accordingly. (In some places the tradition is observed that at the main Eucharist on Sundays or feast days, all the candles on chapel or side altars are lighted.)6 After you have finished lighting all of the candles, pull the lever on the pole to extinguish the taper and then immediately push it up again so that part of the taper is visible. This is done so that the wax on the taper does not melt inside and clog the tube.
7 Reverence the altar at the center and return to the sacristy.
8 On certain occasions, such as the Great Vigil of Easter or when the Order of Worship of the Evening is used, the candles are not lighted before the service but during it. Check with the celebrant before lighting candles on special days.
9 If two people are assigned to light the candles, the procedure basically is the same. However, after reverencing the altar together, they light the candles nearest the center first (each taking a different side) and work outward. This should be done in a dignified and quiet way.
10 In some places a wreath of fresh greens with four candles may hang in the chancel or some other place during the weeks of Advent. The candles are lighted as the weeks progress: one on the first Sunday, two on the second Sunday, and so on until all four candles burn on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. It is traditional to light those candles first.
Chapter 6
The Extinguishing of Candles
After the celebrant finishes the prayer in the sacristy the candles are extinguished.
1 Take the candle lighter, go to the center of the altar and reverence. The candles are extinguished in the reverse order from the way they were lighted. Those on the main altar should be extinguished first.a. If there are two candles, the one on your left as you face the altar is extinguished first. Go to the center, bow, and extinguish the other.b. If there are six or more candles on the altar, start with the one on the left farthest from the center and work toward the center. Then bow, and start with the one on the right farthest from the center and work toward the center.c. All other candles are extinguished after those on the main altar.d. During the Fifty Days of Easter, if the Paschal Candle does not burn at all times, it should be extinguished last.e. During Advent, it is traditional to extinguish the candles on the Advent Wreath last.
2 After all of the candles (except the Sacrament lamp) have been extinguished, come back to the center, reverence the altar, and return to the sacristy. Put the candle lighter in its place and remove your vestments.
3 If two servers are assigned to extinguish the candles, the procedure is the same. After reverencing the altar together, begin with the candles on either end, farthest from the center, and work towards the center. After the altar candles have been extinguished, other candles are extinguished (remember, the Paschal Candle is last during Eastertide!). The servers come to the center, reverence the altar and return to the sacristy.
4 Important notes on extinguishing candles:a. Be sure to check the inside of the extinguisher, making sure that there is no residue of wax. If there is, clean it out before extinguishing the candles. Old wax can easily melt and create a messy blotch of wax and soot falling on altar linens or vestments.b. When extinguishing candles, the purpose is not to drown them in their own wax, but rather to cut off the oxygen. Therefore, do not plunge the extinguisher down over the top of the candle, but rather hold it gently over the flame until the candle is out.c. After extinguishing each candle turn the snuffer up. This will keep melted wax from spilling on the altar linen.d. If for some reason you must blow the candles out rather than using an extinguisher, be careful. Place your hand behind the flame—otherwise wax will fly all over the place!
Chapter 7
Before the Eucharist
Arrive at least twenty minutes before the service begins. Vest immediately; then ask for any instructions from the celebrant or person in charge. After you are vested, it is a good idea to check the credence.
1 If the gifts are not being presented by members of the congregation, the following should be on the credence:a. Chalice, purificator, paten, bread or host, pall, corporal. If the above are covered with a veil, the burse is placed on top and contains the corporal and an extra purificator. In some places, especially at weekday celebrations, the celebrant will carry these in at the entrance.BURSECORPORALVEILED CHALICEb. Bread box with wafers or bread.c. A cruet of wine and a cruet of water.BREAD BOXCRUETd. Lavabo bowl and towel.LAVABO BOWL AND TOWELe. A second chalice and purificator, if needed.f. An extra cruet or flagon with wine, if necessary.
2 If the gifts are being presented by members of the congregation be sure that the lavabo bowl and towel (and anything else they may not bring up—see above list) are on the credence.
Ten minutes before the service light the candles (see Chapter 5). Be ready, quiet, and prepared for the start of the service. If you are carrying a candle, light it; if you are thurifer, make sure your coals are very hot; if you are crucifer, have your cross in hand.
Loud talking, or anything that might distract the congregation, is always out of order.
Part Two
The Holy Eucharist
Chapter 8
An Outline of the Eucharist
The Holy Eucharist
The Word of God
| The Entrance | [Hymn, psalm, or anthem] [A Penitential Order] |
| The Preparation | Acclamation [Collect for Purity] [Summary of the Law] Song(s) of Praise |
| The Collect of the Day | |
| The Lessons | Lesson (Old Testament, Acts, Revelation, Apocrypha) [Psalm] Epistle (Letters of New Testament, Acts, or Revelation) [Alleluia (or Tract)] [Sequence Hymn] Gospel |
The Sermon
The Nicene Creed
The Prayers of the People
Confession of Sin
[Comfortable Words]
The Peace
The Holy Communion
| The Offertory | Sentence of Scripture, hymn, psalm, or anthem Presentation and preparation of the gifts [Lavabo] |
