The

Proper Way to Serve Mass

By REV. JOHN T. FAGAN

THE PAULIST PRESS
New York 19, N. Y.



INTRODUCTION

Many years ago in a small Belgian town
there lived an altar boy. His name was John

Berchmans. Early, every morning, he would

hurry down to the parish church and serve

Mass.

The priests noticed how well John served

Mass. The people in church noticed it, too. In

fact so many people remarked how well John

served Mass, that finally the Holy Father in

Rome heard about it, and after John died Pope

Pius IX made him the “Patron of altar boys.^’

From that day to this he has been called Saint

John Berchmans.

The Holy Father has told all altar boys to

imitate Saint John. But what made him such a

perfect altar boy? The secret was that Saint

John knew that God Himself was on the Altar.

He loved Our Lord so much that he gave to

Him his very best. His Latin responses were

clear. His actions at the Altar were reverent.

“After all,^’ Saint John used to say, “Our

Lord said: ‘Be Perfect.’”

Serving Mass can teach boys many things

that are necessary in the training of a good

Catholic man such as prayer, mortification,

obedience and reverence for the Priesthood.

But above all the altar boy should learn to love

Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and always to

give his very best to Our Lord.

De£s?£5!f!9d 2—



THE LATIN

It is most important that the Mass Server recite

his Latin clearly and distinctly. He is praying to God

and answering the Priest in the name of all the people

in the church.

The Mass Server should memorize the Latin. This

means hard work and study, but it can be done by an

average boy. The Latin responses are arranged here in

four sections; these sections can be likened to the

quarters of a football game. As we complete each

quarter, we are closer to winning the great privilege

of serving at the Altar. The first and second quarters

are a bit difficult, but the third and fourth are fairly

easy. The English sound of the Latin word is written

above each Latin word and the words are broken down

into parts, so that the Server can sound them out.

The boy should not aim for speed right away. It will

come with practice. First, the important thing is to

pronounce every word distinctly and correctly.

First the Mass Server should memorize his Latin.

When he begins to serve Mass, however, he should
read the responses from a card or missal. Certainly,

every veteran Mass Server should have a daily missal

with him each time he serves. If he reads the re-

sponses, he will always be sure to give the responses

correctly and devoutly. If he depends on his memory,

and no one has a perfect memory, in a few months the

Latin will be forgotten, and the Mass Server will be

mumbling a strange language of his own, which neither

Priest nor people understand.

In studying the Latin responses it is well to remem-

ber three simple rules.

i in Latin has an ee sound (tree)

e in Latin has an ay sound (day)

a in Latin has an ah sound (car)

— 3—



I. FIRST QUARTER— Psalm 42

Ahd day-um kwee lay-tee-fee-cat you-ven-tu-

1. AD DE-UM QUI LAE-TI-FI-CAT JU-VEN-TU-

tem may-ahm.

TEM ME-AM.

2 .

Kwee-ah tu es day-us for-tee-tu-doh may-ah

QUI-A TU ES, DE-US, FOR-TI-TU-DO ME-A:

kwa-ray may

QUA-RE ME
ray-pul-is-tee

RE-PU-LIS-TL

tris-tees

TRIS-TIS

in-chay-doh doom

IN-CE-DO, DUM

et kwa-ray

ET QUA-RE

ah-flee-git may

AF-FLI-GIT ME

in-ee-mee-cus?

IN-I-MI-CUS?

Et in-tro-ee-boh ahd al-tah-ray

ET IN-TRO-I-BO AD AL-TA-RE

day-um kwee lay-tee-fee-cat

DE-UM QUI LAE-TI-FI-CAT

tern

TEM
may-am.

ME-AM.

day-ee

DE-I:

ahd

AD

you-ven-tu-

JU-VEN-TU-

4 .

Spay-rah in

SPE-RA IN

day-oh kwoh-nee-ahm ahd-hook

DE-O, QUO-NI-AM AD HUG

con-fee-tay-bor ill-lee

CON-FI-TE-BOR IL-LI;

tus may-ee

TUS ME-I,
et

ET
day-us

DE-US

sah-lu-tah-ray

SA-LU-TA-RE

may-us.

ME-US.

vul-

VUL-

— 4—



See-cut er-rat in prin-chip-ee-oh et noonk et

5. SI-CUT E-RAT IN PRIN-CI-PI-O, ET NUNC, ET

sem-per et in say-cu-lah say-cu-lor-um

SEM-PER: ET IN SAE-CU-LA SAE-CU-LOR-UM.

ah-men.

A-MEN.

Ahd day-um kwee lay-tee-fee-cat you-ven-

6. AD DE-UM QUI LAE-TI-FI-CAT JU-VEN-

tu-tem may-am.

TU-TEM ME-AM.

Kwee fay-chit chay-lum et ter-rahm.

7. QUI FE-CIT COE-LUM ET TER-RAM.

il. SECOND QUARTER— THE CONFiTEOR

Mee-say-ray-ah-tur tu-ee om-nee-poh-tens day-us

MI-SE-RE-A-TUR TU-I OM-NI-PO-TENS DE-US,

et dee-mee-sees pay-cah-tees tu-ees per-du-

ET, DI-MIS-SIS PEC-CA-TIS TU-IS, PER-DU-

caht tay ahd vee-tam ay-ter-nahm.

CAT TE AD VI-TAM AE-TER-NAM.

Con-fee-tay-or day-oh om-nee-poh-ten-tee bay

CON-FI-TE-OR DE-O OM-NI-PO-TEN-TI, BE-

ah-tay mah-ree-ay sem-per vir-gee-nee bay-ah-

A-TAE MA-RI-AE SEM-PER VIR-GI-NI, BE-A-

— 5—

2 .



toh Mick-ay-lee Ark-an-jay-loh bay-ah-toh

TO MI-CHA-E-LI ARCH-AN-GE-LO, BE-A-TO

Yoe-ahn-nee Bap-tis-tay, sahnk-tees ah-pos-to-

JO-AN-NI BAP-TIS-TAE, SANC-TIS A-POS-TO-

lees Pay-tro et Pow-lo om-nee-bus sahnk-tees

LIS PE-TRO ET PAU-LO, OM-NI-BUS SANC-TIS,

et tee-bee Pah-ter kwee-ah pay-cah-vee nee-mees

ET TI-BI, PA-TER: QUI-A PEC-CA-VI NI-MIS

coh-gee-tah-see-oh-nay ver-boh et oh-pay-ray

CO-GLTA-TI-O-NE, VER-BO ET O-PE-RE:

may-ah cul-pah may-ah cul-pah may-ah max-

ME-A CUL-PA, ME-A CUL-PA, ME-A MAX-

ee-mah cul-pah ee-day-oh pray-cor bay-ah-tahm

I-MA CUL-PA. I-DE-O PRE-COR BE-A-TAM

mah-ree-ahm sem-per vir-gee-nem bay-ah-tum

MA-RI-AM SEM-PER VIR-GI-NEM, BE-A-TUM

Mick-ay-lem Ark-an-jay-lum bay-ah-tum

MI-CHA-E-LEM ARCH-AN-GE-LUM, BE-A-TUM

Bap-tees-tam, sahnk-tos ah-pos-

BAP-TIS-TAM, SANC-TOS A-POS-

et Pow-lum, om-nays

ET PAU-LUM, OM-NES

sahnk-tos, et tay, Pah-ter, oh-rah-ray pro

SANC-TOS, ET TE, PA-TER, O-RA-RE PRO

Yoe-ahn-nem

JO-AN-NEM

toh-los Pay-trum

TO-LOS PE-TRUM

may ahd doh-mee-num day-um noh-strum.

ME AD DO-MI-NUM DE-UM NOS-TRUM.

— 6—



Ah-men.3.

A-MEN.

Ah-men.

4.

A-MEN.

liL THIRD QUARTER— THE ''EV' RESPONSES

Et playbs tu-ah lay-tah-bee-tur in tay.

1. ET PLEBS TU-A LAE-TA-BI-TUR IN TE.

Et sah-lu-tah-ray tu-um dah noh-bis.

2. ET SA-LU-TA-RE TU-UM DA NO-BIS.

Et clah-mor may-us ahd tay vay-nee-aht.

3. ET CLA-MOR ME-US AD TE VE-NI-AT.

Et cum spee-ree-tu tu-oh.

4. ET CUM SPI-RI-TU TU-O.

THE KYRIE

Kir-ree-ay ay-lay-ee-son.

5. KY-RI-E, E-LE-I-SON.

Chris-tay ay-lay-ee-son.

6. CHRIS-TE, E-LE-I-SON.

Chris-tay ay-lay-ee-son.

CHRIS-TE, E-LE-I-SON.

_7_
7 .



Kir-ree-ay ay-lay-ee-son.8.

KY-RI-E, E-LE-I-SON.

Et cum spee-ree-tu tu-oh.

9. ET CUM SPI-RI-TU TU-O.

Ah-men.

10. A-MEN.

THE EPISTLE

Day-oh grah-see-as.

11.

DE-O GRA-TI-AS.

THE GOSPEL

Et cum spee-ree-tu tu-oh.

12. ET CUM SPI-RI-TU TU-O.

Gloh-ree-ah tee-bee doh-mee-nay.

13. GLO-RI-A TI-BI, DO-MI-NE.

Louse tee-bee chris-tay.

14. LAUS TI-BI, CHRIS-TE.

Et cum spee-ree-tu tu-oh.

15. ET CUM SPI-RI-TU TU-O.

FOURTH QUARTER— THE SUSCIPIAT
Sue-cip-ee-aht Doh-mee-nus sah-cree-fee-see-um

1. SU-CI-PI-AT DO-MI-NUS SA-CRI-FI-CI-UM

day mah-nee-bus tu-ees ahd lou-dem et

DE MA-NI-BUS TU-IS AD LAU-DEM, ET

8



gloh-ree-ahm noh-mee-nis su-ee ahd oo-ti-

GLO-RI-AM NO-MI-NIS SU-I, AD U-TI-

lee-tah-tem kwoh-kway nohs-trum toh-see-us-

LI-TA-TEM QUO-QUE NOS-TRAM, TO-TI-US-

kway ay“klay-see-ay su-ay sahnk-tay.

QUE EC-CLE-SI-AE SU-AE SANC-TAE.

THE PREFACE

Ah-men.

2. A-MEN.

Et cum spee-ree-tu tu-oh.

ET CUM SPI-RI-TU TU-O.

Hah-bay-mus ahd doh-mee-num.

3. HA-BE-MUS AD DO-MI-NUM.

Deen-num et yus-tum est.

4. DIG-NUM ET JUS-TUM EST.

Ah-men.

5. A-MEN.

THE PATER NOSTER

Sed lee-bay-rah nos ah mah-lo.

6. SED LI-BE-RA NOS A MA-LO.

Ah-men.

7.

A-MEN.

— 9 —



Et cum spee-ree-tu tu-oh.

8. ET CUM SPI-RI-TU TU-O.

Con-fee-tay-or Day-oh om-nee-poh-ten-tee.

9. CON-FI-TE-OR DE-O OM-NI-PO-TEN-TI, etc.

This entire prayer, and the two Amen responses are

recited if Communion is distributed.

Ah-men.

10. A-MEN.

Ah-men.

11. A-MEN.

12 .

13.

14.

15.

THE POST COMMUNION

Et cum spee-ree-tu tu-oh.

ET CUM SPI-RI-TU TU-O.

Ah-men.

A-MEN.

Et cum spee-ree-tu tu-oh.

ET CUM SPI-RI-TU TU-O.

Day-oh Grah-see-ahs.

DE-O GRA-TI-AS. Or in Requiem Masses Ah-men.

THE BLESSING

Ah-men.

16. A-MEN.

— 10



THE LAST GOSPEL

Et cum spee-ree-tu tu-oh.

17. ET CUM SPI-RI-TU TU-O.

Gloh-ree-ah tee-bee Doh-mee-nay.

18. GLO-RI-A TI-BI, DO-MI-NE.

Day-oh Grah-see-ahs.

19. DE-O GRA-TI-AS.

THE PROPER WAY TO SERVE MASS

Two Servers

1. The Sacristy

(A) The two Servers should appear at the door of

the Sacristy vested in Cassock and Surplice, five min-

utes before Mass begins.

(B) Complete silence is to be maintained because the

Servers are so near to the Blessed Sacrament. If talking

is necessary, it is to be done in a whisper.

(C) The Servers will be clean and neat in appear-

ance, their hands and faces washed, their nails clean,

their hair combed, their shoes shined, because they are

to be very close to Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacra-

ment. The use of a scrub brush for the hands and

fingernails is essential.

(D) The hands are always joined palms and fingers

touching each other and pointing upwards like a church

spire. The right thumb is crossed over the left thumb.

The elbows are close to the body. When one hand is
occupied, the empty hand is to be placed over the heart.

— 11 —



(E) The Servers should act together in all actions.
They should use the same speed in genuflecting, walk-
ing and bowing.

(F) In genuflecting, the right knee touches the floor,

next to the left heel. The head is held erect, the back
is straight.

(G) The Servers must walk in a very special way.
They should stand like soldiers, very straight. They

should walk in a reserved manner, without rushing, but

with a smoothness and reverence befitting the Blessed

Sacrament.

(H) A simple bow is performed by inclining the head
only. A profound bow is performed by inclining the head
and shoulders.

(I) As a general rule the Servers are never to walk

backwards down the steps and are never to turn their

backs completely on the Blessed Sacrament.

(J) The Server on the right is known as the FIBST

SERVER. The server on the left is known as the
SECOND SERVER. The First Server (1st S.) sees
that the Cruets and Lavabo dish and towel are ready

and checks whether the red Missal or black Missal is to

be used. The Second Server (2nd S.) sees that the

candles are lighted. In lighting the candles, the candles

on the right side (the Epistle side)
,
nearest the crucifix

are to be lighted first. In extinguishing the candles,

the candles on the left side (the Gospel side), farthest

away from the crucifix are to be extinguished first.

(K) Mass Servers who perform their duties around

the Altar in a devout and reverent manner give glory

to God and inspiration to the people.

2. The Mass Begins

(A) When the Priest gives the signal, the Servers
bow to the Crucifix and walk in front of the Priest to

the foot of the Altar. If it is the custom to offer holy

— 12—



water to the Priest or ring a bell, the First Server (1st

S.) does these things.

(B) Arriving at the center of the Altar, the Priest

gives his biretta to the 1st S. If it is the custom, he

kisses the hand of the Priest, and then the biretta of

the Priest. All three genuflect. The 1st S. brings the

biretta over to the bench, and returns to his place.

When the Priest comes down the Altar steps, both

SERVERS kneel on the floor. They pick up the prayer
cards and prepare to read the responses in a clear and

distinct manner. The SERVERS are answering the
prayers for all the people in the Church and must be

heard by the Priest.

3. Prayers at the Foot of the Altar

(A) The Priest makes the Sign of the Cross, and the

SERVERS do likewise. The prayers begin with Psalm
Forty-two of the Old Testament. This prayer is omitted

in Requiem Masses and at

Priest:

Introibo ad altare Dei.

Servers

;

Ad Deum qui laetihcat ju-

ventutem meam.

Priest:

Judica me, Deus, et discerne

causam meam de gente non

sancta: ab homine iniquo, et

doloso erue me.

Passiontide.

I will go to the Altar of God.

To God, who gives joy to my

youth.

Give judgment for me, O God,

and distinguish my cause from

the nation that is not holy;

deliver me from the unjust

and the sinful man.

— 13—



Servers

:

Quia tu es, Deus, fortitudo

mea
:

quare me repulisti,

et quare tristis incedo, dum

affligit me inimicus?

Priest:

Emitte lucem tuam, et verita-

tem tuam: ipsa me deduxer-

unt, et adduxerunt in montem

Sanctum tuum, et in taber-

nacula tua.

Servers :

Et introibo ad altare Dei:

ad Deum qui laetificat ju-

ventutem meam.

Priest :

Confitebor tibi in cithara,

Deus, Deus meus: quare

tristis es, anima mea, et quare

conturbas me?

Servers

:

Spera in Deo, cpioniam

adhuc confitebor illi: salu-

tare vultus mei, et Deus

meus.

Priest:

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et

Spiritui Sancto.

For thou O God are my

strength. Why has thou for-

saken me? And why must I

go about in sadness while the

enemy attacks me?

Send forth thy light and thy

truth, that they may lead me

and guide me to thy Holy

mountain and to thy taber-

nacle.

And I shall go to the Altar of

God; to God who gives joy

to my youth.

I shall give Thee praise with

the harp; O God, my God.

Why are you sad, my soul,

and why do you trouble me?

Hope in God. I still will give

praise to Him, my rescuer and

my God.

Glory be to the Father and

to the Son and to the Holy

Ghost.

— 14—



While the Priest says this prayer, the SERVERS

bow their heads (a simple bow), then straighten up and

answer

:

Servers

:

Sicut erat in principio, et

nunc, et semper: et in sae-

cula saeculorum. Amen.

As it was in the beginning, is

now and ever shall be, world

without end. Amen.

This response ends Psalm Forty-two.

The prayers at the foot of the Altar begin here at

Requiem Mass:

Priest :

Introibo ad altare Dei.

Servers

:

Ad Deum qui laetificat ju-

ventutem meam.

Priest:

Adjutorium nostrum in nomine

Domini.

I will go unto the Altar of

God.

To God, Who gives joy to my

youth.

Our help is in the name of the

Lord.

While the Priest says this prayer he makes the Sign

of the Cross and the SERVERS do likewise and then
answer

:

Servers

:

Qui fecit coelum et terram. Who made heaven and earth.

4. The Confiteor

(a) While the Priest is reciting the Confiteor the

SERVERS do not bow their heads but kneel erect until
the Priest says the words:

Et VOS, fratres, ordre pro me ad Dominum Deum
nostrum.

— 15



At these words the SERVERS turn toward the Priest

and bowing (simple bow) they say:

Servers :

Misereatur tui omnipotens

Deus, et dimissis peccatis

tuis, perducat te ad vitam

aeternam.

May almighty God have

mercy on you, forgive you

your sins and bring you to

life everlasting.

The Priest answers AMEN and the SERVERS bow
(profound bow) toward the Altar and recite the Con-

fiteor.

(b)

Servers

:

Confiteor Deo omnipo-

tenti, beatae Mariae semper

Virgini, b e a t o Michaeli

Archangelo, beato Joanni

Baptistae, sanctis Aposto-

lis Petro et Paulo, omni-

bus Sanctis, et tibi. Pater

(Here the SERVERS turn

their heads toward the

Priest), quia peccavi nimis

cogitatione, verho et opere

:

(Here the SERVERS strike

their hearts three times,

saying mea culpa, mea

culpa, mea maxima culpa.

Ideo precor Beatam Mariam

semper Virginem, Beatum

Michaelem Archangelum,

I confess to almighty God, to

blessed Mary ever Virgin, to

blessed Michael the Archangel,

to blessed John the Baptist,

to the Holy Apostles Peter

and Paul, to all the Saints,

and to you. Father, that I

have sinned exceedingly in

thought, word and deed,

through my fault, through my

fault, through my most griev-

ous fault. Therefore, I be-

seech the Blessed Mary ever

Virgin, Blessed Michael the

Archangel, Blessed John the

Baptist, the Holy Apostles

Peter and Paul, and all the

Saints, and you. Father, to

16—



Beatum Joannem Baptis-

tam, Sanctos Apostolos

Petrum et Paiilum, omnes

Sanctos, et te, Pater (Here

again the SERVERS, turn

toward the Priest ) , orare

pro me ad Dominum Deum

nostrum.

(c) After completing the

remain in the profound bow

says:

Priest :

Misereatur vestri omnipotens

Deus, et, dimissis peccatis ves-

tris, perducat vos ad vitam

aeternam.

Servers

:

Amen.

pray to the Lord our God for

me.

Confiteor, the SERVERS
position, while the Priest

May almighty God have

mercy on you, forgive you

your sins and bring you to

life everlasting.

Amen.

The SERVERS answer Amen and kneel erect, bless-

ing themselves as the Priest says:

Priest:

Indulgentiam, absolutionem, et

remissionem peccatorum nos-

trorum tribuat nobis omni-

potens et misericors Dominus.

Servers

:

Amen.

May the almighty and merci-

ful God grant us pardon, ab-

solution, and remission of our

sins.

Amen.

5. Prayers After the Confiteor

The SERVERS bow their heads (simple bow) and

continue to answer the Priest.

— 17—



Priest :

Deus, tu conversus vivificabis Thou will turn, 0 God, and

nos. bring us to Life.

Servers

:

Et plebs tua laetabitur in And your people shall rejoice

te. in thee.

Priest:

Ostende nobis, Domine, miseri- Show us 0 Lord, thy mercy.

cordiam tuam.

Servers

:

Et salutare tuum da nobis. And grant us thy salvation.

Priest:

Domine, exaudi orationem O Lord, hear my prayer.

meam.

Servers

:

Et clamor mens ad te And let my cry come unto
veniat. Thee.

Priest :

Dominus vobiscum. The Lord be with you.

Servers

:

Et cum spiritu tuo. And with your spirit.

Priest:

Oremus. Let us pray.

After the Priest says ‘‘Oremus” he ascends the steps.

The SERVERS should then rise and kneel on the first
step.

6. The Introit and the Kyrie

(a) The Priest blesses himself as he begins the In-

troit and the SERVERS should do the same. After
reciting the Introit, the Priest returns to the middle

of the Altar and says:

— 18 —



Lord have mercy on us.

Priest :

Kyrie, eleison.

Servers

:

Kyrie, eleison.

Priest:

Kyrie, eleison.

Servers :

Christe, eleison.

Priest :

Christe, eleison.

Servers

:

Christe, eleison.

Priest:

Kyrie, eleison.

Lord have mercy on us.

Lord have mercy on us.

Christ have mercy on us.

Christ have mercy on us.

Christ have mercy on us.

Lord have mercy on us.

Servers

:

Kyrie, eleison. Lord have mercy on us.

Priest:

Kyrie, eleison. Lord have mercy on us.

(b) The Priest may or may not say the Gloria. He

finally turns toward the people and says:

Priest:

Dominus vobiscum. The Lord be with you.

Servers

:

Et cum spiritu tiio. And with your spirit.

The Priest returns to the Missal and recites the Ora-

tions. The Orations always end with the words:

Priest:

Per omnia saecula saeculorum. World without end.

— 19 —



Servers ;

Amen. Amen.

(c) In some Masses the Priest genuflects as he reads

the Orations and says:

7. The Epistle and Gospel

(A) The Priest begins to read the Epistle with the

word “Lectio.” He puts his hands on the edges of the

Missal. When he is finished, he touches the Altar with
his left hand and this is the signal that the Servers

should answer:

Servers :

Deo gratias. Thanks be to God.

(B) The Servers then rise. The 2nd S. genuflects

in the middle and walks in front of the 1st S. to the

Epistle side of the Altar. He stands on the bottom step,

facing the rear wall until the Priest moves away from

the Missal. Then he takes the Missal stand in his hands

and goes down the center steps (no bows), genuflects

and ascends the steps to the Gospel side of the Altar.

He places the Missal on the Altar in a cater-cornered

position and stands on the step before the predella

facing the Missal.

Priest:

Flectamus genua.

Servers

:

Levate.

Let us bend our knee.

Rise.

Priest:

Dominus vobiscum. The Lord be with you.

Servers

:

Et cum spiritu tuo. And with your spirit.

— 20—



Then the Priest starts to sign himself and both

SERVERS sign themselves also.

Priest:

Sequentia sancti evangelii se- The Holy Gospel according to

cundum Joannem or Mat- John or Matthew.

theum.

Servers

:

Gloria tibi Domine. Glory be to thee, O Lord.

The SERVER signs himself by joining the fingers

of the right hand together and with his thumb makes

a small cross on his forehead, his lips and his heart.

The crosses are made in a straight line, from the fore-

head to the chest.

(C) The SERVER then waits until he hears the

word JESUS or until the first five words are read, then

he bows (simple bow), turns to his right and goes

to his former place. He remains standing while the

Gospel is read. When the Priest finishes the Gospel,

he immediately will pick up the book and kiss it or else

he will move the Missal stand to the center. The

SERVERS say.

Servers

:

Laus tibi Christe. Praise be to Thee, O Christ.

They kneel immediately on the step.

The Priest may or may not say the Credo. If the

Credo is said, the SERVERS bow their heads when the

Priest genuflects. Then the Priest turns and says:

— 21 —



Priest:

Dominus vobiscum. The Lord be with you.

Servers :

Et cum spiritu tuo. And with your spirit.

8. The Offertory

(A) After the Priest finishes the Offertory prayer,

he takes the veil from the Chalice and places it on the

Altar. The SERVERS rise and come to the center,
slowly and with precision. They genufiect and go to the

credence table.

(B) The 1st S. takes the wine cruet; and 2nd S.

takes the water cruet. They stand on the step before

the predella facing the rear wall. The 1st S. leads, the

2nd S. stands behind him. The cruet is held at the base

in the right hand; the left hand is open and placed over

the heart. Just where is the best place for the

SERVERS to stand when presenting the cruets or
washing the hands of the priest? It is suggested that

the 1st S. stand near the corner of the Altar, so that

when he turns and faces the Priest, an imaginary line

from the front corner of the Altar would touch his left

side. The 2nd S. stands next to him on his left.

(C) As the Priest approaches them, they turn toward

him, bow and kiss the handles of the cruets. The cruets

are kissed by merely raising the cruet handle to touch

the lips. This custom is done out of reverence for the

hands of the Priest. Those hands have been consecrated

and will soon touch the Body and Blood of Our Lord.

The cruets are presented to the Priest with the handles

toward him. As they are received back by the

SERVERS the handles are once again kissed. Both
SERVERS bow and turn toward each other and return
to the credence table. (In Requiem Masses and Masses

said in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed,

kisses are omitted.)

22—



9. The Washing of Hands (The Lavabo)

(A) The 1st S. takes the towel. The 2nd S. takes

the dish and the water cruet. The water cruet is held

in the right hand, the dish rests in the palm of the left

hand. The SERVERS stand on the step before the
predella facing the rear wall. As the Priest approaches

them, they turn and bow to him. The 2nd S. gently

pours the water about an inch over the Priest^s fingers.

The 1st S. has the towel prepared, holding it open at the

two top comers. As soon as the Priest returns the

towel to the 1st S., both SERVERS bow, turn toward
each other and return to the credence table. They

should be careful to see to it that the cruets and towel

are not placed in the wet dish.

(B) The SERVERS return to the center, walking
slowly and with precision, genuflect and kneel erect in

their places. They pick up the cards and prepare them-

selves for the SUSCIPIAT prayer.

Priest :

Orate fratres. ut meum ac

vestrum sacrificium accepta-

bile fiat apud Deum Patrem

omnipotentem.

Servers s

Suscipiat Dominus sacri-

ficium de manibus tuis, ad

laudem, et gloriam nomi-

nis sui, ad utilitatem quo-

que nostram, totiusque Ec-

clesiae suae sanctae.

Priest:

Amen.

— 23 —

Brethren, pray that my sacri-

fice and yours may be accept-

able to God the Father Al-

mighty.

May the Lord receive the

Sacrifice at thy hands, to the

praise and glory of His name,

to our own benefit, and to

that of all His holy Church.



10. The Preface

(A) The Priest reads the Secret prayers to himself

and finally says:

Priest:

Per omnia saecula saeculorum. World without end.

Servers :

Amen. Amen.

Priest:

Dominus vobiscum. The Lord be with you.

Servers :

Et cum spiritu tuo. And with your spirit.

Priest:

Sursum corda. Lift up your hearts.

Servers

:

Habemus ad Dominum. We have lifted them up to

the Lord.

Priest :

Gratias agamus Domino Deo

nostro.

Let us give thanks to the

Lord, our God.

Servers

:

Dignum et justum est. It is worthy and just.

(B) The Priest then goes on to recite the Preface in

a fairly loud voice. He finishes with the words

:

SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS.

— 24—



(C) At these words, the 1st S. rings the bells three

times. The bell has a better tone if rung gently. The

SERVERS are to remember this and ring the bells
softly and with reverence.

11. The Consecration

(A) The Priest continues reading the prayers of the

Canon. At the prayer HANG IGITUR, he crosses his
thumbs and holds his hands, palms down, over the bread

and wine. At this signal, the bell is rung again by the

1st S. Then the 1st S. quietly places the bell on the

predella.

(B) When the Priest joins his hands, the SERVERS
rise, walk up the step and kneel on the predella. After

he pronounces the words of Consecration, the Priest

genuflects to adore the Host. The 1st S. rings the bell.

When the Priest elevates the Host, the bell is rung
again and both SERVERS hold the edge of the PriesCs
chasuble. As the Host is raised by the Priest, the

SERVERS look at the Host and say silently: MY
LORD AND MY GOD. Then the SERVERS bow their
heads. The Priest genuflects again after placing the

Host upon the Altar and the bell is rung once more.

(C) The SERVERS remain kneeling as the Precious
Blood becomes present on the Altar. The bell is rung

for the genuflections and the chasuble is held at the

elevation. The SERVERS adore the Precious Blood and
say silently: MY JESUS, MERCY.

(D) The SERVERS rise, turn toward each other,
step down, genuflect on the floor and then return to their

places.

12. The Pater Noster

(A) When the Priest has finished the prayers at the
end of the Canon, he says:

25 —



Priest :

World without end.

Amen.

Our Father, Who art in

Heaven . . . And so forth . . .

And lead us not into temp-

tation.

But deliver us from evil.

After reciting a short prayer, the Priest breaks a

particle of the Host and says:

Priest :

Per omnia saecula saeculorum. World without end.

Servers :

Amen. Amen.

(B) The Priest makes the Sign of the Cross over the

chalice with the particle and says:

Priest :

Pax Domini sit semper vo- May the peace of the Lord

biscum. be always with you.

Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

Servers :

Amen.

Priest:

Pater Noster, qui es in caelis.

. . . et cetera. . . . Et ne

nos inducas in tentationem.

Servers

:

Sed libera nas a malo.

Servers

:

Et cum spiritu tuo, And with your spirit.



13. The Communion

(A) After reciting the Agnus Dei, the Priest reads

the three prayers before Communion, genuflects and

says in a voice that can be heard: '^Domine, non sum

dignus” The 1st S. rings the bell three times, once

each time the Priest says these words. Both SERVERS
strike their hearts and say to themselves: ‘‘Lord, I am
not worthy that You should come under my roof, but
say only the word and my soul shall be healed.’^

(B) The SERVERS bow their heads as the Priest
consumes the Host. They are in the presence of God.

(C) When the Priest takes the pall olf the chalice,
the 2nd S. rises, goes to the center and genuflects, then

walks to the credence table for the Communion plate.

(D) As the 2nd S. returns to the center, the 1st S.

rises and joins him. They both genuflect. They rise and

kneel on the first step in the center. There should be

about three or four feet between them.

(E) The Priest takes the chalice in his hands and

raises it from the Altar to drink it. The Servers bow

profoundly and say the same CONFITEOR which they
said at the beginning of Mass. This prayer is im-

portant and must be recited correctly and completely.

The SERVERS should read it from the card. Immedi-
ately after reciting the CONFITEOR, they kneel up-
right. They answer “AMEN'^ to the MISEREATUR
VESTRI prayer of the Priest. They make the Sign
of the Cross, as the Priest blesses them with the

INDULGENTIAM prayer, and answer “AMEN” to
this prayer, also.

(F) If the SERVERS intend to receive, they rise
immediately and step up to kneel on the predella. The

2nd S. passes the Communion plate to the 1st S. They

keep the three feet distance. After the 1st S. receives,

he passes the plate to the 2nd S. The Priest gives

— 27—



Communion to the 2nd S. and passes between the

SERVERS to give Communion to the people. The 2nd
S. rises and follows him to hold the Communion plate.

The 1st S. then rises, walks down the center steps,

genuflects, and returns to his place to say his private

prayers of thanksgiving.

(G) The SERVER with the Communion plate stands
to the right of the Priest and allows him enough room.

He must keep the plate level at all times, so that no

Particles of the Host slide to the floor. His eyes are

kept on the Hosts at all times. If unfortunately one of

the Hosts drops to the floor, the Priest will immediately

pick It up. He will send the SERVER for a white cloth
to cover the place where the Host was dropped. The

SERVER should know where this white cloth is kept.
He holds the plate with his right hand about six inches

beneath the chin of the communicant. His left hand is

over his heart. He never touches the communicant with

the plate. If while giving out Holy Communion, the

Priest must return to the Altar to obtain more Hosts,

the SERVER kneels next to the Altar rail where he
was standing. He kneels there facing the tabernacle

until the Priest returns.

(H) When the Priest finishes distributing Commun-
ion, he usually will take the Communion plate from the

SERVER. The SERVER accompanies the Priest to the
center of the Altar, genuflects, goes to the credence

table and kneels there. If the Priest does not take the

Communion plate from SERVER, the SERVER will
follow the Priest up to the Altar, place the Communion

plate on the Altar and kneel at the credence table. The

SERVERS must remain kneeling as long as the taber-
nacle door is open. Once the tabernacle door closes,

both SERVERS rise. The 1st S. joins the 2nd S. at the
credence table.

(I) If the SERVERS do not intend to receive, they
merely remain kneeling on the bottom step. They adore

— 28—



the Host that the Priest holds up at the ECCE AGNUS
DEI prayer, saying silently to themselves, “My Lord

and my God. Lord, I am not worthy that You should

come under my roof, but say only the word and my

soul shall be healed.” When the Priest passes between

them to distribute Communion, the 2nd S. follows him

with the Communion plate.

(J) If no one is receiving at the Mass, the SERVERS
rise when the Priest takes the pall from the chalice.

How are the SERVERS to know if no one is receiving?
A quick look over the shoulder will decide, not turning
all the way around in the manner of an awkward

giraffe. They genuflect in the center and go to the

credence table for the ablutions.

14. The Ablutions

(A) When the tabernacle door is closed, the

SERVERS rise and go to the credence table. The 1st
S. takes the wine cruet; the 2nd S. takes the water

cruet. They immediately go to the step before the

predella on the Epistle side and face the Priest.

(B) The Priest will put the chalice to his lips and

then hold it out with his right hand. At that point, the

1st S. steps up on the predella and pours wine into

the chalice. He should not hesitate in this. The
Priest represents Our Lord and is not to be kept wait-

ing. He should hold the cruet by the handle, not kissing

the cruet, however, because the Priest will not touch it.

The 1st S. will not hold the cruet too close to the

chalice when he pours the wine. The Priest will signal

the 1st S. when he has had enough by raising the

chalice slightly. The cruet should be held high enough

above the chalice so that it does not strike against it

when the Priest raises the chalice. After the signal.

— 29 —



the 1st S. stops pouring and bows to the Priest. He

then takes his place next to the 2nd S. on the step.

(C) They both remain facing the Priest and bow

when the Priest moves toward them. The 1st S. then

pours in a little wine, until the Priest raises his fingers

as a signal that it is enough. Then the 2nd S. pours

the water making sure not to splash the whole cruet

into the chalice. The SERVERS should be especially
careful to pour the wine and water correctly.

(D) When the Priest raises his fingers, and 2nd S.

stops pouring the water. Then the 1st S. takes the

Communion plate from the Altar. Both SERVERS
then bow, turn toward each other and return to the

credence table. They replace the cruets and walk slowly

and with precision to the center where they genufiect.

15, The Postcommunion Prayers

(A) After the genuflection, the 1st S. crosses in front

of the 2nd S. and walks up the steps to change the book.

The 2nd S. moves up to change the veil.

(B) The SERVERS should wait until each has
picked up the Missal and veil from the Altar. When
both are ready, they stand erect for a moment and

then go down the steps. They do not bow. They genuflect

in the center.

(C) The 1st S. walks up the steps to the Epistle side

of the Altar. He places the Missal straight and near

the end of the Altar. The 2nd S. goes up and places the

veil on the Gospel side of the Altar, so that the cross or

design on the veil, hangs down the front of the Altar.

He places it near the center of the Altar so that the

Priest may easily reach for it.

30 —



(D) The SERVERS should wait until they have
placed the Missal and the veil on the Altar correctly.

Then they bow, turn toward the tabernacle, and

walk down the side steps. The 1st S. walks down the

Epistle side steps, the 2nd S. walks down the Gospel

side steps. Then the SERVERS come around and meet
in the center. They genuflect and kneel at their places.

(E) After the Priest reads the Communion prayer,

he returns to the center of the Altar, turns to the people

and says:

Priest:

Dominus vobiscum. The Lord be with you.

Servers

:

Et cum spiritu tuo. And with your spirit.

(F) The Priest returns to the Missal and reads the

Postcommunion prayers. He ends these prayers with

the words

Priest :

Per omnia saecula saeculorum. World without end.

Servers ;

Amen. Amen.

In the event that there is more than one Postcom-

munion prayer, the SERVERS will answer “AMEN’^
only when the Priest gives them the signal by saying

“PER OMNIA SAECULA SAECULORUM.^^

(G) When the Priest closes the Missal after the Post-
communion prayers, he comes to the center of the

Altar, kisses it and turns to the people saying:

— 31 —



Priest:

Dominus vobiscum. The Lord be with you.

Servers

;

Et cum spiritu tuo. And with your spirit.

Priest:

Ite Missa est. (Or “Benedica- Go, the Mass has been offered,

mus Domino.”) (Let us bless the Lord.)

Servers ;

Deo gratias. Thanks be to God.

In REQUIEM MASSES this last prayer is omitted

and in its place, the Priest says:

Priest :

Requiescant in pace. May they rest in peace.

Servers :

Amen. Amen.

(H) Twice in the year, on Palm Sunday and at the

third Mass of Christmas, the Missal must be changed

and brought over to the Gospel side of the Altar for the

Last Gospel. The signal to remember is the Missal left

open by the Priest after the Postcommunion prayer.

The 2nd S. stands, genuflects in the center, walks to the

Epistle side of the Altar and goes up the side steps,

takes the Missal and goes down the front steps. He
genuflects, and waits for the blessing of the Priest.

Then he rises and goes up the steps, places the Missal

in a cater-cornered position and stands facing the

Priest. He signs himself as the Priest does, and an-

— 32—



swers, ‘‘GLORIA TIBI DOMINE.’^ Then he bows at

the Holy Name or after the first five words and returns

to his place.

16. The Last Gospel

(A) The Priest turns toward the tabernacle, kisses

the Altar and says:

Priest:

Benedicat vos omnipotens May almighty God bless you

Deus, Pater, et Filius, et Spiri- Father, Son and Holy Ghost,

tus Sanctus.

The SERVERS bless themselves and answer:

Servers :

Amen. Amen.

This blessing is omitted in REQUIEM MASSES.

(B) The Priest moves to the Gospel corner of the

Altar, to read the Gospel of St. John on the card. The

SERVERS rise in their places.

Priest:

Dominus vobiscum. The Lord be with you.

Servers :

Et cum spiritu tuo. And with your spirit.

(C) The Priest signs himself once again on the fore-

head, the lips and the heart. The SERVERS do likewise.

— 33 —



Priest :

Initium Sancti Evangelii se- The beginning of the Holy

cundum Joannem. Gospel according to St. John.

Servers

:

Gloria tibi, Domine. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

(D) When the SERVERS have signed themselves
and the Priest begins reading the words of the Gospel,

the 1st S. goes over to the bench and gets the biretta.

He returns to his place and puts it on the predella in

front of him, when he kneels for “ET VERBUM
CARO FACTUM EST.” Both SERVERS genuflect at
the words, ‘^ET VERBUM CARO FACTUM EST.”
(And the Word was made flesh) . The Priest finishes the

Last Gospel and the SERVERS say:

Servers

;

Deo gratias. Thanks be to God.

(E) The SERVERS remain standing until the Priest
comes down the steps, and then kneel with the Priest.

17, Prayers After Mass and the Conclusion

(A) The SERVERS respond and take part in the
prayers. The first has the prayer card ready.

(B) When the prayers are concluded, the Priest

walks up the steps to take his chalice. Both SERVERS
rise and stand in their place. The 1st S. holds the

biretta.

(C) The Priest comes down the steps with his chal-

ice. All genuflect. The 1st S. then hands the biretta to

^34—



the Priest, with the middle ridge nearest the Priest. If

it is the custom, he kisses the biretta, then kisses the

hand of the Priest.

(D) The SERVERS walk reverently toward the

sacristy door as partners. They take. their place in the

rear of the sacristy, then they bow to the crucifix with

the Priest. If the Priest turns to them and thanks

them, they answer “You’re welcome. Father.”

In the event that the Priest saying the Mass is the

Pastor, or a Bishop, or Monsignor, it is good manners

to ask him for his blessing and kneel down to receive it.

(E) The SERVERS then see to it that the candles
are put out, the cruets brought in, and everything is in

order.

They retire quietly to the Altar Boy room, change

their cassocks and depart.

If they have received Holy Communion, they should

never leave church without stopping to make their

thanksgiving.

THE PROPER WAY TO SERVE HOLY MASS

One Server

Serving Mass alone is easy if we have learned to
serve with a partner. The rules are almost the same

with the few exceptions listed below:

1. The SERVER leads the Priest out and stands on
his right side so that he can take his biretta.

35 —



2. The SERVER always kneels on the side opposite
the Missal, so that if the Missal is on the Epistle

side, he kneels on the Gospel side of the Altar.

3. At the Offertory, he is kneeling at the Epistle side.

When the Priest takes the veil off the chalice, he

goes over to the credence table without coming to

the center and genuflecting. As a general rule, he

never genuflects in the center unless he has to pass

the center to carry out his duties.

4. At the Offertory, he holds the wine cruet in his

right hand, the water in his left hand. He kisses

them before and after.

5. At the washing of hands, {the Lavabo) he holds

the dish in his left hand, the towel, unfolded, upon

his left forearm and the water cruet in his right

hand. After pouring the water, he turns to face the

rear wall and the Priest can easily take the towel

from his left forearm and replace it there when he

is finished. Then the SERVER turns and bows to
the Priest and departs.

6. The SERVER rings the bells as usual. He kneels
on the predella and holds the chasuble during the

Elevation.

7. At the Communion, after the Priest takes the pall

off the chalice, he goes immediately to the credence

table and takes the plate. He returns to where he

had been kneeling, says the Confiteor and acts ac-

cording to the rules with two SERVERS. He genu-

flects when he returns to the Altar with the Priest

and goes over to the credence table and kneels.

— 36—



8. When the tabernacle door has been closed, he rises

from his position next to the credence table and

takes the wine in his right hand, the water in his

left. He ascends the predella, pours the wine im-

mediately without bowing. (The Priest represents

Our Lord and is not to be kept waiting.) He bows

after pouring the wine and returns to the step. He

remains facing the Priest and bows as the Priest

moves toward him. He pours the wine carefully

with his right hand. Then he switches the wine

cruet to his left hand, the water to his right

hand. He puts the smallest finger of his left

hand through the handle of the wine cruet. Once

the finger holds the wine cruet, the water cruet is

transferred to the right hand and poured with the

right hand. The SERVER then bows and goes
back to his place.

9. The SERVER changes the Missal only. The Priest
takes care of the veil himself.

10.

At the Prayers after Mass, the SERVER sees to it
that the Priest has the prayer card, if he wishes,

and that he has his biretta.

BRIEF REVIEW OF SOME OF THE ACTIONS

THAT THE MASS SERVER MUST PERFORM

Signal Action

1. The Priest arrives at The SERVER takes the
the center of the Al- biretta and genuflects with

tar. the Priest. He brings the

biretta to the bench. Re-

turns to his place and

kneels on the floor.

— 37—



Signal

2. The Priest nearing

the end of his Con-

fiteor says ‘‘ET VOS

FRATRES ORARE
PRO ME AD DOMI-
NUM DEUM NO-
STRUM.”

3. The Priest ascends the

steps to the Altar.

4. The Priest touches the

Altar after reading

the Epistle.

5. The Priest signs him-

self at the Gospel.

6. After the Gospel the

Priest kisses the Mis-

sal.

7. The Priest takes the

veil off the chalice.

8.

At the Offertory the

Priest walks over to

the SERVER carry-
ing his chalice.

Action

The SERVER bows to the
Priest ready to begin the

MISEREATUR Prayer.

The SERVER rises and
kneels on the step.

The SERVER says ‘‘DEO
GRATIAS” and goes over

to change the Missal.

The SERVER signs him-
self and says “GLORIA

TIBI DOMINE.”

The SERVER says
“LAUS TIBI CHRISTE”

and kneels.

The SERVER goes to pre-
sent the wine and water.

He stands on step before

the predella facing the

rear wall.

The SERVER (1) turns;

(2) bows; (3) kisses the

cruet, and; (4) presents it

to the Priest. Next fol-

lows the washing of hands

and then comes the SUS-

CIPIAT Prayer.

— 38—



Signal Action
9.

The Priest says

“SANCTUS, SANC-

TUS, SANCTUS ”

10. The Priest holds his

hands palms down

over the chalice.

11. The Priest takes his

hands from the chal-

ice and joins them.

12. The Priest elevates

the Host and chalice.

13. The Priest says ‘^DO-

MINE NON SUM
DIGNUS.^^

14. The Priest takes the

pall from the chalice.

15.

The Priest raises the

chalice from the Al-

tar to drink it.

The SERVER rings the

bell three times.

The SERVER rings the

bell once.

The SERVER stands up

and kneels on the predell a.

The SERVER rings the

bell three times at each

elevation and holds up the

chasuble of the Priest. He

then steps down, genuflects

and returns to his place.

The SERVER rings the

bell three times.

The SERVER gets the

Communion plate or, if

there are no Communions,

goes over to the credence

table for the water and

wine.

The SERVER bows and

begins his CONFITEOR.

— 39—



Signal Action

16. The tabernacle door

closes.

17. The Priest stands in

the center and holds

out the chalice.

18. The Priest returns to

the center of the Altar

after the SERVER

has poured the wine

and water.

The SERVER stands, pre-

pares to pour the cruets.

The SERVER comes up on

the predella and pours the

wine into the chalice.

The SERVER leaves the

credence table and pre-

pares to change the Missal.19.

The 1st S. always takes the wine.

The 2nd S. always takes the water.

The 1st S. takes the bells.

The 2nd S. changes the Missal and holds the Com-

munion plate.

40—



BENEDICTION OF THE MOST BLESSED

SACRAMENT

The SERVERS appear in the sacristy ten minutes
before the Benediction is to begin.

The MASTER OF CEREMONIES sees that the veil
is at the bench, the bells and card are on the Altar

steps, the Missal, Missal stand and cards are off the

Altar.

The THURIFER sees that his thurible is well lighted
and that there is incense in the boat.

The ACOLYTES prepare their own candles and see
to it that the six high candles are lighted as well as the

branch candles, if these are on the Altar. The two Mass

candles are not lighted.

At the proper time, the Thurifer leads the servers

out into the sanctuary. He carries his thurible in his

right hand and the boat in his left hand. He moves out

to the deep center of the sanctuary. The Acolytes fol-

low the Thurifer to the center of the sanctuary and

stand on each side of him. The Master of Ceremonies

leads the Priest to the foot of the Altar and stands next

to him, on his right. All genuflect together.

The Acolytes go immediately to the sides of the Altar.

The First Acolyte kneels on the bottom step. Epistle

side, and faces the tabernacle. The second Acolyte

kneels on the bottom step. Gospel side and faces the

tabernacle. They place their candles in front of them

on the predella. The Thurifer moves about three step-s

to his right and kneels. The Master of Ceremonies takes

the biretta to the bench, and comes back to kneel on the

bottom step next to the Celebrant.

41—



i

The Acolytes

The Acolytes remain kneeling throughout the Benedic-

tion. They only bow during the hymn, TANTUM ERGO
at the words ‘‘VENEREMUR CERNUI”— no other
time. When the Host is placed back in the tabernacle
and the tabernacle door is closed, the Acolytes rise and

return to deep center. They genuflect with the Celebrant

and follow the Thurifer into the sacristy.

The Thurifer

After the Celebrant has exposed the Blessed Sacra-

ment, he bows and rises to fill the thurible. The

Thurifer rises and comes to the Celebrant, to present

the thurible for incense. He gives the boat to the

Master of Ceremonies. He first transfers the thurible

to his left hand so that he holds the top of the chains

with his left hand. His right hand is free. There are

now three simple actions with the right hand.

(1) He pulls up the ring at the bottom of the chains

near the cover of the thurible about six inches.

(2) He pulls up the ring at the top of the chains, at

the disk, six inches.

(3) He reaches down for the chains near the cover,

grasps them between the second and third fingers

and holds up the thurible for incense. He must be

sure to hold the thurible high enough for the

Priest to place the incense in it without effort.

When the thurible has been filled, the Thurifer

presses down hard with his right hand and closes the

thurible. He passes it with his left hand to the Master

of Ceremonies. Then he steps behind the Celebrant (no

genuflection) and kneels on the first step to the Cele-

brant’s left. He bows when the Celebrant bows and

holds the fringe of the Celebrant’s cope as the Cele-

brant incenses the Blessed Sacrament. He bows again

42—



with the Celebrant, rises and takes back the thurible

at the Master of Ceremonies^ right hand, returns

to his place and kneels. At the beginning of the second

verse of the hymn ‘‘TANTUM ERGO,” he bows with
the Celebrant, rises and goes through the same pro-

cedure.

When the Celebrant rises to walk up the steps and

give the Benediction, the Thurifer rises and moves to

deep center where he kneels. He incenses the Blessed

Sacrament with three double swings; one as the Cele-

brant brings the monstrance down; two as he brings

it to his left; three, as he brings it to his right.

How does the SERVER hold the thurible when he is
incensing?

He holds the top of the chains with his left hand and

places his left hand over his heart.

With his right hand he holds the chains about three

inches from the bottom, holding them between his sec-

ond finger or index finger and his third finger. He holds

up the thurible at about the level of his shoulders and

with his right forearm and his three fingers, he swings

the thurible toward the Blessed Sacrament. He swings

the thurible out in a gentle arc. It is normal for the

thurible to swing back and hit the chains. One double

swing means that the thurible is held out and swung

twice at the object. A single swing means that the
thurible is held out and swung once at the object.

There is a rhythm and a grace to swinging the thurible.

It requires practice.

When the Celebrant places the monstrance back on
the Altar, the Thurifer rises, returns to his place and

kneels. After the tabernacle door is closed, the Thurifer

rises and stands at deep center. The Acolytes are on

either side of him. He genuflects with the Celebrant
and leads the procession into the sacristy.

— 43—



The Master of Ceremonies

After the Celebrant has exposed the Blessed Sacra-

ment, he bows and rises to fill the thurible. The Master

of Ceremonies rises also and stands at the right hand

of the Celebrant. The Thurifer gives the Master the

boat. When the thurible has been filled, the Celebrant

and the Master kneel. The Master places the boat on

the step. The Thurifer passes the thurible to him and

he passes it to the Celebrant. He does this by holding

the top of the chains with his right hand, the lower

part of the chains with his left. He swings his right

hand toward the Celebrant. When the Celebrant takes
the thurible, the Master holds the fringe of his cope

with his left hand. The Master bows when the Cele-

brant does. When the Celebrant completes the incensa-
tion, he passes the thurible to the Master of Cere-

monies. The Master holds the thurible out with his

right hand until the Thurifer takes it from him.

At the beginning of the second verse of the hymn

TANTUM ERGO the Master bows with the Cele-
brant, rises and goes through the same procedure for

the second incensation.

After the second incensation, the Master gives the

Celebrant the card for the prayer. At the word “ORE-

MUS,” the Master rises and goes to the bench for the

humeral veil. Taking the veil by the two clasps, he re-

turns to his place and kneels. He receives the card from

the Celebrant and rises to place the veil around the Cele-

brant^s shoulders. During the Benediction itself, he

rings the bell three times. One, as the Celebrant brings

the monstrance down, two, as he brings it to his left,

three, as he brings it to his right. When the Celebrant
kneels on the step again, he passes the card to him and

then rises immediately to take the veil from the

shoulders of the Celebrant. The Master brings the veil

to the bench, folds it carefully. He folds the humeral veil

in three parts and makes the crease at the first third and

44



at the second third of the veil. This prevents damage

to the Cross or design which is usually on the middle

of the veil. He quickly returns to his place and kneels.

When the tabernacle door is closed, the Master stands

and picks up the biretta, if the Celebrant had one. He

genuflects with the Celebrant, hands him the biretta

and follows the Acolytes into the sacristy.

THE REQUIEM LOW MASS

A Requiem Mass is a Mass offered for a deceased
person with special prayers for that deceased person.

The color of the vestments is black.

Serving a Requiem Low Mass is the same as serving

any other Low Mass, with the following exceptions:

1. The SERVERS see to it that the black Missal is
placed on the Missal stand.

2. At the Requiem Mass the kissing of the cruet

handles and the biretta is omitted.

3. Psalm 42 is omitted and so prayers at the foot of

the Altar are very much shortened.

The Priest begins the prayers by saying:

PRIEST: ‘HNTROIBO AD ALTARE DEP’

SERVERS: “AD DEUM QUI LAETIFICAT
JUVENTUTEM MEAM^»

Then the Priest blesses himself and says:

PRIEST: “ADJUTORIUM NOSTRUM IN NO-
MINE DOMINP’

45—



SERVERS: “QUI FECIT COELUM ET TER-
RAM”

The SERVERS bless themselves with the Priest.

The Priest then begins the CONFITEOR and the
Mass continues the same as any other Mass.

4. After the Postcommunion prayers the Priest

comes to the center of the Altar and says :

PRIEST; “DOMINUS VOBISCUM”

SERVERS: ‘‘ET CUM SPIRITU TUO”

The Priest then turns around to the tabernacle

and says:

PRIEST: “REQUIESCANT IN PACE”

SERVERS: “AMEN”

The Priest begins the last Gospel immediately. He
does not turn around and bless the people at the

Requiem Mass.

TWENTY-FIVE DEFINITIONS EVERY MASS

SERVER SHOULD KNOW

1. ABLUTION (ab 16o shun)—
The Priest cleans the chalice and his fingers after Com-

munion with water and wine.

2. ALB (alb)—
A long robe of white linen. Meaning: The complete
whiteness or purity of the soul and body of the priest.

3. AMICE (dm iss)—
A white linen cloth which the Priest wears around his
neck and soulders. Meaning: A helmet to protect the
head of the Priest from distracting thoughts.

— 46—



4. BENCH (bench)—
The bench in the Sanctuary where the Priest sits. Called

also SEDILIA (say dee lee ah) or, SCAMNUM

(skam num).

5. BOAT (boat)—

A small cup which looks something like a boat, contain-
ing grains of incense.

6. BURSE (burce)—

A square pocket or purse in which the Priest carries the
Corporal. The color is the color of the chausuble.

7. CHALICE (cha liss)—
A gold cup in which the wine is changed into the

precious Blood of Our Lord.

8. CHALICE VEIL (cha liss veil)—

A square piece of cloth which covers the chalice. The
color is the color of the chausuble.

9: CHASUBLE (chasa buD—
The beautifully colored outer garment which covers the

Priest from the neck to the knees. Meaning: God’s Grace

and Goodness covers the Priest.

10, CIBORIUM (see b6r ee um)

—

A large gold or silver cup in which the Communion

Hosts are kept.

IT. CINCTURE (sink chur)—
A long, thick cord which the Priest ties around his
waist. Meaning: Strength in doing God’s Will.

12. COPE (kope)—

A large cloak, coming down to the Priest’s ankles, worn
at Benediction.

13. CORPORAL (kor por al)—
A square piece of white linen, like a napkin. It is un-

folded on the altar and the host, the Corpus Christ i

(body of Christ) is placed on it.

14. CREDENCE TABLE (kree dense)—table
A small table in the Sanctuary where the wine and

water cruets, dish and towel are kept.

— 47—



15. HUMERAL VEIL (hew mer al)—veil
A long, narrow, silk cloth that is placed over the Priest’s
shoulders at Benediction.

16. LAVABO DISH (lah vdh bo)—dish
It is used when the Priest washes his hands in the

Mass. Lavabo means in Latin “I shall wash.”

17. MANIPLE (man i pul)—
A band of cloth worn on the left arm of the Priest.
Meaning: The Priest must be a hard worker for souls.

18. MISSAL (miss al)—

The book on the altar which contains the prayers of the

Mass.

19. PALL (paul)

—

A small, square piece of white linen that is a cover for
the Chalice.

20. PATEN (pat en)—
A small gold plate which first holds the large white
bread and later the Body of Christ.

21. PREDELLA (pree dell ah)—
The top platform where the Priest stands at the altar.

22. PURIFICATOR (pure if ee kate or)

—

A small white linen cloth used to clean or purify the

chalice after Communion.

23. STOLE (stole)

—

A long strip of cloth the same color as the chasuble that
the Priest wears around his neck and over his shoulders.

Meaning: God has placed authority over the shoulders

of the Priest.

24. TABERNACLE KEY (tab er nack el)—Key
The key that opens the tabernacle. The tabernacle is

kept locked to protect the Sacred Hosts.

25. THURIBLE (thur i bul)—
A metal bowel suspended on chains in which a piece of

charcoal is lighted to burn incense.

— 48—





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