Washing of Hands: While the incensation of the altar is going on, other Servers get ready with water in a bowl and a finger towel, which the Priest uses in washing his hands and drying them after incensation.
The washing of hands by the Priest is a sign of desire for inner purity.
· Eucharistic prayer: It is the center and summit of the entire celebration of the Mass. There are various Eucharistic prayers, but the responses you need to know are pretty much the same for each. Here are
parts of the Eucharistic prayer you should know:
¨
Preface: It is basical y a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
¨
Sanctus: (Holy, Holy, Holy Lord) This is the acclamation.
Ëpiclesis: It is the invocation of the Holy Spirit upon the gifts and the whole assembly.
¨
Narrative of institution: These are either the direct words of Jesus or paraphrases of the words of
Jesus.
Änamnesis: This is the Mystery of Faith
Öffering
Ïntercessions
¨
Final Doxology: Trinitarian Gloria
A little before the consecration, the Server may ring a bell as a signal to the faithful. Depending on local custom, he also rings the bell at the showing of both the host and the chalice.
· Communion rite: This part begins with the Lord’s Prayer and ends with the Post-Communion Prayer.
There are several prayers you should know here. After the sign of peace is the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God).
Before communion, a Server rings the bell immediately after the Priest has drunk from the chalice as a
signal to the faithful that it is time for communion. During communion, Servers accompany the Priest or Eucharistic ministers with a communion plate which they hold under the chin of communicants. After
communion Servers place the communion plate on the altar, which will be purified with the chalice by the Priest. Another Server, at the side of the altar, carries water in a cruet, which the Priest uses in purifying the chalice. Next, the chalice, communion plate, empty ciborium, and Roman Missal are removed from
the altar and are put at their appropriate places in the sanctuary (usually on the credence table). After a brief silence the Post-Communion Prayer follows.
Concluding Rites
· Brief announcements may be made here.
· Greeting and blessing: There are varied forms for this to which you respond.
· Dismissal: The Priest sends the congregation out to serve God and his people. Thus after every Eucharistic celebration we are sent as missionaries to tell others what we have heard and received from the table of the Lord. After the appropriate veneration, the ministers then recess, departing the altar area in the order by which they entered.
In your ministry as a Mass Server, you play a very important role in the celebration of the Mass.
Therefore, you should be familiar with the Order of the Mass so that you can carry out your duties
confidently.
CHAPTER TWO
THE SERVER AS A PRAYER LEADER
Prayer is the way Christians communicate with God. It is not just a matter of pouring out to Him what
you have in heart. It goes beyond that. Prayer is also an act of listening to God and doing what He
instructs us in His Word. At Mass, we listen to God in many forms — the Scripture readings, the
songs/hymns of music, the Priest’s prayers and the people’s prayers.
Active participation in the Mass is very necessary. As a Mass Server, you are expected to take part in the singing, prayers and responses. All that you do should not be a distraction to others. Remember that you are a full participant and not a spectator at Mass. The Server is a minister of the Eucharistic celebration.
Your active participation in the Mass has the tendency of getting the faithful gathered to be fully involved in the celebration. Therefore it is necessary that you know al prayers and responses, and be as well
involved in the singing. This will get others join you.
Not only at Mass are you to lead others in participation. During Rosary prayers, Eucharistic adoration and other Intercessory prayers, you should be ready to take up the responsibility of leading the faithful.
The example you give outside of the church is also very important. Many people know you but you do not
know most of them. Thus your actions and words wherever you go should lead others closer to God.
Interestingly, many people feel shy to pray when in the presence of others. Others too do not actually
know where to start from, how to proceed, and how to end. Oftentimes they end up confusing others.
Never be a culprit of this!
How often do you lead people in prayer? Do you feel shy to pray in the midst of your colleagues or
congregation? How does your way of living affect others — does it draw them closer to God or far from
Him?
Ponder over these questions and see how best you can improve upon your spirituality in terms of prayer.
Prayers to know
As earlier indicated, prayer is a communication between man and God. The important thing to keep in
mind is that prayers are never mumbled. They are always said clearly and in a conversational tone. You
don’t need to shout so that you would be heard above the people, but you do have to be clear. Here are
some of the prayers that you might wish to look over to be sure you know them accurately and well.
Prayer before Mass:
Priest: I wil go to the altar of God
Servers: To God who gives joy to my youth
Priest: Our help is in the name of the Lord
Servers: Who made heaven and earth
All:
