altar servers?

[Don9of11]

Ever since I can remember during the mass, altar servers stood next to the priest - one on his left and one on his right. When the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins the servers still keep this arrangement, however they move apart, one on the left side of the altar and the other on the right side of altar. I notice at the parish where I attend the servers do not take these positions but instead both move to a location somewhat removed from the altar.

In the image attached the servers move to a location just under the hymnal postings on the right side of the altar. There you can see two kneeler’s.

Are there any church documents that govern such things?

 

[John_Lilburne]

There is nothing very specific.

From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :
“C. THE DUTIES OF THE ACOLYTE
… 189. Through the entire celebration, the acolyte is to approach the priest or the deacon, whenever necessary, in order to present the book to them and to assist them in any other way required. Thus it is appropriate, insofar as possible, that the acolyte occupy a place from which he can conveniently carry out his ministry either at the chair or at the altar.”

An “altar server” is doing the role of the “instituted acolyte”. From the GIRM:
“100. In the absence of an instituted acolyte, lay ministers may be deputed to serve at the altar and assist the priest and the deacon; they may carry the cross, the candles, the thurible, the bread, the wine, and the water, and they may also be deputed to distribute Holy Communion as extraordinary ministers.”

Say the altar server is to distribute communion as an Extraordinary Minister. The GIRM has, about Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:
“161. … These ministers should not approach the altar before the priest has received Communion, and they are always to receive from the hands of the priest celebrant the vessel containing either species of the Most Holy Eucharist for distribution to the faithful.”

They would still be in the sanctuary as altar servers, but do not go to receive Communion until the appropriate time.

 

[Chatter163]

In the OF, unlike the EF, positions of altar servers are not very specifially directed, so there is a wide variety of practices. IME, most parishes do not stand their servers next to the priest, as these places are reserved for concelebrants and deacons.

 

[TheMc]

I would personally not have the servers be directly next to the priest, or in any prominent place. They should still be able to be close enough to preform their duties, but not in the spotlight. There’s simply no need for it. There is a document backing this idea up, I just can’t find it (I know, really helpful… ).

 

[John_Lilburne]

Perhaps this is what you had in mind, in terms of the altar servers as “other ministers” not being positioned in “the spotlight”.

From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :

“*The Chair for the Priest Celebrant and Other Seats
*310. The chair of the priest celebrant must signify his office of presiding over the gathering and of directing the prayer. Thus the best place for the chair is in a position facing the people at the head of the sanctuary, unless the design of the building or other circumstances impede this: for example, if the great distance would interfere with communication between the priest and the gathered assembly, or if the tabernacle is in the center behind the altar. Any appearance of a throne, however, is to be avoided.119 It is appropriate that, before being put into liturgical use, the chair be blessed according to the rite described in the Roman Ritual.120
Likewise, seats should be arranged in the sanctuary for concelebrating priests as well as for priests who are present for the celebration in choir dress but who are not concelebrating.
The seat for the deacon should be placed near that of the celebrant. Seats for the other ministers are to be arranged so that they are clearly distinguishable from those for the clergy and so that the ministers are easily able to fulfill the function entrusted to them.121”

 

[TheMc]

Perhaps this is what you had in mind, in terms of the altar servers as “other ministers” not being positioned in “the spotlight”.

From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :

“*The Chair for the Priest Celebrant and Other Seats
*…
The seat for the deacon should be placed near that of the celebrant. **Seats for the other ministers are to be arranged so that they are clearly distinguishable from those for the clergy **and so that the ministers are easily able to fulfill the function entrusted to them.121”

That’s exactly what I wanted. Thank you very much!

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I have read, and think it is official, that there should be no one but the celebrant, and any con-celebrants. standing at the altar. The deacon should be back from the celebrant and kneeling during the Eucharistic Prayer.

No one else should be in the Sanctuary.

I thinkI read that in conjunction with questions an when may EMHC’s approach the altar.