Inside or Outside the Altar

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Stu

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Greetings all,

Looking for some info on a somewhat technical question. A little background. I am taking over responsibility for my parish’s altar servers. While they have come a long way in their professionalism, more work is required. One detail I am trying to nail down regards bowing before the altar while serving. When crossing the altar (say to get to the credence table or such), some of the kids will cross behind the altar and then bow with their backs to the altar but towards Father’s chair. This seem incorrect to me. Instead, it seems to me that in this situation all should cross by walking around to the front of the altar and then bow. Yes this is getting into the weeds so to speak, but I want the altar servers pay attention to details like this and do it right. Thoughts?

Thanks all.

Stu
 
It’s only a thought, since I have no documentation of any sort.

When I was a server, in a 1970’s in-the-round church, where the president’s chair was behind the altar of sacrifice, we were taught to *never * pass between father and the altar. (Which sounds like what you’re trying to get at)

Old altar server,
tee
 
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tee_eff_em:
It’s only a thought, since I have no documentation of any sort.

When I was a server, in a 1970’s in-the-round church, where the president’s chair was behind the altar of sacrifice, we were taught to *never * pass between father and the altar. (Which sounds like what you’re trying to get at)

Old altar server,
tee
Click to expand...
That is what I am trying to get at. Thanks. More thoughts welcome by all.
 
I was trained by a hard-liner priest who seemed not to realize that we were elementary students and not combat marines. At that parish, the two servers were stationed on opposite sides of the altar during the consecration, but whenever one would cross we would both go together in front of the altar, genuflect, then go to our posts. Of course, genuflecting would become bowing if your tabernacle is not located behind the altar.
 
The new GIRM, specifies to bow to the altar (during the mass), not to the tabernacle, because the altar is where the sacriface takes place and is the center of the mass. I have our servers go to the front of the sanctuary, where we genuflect ant the start of mass, and bow there. It makes it nice and formal.
 
Andreas Hofer:
I was trained by a hard-liner priest who seemed not to realize that we were elementary students and not combat marines. At that parish, the two servers were stationed on opposite sides of the altar during the consecration, but whenever one would cross we would both go together in front of the altar, genuflect, then go to our posts. Of course, genuflecting would become bowing if your tabernacle is not located behind the altar.
Click to expand...
I would agree that a server should not pass between the priest and the Altar. However Genuflecting to the Tabernacle during Mass is not correct under the current instructions.
 
Generally: Never pass in front of the priest. and always bow when crossing the altar. I prefer for them to cross in front of the altar -but in our sactuary, the presider chair is at the side so sometimes it works out to pass behind.

Patrick
 
Andreasyou revive such wonderful memories!! How right you are too!!

Dear Stu,
I am in charge of the Altar servers at my Parish and would be only too delighted to help out via email if needs be. It has been a wonderful experience for me. I am so pround of them all and I know it borders on vanity but when I hear people complimenting them I am always so proud for them and of them.
Don’t forget the little think you’s every now and again. We give them all an Egg at Easter, bring them on the Parish pilgrimage to Knock shrine free of charge and then have a bar-b-que during the summer months. We started with 6 servers now have 44 on the list. Needs to be balanced a little but hey they are crying out for proper formation.

Best wishes from us here in Naas and may God bless and reward your efforts.
Fergal
Naas
Ireland
 
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