To Latin Mass Altar Servers

[JuanCarlos]

As an altar server for the TLM, it always interests me to watch the altar serving of other TLMs that I will sometimes attend, and compare the difference. I’ve noticed a couple “regional differences”, and was just wondering if other altar servers could chime and and say what your parishes do/don’t do (just for fun)":

-I’ve noticed some TLMs have the altar servers kneel for the Creed; at our parish we stand

-In some handbooks for altar serving I’ve read the instructions read that the altar server should kiss the cruets at the offertory, but I’ve never seen this done. Any altar servers do this?

-I’ve also read that a bell should be rung at the beginning of the offertory, but likewise I’ve never seen this done.

-Our servers say a confiteor before Communion, but we omit this at High Mass for some reason

-At the priest’s “Non sum dignus”, we’ll ascend to the top step to receive Communion; however, I’ve seen some TLMs where the servers received Communion at the right side of the altar, on the steps

That’s all I can think of for now, but I’d love to hear from other servers

 

[Traddy]

I’ve noticed some TLMs have the altar servers kneel for the Creed; at our parish we stand

-In some handbooks for altar serving I’ve read the instructions read that the altar server should kiss the cruets at the offertory, but I’ve never seen this done. Any altar servers do this?

-I’ve also read that a bell should be rung at the beginning of the offertory, but likewise I’ve never seen this done.

-Our servers say a confiteor before Communion, but we omit this at High Mass for some reason

-At the priest’s “Non sum dignus”, we’ll ascend to the top step to receive Communion; however, I’ve seen some TLMs where the servers received Communion at the right side of the altar, on the steps

Here at my parish, we (I am an altar server) kneel for the Creed at Low Mass, but stand for High Mass.
Our altar servers kiss the cruets.
I’ve never heard of the bell ringing at the offertory.
We don’t say the Communion Confiteor, but the parish in Quebec does.
For Communion, we wait until the priest is done drinking from the chalice, then we ascend to the top steps.

 

[preV2tradcath]

I am the head server for the EF Mass in my community. My guess is the differences are what is allowed by local custom.

We kneel for the Creed, bowing when the priest genuflects.

At the beginning of the offertory, when Fr. removes the chalice veil, the bell is rung once.

We kiss the cruets at the offertory. As Fr. approaches the servers, we bow to him and the server with the wine kisses the cruet. While Fr. pours the wine, the other server kisses the water cruet. Each server kisses the cruet when Fr. returns it to him.

It is my understanding that the confiteor before communion is at best optional in the 1962 missal. Our chaplain has chosen to omit it. Before he started, and we had a rotation of priests, some priests would have us recite it, and some wouldn’t.

After the priest receives the Precious Blood, the servers genuflect in the middle, go to the credence table to get the paten, and kneel on the right side (2nd of 3 steps) to receive Holy Communion.

The bishop has appointed our priest as chaplain for those who want the EF of the Mass in our area of the state. The chaplain says one Mass, in another city, at 8:00 and ours at noon. The other head server and I keep in touch, and it is my understanding that they do the same at the 8:00.

 

[Chatter163]

As an altar server for the TLM, it always interests me to watch the altar serving of other TLMs that I will sometimes attend, and compare the difference. I’ve noticed a couple “regional differences”, and was just wondering if other altar servers could chime and and say what your parishes do/don’t do (just for fun)":

-I’ve noticed some TLMs have the altar servers kneel for the Creed; at our parish we stand

-In some handbooks for altar serving I’ve read the instructions read that the altar server should kiss the cruets at the offertory, but I’ve never seen this done. Any altar servers do this?

-I’ve also read that a bell should be rung at the beginning of the offertory, but likewise I’ve never seen this done.

-Our servers say a confiteor before Communion, but we omit this at High Mass for some reason

-At the priest’s “Non sum dignus”, we’ll ascend to the top step to receive Communion; however, I’ve seen some TLMs where the servers received Communion at the right side of the altar, on the steps

That’s all I can think of for now, but I’d love to hear from other servers

1. At High Mass servers stand for credd, at Low Mass they kneel.
2. The oscula of cruets extends from Solemn Mass, but it later became common for servers to do it at Low Mass, as well. We do.
3. I have seen the offertory bell rung in a handful of places, but we do not do so.
4. Technically no confiteor before communion is to be said, byt it can be “tolerated” as a local custom. We do not use it at all
5. The rubrics do not specify where servers should receive communion, though the top step is most common. That is what we do.

 

[palmas85]

As an altar server for the TLM, it always interests me to watch the altar serving of other TLMs that I will sometimes attend, and compare the difference. I’ve noticed a couple “regional differences”, and was just wondering if other altar servers could chime and and say what your parishes do/don’t do (just for fun)":

-I’ve noticed some TLMs have the altar servers kneel for the Creed; at our parish we stand

-In some handbooks for altar serving I’ve read the instructions read that the altar server should kiss the cruets at the offertory, but I’ve never seen this done. Any altar servers do this?

-I’ve also read that a bell should be rung at the beginning of the offertory, but likewise I’ve never seen this done.

-Our servers say a confiteor before Communion, but we omit this at High Mass for some reason

-At the priest’s “Non sum dignus”, we’ll ascend to the top step to receive Communion; however, I’ve seen some TLMs where the servers received Communion at the right side of the altar, on the steps

That’s all I can think of for now, but I’d love to hear from other servers

Yes, the Cruets are kissed and handed to the Priest with the right hand. They are received back in the left. You kiss the handle on the side or the body of the Cruet.

The bell ringimg at the Offertory was done I believe in High Masses only, but I could be mistaken on that one. It has been a while

The second confeitor is not in the 62 Missal. It was done prior to that time. It is permitted I understand in the 62 Missal.

You receive on the top step in front of the Epistle(right) side of the Altar. You are supposed to hold the paten under your chin at this time. Kneeling at the bottom step used to mean that you were not receiving. That may have changed.

 

[JuanCarlos]

Hm, this is all very interesting. Th thing I am most surprised with is the kissing of the cruets; I’ve never seen this done (even in an SSPX Parish I used to go to).

Another custom we have is that after the Mass is over, the Priest will bless the altar servers in the sacristy. Is that common?

And I guess we’re unique in standing for the Creed at Low Mass; I’m not the head server though, so I don’t have the pull to change that.

 

[preV2tradcath]

Juan, after Mass, when we arrive in the sacristy, after bowing to a crucifix, the servers kneel for a blessing. Then Fr. thanks us for serving. After kneeling at the communon rail to make their thanksgiving, the servers pick up.

 

[Chatter163]

after Mass, when we arrive in the sacristy, after bowing to a crucifix, the servers kneel for a blessing. Then Fr. thanks us for serving. After kneeling at the communon rail to make their thanksgiving, the servers pick up.

Same here

 

[Magnum_V8]

As an altar server for the TLM, it always interests me to watch the altar serving of other TLMs that I will sometimes attend, and compare the difference. I’ve noticed a couple “regional differences”, and was just wondering if other altar servers could chime and and say what your parishes do/don’t do (just for fun)":

-I’ve noticed some TLMs have the altar servers kneel for the Creed; at our parish we stand

-In some handbooks for altar serving I’ve read the instructions read that the altar server should kiss the cruets at the offertory, but I’ve never seen this done. Any altar servers do this?

-I’ve also read that a bell should be rung at the beginning of the offertory, but likewise I’ve never seen this done.

-Our servers say a confiteor before Communion, but we omit this at High Mass for some reason

-At the priest’s “Non sum dignus”, we’ll ascend to the top step to receive Communion; however, I’ve seen some TLMs where the servers received Communion at the right side of the altar, on the steps

That’s all I can think of for now, but I’d love to hear from other servers

We kneel for the Creed during low Mass, bowing profoundly when the priest genuflects. We do stand for the Creed during high Mass.

The cruets are not kissed in any of the Masses I’ve participated in.

For low Mass, we ring the bell at the Offertory, but we omit it for high Mass.

Depending on the priest, we may or may not say the Confiteor before Communion. Whether or not the Confiteor is said, the server gets the Communion paten right after Agnus Dei. After the bells are rung for the celebrant’s “Domine, non sum dignus”, the servers (four at most for high Mass: MC, thurifer, Ac.1 and Ac.2) ascend the front steps to the predella.

Now I’m curious about…

—How many here strike their breast for Agnus Dei?

—How do your torchbearers line up in the sanctuary?

—For Missa Cantata, who kneels next to the celebrant for the prayers at the foot of the altar, MC?..Acs. 1 & 2?

—Do any of you do the candle procession for the gospel?

—We have a high pulpit that sits about 8 pews from the communion rail into the nave. Does anyone else have one in their church? We have 2 - 4 servers accompany the celebrant to the high pulpit.

I’m sorry, but every time I talk about our Mass I feel compelled to post pictures of it and the church we are privileged to assist in.

Also be sure to check out some videos from our St. Stephen’s feast day Solemn High Mass. youtube.com/watch?v=ezeAg4CTEno

inlinethumb02.webshots.com/44801/2859158730104199992S425x425Q85.jpg

inlinethumb24.webshots.com/43479/2908335290104199992S425x425Q85.jpg

inlinethumb43.webshots.com/42410/2569193430104199992S425x425Q85.jpg

inlinethumb49.webshots.com/43824/2932087510104199992S425x425Q85.jpg

inlinethumb50.webshots.com/45489/2395779220104199992S425x425Q85.jpg

inlinethumb42.webshots.com/26729/2130300890104199992S425x425Q85.jpg

inlinethumb23.webshots.com/44054/2932678620104199992S425x425Q85.jpg

 

[JuanCarlos]

We kneel for the Creed during low Mass, bowing profoundly when the priest genuflects. We do stand for the Creed during high Mass.

The cruets are not kissed in any of the Masses I’ve participated in.

For low Mass, we ring the bell at the Offertory, but we omit it for high Mass.

Depending on the priest, we may or may not say the Confiteor before Communion. Whether or not the Confiteor is said, the server gets the Communion paten right after Agnus Dei. After the bells are rung for the celebrant’s “Domine, non sum dignus”, the servers (four at most for high Mass: MC, thurifer, Ac.1 and Ac.2) ascend the front steps to the predella.

Now I’m curious about…

—How many here strike their breast for Agnus Dei?

—How do your torchbearers line up in the sanctuary?

—For Missa Cantata, who kneels next to the celebrant for the prayers at the foot of the altar, MC?..Acs. 1 & 2?

—Do any of you do the candle procession for the gospel?

—We have a high pulpit that sits about 8 pews from the communion rail into the nave. Does anyone else have one in their church? We have 2 - 4 servers accompany the celebrant to the high pulpit.

I’m sorry, but every time I talk about our Mass I feel compelled to post pictures of it and the church we are privileged to assist in.

Also be sure to check out some videos from our St. Stephen’s feast day Solemn High Mass. youtube.com/watch?v=ezeAg4CTEno

inlinethumb02.webshots.com/44801/2859158730104199992S425x425Q85.jpg

inlinethumb24.webshots.com/43479/2908335290104199992S425x425Q85.jpg

inlinethumb43.webshots.com/42410/2569193430104199992S425x425Q85.jpg

inlinethumb49.webshots.com/43824/2932087510104199992S425x425Q85.jpg

inlinethumb50.webshots.com/45489/2395779220104199992S425x425Q85.jpg

inlinethumb42.webshots.com/26729/2130300890104199992S425x425Q85.jpg

inlinethumb23.webshots.com/44054/2932678620104199992S425x425Q85.jpg

Gorgeous!!!

—We strike our breasts at the usual times (Confiteor, Non Sum Dignus) but we also do so at the Agnus Dei, the Sanctus, and the Elevation. We also do so at “O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary!” in the Salve

—How do your torchbearers line up in the sanctuary?

I’m always on the altar steps, so I can’t se what they’re doing back thee.

—For Missa Cantata, who kneels next to the celebrant for the prayers at the foot of the altar, MC?..Acs. 1 & 2?

Always the MC, at the priest’s right for us

—Do any of you do the candle procession for the gospel?

Interesting, I’ve never seen this. Explain a bit more about this one : )

—We have a high pulpit that sits about 8 pews from the communion rail into the nave. Does anyone else have one in their church? We have 2 - 4 servers accompany the celebrant to the high pulpit.

We have the more modern “inside the sanctuary” pulpit. But wow, your church’s pulpit is astounding!

 

[Magnum_V8]

—Do any of you do the candle procession for the gospel?

Interesting, I’ve never seen this. Explain a bit more about this one : )

For our Missa Cantata, when the epistle is finished, Acs. 1 & 2 retrieve their processional candles from near the credence table. They wait there while the incense is blessed for the forthcoming gospel. The thurifer descends the epistle side steps with the thurible and joins the acolytes in the middle. The MC grabs the missal and stand and descends the front steps as would be done for the normal transfer of the missal at low Mass, per breviorem. At the same time, the thurifer and acolytes proceed to the foot of the altar and meet the MC there for a genuflection. The MC ascends diagonally to the gospel side and the thurifer and acolytes proceed to the gospel side floor. Fr. introduces the gospel, MC takes the thurible from the thurifer, hands it to Fr. to incense the missal, Fr. gives it back to the MC who in turn gives it back to the thurifer.

After the gospel, the MC is given the thurible to incense Fr.; he then hands it back to the thurifer and the procession heads back to the epistle side, meeting Fr. at the foot to genuflect with him. Fr. then goes to the sedilla, removes his maniple and chasuble, dons his biretta and a few servers accompany him to the high pulpit for the english readings and homily.

I believe this to be a hand-me-down of sorts from the gospel’s candle procession of Solemn High Mass. Its described in O’Connell and Fortescue’s books.

 

[Traddy]

For our Missa Cantata, when the epistle is finished, Acs. 1 & 2 retrieve their processional candles from near the credence table. They wait there while the incense is blessed for the forthcoming gospel. The thurifer descends the epistle side steps with the thurible and joins the acolytes in the middle. The MC grabs the missal and stand and descends the front steps as would be done for the normal transfer of the missal at low Mass, per breviorem. At the same time, the thurifer and acolytes proceed to the foot of the altar and meet the MC there for a genuflection. The MC ascends diagonally to the gospel side and the thurifer and acolytes proceed to the gospel side floor. Fr. introduces the gospel, MC takes the thurible from the thurifer, hands it to Fr. to incense the missal, Fr. gives it back to the MC who in turn gives it back to the thurifer.

After the gospel, the MC is given the thurible to incense Fr.; he then hands it back to the thurifer and the procession heads back to the epistle side, meeting Fr. at the foot to genuflect with him.

Exactly, exactly. (It is different for a Solemn).

On another note, we’re having the Archbishop at our church next week to celebrate a pontifical, and confirmations. Can’t wait for the liturgical awesomeness to come.

 

[JuanCarlos]

For our Missa Cantata, when the epistle is finished, Acs. 1 & 2 retrieve their processional candles from near the credence table. They wait there while the incense is blessed for the forthcoming gospel. The thurifer descends the epistle side steps with the thurible and joins the acolytes in the middle. The MC grabs the missal and stand and descends the front steps as would be done for the normal transfer of the missal at low Mass, per breviorem. At the same time, the thurifer and acolytes proceed to the foot of the altar and meet the MC there for a genuflection. The MC ascends diagonally to the gospel side and the thurifer and acolytes proceed to the gospel side floor. Fr. introduces the gospel, MC takes the thurible from the thurifer, hands it to Fr. to incense the missal, Fr. gives it back to the MC who in turn gives it back to the thurifer.

After the gospel, the MC is given the thurible to incense Fr.; he then hands it back to the thurifer and the procession heads back to the epistle side, meeting Fr. at the foot to genuflect with him. Fr. then goes to the sedilla, removes his maniple and chasuble, dons his biretta and a few servers accompany him to the high pulpit for the english readings and homily.

I believe this to be a hand-me-down of sorts from the gospel’s candle procession of Solemn High Mass. Its described in O’Connell and Fortescue’s books.

Very exact; that’s great. At my church we still run off of a lot of improv; we’ve only had a few High Masses thus far (although we have one tomorrow!). I’m always the boat-boy though.

Never heard of a priest taking off his chasuble for the English readings, that’s interesting.

Our priest only uses his biretta when we enter the sanctuary and when we leave. As he is a Norbertine, his biretta is white (however, he uses the standard TLM, not the Norbertine Rite Mass- although some of the priests at his abbey use the traditional Norbertine Rite)

 

[Magnum_V8]

Very exact; that’s great. At my church we still run off of a lot of improv; we’ve only had a few High Masses thus far (although we have one tomorrow!). I’m always the boat-boy though.

Never heard of a priest taking off his chasuble for the English readings, that’s interesting.

Our priest only uses his biretta when we enter the sanctuary and when we leave. As he is a Norbertine, his biretta is white (however, he uses the standard TLM, not the Norbertine Rite Mass- although some of the priests at his abbey use the traditional Norbertine Rite)

I think our celebrant removes his chasuble because of leaving the sanctuary to preach.