Part 1 – The Holy Vessels and Vestments

An Altar Server must know all the vessels he holds and hold it with care. He should
also know all the vestments he and the clergy is wearing every Mass. The Vessels:

Ciborium – The cup-like vessel with a lid, this contains the

hosts that will be used for the Holy Communion. It can also be
used for the reserved hosts to be put in the Tabernacle.

Chalice – The cup used to hold the wine which will become the
blood of Christ during the Mass

Patten – The saucer-like dish which usually matches the Chalice.

It holds the bread which will become the body of Christ

Pall – The stiff, square, white cover that is placed over the
Patten when it is on the Chalice and over the Chalice during the
Mass.

Corporal – A white, linen napkin on which the Eucharistic

Vessels is placed during the Mass. It is folded into small
squares about the size of the Pall.

Purificator – A triple-folded rectangular, white cloth used to

cleanse the chalice after the Communion.

Finger Towel – A small cloth used by the Priests and the

Eucharistic Ministers in distributing the Communion and by the
Bishops in administering the Sacraments of Confirmation and
Holy Orders.

Cruets – The two small pitchers which contains the water and
wine offered during the Mass
 Communion Plate – A plate with a handle used by an Altar
Server in catching a Eucharistic Crumbs.

Sanctus Bell – A hand bell which is rung during the Mass.

Sacramentary – A book on which the volume of Presidential

prayers and the order of the rites connected with the mass are
located.

Lectionary – A Liturgical book that holds the readings used

during the liturgy of the Word in the Mass.

Gospel Book/Ibanghelaryo – A book that holds the Sunday and

Solemnity Gospels

Pitcher and Basin – Used to hold and catch the water for the
washing of the hands of the presider.

Pyx – A pocket watch-shaped case in which it holds the Holy

Communion to be given to the sick in the Community outside
the celebration of the Mass.

Processional Cross – The crucifix mounted on a tall pole which

is carried during processions

Processional Candles – The two candles mounted on a tall pole

which is carried during processions
Monstrance – A large ornate vessel used to hold the Blessed
Sacrament during Its Public Exposition.

Lunette – A thin, circular receptacle which holds the Blessed

Sacrament when exposed in the Monstrance.

Oil Stocks/ Chrism Oil – A metal cylinder, with

compartments for sacramental oils.

Aspergillum – The bush form or hollow bulb sprinkler which

contains a sponge, and has an openings to sprinkle drops of
Holy Water to the people.

Thurible – A metal container with a lid which is extended

from chains, in which charcoal and incense is burned. It is
also called censer.

Incense Boat – A small metal container which holds the

incense to be put into the Thurible.
 Part 2 – The Mass

As an Altar Server, it is important for each server to know the structure of the Mass.
It is not merely a matter of knowing “what comes next” but of understanding the
meaning of each part of the Holy Mass. The Mass itself is an action moving steadily
forward to its supreme moments, when Heaven and Earth meet in the great mystery of
the Altar. Parts of the Mass:

1. INTRODUCTORY RITES:
 Entrance Hymn – a hymn which opens the celebration and accompanies the
procession of the priest and the ministers to the Altar. It is sung, to deepen our
unity together and to introduce us to the mystery of the season or feast.
 Veneration of the Altar – It is done by the clergy after the Entrance Hymn. As
the sign of Christ, center of the Church and of the Eucharistic body the altar is
shown reverence by the 3 traditional gestures: the bow or the customary
reverence , the kiss, and the incensation(when incense is used)
 Greeting – The presider greets the assembly which is a reminder of the unity
of the Church in God’s grace.
 Penitential Rite – It invites us to be sorry for all our sins, and takes away all
our venial sins which do not need absolution in private confession. We come to
God in a spirit of contrition, so that we may be worthy in celebrating the
Eucharist.
 Gloria – An ancient hymn of praise sung or recited in solemnities (except
Advent and Lent) and appropriate feasts.
 Opening Prayer – An invitation to prayer and a time of silent prayer. On
behalf of the people the priest offers the prayer to God and thus the people
respond “AMEN”
2.LITURGY OF THE WORD:
 First Reading – A reading coming from either the Old or New Testament
which expresses the mood of the celebration
 Responsorial Psalm – A responsory that continues the mood of the 1st The
Responsory is made by the people as their prayer and the Cantor makes the
psalm the main prayer.
 Second Reading – A Reading taken from the New Testament which is not the
Gospel and said only during Solemnities.
 Alleluia/Gospel Proclamation – A joyous welcome to the Holy Gospel
 Homily – An explanation, Proclamation of the readings of the Liturgy
 Creed – The profession of Faith as a follower to the teachings of Christ in the
Church
 Prayers of the Faithful – The offertory of the petitions of the community
before God.
3.LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST:
 Offertory – The people offers the works of their hands to God.
 Prayer over the Gifts – The priest raises up the offerings to God.
 Sanctus – The people praises the Holy Trinity, “Holy, holy”
  Acclamation and Anamnesis – The faithful proclaims the mystery of faith and
remember the death and resurrection of Christ made present through the
Eucharist.
 Lord’s Prayer – The people recites the prayer Jesus taught the Church.
 Rite of Peace – The people beg for the peace and unity of the Church
 Agnus Dei – The people asks God to take away the sins of the world.
 Communion – The priest and other Ministers distributes the Eucharist to the
people.
 Prayer after Communion – On behalf of the people the priest offers a
Thanksgiving prayer to God and thus the people respond “AMEN”
4.CONCLUDING RITE:
 Final Blessing – A blessing that the presider gives to the people, which
concludes the Mass in the power of the Holy Trinity, by making the Sign of the
Cross which is the sign of Faith.
 Dismissal – The presider or the Deacon sends the people to serve love to
others.

Part 3 – The Church

An Altar Server must know and understand every part of the church he is moving in
and treat it with utmost respect, this also extends until the home. A church is a
building that was constructed to allow people to meet to worship together. The
Narthex:

 Baptismal Font – a fixture used for the baptism of children and adults.
The Nave:

 Pew – a long bench seat or enclosed box, used for seating members of the
congregation of the Church.
The Sanctuary:

 Altar – The large, high table located at the center of the sanctuary where most
of the actions of the Liturgy of the Eucharist take place.
 Lectern – The small, high table located at either side of the sanctuary, where
the readings from the Liturgy of the Word is read.
 Tabernacle – A small box, in which the Body or the Blood of Christ may be
kept when the Mass is not said.
 Tabernacle Lamp – The lamp that lights the tabernacle, this signifies that
there is a Eucharist inside the Tabernacle.
 Presider’s chair – The chair in which only the Priest or the bishop may sit
whether during the Mass or outside the Mass.
 Credence Table – A small table on which is placed the vessels for the Liturgy
of the Eucharist.
 Altar Candles – Two candles lit during the mass, it signifies that Christ is the
light of the world
 Paschal Candle – A very large candle placed beside the Lectern during the
Easter Season and below the Sanctuary during Baptisms and Funerals.
 Holy Icons – The Pictures or statues of Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary
or other Saints.
 Sanctuary Bell – The bell located near the altar, it may be in the Sanctuary or
inside the Sacristy.