CHAPTER 1

Acolyte or Server?

In the early years of the Church, lay people helped priests in many ways. Someof them assisted at the celebration of the Eucharist and were sometimes called"acolytes." This word "acolyte" has meant different things at different times inour history. Recently, many people have come to equate "acolyte" with "server."

In 1973, the Catholic Church restored the ministry of Acolyte. This means that,as a church community, we recognize that we need this ministry of service.Someone who is called by God to serve the Church as an acolyte is "instituted"in a special ceremony by the local Bishop or someone selected by the Bishop.Instituted acolytes serve in the following ways:

1. Preparing the altar and sacred vessels before Mass;

2. Preparing the corporal, chalice(s), purificator(s) and Sacramentary for theEucharist;

3. Helping the priest to receive the bread and wine carried in procession;

4. Assisting with incense, especially when there is no deacon;

5. Helping to distribute Communion as a minister of the Eucharist;

6. Cleaning the vessels after Mass, or after Communion;

7. Bringing Communion to the sick and home-bound of the parish;

8. When necessary, conducting most of the ceremony of the Exposition of theBlessed Sacrament;

9. Instructing others who assist at liturgies and other church ceremonies.

This is a longer "job description" than most people realize when they use theword "acolyte." Since most parishes do not have instituted acolytes on a regularbasis, other persons perform some of the acolyte's duties. These persons arecalled "servers," as ministers who assist at the liturgy.

This manual is called The New Complete Server to avoid confusion with acolytes.In many parishes, servers are young people from grammar, junior-high and highschools. In other places, servers may be adults or senior adults who help withthe ceremonies. This manual is called complete, since it can be used by any agegroup in any parish or worshipping community.

Parish Differences

Each parish community does things differently from other parishes. Three itemsthat differ from place to place are the use of incense, the use of bells, andthe vestment worn by the server. The priest, deacon or person delegated by thepastor will instruct the server in these and other matters. Below is a list ofways some parishes or worship communities use these things.

Incense is optional in any form of Mass. When it is used, it is both a sign ofhonor and a sign of our prayer rising like smoke to God (see Psalm 141). Serverswill be told by the priest or his delegate when and how incense will be used inthe parish. There are five times when incense can be used at Mass:

1. In the entrance procession;

2. At the beginning of Mass upon arriving at the sanctuary, to honor the altarand cross;

3. In the Gospel procession, to honor the Word of God;

4. At the preparation of the gifts, to honor the offerings, the altar, thepriest, the othe ministers, and all those gathered for the Eucharist;

5. At the consecration of the bread and wine, to honor the Body and Blood ofChrist.

In the Middle Ages, bells or chimes alerted the people to the most importantparts of the Mass. The bells or chimes were rung before, during and after thepriest prayed the words of Jesus: "this is my body.... this is my blood."Because people can easily see and hear what is happening today, most parishes donot use bells or chimes. They could be used:

1. During the Eucharistic Prayer, after the "Holy, Holy," when the priest holdshis hands over the bread and wine;

2. During the words of consecration, also called the institution of theEucharist narrative.

The final big difference among parishes is the server's vestment. This can varywidely from one parish to another. Servers should take care of the vestment ifthey have one for use at Mass. Vestments can be: alb and cincture, since the albis the usual vestment for liturgical ministers; clean, neat clothes; no specialvestment, since lay persons such as readers and special ministers of theEucharist often use this last option.

It will be up to each parish to choose how the server will assist the faithfulin each of these three areas. Each server is responsible for remembering theinstructions as to what the community's practice will be. Servers might use thispage as a reminder by checking off each item that applies to their parish.

Examples of Servers

Procession Crossbearer (center) flanked by two candlebearers

Deep bow from waist

Kneeling server, in alb and cincture

Standing server, in cassock and surplus

Seated server

Thurifer

Familiar Words and Objects For Servers to Know

Acclamation: literally "a holy shout!" We sing the Gospel Acclamation as a wayof praising God who is present in the Word. We join more fully during theChurch's solemn Eucharistic Prayer when we respond with the eucharisticacclamations it contains.

Acolyte: someone who helps prepare for the liturgical ceremony, leads thecongregation, and assists the priest as a minister of Communion. The acolyte,one of the Church's ministers, is instituted by the Bishop or his delegate in aspecial ceremony.

Advent: the four weeks before Christmas, during which we prepare for Christ'sfinal coming as well as for the upcoming Christmas feast. The priest wearsviolet, which is a traditional color of waiting, preparation, anticipation andexpectation.

Advent Wreath: a festive circular wreath, often made of greens, arranged to holdthree violet candles and one pink (or rose) candle. The candles are lighted forthe Saturday evening and Sunday Masses of Advent, with one additional candlelighted each week so that the Light of Christ becomes brighter as we approachChristmas. The candles may be changed for white ones, which would burn duringthe Christmas season until the Baptism of the Lord.

Alb: a long, white garment which covers the entire body. This was the clothingthat the citizens of ancient Rome wore. The alb is always worn by the priest anddeacon. In some parishes, servers and other liturgical ministers also wear albs.

Altar: the place where the sacrifice of Jesus is offered to the Father and madepresent to us. The Lord's Table, around which the assembly gathers to celebratethe Eucharist, is always treated with respect. The altar table representsChrist, the Lamb of God who gave his life for us, the One who is the Center ofour lives. Servers and other liturgical ministers show respect to Christ bybowing when passing in front of the altar.

Altar Cloth: the long white cloth that covers the top of the altar and hangsover the ends. It is like a table cloth on a dining room table. The corporal isplaced on top of the altar cloth. Further, large decorative cloths are sometimeshung in front of the altar, especially on festive occasions.

Altar Rail: the dividing line between the seats for ministers in the sanctuaryand those of the congregation in the nave. The altar rail encloses the sanctuaryand the altar. Some churches continue to have this railing, although most haveremoved it.

Ambo: a strong and prominent stand or lectern from which the Scripture readingsare proclaimed. A church or worship area has one ambo, and may also have asmaller lectern for the music ministers and the person making announcements.

Ambry: a special box or glass case attached to a wall of the church where theholy oils are kept. Also see Oils.

Amice: a white cloth which covers the priest's neck and shoulders. It is nowusually part of the alb rather than a separate vestment.

Ascension: a feast which occurs on a Thursday or a Sunday [for those in Canadaand elsewhere] some forty days after Easter. It recalls the return of JesusChrist to the Father.

Assembly: those called by baptism as God's Holy People. The faithful assemblygives thanks and remembers the wonderful things which God has accomplished forus through Christ Jesus. Also see Congregation.

Benediction: a service of special devotion to the Eucharist. This liturgy isdifferent from Mass. The priest or another person will instruct the server as tohow to assist at Benediction.

Boat: a small container that holds the incense. This is usually carried by thethurifer, in the left hand.

Bible: inspired by God, the Bible is our collection of holy books which gathertogether the Hebrew Scriptures and Christian Scriptures. The Church selectscertain passages to be proclaimed and heard each time we gather for theEucharist and other public prayer times. These selected passages are containedin the Lectionary.

Book of the Gospels: the book from which the deacon or priest proclaims theGospel text at the Eucharist. It is carried in procession by the deacon or areader. Communities that do not have a Book of the Gospels carry in theLectionary and use it for all the Scripture readings.

Candle-Bearer: server(s) who carry a candle in processions during Mass. Theyoften walk on both sides of the processional cross or slightly behind it.

Canon: see Eucharistic Prayer

Cassock: a long dark-colored robe that reaches from shoulders to ankles. Serversin some parishes wear a cassock with a white surplice over it.

Celebrant: one who leads a liturgical ceremony. For Mass, this will usually be apriest from the parish, but it may also be a visiting priest or the bishop. Forcommunity prayer services, the celebrant may be a deacon or other personspecially appointed to lead the assembly. The celebrant leads everyone incelebrating God's Life and Love. Also see Presider.

Celebrant's Chair: the central chair, used by the priest or bishop or the personwho leads the community in prayer. It is sometimes located just behind thealtar, but it can also be located elsewhere in the sanctuary. Servers will bringthe Sacramentary to this chair, which is also called the presider's chair, orsimply "the chair."

Censer: see Thurible

Chalice: the cup used by the priest when he consecrates the wine into the Bloodof Christ. It is usually made of gold or silver, but it can also be made ofother solid materials.

Chalice Veil: a cloth that can cover the chalice while it sits on the credencetable. The veil is either white or the color of the chasuble.

Chasuble: a long, flowing robe that goes over the priest's head. This is thechangeable, outer vestment that people see in its entirety. It comes in thecolors of the Church Year.

Christmas: the celebration of the Birth of Jesus at Bethlehem, when God came tous in human form.

Ciborium: a covered container used to hold the bread or wafers consecrated atMass. The leftover bread or wafers are placed in the tabernacle as a sign ofrespect for the Eucharist. The plural of ciborium is ciboria.

Cincture: a thin rope tied around the waist over the alb. When a parish usesalbs for the servers, they also wear cinctures.

Concelebration: the celebration of a Mass by more than one priest. This willoften happen during Holy Week, at Confirmation, and on other special occasions.

Congregation: another word for the faithful people, the assembly, those who havegathered to participate in the worship of God at the Church's public prayer.

Cope: a long cape that is worn by the priest during some ceremonies. It is openin the front, and often held together near the chin by a clasp. It is often thecolor of the Church season.

Corporal: a square piece of white cloth which is spread over the altar cloth. Itis put on the altar where the priest will offer the gifts of bread and wine toGod on our behalf. The chalice, ciboria and flagon are placed on it.

Credence Table: a side table in or near the sanctuary, where all the objectsused for Mass are placed before and after they are actually used.

Cross-Bearer: the server who carries the processional cross during the entranceand exit processions, and who on most occasions leads toward the altar those whopresent the gifts of bread and wine on behalf of the entire community.

Cruets: bottle-like containers that hold the water and wine for Mass.

Dalmatic: a coat-like vestment worn by the deacon, especially on festiveoccasions. It is usually open at the sides, and is the same color as thechasuble. A deacon may wear the dalmatic, or just an alb and stole.

Deacon: a person ordained by the bishop to serve the community. Deacons proclaimthe Gospel at Mass, preach the homily when permitted, prepare the bread andwine, and assist in distributing communion. Deacons also baptize, join personsin marriage and assist at funeral and burial services. Many parishes havedeacons.

Easter: the celebration of Jesus' Resurrection from the dead. This is the mostimportant feast day of the Church Year.

Easter Vigil: the night before Easter Sunday. This is the most important Mass ofthe Year. Beginning after sunset, the Easter Vigil includes the renewal ofbaptismal promises for all, as well as the Baptism, Confirmation and FirstEucharist of those who have been preparing to join the church community.

Eucharist: a Greek word which means "thanksgiving." It refers to the bread andwine that have been consecrated. It also refers to the part of the Mass, theLiturgy of the Eucharist, during which the consecration takes place. It can alsorefer to the entire Mass itself. Also see Mass.

Eucharistic Prayer: the long prayer spoken by the priest in the name of thecongregation. This prayer asks for God to consecrate bread and wine into theBody and Blood of Christ. In reciting this prayer, the priest reminds us of thegreat things God has done for us, especially in sending us Jesus the Son. Withthe priest and by our participation in the sung or spoken acclamations, we givethanks to God from our hearts.

Flagon: a pitcher which is used to consecrate enough wine for all present toreceive the Blood of Christ during Mass.

Genuflect: to briefly touch one's right knee to the floor. A server genuflectswhenever passing in front of the tabernacle, as a sign of respect for theEucharist which is kept there.

Good Friday: two days before Easter. On Good Friday, Mass is not celebrated.Instead, we remember the Lord's Passion and Death by venerating or kissing thecross of Christ. This is one of the most simple and solemn church services ofthe entire year.

Holy Thursday: three days before Easter. Our celebration recalls the night whenJesus celebrated the Last Supper with his Apostles. The Mass on Holy Thursdaynight includes the washing of feet as a gesture of service, and a specialprocession which concludes the evening.

Homily: an explanation of the Scripture readings used at Mass. This is the talkwhich comes after the Gospel. The homily is preached by the priest or thedeacon. In the absence of a priest or a deacon, another person is authorized tooffer a reflection on the Scriptures at a Liturgy of the Word with Communion.

Host: the round piece of bread used at Mass. It is made of flour and waterwithout yeast. The priest often uses a larger host so that everyone at Mass willbe able to see it.

Humeral Veil: a long cloth, usually white, which goes over the priest'sshoulders and covers his arms. This is attached by a clasp in the front. It isused during Benediction, or when carrying the Blessed Sacrament in procession.

Incense: a mixture of resins, bark and other natural materials such as flowers,which gives off a sweet-smelling smoke when burned. This smoke rises andrepresents our prayers rising to God. The use of incense is always optional in aparish. The priest or person instructing the servers will tell them when incensewill be used.

Intinction: a way of dipping the host or Eucharistic bread into the consecratedwine during Communion time, so that persons may receive both the Body and Bloodof Christ.

Lectern: a strong and sturdy reading stand used to hold the Lectionary or Bookof the Gospels while a person proclaims one of the Scripture readings. Eachchurch or worship space should have one of these. Also see Ambo.

Lectionary: a large book containing the Bible readings which have been selectedfor use at Mass and other church services. This is the book used by the readerwho proclaims God's Word. If there is no Book of the Gospel, the deacon orpriest proclaims the Gospel from the Lectionary.

Lector: also called the reader or proclaimer, this is the person who reads God'sWord so that the faithful assembly might hear it. The lector walks in theprocession and may carry the Lectionary. In the absence of the deacon, thelector carries the Book of the Gospels or the Lectionary.