Sancta Missa - Handbook for Altar Servers

Handbook for Altar Servers

by the Archconfraternity of St. Stephen

Low Mass - Mass of the Faithful

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OFFERTORY

When the priest begins unveiling the Chalice, go straight to the credence table, without genuflecting in the center. present the WINE and WATER, then the WATER, BASIN and TOWEL as you have been taught. (Note D.) return directly to your place without genuflecting in the center.

NOTE D: OFFERTORY CRUETS

Spread the finger towel on the altar at the epistle corner. Place the dish and cruets on it.

Bow when the priest comes towards you.

You now present the cruet of wine with your right hand; if you are taught to kiss it, do so on the side, taking care to keep your head erect and not to breathe on the wine.

Next you (kiss and) present the cruet of water with your right hand, receiving the wine back in your left hand.

Receive the water in your right hand; place it on the dish; bow to the priest, and retire to the credence to put down the wine.

Now return to the altar, lift the dish and cruet in your left hand, and arrange the towel on the altar. Bow to the priest and wash his fingers; he will place the towel after use on your left arm. Bow and put everything on the credence.

If the Orate Fratres has to be answered before you get back to your place, kneel down where you are to make your response.
P. Orate fratres.
Wait till the priest has turned back to the altar; then say without bowing:

S. SUSCIPIAT DOMINUS SACRIFICIUM DE MANIBUS TUIS, AD LAUDEM ET GLORIAM NOMINIS SUI, AD UTILITATEM QUOQUE NOSTRAM, TOTIUSQUE ECCLESIAE SUAE SANCTAE.

While the priest reads the SECRET PRAYERS, say what you can of the following:
O Lord God, receive the Bread and Wine which we offer by the hands of Thy priest, for they will become the Body and Blood of Jesus; and for His sake grant us Thy grace and blessing.
O God, we offer Thee our poor actions, prayers, and sacrifices of this day, together with the glorious merits of Our Lady and the Martyrs, for the conversion of our beloved counry.
Deign to receive, O Lord, the homage of all devout Altar Servers together with the virtues and merits of St. Stephen; and for his sake bless us and make us fervent and faithful.
P. Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
S. AMEN.
P. Dominus Vobiscum.
S. ET CUM SPIRITU TUO.
P. Sursum corda.
S. HABEMUS AD DOMINUM.
P. Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
S. DIGNUM ET JUSTUM EST.

While the priest reads the PREFACE say:
It is truly right and just, O God our father, that every day and in all places we should praise and thank Thee for all Thy mercies bestowed upon us through Jesus Christ our Lord. We invite all the Angels to help us to thank Thee worthily, and we join with them to sing thy praises.
P. Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus.
Give three distinct double rings with your BELL, saying:
Praise be to God Who is most holy, and blessed be Jesus, Who comes to save us.

CANON OF THE MASS

For the Church. O most loving Father, deign to receive these offerings and bless Thy Church: Our Holy Father Pope Benedict, our Bishop (...), our priests and all missionaries and religious people. Bless all those who attend Mass today all over the world and all who are in need of Thy grace.

Personal Intentions. Here name all those you want to pray for.

The Saints. O Lord God, we know that Our Blessed Lady, the Holy Angels, SS Peter and Paul and all the holy Apostles and Martyrs are attentive to this sacrifice, and, as it were, present around this altar to pay homage to Jesus Who is coming. May we be fervent and pious here in their glorious company, and grant that as they are invisibly beside us here on earth, we may be with them in heaven after this life and see them with Thee in Thy glory.
When the priest spreads his HANDS over the chalice, give one double ring with your BELL.

Then go up the steps without genuflecting in the center, and kneel close to the priest a little to the right.
At each Elevation, when the priest genuflects, BOW, then raise the edge of the chasuble slightly with your left hand and LOOK UP and BOW again when the priest genuflects, giving three distinct double rings with your BELL.
Looking up for the first time at the Sacred Host, say: MY LORD AND MY GOD.
When looking up at the Chalice say: GLORY TO JESUS WHO HAS SAVED US WITH HIS BLOOD.

Return directly to your place without genuflecting.
Now say these prayers:
Remembering the Passion. O loving Father, we remember how Jesus, now present on the altar, died on the Cross for our salvation, offering His life in sacrifice to Thee; and how Thou didst reward Him by His glorious Resurrection and Ascension into heaven. So today we offer Thee with confidence the same sacrifice, begging Thee to forgive our sins and to make us worthy of entering into heaven to enjoy the glory of Our Saviour.

For the Souls in Purgatory. O merciful God, deliver from Purgatory all the suffering souls, expecially those I have known and now pray for.... Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them; may they rest in peace.

For yourself. O Lord God, have mercy also on us poor sinners, and prepare us to be admitted one day into the company of St. John Baptist, of St. Stephen, and of all Thy Holy Martyrs. Do not weigh our merits, but pardon our sins, for the sake of Jesus Our Lord.

Little Elevation. May all possible Honor and glory be given to Thee, O God the Father with the Holy Ghost, by all Christians together with Jesus our Brother, our King, and our Redeemer.
P. Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
S. AMEN.

COMMUNION
From now onwards, all your prayers should prepare you for Holy Communion, the "Daily Bread" of our souls.
Say the "OUR FATHER" with the priest, thinking how each request can be fulfilled by Holy Communion.
P. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem.
S. SED LIBERA NOS A MALO.
P. Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
S. AMEN.
P. Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.
S. ET CUM SPIRITU TUO.
Strike your breast three times, saying:
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us;
Have mercy on us;
Grant us peace.

O Lord Jesus, at the Last Supper Thou didst promise peace to Thy Apostles; grant then that receiving the Sacrament of peace, we may be at peace with Thee and with everybody for Thy sake.
O Lord Jesus, Thou didst die on the Cross for the salvation of men out of obedience to the Father and prompted by the spirit of Love; do Thou today in Holy Communion make us obedient and loving in Thy service. O Jesus, save us ever from a sacrilegious Communion and from hell; may the Sacred Host rather make our souls fervent and our bodies pure and healthy.

P. Domine non sum dignus.
Ring your BELL with three distinct double strokes
Say slowly three times:
Lord I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
Then say:
May the priest's Holy Communion prepare him for life everlasting.
When the priest makes the SIGN OF THE CROSS WITH THE CHALICE, EITHER, if there are no Communions, present the CRUETS, see No. 37, OR, if there are Communions, go to the Epistle side of the predella, kneel on the lowest step, and say:
CONFITEOR DEO OMNIPOTENTI,
BEATAE MARIAE SEMPER VIRGINI,
BEATO MICHAELI ARCHANGELO,
BEATO JOANNI BAPTISTAE,
SANCTIS APOSTOLIS PETRO ET PAULO,
OMNIBUS SANCTIS,
Without turning, ET TIBI PATER,
QUIA PECCAVI NIMIS
COGITATIONE, VERBO ET OPERE,
Striking your breast,
MEA CULPA,MEA CULPA,MEA MAXIMA CULPA.
IDEO PRECOR
BEATAM MARIAM SEMPER VIRGINEM,
BEATUM MICHAELEM ARCHANGELUM,
BEATUM JOANNEM BAPTISTAM,
SANCTOS APOSTOLOS PETRUM ET PAULUM,
OMNES SANCTOS,
Without turning, ET TE, PATER,
ORARE PRO ME AD DOMINUM DEUM NOSTRUM.

Remain bowing if the priest says Misereatur.
If there is an interval, kneel upright till he starts. Bow.

P. Misereatur vestri, omnipotens Deus, et dimissis peccatis vestris, perducat vos ad vitam aeternam.
S. AMEN.
Upright. Sign of the Cross.
P. Indulgentiam, absolutionem, et remissionem peccatorum nostrorum tribuat nobis omnipotens et misericors Dominus.
S. AMEN.

Get the Communion Plate for yourself or the people communicating.
If you are receiving Communion, go up the steps and kneel near the priest a little to the right.
Having received Our Lord, go down, kneel again at the side, and speak to Him in your own words: He is your most loving and powerful Friend.
If you are not communicating, make a Spiritual Communion:
O my God, since I am not receiving Thee sacramentally today, come at least spiritually into my heart. Forgive me all my sins, for I am very sorry I have ever offended Thee; fill my soul with grace so that I may be pious, obedient, pure, just, truthful, humble, mortified, and generous.
After Communion, or when the Tabernacle is closed, go to the credence table without genuflecting in the center. Offer WINE, then WINE and WATER, as you have been taught. (Note E.)

NOTE E: ABLUTIONS.

When the priest makes the sign of the cross with the chalice before drinking the Precious Blood; or, if there have been Communions, when the tabernacle is closed; take the cruets from the credence and stand below the predella. When the priest extends the chalice, go up, (bow), pour some wine, (bow), turn around and go alongside the altar. Bow as the priest comes, pour some wine, then pour some water with your right hand if you can easily change hands with the cruets. Then bow and retire.
Now change the MISSAL back to the epistle side, putting it STRAIGHT on the altar.
Go and kneel at the Gospel side.
While the priest covers the chalice, say:
O Lord Whom we received into our hearts, make them pure to welcome Thee; Thou dost stay but a short while, but give us grace enough for today and our whole lifetime.

O Lord Jesus, since we have been fed with Thy most sacred Body and Blood, never let us profane ourselves by sin after so holy a sacrament; may we be living temples where Thou dwellest always by Thy grace.

When the priest reads the COMMUNION ANTHEM from the missal, say:
Let us thank the Lord for all His blessings; and praise His Holy Name for ever.
P. Dominus vobiscum.
S. ET CUM SPIRITU TUO.

During the POSTCOMMUNIONS, read one or more of the following:
O Lord Jesus, we thank Thee for the high gift of Thyself Whom we receive in Holy Communion; may us ever love Thee in return with all our heart and strength.
P. Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
S. AMEN.

O Lord Jesus, we make a special request to Thee today in Holy Communion; make Thyself known to all people of this country that they may return to the true Faith and be once again admitted to Thy Holy Sacraments as in the Catholic days of old.

In thanksgiving for Holy Communion, we offer Thee, O loving Jesus, the fervor with which St. Stephen, Thy first Deacon and Martyr, used to receive Thee and distribute Thee to the faithful, and finally laid down his life for Thee.
P. Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
S. AMEN.
P. Dominus vobiscum.
S. ET CUM SPIRITU TUO.
EITHER

(1): P. Ite, missa est.
S. DEO GRATIAS.

(Pass to No. 45.)

OR

(2): P. Benedicamus Domino.
S. DEO GRATIAS.

(Pass to No. 45.)

OR

(3): in requiem Masses:
P. Requiescant in pace.
S. AMEN.

No BLESSING (Pass to No. 46.)
If the priest left the MISSAL OPEN, change it for the Last gospel, kneeling in the center for the Blessing, unless you have time to place the book (slanting) on the altar, and kneel at the Gospel corner.
BLESSING:
P. Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus, (Here make the sign of the Cross), Pater et Filius et Spiritus Sanctus.
S. AMEN
Stand up.
P. Dominus vobiscum.
S. ET CUM SPIRITU TUO.

Here make three small crosses on your forehead, lips, and heart.

P. Initium sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem.
S. GLORIA TIBI, DOMINE.
Now go to the Epistle side, genuflecting in the centre. Stand, turning slightly toward the priest and say:

O Lord Jesus, Who dost visit us in Holy Communion, Thou art the Son of God, being One with the Father from all eternity. How wonderful that Thou shouldst love me and visit me.
Thou didst come into the world, but the Jews and so many sinners have rejected Thee. With all Thy faithful disciples, I will always welcome Thee, believing in Thee and loving Thee, so that I may be a true child of God.

I genuflect to adore Thee, O Jesus, God made man, as the Shepherds and the Kings adored Thee in the Manger, for Thou are the King of Kings and Divine Glory shines in Thy Face.

At the end of the Gospel.
S. DEO GRATIAS.

PRAYERS AFTER MASS
P. Hail Mary. S. HOLY MARY. (Three times).
P. and S. HAIL, HOLY QUEEN, MOTHER OF MERCY; HAIL 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 VALE 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. (Do not strike your breast when saying the following words to Our Lady): O CLEMENT, O LOVING, O SWEET VIRGIN MARY.
P. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
S. THAT WE MAY BE MADE WORTHY OF THE PROMISES OF CHRIST.
P. Let us pray.

O God, our refuge and our strength, look down in mercy on Thy people who cry to Thee, and by the intercession of the glorious and immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of St. Joseph her Spouse, of Thy Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the Saints, in mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and exaltation of our Holy Mother the Church. Through the same Christ Our Lord.
S. AMEN.

If you have to open the gates of the sanctuary, do so NOW if the priest is holding the chalice; if he has left it on the altar, you will have time to open them at the end of these prayers.

P. Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our safeguard 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 wicked spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
S. AMEN.
P. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
S. HAVE MERCY ON US. (Three times).

Genuflect, even if the priest only bows.
Present the biretta, kissing it frst, then the priest's hand.
Lead out, walking reverently.
In the sacristy, bow to the Cross and to the priest, then kneel for the priest's blessing.
Help the priest to unvest, if he wishes.

If you have to extinguish the candles, begin with the one on the Gospel side. Switch off any other lights if this is not done by a sacristan.

Now say your GUILD PRAYERS AFTER SERVING (and make your thanksgiving) either before unvesting, or on your way out through the church.

Ember Days

Low Mass - Mass of the Catechumens

Index

N.B. This edition of The Altar Server’s Handbook, originally published by the Archconfraternity of St. Stephen a century ago, contains in its pages directives which do not necessarily correspond to the 1962 Missale Romanum or the serving tutorial on the Sancta Missa website. The handbook is intended as a possible aid for parishes or individuals interested in implementing a similar guild.