How to Serve

This valuable liturgical reference is organized as follows:


1. Common Ceremonial Actions

1. Conduct

2. Cleanliness

3. Attention

4. Vesture

5. The Sign of the Cross

6. Genuflections

7. Bows or Inclinations

8. Bows to the Choir or Clergy

9. Postures of the Body

10. Lighting and Extinguishing Candles

11. The Censer, How Carried

12. Putting Incense into the Censer

13. Presenting the Censer

14. How to Incense

15. The Boat-Bearer

16. Presenting Objects

17. Kissing Objects Presented to the Celebrant

18. Presenting the Cruets

19. Care of the Cruets

20. The Processional Cross

21. Acolytes’ Candlesticks

22. Torch-Bearers: General Remarks

23. Unnecessary Servers

24. The Altar Bell

25. The Communion Plate or Paten

26. The Server’s Communion: Precedence

27. Offering Holy Water

28. Carrying the Missal to the Altar

29. Transferring the Missal during Mass

30. Turning the Back toward the Altar

31. The Elevation Candle

32. Holding the Chasuble at the Elevation

33. Special Ceremonies for Special Seasons and Occasions

34. Postures during the Credo


2. Prayers at Mass

Antiphon

Psalm 42

The Confiteor

The Gloria

The Credo

After the Gospel or Credo

After the Lavabo

The Preface

Before the Pater Noster

After a Brief Pause

At the Agnus Dei

At the Domine Non Sum Dignus

After Communion

In Masses for the Dead

At the Beginning of the Last Gospel

At the End of the Last Gospel


3. Low Mass

Low Mass With One Server

Low Mass for the Dead

Low Mass in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament Exposed

Nuptial Low Mass

Low Mass of a Bishop

Low Mass With Two Servers


4. High Mass with Two Acolytes: Missa Cantata (Sung Mass)

Things to Be Prepared

The Asperges

The Mass

Additional Servers


5. Requiem High Mass with Two Acolytes

The Absolution


6. Solemn High Mass

Things to Be Prepared

Postures

The Procession to the Altar

The Mass


7. Solemn High Mass in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament Exposed

General Rules

The Thurifer

The Acolytes

The Torch-Bearers

The Master of Ceremonies


8. Solemn High Mass in the Presence of a Bishop Vested in Cope

The Crozier-Bearer

The Miter-Bearer

The Book and Candle-Bearers

The Thurifer and Acolytes


9. Solemn Requiem Mass

Postures

Some Things Omitted

The Thurifer

The Acolytes

The Master of Ceremonies

The Torch-Bearers

The Absolution after Mass


10. Pontifical High Mass

The Inferior Ministers: General Statement

The Crozier-Bearer

The Miter-Bearer

The Book-Bearer

The Candle-Bearer

The Thurifer

The Acolytes

The Gremial-Bearer

The Train-Bearer

The Torch-Bearers

The Clerks of the Vestments


11. Vespers

General Directions

Postures during Vespers


12. Simple Vespers

The Master of Ceremonies

The Thurifer

The Acolytes


13. Solemn Vespers

The Master of Ceremonies

The Thurifer

The Acolytes


14. Pontifical Vespers

The Crozier-Bearer

The Miter-Bearer

The Book-Bearer

The Candle-Bearer

The Thurifer

The Acolytes


15. Vespers in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament Exposed


16. Vespers for the Dead


17. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament with Servers Only

Introductory

Some General Rules

The Thurifer

The Acolytes

The Torch-Bearers


18. Manner of Serving a Low Mass Celebrated by a Dominican

The Ceremonies

Prayers at the Foot of the Altar