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Altar Server Ministry Schedule
The following guidelines were prepared by the
Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy and presented
to the National Conference of Catholic Bishops
for discussion at the June 1994 Special Assembly
on Thursday, June 16, 1994. The suggested
guidelines have been slightly revised according
to the third typical edition of the General
Instruction of the Roman Missal.
- Although institution into the ministry
of acolyte is reserved to lay men, the
diocesan bishop may permit the liturgical
functions of the instituted acolyte to be
carried out by altar servers, men and women,
boys and girls. Such persons may carry out
all the functions listed in no. 100 (with
the exception of the distribution of Holy
Communion) and nos. 187 - 190 and no. 193 of
the General
Instruction of the Roman Missal.
The determination that women and girls may
function as servers in the liturgy should be
made by the bishop on the diocesan level so
that there might be a uniform diocesan
policy.
- No distinction should be made between
the functions carried out in the sanctuary
by men and boys and those carried out by
women and girls. The term "altar boys"
should be replaced by "servers". The term
"server" should be used for those who carry
out the functions of the instituted acolyte.
- Servers should be mature enough to
understand their responsibilities and to
carry them out well and with appropriate
reverence. They should have already received
holy communion for the first time and
normally receive the Eucharist whenever they
participate in the liturgy.
- Servers should receive proper formation
before they begin to function. The formation
should include instruction on the Mass and
its parts and their meaning, the various
objects used in the liturgy (their names and
use), and the various functions of the
server during the Mass and other liturgical
celebrations. Servers should also receive
appropriate guidance on maintaining proper
decorum and attire when serving Mass and
other functions.
- Since the role of server is integral to
the normal celebration of the Mass, at least
one server should assist the priest. On
Sundays and other more important occasions,
two or more servers should be employed to
carry out the various functions normally
entrusted to these ministers.
- Acolytes, altar servers, readers, and
other lay ministers may wear the alb or
other suitable vesture or other appropriate
or dignified clothing. (General
Instruction of the Roman Missal, no.339)
All servers should wear the same liturgical
vesture.
- Servers carry the cross, the
processional candles, hold the book for the
priest celebrant when he is not at the
altar, carry the incense and censer, present
the bread, wine, and water to the priest
during the preparation of the gifts or
assist him when he receives the gifts from
the people, wash the hands of the priest,
assist the priest celebrant and deacon as
necessary.
- Servers respond to the prayers and
dialogues of the priest along with the
congregation. They also join in singing the
hymns and other chants of the liturgy.
- Servers should be seated in a place from
which they can easily assist the priest
celebrant and deacon. The place next to the
priest is normally reserved for the deacon.
- Servers may not distribute holy
communion unless they have been mandated for
this function by the bishop.
- The Order
for the Blessing of Altar Servers,
Sacristans, Musicians, and Ushers (Book
of Blessings, nos. 1847-1870) may be
used before servers first begin to function
in this ministry.
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