GUIDELINES FOR ALTAR SERVERS I. INTRODUCTION From the second century onward, the ordained minister of the Eucharist has been assisted by others who helped to prepare the altar, sanctuary, various liturgical books, and sacred vessels for the celebration of the Mass. These persons have been of various ages and of both genders. It was their task to assist the ordained minister at the altar during the celebration, and carefully replace things in their proper order and place afterwards. The ministry of server was spoken of by Sacrosanctum Concilium in the following way: "Servers, readers, commentators, and members of the choir also exercise a genuine liturgical function. They ought to discharge their office therefore with the sincere devotion and decorum demanded by so exalted a ministry and rightly expected of them by God's people. Consequently, they must all be deeply imbued with the spirit of the liturgy, in the measure proper to each one, and they must be trained to perform their functions in a correct and orderly manner." ( # 29) The universal Church, in interpreting Canon 230§2 and with the approval of our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II (Prot. 2482.93), has embarked on renewing this ministry and has opened its implementation to both men and women of all ages. That Canon reads: "Lay persons can fulfill the function of lector during liturgical actions by temporary deputation; likewise all lay persons can fulfill the functions of commentator or cantor or other functions, in accordance with the norm of law" At its meeting of 30 June f992, the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts examined the dibium (question) which had been proposed to them: "Utrum inter munera liturgica quibus laici, sive viri sive mulleres, luxta C.I.C. Can. 230 §2, fungi possunt, adnumerari etiam possit servitum ad altare (Whether, among the liturgical functions which the laity, whether men or women, may exercise according to the Code of Canon Law, Can. 230§2, service at the altar may also be included.)" The following response was given: "Affirmative et luxta instructiones a Sede Apostolica dandas (Affirmative, according to the Instructions to be given by the Apostolic See.)" On July 11, 1992, Pope John Paul II confirmed this decision and ordered it to be promulgated. The following guidelines are offered to pastors and all the faithful in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend to assist in furthering the "Ministry of Server" wherever it is deemed pastorally appropriate. II. FUNCTION The General Instruction of the Roman Missal describes the function of server as: "... those who carry the missal, the cross, candles, the bread, wine, water, and the thurible." (#68) The application of this description may include: 1. Preparing the sacred vessels and the altar before Mass. (Cf. GIRM #79-80) 2. At the Preparation of Gifts, to prepare the chalice, corporal, purificator and Sacramentary before the procession and presentation of gifts by the faithful 3. To assist the celebrant with the reception of bread and wine and its preparation. 4. Especially when a deacon is not present, to assist the celebrant with incense. 5. To hold the Sacramentary for the celebrant as needed. 6. To return the sacred vessels to their proper secure place after the celebration of the Mass. 7. Other similar tasks as determined by pastoral need. Varying local circumstances within the parish will determine the specific tasks of servers. The solemnity of a particular liturgical celebration will also affect the number and nature of tasks for servers on any given day. Other server roles may be further described as cross bearer, thurifer, incense bearer, candle bearer, or book bearer, etc. It is important that each pastor develop a ministry description for those who function in these various roles as servers, so that each individual will be conscious of their particular responsibilities on a given occasion. In any case, such persons may carry out all the functions listed in no. 68 §2 and nos. 142 - 147 of the General Instruction. IlI. TRAINING In order that each server "... be deeply imbued with the spirit of the liturgy... "(S.C. #29) adequate preparation must preceed the exercise of this privileged ministry. This formation for service at the Sacred Liturgy will need to be adapted to the educational level of the person participating, but should include the following: 1. Imitating Jesus the Prayerful Servant: Personal Prayer for the Server 2. Serving the Assembly at Prayer: Competent but not Intrusive 3. Various Roles of Serving Ministry: Cross Bearer, Thurifer, etc. 4. The Eucharist: "Source and Summit" 5. Names, locations, and function of each of the liturgical books, vessels, and vestments; the particular character of each of the liturgical seasons; the vocabulary of the liturgy. 6. Specific procedures for serving at Mass 7. Expectations: a. Before the Liturgy b. During the Liturgy c. Following the Liturgy 8. Procedures for liturgies other than the Eucharist, such as Morning and Evening Prayer, Funerals, Weddings, Baptism, etc., as well as other forms of public worship such as Benediction, Way of the Cross, etc. IV. SPIRITUAL FORMATION It is exceedingly important that servers be concerned with more than just the "how to" of their ministry. They must also be led, in a way appropriate to their age and understanding, to a deeper understanding of the prayerful intention and spiritual disposition which must inform anyone engaging in liturgical ministry. The same movements of walking, sitting, standing, etc. which we use throughout our everyday actions, are vested with a deeper and more spiritual significance when done before, during, and after the Sacred Liturgy. Whether they are swinging the censor, carrying a book, serving as cantor, lector, or Special Minister of the Eucharist, all who engage in liturgical ministry are serving the Church assembled before God in prayer. The beauty and prayerfulness of the appropriate gestures for each respective ministry, should edify the praying Church. It is of great importance to work with servers of all ages on the development of a prayerfulness and spirituality to undergird their ministry. The following words of Pope Paul VI are appropriate for reflection: "You might at times think that the liturgy is made up of a lot of minor details; posture, genuflections, bows, handling the censer, missal, cruets, etc. It is then that you must remember the words of Christ in the gospel: "He that is faithful in the smallest things is faithful also in the great." (Mk 10:21) Moreover, in the liturgy nothing is little, when we realize the greatness of the one to whom it is directed." (Pope Paul VI, Address to a pilgrimage of altar servers from various parts of Europe, 30 March 1967). V. VESTURE The General Instruction of the Roman Missal states the following: "In the Church, the Body of Christ, not all members have the same function. This diversity of ministries is shown outwardly in worship by the diversity of vestments.. These should therefore symbolize the function proper to each ministry. But at the same time the vestments should also contribute to the beauty of the rite." (GIRM #297). "The vestment common to ministers of every rank is the alb, tied at the waist with a cincture, unless it is made to fit without a cincture... ministers below the order of denton may wear the alb or other vestment that is lawfully approved in each region." (GIRM #298 and #301). Parishes may wish to consider some form of off-white robe for the use of servers. Because of its long-standing association with those who have been ordained, it is recommended that ministers below the order of deacon not wear a cassock and surplice. A business style of dress may be considered appropriate for adult servers, but all should consider it necessary to dress with the dignity which is befitting the Eucharistic celebration. Informal wear would not meet this criteria. At all celebrations, servers should be neat, clean, and simply dressed in such a way as not to draw attention to themselves. VI. POSITION OF SERVER IN SANCTUARY Servers should be seated in such a way that they can be of maximum service to the presider. However, they should not be seated beside the presidential chair. (Cf. GIRM #271) In contrast to those who have been canonically installed in the ministry of acolyte (C. 1035), servers may not distribute holy communion or act as Proclaimers of the Word during the same liturgical service at which they serve. As the General Instruction clearly states "... all, whether ministers or laypersons, should do all and only those parts that belong to them. (GIRM #58). VII. FOSTERING OF VOCATIONS SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM directed the Church to be nourished more fully from "...that primary and indispensible source" of the true Christian spirit. Active participation in the liturgy has been and will remain a primary source, not only of grace for the Church in general, but specifically of vocations to other ministries in the Church. Therefore, care should be taken to give younger servers, both men and women, the necessary spiritual formation regarding their ministry which will lead them to consider a more formal dedication to the Church in the priesthood and/or religious life. VIII. MANDATE 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.