altar.)
Then he/she should go up the steps to the right of the Altar, and put the Crucifix in
the stand (in the room behind the Altar).
4. The candle bearers (or the second Altar Server) will proceed to their(his/her)
position on the left side in front of the pews and remain there until the Priest (and
Deacon) kiss the Altar. (Remember to bow your head when the Priest (and Deacon)
genuflect(s) in front of the Altar.) Then they (he/she) should go up the steps to the
left of the Altar and put the candles on the counter in the room behind the Altar.
(The candles stay lit the whole Mass)
5. The Altar Servers go to their chairs on the left or right, and stay standing
a. [IF THERE IS NO LECTERN HOLDING THE ROMAN MISSAL] The server who
carried the Crucifix in will usually be responsible for the Roman Missal
(Sacramentary) unless there is a forth Altar Server.
b. The servers that brought the candles in will usually sit in the chairs left of the
Altar.
3. GREETING:
1. The Priest begins the Mass with the Sign of the Cross
2. The Priest begins with an introduction explaining the readings, or welcoming people
to the Mass
3. Penitential Rite-the Priest asks us to recall our sins and ask God for forgiveness, we
then respond with the “Lord Have Mercy, Christ Have Mercy, Lord Have Mercy”
4. The Gloria will then be recited or sung – You are to participate in the praying of the
Gloria.
5. [IF THERE IS NO LECTERN HOLDING THE ROMAN MISSAL] After the Gloria, the
Priest will say, “Let us pray…” which is the cue for the server with the Roman Missal
(Sacramentary) to bring the missal over for the Priest to read the Collect (opening
prayer). Stand on the left side of the Priest (in between the Priest’s chair and the
Deacon’s chair, so that the Priest can look out at the whole congregation)
6. [IF THERE IS NO LECTERN HOLDING THE ROMAN MISSAL] After the Priest is done
with the prayer, the server will close the missal and return it to its proper

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 place. Everyone will be seated to listen to the first reading, the psalm, and the
second reading.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

4. READINGS, HOMILY, CREED, AND PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL:

1. First Reading-The Lector will come forward to read the First Reading (No action is
required by the Altar Servers)
2. The psalm will be recited or sung (No action is required by the Altar Servers)
3. Second Reading-The Lector will come forward to read the Second Reading (No
action is required by the Altar Servers)
4. Gospel Acclamation (Alleluia)-When the choir begins to sing, the two Altar Servers
that brought in the candles will go and get their candles, and stand on either side of
the Altar, facing each other (one hand holding the base, and the other hand holding
the stem of the candleholder)
5. The Priest/Deacon will read the Gospel and then end with “The Gospel of the Lord,”
and everyone responds with “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.” Once everyone has
responded, and begin sitting down, the candles may be put back. After the candles
are put back on the counter, the servers may go back to their seats and sit.
6. The Priest/Deacon will then perform his Homily. PLEASE maintain a prayerful
posture during all times in the Sacristy (Your hands should be folded in your lap)
7. After the Homily, the Priest/Deacon will go back to their seat, and then the Priest
will stand for the Profession of Faith.
8. Everyone stands to recite the Nicene Creed.
9. The Priest will start the Prayers of the Faithful, and then lector or Deacon will read
the petitions of the church (Everyone responds “Lord, hear our prayer”). After the
lector or Deacon has finished the petitions, the Priest will say a prayer. All will
respond with “Amen,” and the congregation will sit down for the announcements.
a. During the announcements, the Crucifix bearer will check to make
sure the Roman Missal (Sacramentary) is on the Altar; then he/she with the

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 Crucifix respectfully held in the vertical position, proceed to the back
of the church to lead the procession of the gifts.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

5. OFFERTORY COLLECTION
1. -After everyone has been seated, the ushers will walk forward with the baskets to
collect donations
2. When the Priest or Deacon approaches the Altar, ONE of the Altar Servers will bring
forward the Chalice, with the Paten and Corporal and either gives it to the Priest or
Deacon or places them on the Altar. The Altar Servers will then sit down and wait
for the Priest to accept the gifts.
3. The Priest (and Deacon) will then get up and go to the bottom of the steps to
receive the gifts.
a) When the Priest moves to accept the gifts, think symmetry, and position
yourself so that (if possible) there is at least one Altar Server on either side of
the Priest. If there is a Deacon, then on either side of the Priest and Deacon.
b) The Crucifix Bearer will then be instructed (the Priest will normally gesture
for the Crucifix bearer to come forward) to lead the gifts. The Crucifix bearer
will walk slowly forward, bow their head when they get in front of the Priest
and then proceed up the steps and put the Crucifix back. If there are four Altar
Servers the Crucifix bearer will take his/her chair on the right side of the Altar.
If there are three Altar Servers or less, the Crucifix bearer will then go
to the other side of the Altar, by going through the back room, to help
prepare the Altar. If there is only one Altar Server, the Crucifix bearer will
remain on the left side of the Altar to assist the Priest/Deacon, to ring the
bells and to help clear the Altar after communion.
c) The Altar Servers standing on either side of the Priest will take the gifts after the
Priest accepts them.
4. The server on the left of the Priest will take the basket of money and place it where
directed. He/she will then go over to the Credence Table to help prepare the Altar

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 5. [Suspended because of COVID-19] The Altar Server on the right of the Priest will
take the wine decanter and place it on the Altar. Then they will go over to the
Credence Table, with the other servers to help prepare the Altar.

6. PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS

1. [Suspended because of COVID-19] One of the servers will bring THE FOUR
COMMUNION CUPS TO THE ALTAR ON THE SIDE WHERE THE PLASTIC COVER IS
LOCATED. Also bring over the four little cloths (purificators) to the Altar.
2. One of the other Altar Servers should bring the cruet of Holy Water to the
Altar. Take the top off and leave it on the table. (DO NOT SET IT ON THE ALTAR)
Wait for the Priest or Deacon to take the water, mix it with the wine, and then it will
be handed back to the server along with the cruet that held the wine. When the
cruets are returned to the server, he/she will bow to the Priest or Deacon and put
them back on the Credence Table.
3. The Washing of the Priest’s Hands: The Altar Server(s) will pour a small amount of
water onto the Priest’s hands.
a. If one Altar Server Only:
i. Towel draped over left arm, finger bowl and pitcher in each had
b. It two or more Altar Server
I. One server will hold the pitcher and finger bowl
II. The other Altar Server will hold the towel in praying hands
c. The servers will then return their seats and remain standing, because the Priest
will then invite the congregation to stand as well to enter into the Eucharistic
prayer

7. EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
1. The Priest then begins with the preface and then will enter the congregation into
the HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, which will be sung or recited
2. The congregation, along with the Altar Servers, will kneel and the Priest will
continue with the Eucharist prayer by recalling the Last Supper
3. The Priest will first pick up the host, to be consecrated, by saying “…take this, all of
you and eat it; this is my body which will be given up for you.” The Priest will

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 raise the Body of Christ above his head, and the Altar Server will ring the bells with
three twists of the wrist. (Three for the Trinity, so make sure it is only three times.)
4. The Priest will kneel and then pick up the chalice and say, “…take this and drink
from it, this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting
covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven, do this in
memory of me.” The Priest will raise the chalice above his head, and the Altar
Server will ring the bells with three twists of the wrist. Once complete the bells will
be placed back on the pillow, and moved back to the side of the chair (DO NOT put
them under the chair, because they might be kicked and cause a disruption)
5. The Priest will then proclaim the mystery of faith, which will be sung or recited
6. The Priest will then finish up the prayer by remembering the saints, all those who
have departed before us, and chant or recite, “Through Him, with Him, and in
Him….”
7. The Great Amen will be sung or recited
8. All members will rise to recite the Our Father
a. The Altar Servers will remain in there station at this time because of COVID-19
b. [Suspended because of COVID-19] The Altar Servers will rise and proceed to the
Altar, to hold hands with the Priest.
c. [Suspended because of COVID-19] After the prayer, the servers will step off to
the side, so they can share the Sign of Peace, when the Priest will get to that
part of the Mass
9. After that the Priest will then ask the congregation to share with each other a Sign
of Peace
10. All Altar Servers need to go to the left of the Altar and line up facing the Altar to
receive communion

8. COMMUNION
1. 1. The Lamb of God will either be sung by the choir or recited by the Priest, and the
congregation will join in
2. The congregation will kneel, while the servers and Eucharistic ministers will be lined
up to receive communion.

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 3. The Priest will distribute the Body [and Blood of Christ Suspended because of
COVID-19]
a. Once the Altar Server has received communion, they will go back to their pillow
to kneel
4. Once the Priest is done distributing communion, he will return to the Altar to purify
and clear the Altar
a. Once the Priest approaches the altar, an Altar Server gets the water cruet and
then the Altar Server pours the water into the Chalice held by the Priest.
I. When the Priest is done, the server will bow his head and take the cruet
back and place the top on it.
b. All Altar Servers stand in prayerful reverence to God as the Ciborium(Ciboria)
are placed in the Tabernacle.
c. The servers will line up to receive items. When a server takes something back
to the table, the next server will slide over, and this will continue until the Altar
has been cleared.
i. If there are four Altar Servers the Crucifix bearer will remain on the right
side of the Altar. Otherwise this Altar Sever will get up and go to the left
side of the Altar (the side with the Credence Table) through the back
room.
ii. The Priest will then begin to hand things for the servers to place on the
Credence Table. When the Priest gives you something, bow your head
and place it on the table. Then return to the Altar to receive the next
item
iii. [Suspended because of COVID-19] The Crucifix bearer will take the
Roman Missal (Sacramentary), and then go to the other side of the
Altar, by going through the back room.
iv. Once everything has been taken care of and the Tabernacle door is
closed, the Altar Servers may go back to their seats.

9. CONCLUDING RITE
1. The Priest will then stand, and then present additional announcements (if any)
2. Then the Priest will ask everyone to stand and pray

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 a. [IF THERE IS NO LECTERN HOLDING THE ROMAN MISSAL] The Priest will say,
“Let us pray…” which is the cue for the server with the Roman Missal
(Sacramentary) to bring the book over for the Priest to read the “Prayer after
Communion”. Stand on the left side of the Priest (in between the Priest’s chair
and the Deacon’s chair)
3. The Priest will then conclude the Mass with the Sign of the Cross
4. The choir will then start the final song
a. When the final song begins the Crucifix bearer will go get the Crucifix and leave
the Altar
b. The candle bearers will get the candles and stand next to each other in front of
the Crucifix bearer
5. The Priest will then go and kiss the Altar and come to the bottom of the steps
6. The Priest will then bow and turn (the servers will bow at the same time as the
Priest and turn around and process out)
7. The servers will walk out of the church and gather at the dedication plaque in the
community room, the Priest will say a blessing, and the servers will respond “And
also with you.”
8. The servers can then put back the Crucifix and candles (blow them out), and then
hang back up their vestments

10. SACRAMENTALS AND DEFINITIONS

1. Altar Cloth – A cloth to cover the Altar for decoration and protection
2. Ambo – A pulpit from which the readings from the Lectionary are proclaimed
3. Aspergillum – Liturgical instrument for sprinkling holy water (holy water bucket)
4. Bells – Metal instrument producing a ringing sound
5. Boat (Incense Boat) – Holds the incense
6. Chalice – The sacred vessel that holds the Precious Blood of Christ at Mass
7. Ciboria – The plural of Ciborium
8. Ciborium – A sacred vessel with a cover used for the Blessed Sacrament
9. Corporal – A linen cloth place atop the Altar cloth but beneath the Chalice and Paten
10. Credence Table – A small table to hold the Cruets(water and wine), Chalice, Paten,
Corporal, Decanter(if used),Finger bowl, Lavabo Towel

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 11. Cruets – Vessels used to hold water and wine for the celebration of the Mass
12. Decanter – A vessel used to hold wine for the celebration of the Mass
13. Finger Bowl (Lavabo Bowl) - A bowl used to catch the water poured over the Priest’s
hands
14. Lectionary – A book with Scriptural readings from the Bible
15. Paschal Candle – A tall wax candle blessed at the Easter Vigil
16. Paten – A dish-like sacred vessel used to hold altar bread for Consecration
17. Processional Crucifix – A cross bearing an image of the Crucified Christ on a staff
18. Pyx – A sacred vessel in which the Blessed Sacrament is placed
19. Purificator – A white cloth used to wipe the chalice and communion cup(s)
20. Roman Missal (Sacramentary) (Prayer Book)– The Missal that holds all the prayers said
by the Priest
21. Sacristy – A room in a church where a Priest prepares for a service
22. Sanctuary Lamp – The red, candle lit, globe in the sanctuary, which signals Christ
present in the Tabernacle
23. Tabernacle – A receptacle for the exclusive reservation of the Blessed Sacrament
24. Thurible – A metal censer suspended from chains in which incense is burned
25. Towel (Lavabo Towel) – The towel used to dry the hands of the Priest after the washing
26. Vestments – Liturgical garments

11. REMINDERS

1. Please make sure that you sign in, this is the only way we can keep track of
attendance.
2. When you are standing or sitting, and not doing anything, keep your hands
folded. Do not play with your cincture or do anything else
3. PAY ATTENTION, especially to the Priest, you never know when they may call you
over.
4. If you need to use the restroom, or get a tissue use the facility in the sacristy. Close
the door to the bathroom, so that the congregation cannot hear you flush the toilet
and make sure you wash your hands.
5. If you are assigned to serve, please follow the Dress Code.

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