of reverence, is made with the head, inclining the shoulders slightly.One never bows when carrying a candle or the processional cross.When genuflecting—Genuflection (the bending of the knee) is a sign of reverence to the Blessed Sacrament when reserved in an aumbry, tabernacle, or on the altar. It is done simply and with dignity. Don’t make it look as if you are falling forward or crouching down!Standing up straight, bend your right knee until it touches the floor—the left knee will naturally bend a bit—and keep your back straight. This will take practice, but again your actions are not to be a distraction to the congregation.One never genuflects when carrying a candle or the processional cross.When sitting—sit up straight in the chair, knees together, feet together.3 What do I do with my hands?Unless you are carrying something, your hands should always be folded and held above the waist. They should never hang down at your sides or hang folded below the waist.When sitting, either fold your hands in your lap or place them straight out on your knees with palms down. They are not meant to support your head!
4 The Sign of the CrossThe sign of the cross should always be made reverently and in a dignified manner. Remember, you are signing yourself with the Cross of Christ and this act of devotion should convey that meaning. With your right hand, fingers together, touch your forehead first, then your chest, then your left 2 shoulder, and finally your right shoulder. Keep the hand motions unobtrusive.The use of the sign of the cross by those serving at the altar is determined by the custom of the parish and the direction of the priest. A good general rule is that when the celebrant makes the sign of the cross, you make the sign of the cross; when the celebrant doesn’t, you don’t.
5 ResponsesOne of your responsibilities is to lead the people in prayers and responses. Therefore, make sure you know them, and say (or sing) them audibly and reverently; don’t rush and don’t lag behind! Keep the pace set by the celebrant or the congregation.
6 WalkingAlways walk slowly and with dignity when serving at the altar. Your movements should never appear rushed or hurried. But at the same time, stiffness must be avoided. Military steps, square corners, and quick turns are all out of place.
7 Holding a BookIf you are instructed to hold a book for the prayers of the celebrant, for the reading of the Gospel, during a baptism, wedding, funeral, or a blessing, do so in the following way:HOLDING BOOKa. Make sure the book is opened to the right page.b. Standing in front of the person who is to read, hold the book open.HOLDING BOOK ON FOREHEADc. The bottom of the book should rest in the palms of your hands, but make sure that your fingers are not blocking any of the print. The top of the book should be just below your chin (if you are short and the reader is tall, rest the top of the book on your forehead). The book should be slightly tilted for easy reading.d. If the reader hands you the book unopened, let the reader open it! Hold as above.When carrying a book do so in a dignified way—even if it is only your hymnal or prayer book. Hold it above your waist, not down at your side.
8 What do I do with my eyes?When one is serving, eyes should always be focused on the action at the altar, on the reader, or on the preacher. It is very distracting to have a server staring into the congregation or at the ceiling. If you don’t know where to look, the best thing is to keep your eyes lowered and look at the floor.
Chapter 4
The Vesting of Servers
Those who serve at the altar are regularly vested in either cassock and surplice, amice, alb, and cincture, or cassock-alb.
a. The cassock is worn over street clothes, and should be of such length as to come to the top of the shoes. The surplice, white, with full sleeves, and at least mid-calf in length, is worn over the cassock.
CASSOCK
SURPLICE
b. The amice is worn over the cassock. The alb, a long, white, sleeved garment, is worn over the cassock and amice. The cincture, a long rope, is tied around the waist with a slip knot, and any extra length of rope allowed to hang down the side.
AMICE
AMICE TIED
ALB AND CINCTURE
c. The cassock-alb is a single garment incorporating the amice and alb. Again, it is of such length as to come to the top of the shoes. The cassock-alb is worn with or without a cincture. However, the cincture is desirable for holding the garment properly in place and taking up any extra length.
CASSOCK-ALB AND CINCTURE
d. On festive occasions, the crucifer may be vested in a tunic. This colored, sleeved vestment is worn over the cassock-alb (or alb and amice) and cincture—not over a cassock and surplice. It may either match the vestments of the ministers or be of a different color.
TUNIC
e. It is not advisable that the thurifer be vested in a tunic. The sleeves of this garment are easily caught in the chains or in the thurible itself! For safety and ease of movement either the cassock-alb or cassock and surplice are better.
Neatness is always in order: combed hair, polished shoes (preferably not sneakers or running shoes!), and clean hands and fingernails. Remember, your appearance should not distract the congregation.
Always be vested at least fifteen minutes before the service is to begin. This will leave you time for last minute preparations and instructions.
Chapter 5
The Lighting of Candles
The traditional manner for lighting the candles is as follows:
1 Always be vested before lighting the candles. They should be lighted ten minutes before the service.
2 Make sure the taper in the candle lighter is long enough.
3 Bend the taper slightly in case the wick of a candle is down.
4 Light the taper in the sacristy, before you go to the altar. (During the Fifty Days of Easter, the taper should be lighted from the Paschal Candle. If this candle is not already burning, it is always lighted first.)
5 Reverence the altar at the center. Then proceed to light the candles on the altar before any others.a. If there are two candles on the altar, the one on your right as you face the altar is lighted first. Bow again at the center and light the one on the left.b. If there are six or more candles on the altar, start with the one on your right nearest the center and continue with the others, going to your right. Go back to the center, bow, start with the one on your left nearest the center, then light the others, going to your left.c. Other candles in the church should
