Receiving the gifts

[jonnyws]

I sometimes stand in as Altar server at weekday Mass’ when the usual server is not around. During these Mass’ there really isn’t much to do other than enter and exit with the Priest, prepare the Altar and ring the bell. A few months ago I was serving as a Mass with an offertory, which has happened a few times before. Usually the Priest hands the water and wine to me and then takes the bread to the Altar himself. Last time the Priest handed the bread to me and I really wasn’t sure what to do with it as he then turned and tried to give me the water and wine as well.

Could someone give me a break down on receiving the gifts at Mass as an Altar server?

Thanks!

Jonny

 

[jpjd]

At my parish, at daily Mass, the altar server remains by the altar while the priest goes down to receive the gifts. The priest receives the bread and the wine and then takes them to the altar. The priest hands the wine to the server, and, still holding the paten with the bread in it, proceeds with the Preparation of the Gifts.

It could be that your priest just made an absent-minded mistake in handing you the bread this time. Ask him about it! Of note, in our parish, the water is not brought up with the gifts. While the priest is receiving the gifts (bread and wine), the server, who has remained by the altar, is getting the water from the credence table. Then when the priest returns to the altar and hands the server the wine, the server has the water in one hand and the wine in the other.

 

[stanthonyserver]

Here are a few excerpts from the GIRM

1. At the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist the gifts, which will become Christ’s Body and Blood, are brought to the altar.First, the altar, the Lord’s table, which is the center of the whole Liturgy of the Eucharist,70 is prepared by placing on it the corporal, purificator, Missal, and chalice (unless the chalice is
   prepared at the credence table).
   The offerings are then brought forward. It is praiseworthy for the **bread and wine **to be presented by the faithful. They are then accepted at an appropriate place by the priest or the deacon and carried to the altar.
2. The bread and wine are placed on the altar by the priest to the accompaniment of the prescribed formulas.

#73 does not specify WHO should carry the bread and wine to the altar but it would seem that the server could carry either or both after the Priest or Deacon receive them from the faithful. The water is not part of this procession. Bishop Peter J. Elliott suggests that it is preferable that the Presider not carry anything to the altar but I think that is up to the priest to decide. While servers are part of the Preparation of the Altar I believe no server should place the Offering on the altar. It would have to be handed to the priest - or if there is a deacon the server would hand them to him and he should hand it to the priest.

I always tell my servers they have to be ready for anything, remain calm and use your common sense. You don’t say what you did when he turned to give you the water and the wine as well. I was wondering where you got the third hand from?
And as always do not be afraid to ask your priest after Mass how he would like you to handle it next time -
Hope this helps -
David