Corpus Christi Catholic Parish

​In the Roman Catholic Church, altar servers (boys and girls) help the priest and deacon during the liturgy, especially the Holy Mass, funerals, weddings, and other special occasions. They have several supporting duties to carry out, such as carrying the processional cross and candles, carry the incense and thurible, holding the missal for the priest celebrant when he is not at the altar, assisting the priest when he receives the gifts from the people, washing the hands of the priest before the prayer over the gifts, removing items from the altar during communion, and assisting the priest celebrant as necessary. Altar servers wear the alb or the cassock and surplice during a liturgy.​​
 

Children who are in the 4th grade and above are encouraged to become alter servers. The active participation in serving at the altar of God gives people graces, joys and benefits. God blesses altar servers with additional graces separate from the graces received from participating in the Holy Mass. There are also joys from serving, such as satisfaction at helping the priest celebrate Mass and also satisfaction from praising God in a different way. There are also a multitude of benefits such as learning the order of Mass, a chance to meet new people and build self-esteem.
 

If this has encouraged you or someone you know to become an altar server please call the rectory or fill out the application form by downloading it above and place it in any collection basket. We will be pleased to incorporate you in the alter server group at St. Joseph Church. There will be training sessions for new candidates.

All the altar servers are encouraged to serve at any celebrated Mass even if they are not scheduled to altar serve.

 

 

Alb –white robe worn over street clothes, by bishops, priests, deacons.
Altar –the table of the Lord in the sanctuary.
Altar Cloth –the tablecloth for the altar–always white.
Altar Vessels –sacred vessels used during the celebration of liturgy.
Ambo –the place where the Word of God is proclaimed.
Aspergillum –the holy water sprinkler
Altar Bells –rung during the consecration of the mass.
Cassock –black/red/white robe worn over street cloths
Chalice –the cup used by the priest/eucharistic ministers for the Blood of Christ.
Chasuble –colored vestment worn only by the priest and bishops
Ciborium –gold cup with a lid for the Body of Christ in the Tabernacle.
Cincture –cord used as a belt for the alb.
Corporal –small white cloth placed in the center of the altar.
Credence Table –the small table off to one of the sanctuary for sacred vessels.
Cruets –small pitchers of water and wine for the mass.
Dalmatic –colored vestment worn by the deacon.
Finger Bowl –small bowl for priest to wash hands during the liturgy of eucharist.
Finger Towel –a small towel used to dry the hands after washing
Lectern –The place from which the Scriptures are proclaimed.
Lectionary –the book of scriptures read at the liturgy of the Word.
Pall –Stiff, white board placed over the chalice. Note! The white covering for a casket is also called a pall.
Paschal Candle –the large ornate candle used at funerals, baptisms, and Easter until Pentecost.
Paten –small dish usually used with the chalice.
Processional Cross –the cross carried before the ministers of the of the liturgy in procession
Purificator –small white cloth used with the chalice.
Sacramentary –the book the priest prays from during the mass at the altar.
Sacristy –the room where priests vest before mass.
Sanctuary –the sacred space elevated before the congregation
Stole –The vestment worn around the neck by all ordained ministers. (under the chasuble)
Surplice –A loose, flowing rob of white fabric, worn over cassock
Tabernacle –the receptacle used to reserve the Body of Christ.
Thurible –container hanging from chains for burning incense.
Thurifer –the server responsible for the thurible.
Vestments –special robes worn by priests, deacons and altar servers