Ritual Notes-Solemn Mass - Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Church

CEREMONIES OF SOLEMN MASS
ACCORDING TO THE CUSTOMARY
OF
OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM CATHOLIC CHURCH
TRINITYTIDE 2009
The following outline offers a précis of the ritual actions and respective duties of the Sacred
Ministers and Servers at Solemn Mass celebrated according to Rite I of the Book of Divine
Worship and as currently conducted at the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Walsingham in
Houston, Texas. Solemn Mass is here described in its essential, most basic form, without
seasonal variations or features particular to special holy days, such as the Asperges, the Last
Gospel, or the liturgical elements of Holy Week. This outline also presupposes the minimum
number of Servers necessary for the celebration of this basic form of Solemn Mass.
This summary represents a local adaptation in broad conformity with the rubrical norms and
ritual protocols prescribed in the following authorities:
A Manual for the Celebration of Holy Mass. Revised for the Anglican Usage Liturgy of the
Roman Rite According to the Book of Divine Worship. For Use at the Parish Church of
Our Lady of Walsingham. Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (Walsingham Press, 2006),
pp. 28-71.
Henry Cairncross & E. C. R. Lamburn. Ritual Notes. 11 th Ed. (W. Knott & Son, 1964), pp.
152-179.
E. C. R. Lamburn. Anglican Services. 2 nd Ed. (W. Knott & Son, 1963), pp. 105-153.
Adrian Fortescue, J. B. O'Connell, & Alcuin Reid. The Ceremonies of the Roman Rite
Described. 14 th Ed. (St. Michael's Abbey Press, 2003).
Peter J. Elliott. Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite (Ignatius Press, 1995), pp. 137-153.
General Instruction of the Roman Missal (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops,
2003), pp. 46-52.
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Before the Mass
At least THIRTY minutes before the beginning of Mass, the Clerk or the MC vests in alb or
cassock and goes to place service leaflets in the places of the Ministers and Servers in the
chancel. He also makes sure that the Lectionary is open to the First Reading at the lectern, that
the Gospel is marked in the Evangeliary, that the ribbons are in the proper places in the Altar
Missal, and that the Sacred Vessels are properly set at the credence table. He assures that
everything is in order in the chancel and sanctuary. He also carries the processional Cross to the
Vestry. He cleans out the bowl of the thurible, re-stocks the incense boat, sets out the coals, and
readies things for the other Servers. At least TWENTY minutes before Mass, the rest of the
Severs arrive and vest in cassocks to prepare for Mass. Then, FIFTEEN minutes before Mass is
due to begin, the Thurifer lights the coals and prepares the thurible, assisted by the Crucifer.
The Torchbearers, vested in cassock and surplice, light the candles at the Altar in the designated
order, together with the pavement lights. The Thurifer and Crucifer don their rochets and light
the communion torches, while the Clerk puts on his scapular and the MC his surplice. A full
FIVE minutes before Mass begins, the Crucifer takes up his Cross, the Thurifer his censer and
boat (or it is carried by a Boat-boy), the Torchbearers take their processional candles, as the
Clerk and MC conduct them all to the Sacristy where the Celebrant leads them in the
preparatory prayers before Mass.
Meanwhile, the Celebrant and Deacon vest and prepare for Mass in the Sacristy. The Ministers
and Servers then pray together in the Sacristy, before making their way out the Sacristy door,
going around the church, to the narthex.
The Entrance into the Church
As the bells toll for Mass, the Ministers and Servers line up in position just inside the narthex.
The MC assists in lighting the processional candles. The organist starts the processional hymn
and when the singing begins, the procession enters the nave in the following order:
Thurifer [& Boat-boy]
Candlebearer Crucifer Candlebearer
MC
Choir
Clerk
Deacon
Celebrant
Arriving in the chancel, the Thurifer [and Boat-boy] genuflect at the foot of the Altar and move
over in front of the first cushion on the Epistle side. The Crucifer and Candlebearers, arriving
at the foot of the Altar, bow toward the Altar, and swing back to the left, remaining parallel to
one another, to line up in front of the Gospel-side choir stall, facing liturgical “south.” The MC,
upon arriving at the foot of the Altar, genuflects and moves to the right, standing on the Epistle
side in front of the sanctus bell. Meanwhile, the Choir divides before the chancel gates as the
choristers make their way via the side aisles to the choir loft. The Clerk, arriving at the foot of
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the Altar, bows and turns to the left, standing toward the center on the Gospel side. The Deacon
arrives, bows, and steps just to the right on the Epistle side. The Celebrant arrives, and both he
and the Deacon remove their birettas and genuflect, together with the Clerk. The Celebrant
hands his biretta to the Deacon who hands it and his own biretta to the MC who places both
birettas on the Epistle-side sedilia. As the Celebrant and Deacon step up to the footpace and go
to kiss the Altar, the Crucifer and Candlebearers move in a line to the foot of the Altar where
they bow. The Crucifer steps back, and the Candlebearers move to the right to put their candles
away in the Vestry. As they do so, the Crucifer walks into the chancel and puts the processional
Cross on its bracket near the chancel rail on the Epistle side. The Candlebearers return from
putting away the candles and take their places, standing before the innermost cushions on either
side at the foot of the Altar. The Crucifer returning from putting away the cross takes his place,
standing at the foot of the Altar near the bell. The MC makes sure that the fan (accessed in the
Sacristy) is circulating air on the Gospel side, while the Thurifer makes sure that the fan
(accessed in the Vestry) is circulating air on the Epistle side, in preparation for the censing of the
Altar.
The First Censing of the Altar and the Introit
As soon as the Celebrant and Deacon kiss the Altar, the Thurifer [and Boat-boy] step up to the
footpace on the Epistle side and stand near the credence table, ready to present the thurible and
boat. (The Boat-boy usually stands on the Thurifer’s right, but now he stands on the left in order
to present the boat to the Deacon). The Celebrant and Deacon step a little to the right to impose
and bless incense. The Thurifer hands the thurible to the Deacon who in turn gives it to the
Celebrant. The Clerk, heretofore standing at the foot of the Altar, steps up and holds the edge of
the Celebrant’s chasuble, as does the Deacon, for the censing of the Altar. After incense is
imposed the Thurifer [and Boat-boy] step to the right and stand near the credence table, facing
“north.” Just before the censing begins, the MC steps up to the Altar and takes the Missal stand
from the Epistle corner and holds it during the censing, standing off to the right near the credence
table, also facing “north.” The Celebrant censes the Crucifix and Altar, assisted by the Deacon
and Clerk, after which the Deacon censes the Celebrant before giving the thurible to the
Thurifer who takes the censer to the Vestry. While the Deacon, facing “north,” censes the
Celebrant, facing him, the Clerk stands facing “south” at the Gospel-side corner of the Altar. As
soon as the censing is done, the MC returns the Missal and Missal stand to the Epistle-side
corner of the Altar, square with the edges. The MC then returns to the foot of the Altar,
genuflects, and takes his place on the Gospel side. Meanwhile, the Crucifer and Torchbearers
stand at their places at the foot of the Altar, facing the Altar during the censing. As soon as the
censing is done, the Celebrant, Deacon, and Clerk go to their places at the foot of the Altar. If
the Introit has yet to be sung or is being sung, the Ministers and Servers remain standing, facing
the Altar, and everyone bows at the Gloria Patri. The MC makes sure the fan is on Auto on the
Gospel side, while the Thurifer assures that the fan is on Auto on the Epistle side.
The Preparation
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With everyone lined up at the foot of the Atlar, facing the Altar, the Celebrant signs the cross,
singing Blessed be God … (or its seasonal variant), and goes on to say the Collect of Purity,
turning then to the People with the Deacon to say the Summary of the Law. The Celebrant and
Deacon then turn back to face the Altar. If the Penitential Rite is said at this point, the Clerk and
all the Servers kneel and bow when the Deacon says Let us humbly confess … The Ministers
and Servers all cross themselves when the Celebrant says Lord grant us absolution … If the
Penitential Rite is not used at this point, the Servers remain standing.
The Kyries and Gloria in excelsis
As the Kyrie (or Trisagion) begins, the Celebrant and Deacon step up to the footpace and go to
kiss the Altar. If the Penitential Rite has been said just before the Kyrie, the Clerk and all
Servers remain kneeling; otherwise they stand. All are standing for the Gloria in excelsis (except
in Lent and Advent when the Gloria is omitted). Facing the Altar, at the center, with the Deacon
on his right, the Celebrant intones the opening of the Gloria. The Ministers and Servers,
remaining in their places, facing the Altar, make the appropriate reverences during the Gloria,
bowing and signing the cross at the right moments. The Clerk and MC prompt these reverences
for the other Servers. Everyone bows slightly at the word God and bows also at the phrases we
worship thee; we give thanks to thee; Jesus Christ; and receive our prayer; and at the words art
most high, everyone signs the cross.
The Collect
When the Gloria is finished, the Celebrant turns to the People and sings The Lord be with you.
He goes then to the Missal at the Epistle corner, sings Let us pray, turns to the Missal, and with
hands extended intones the Collect, as pointed by the Deacon, standing just to his right. When
the Name of Jesus is heard at the conclusion of the Collect, everyone bows. (If the Gloria is not
said, the Celebrant proceeds directly to chanting the Collect after the Kyrie or Trisagion is
concluded.) For the Collect, the Clerk and all the Servers remain in their places at the foot of the
Altar.
The Lesson, Gradual Psalm, and Epistle
Having prayed the Collect, the Celebrant and Deacon go to the foot of the Altar, where they
genuflect with the Clerk. All of the Servers genuflect with them. Then the Ministers turn and go
to their places at the sedilia. (If the ushers have left the count of possible communicants at the
altar rail, the Clerk picks up the slip of paper and holds in his palm.) At the same time, the
Servers go to their places in the chancel. Everyone sits simultaneously when the Celebrant does
so. As a general rule, the MC and the Torchbearer on the Gospel side should sit in the Gospel-
side choir stall, while the Torchbearer on the Epistle side sits in the Epistle-side choir stall. The
Thurifer [and Boat-boy] should sit in the in the second choir stall at the end, nearest the Vestry
door, while the Crucifer should sit in the first choir stall, nearest the bell (so that they can easily
get in formation for the Gospel Procession). (If the Clerk is assigned as lector, he should
ordinarily read the Epistle.)
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The Gospel Procession and Proclamation
When the Epistle is finished, the Ministers and Servers stand up simultaneously when the
Celebrant does so. The Clerk rises and goes up to the Altar, genuflects, and transfers the Missal
stand from the Epistle side to the Gospel side, angled toward the center. He makes sure that the
Missal is open at the Creed. (He also leaves the count of possible communicants on the Altar.)
The Clerk then moves to the left to take up the Gospel Book, and he carries it to the foot of Altar;
he faces “south” at the ready to hand the Book to the Deacon. Meanwhile, the Celebrant and
Deacon rise, go up to the Altar, first genuflecting , to impose and bless incense. At the same
time, the Thurifer [and Boat-boy] retrieve the thurible and boat from the Vestry. They go up to
the credence [the Boat-boy now standing on the Thurifer’s left], presenting the thurible and boat
for the imposition and blessing of incense. The Crucifer goes to get the Cross and stands in the
midst of the chancel, facing the Altar, while the Candlebearers get their candles from the Vestry
and stand then, flanking the Crucifer in the chancel, facing the Altar. As soon as incense has
been imposed and blessed, the Thurifer [and Boat-boy] walk to the front of the chancel and take
their places, facing the Altar, ahead of the Crucifer. The Celebrant blesses the Deacon, and the
Clerk hands the Gospel Book to the Deacon. The Clerk then steps between the Deacon and the
Crucifer. As soon as the Deacon raises the Gospel Book and turns, the processional party turns
likewise and walks into the nave, while the Celebrant remains standing on the footpace. The MC
also remains standing, at the foot of the Altar, on the Gospel side, facing toward the Gospel
Book. Just before the first pew, the Thurifer [and Boat-boy, on his right] swing back to the right
and stand, facing “south,” ready to present the thurible to the Deacon. The Crucifer, holding the
Cross, proceeds to the third pew where he turns around, facing the Altar. The Candlebearers
now flanking the Clerk, stop just inside the first pew and face in toward the Gospel Book. The
Clerk turns around, ready to hold the Book. The Deacon gives the Gospel Book to the Clerk,
opening the Evangeliary at the ribbon to the Gospel. When the Choir finishes chanting the
Gospel Acclamation (if it is not already concluded), the Deacon sings The Lord be with you, the
People respond, and he announces the Gospel. He then receives the thurible from the Thurifer,
censes the Gospel, returns the thurible, as everyone chants Glory be to thee, O Lord, and then the
Deacon proclaims the Gospel. As soon as the Gospel is finished and all have sung Praise be to
thee, O Christ, the Deacon steps a little to the right, and the Clerk, still holding the open Gospel
Book and flanked by the Candlebearers, walks with them to the Celebrant who kisses the
periscope. The Crucifer comes behind with the Cross; he stops toward the front of the chancel,
bows, and puts the Cross on its bracket, before going to stand at his seat in the chancel. At the
same time, the Clerk, still holding the Gospel Book, goes up to the footpace, bows to the Altar
and then places the Evangeliary back in its place. The Candlebearers take their candles back to
the Vestry as soon as the Clerk presents the Book to the Celebrant for kissing. Meanwhile, just
in front of the chancel gate, the Thurifer gives the thurible to the Deacon who censes the
Celebrant before the homily. The Celebrant then proceeds to the pulpit for the homily as the
Deacon goes to his place at the sedilia and as the Thurifer [and Boat-boy] go to the foot of the
Altar, genuflect, and take the thurible and boat back to the Vestry. Once the Thurifer [and Boat-
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oy] genuflect and proceed to the Vestry, the Clerk moves to the left, genuflects at the foot of the
Altar, and goes to his place at the sedilia.
The Homily
Standing at their places in the chancel, the Ministers and Servers sit simultaneously when the
Celebrant in the pulpit says In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. (If the
Deacon preaches instead, he is censed by the Thurifer before he goes to the pulpit, and the
Celebrant takes his place at the sedilia after having kissed the Gospel periscope. The Servers sit
simultaneously when the Celebrant does so.) During the homily, the Thurifer goes to the Vestry
and refreshes the coals, usually by lighting an additional coal and placing it in the thurible. Once
the homily concludes and as the homilist makes his way back to the chancel, the Ministers and
Servers rise as soon as the homilist steps into the chancel.
The Nicene Creed
After the homily, the Celebrant, Deacon, and Clerk proceed together to the foot of the Altar
where they genuflect simultaneously. Meanwhile, the Servers go their respective places at the
foot of the Altar, genuflecting together with the Ministers. The Celebrant steps up to the Altar,
followed by the Deacon who goes now to the Gospel side of the Altar. The Celebrant intones I
believe in one God … The Ministers and Servers make the appropriate reverences during the
singing of the Creed: they bow at Jesus Christ and together is worshiped, and genuflect at And
was incarnate . . . made man. Near the end of the Creed at the words the life of the world to
come they make the sign of the cross.
The Prayers of the People
The Creed ended, the Celebrant turns to the People and sings or says Let us pray, turning back to
the Altar as he continues for the whole state … The Deacon, standing on his left, turns with him
and leads the Prayers of the People with the petitions. Everyone makes the sign of the cross at
the commendation of the faithful departed. The Servers remain in their places, standing at the
foot of the Altar. When the Deacon concludes the petitions with the invocation of the Saints,
everyone bows slightly at the name of Mary, and then the Celebrant closes with a suitable
collect or doxology.
The Penitential Rite (if said at this point)
Turning to the People, the Celebrant or Deacon says the invitation, Ye who truly and earnestly
repent … The Celebrant and Deacon turn back to the Altar for the general confession. The
Clerk and Servers, at their places at the foot of the Altar, kneel and bow during the confession,
striking their breasts three times at by thought, word, and deed … They kneel upright at the end
of the confession and sign the cross when the Celebrant says have mercy on us … The Deacon
then says the Comfortable Words while the Servers remain kneeling. They stand when the
Comfortable Words are finished.
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The Peace
The Celebrant turns to the People and sings or says, The peace of the Lord … Everyone responds
and the Celebrant gives the Pax first to the Deacon and then to the Clerk. The Servers can
exchange the Peace modestly among themselves.
(More properly, however, the Pax should pass from the Celebrant to the Deacon, thence to the
Clerk, and then to the MC and seriatim through the Servers.)
Blessings and Announcements
Once the Peace has been exchanged, the Ministers and Servers genuflect at the foot of the Altar.
The Servers go to sit at their places in the Chancel, and the Ministers walk to the chancel step.
The Celebrant offers blessings and makes any relevant announcements. (Banns of Marriage, if
any, are also announced at this point.) The Celebrant concludes by saying the Offertory
Sentence, before the Ministers return to the foot of the Altar and genuflect. The Servers return to
their places at the foot of the Altar.
The Offertory
As the Choir sings the Offertory Antiphon, the Celebrant and Deacon go up to the Altar to
prepare the Gifts. The Clerk goes to the credence table and takes the veiled Chalice to the Altar,
setting there also the thumb ciborium and the intinctorium. Meanwhile, the Torchbearers
genuflect at the foot of the Altar and go in tandem to get the alms basins near the Sacristy door
on the Gospel Side. They present the alms basins to the ushers, bowing before and after, and
then they set out the communion cushions and close the chancel gate. At the same time, the
Crucifer steps up to the credence table to present the bread-box to the Deacon while the Clerk
remains at the Epistle end of the Altar. As soon as the chancel gate has been closed, one of the
Torchbearers goes to the credence to present the cruets to the Deacon while the other
Torchbearer waits, at the foot of the Altar on the Gospel side, for the ushers to present the alms
basins. The MC watches carefully and makes sure that neither the Ministers nor the ushers are
kept waiting as the Torchbearers attend to their duties. One of the Torchbearers takes the alms
basins from the ushers, carries them to the foot of Altar, genuflects, and places them at their
place on the little table near the Sacristy door. Meanwhile, the Ministers prepare the Altar.
While the bread and the wine are being offered, the Thurifer [and Boat-boy] go to the Vestry to
retrieve the thurible and boat. They stand at the ready near the Vestry door for the second
censing of the Altar. The MC makes sure that the fan is circulating air on the Gospel side, while
the Thurifer makes sure that the fan is circulating air on the Epistle side, in preparation for the
censing of the Gifts and the Altar.
The Incensing at the Offertory
As soon as the bread and wine have been offered, the Thurifer [and Boat-boy] step up to the
footpace and stand near the credence table for the blessing and imposition of incense. [The
Boat-boy, usually on the Thurifer’s right, now stands on his left to present the boat to the
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Deacon.] As the incense is prepared, Clerk steps aside on the footpace and stands near the bell.
He then goes to the Gospel side to hold the edge of the Celebrant’s chasuble while the Deacon
holds the other edge for the censing. The Thurifer [and Boat-boy] stand off to the side near the
credence during the censing of the oblations. Just before the censing begins, the MC steps up to
the footpace, on the Gospel side, and takes and holds the Missal stand. He stands with the
Missal off to the left, facing “south.” Once the Altar and Gifts have been censed, the Celebrant
hands the thurible to the Deacon who censes him before then censing the Clerk who in turn
censes the Deacon. After the Celebrant has been censed, the MC returns the Missal stand to the
Altar, setting it just to the left of the corporal, angled in. As soon as the Celebrant has been
censed, the two Torchbearers step up to the credence for the lavabo, one holds the towel and the
other the water cruet and bowl, as the Celebrant washes his hands. The Clerk then censes the
Thurifer with one double-swing and gives the thurible to the Thurifer. [Meanwhile, the Boatboy
returns the incense boat to the Vestry and then goes to his place at the cushion on the Epistleside
step]. The Thurifer goes to the chancel and stands before the gate where he censes the
People, bowing before and after, with three single swings (center, left, and then right). While the
Thurifer censes the People, the Crucifer takes the last cushion from the Epistle-side step and
sets it in the center on the step. The Crucifer then goes to his place at the bell. Having censed
the People, the Thurifer then goes to stand for a moment at the Epistle-side choir stall, near the
pavement light, until the Celebrant bids the Orate fratres. Just after the Celebrant says Pray
brethren … and the People respond, the Thurifer goes to the foot of the Altar and prepares to
kneel in the center on cushion the Crucifer has placed there. Meanwhile, the Clerk, standing at
the Altar on the Celebrant’s left, turns the Missal to the proper Prayer Over the Gifts which he
points for the Celebrant. The Deacon remains standing on the Celebrant’s right. The
Torchbearers should be at their places on either side of the Thurifer in the center, while the
Crucifer is at his cushion in front of the bell. The MC remains on the Epistle side. As soon as
the People finish their response May the Lord accept the sacrifice … the Servers kneel at their
places.
The Preface and Sanctus
Facing the People, Celebrant sings the salutation The Lord be with you and proceeds to the
Sursum corda. Having turned back to the Altar, he sings the Preface, pointed by the Clerk. At
the words Therefore with Angels … the Thurifer and Torchbearers rise, genuflect, and go to the
Vestry. The Thurifer puts a little incense in the thurible, and the Torchbearers take up their lit
torches, returning then to their places at the foot of the Altar where they kneel. At the Sanctus,
the Servers, kneeling, bow until the Benedictus when they come up and sign the cross. The
Crucifer strikes the bell three times, at each repetition of the word Holy.
THE CANON OF THE MASS
The Celebrant now prays the Canon of the Mass as the Clerk points the Missal, standing on his
left, and as the Deacon, on the right, covers and uncovers the Chalice and intinctorium at the
appropriate moments. At the words Vouchsafe, O God … , when the Celebrant extends his hands
over the Sacred Elements, the Crucifer strikes the bell once. With this cue, the Clerk kneels,
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owing low, in his position on the Celebrant’s right. All of the Servers, kneeling at the Altar
step, also bow low, although the Torchbearers do not bow as low as the others since they must
keep their torches stable and fully upright. When the Celebrant genuflects, the Crucifer strikes
the bell, again when he elevates the Sacred Host, and once again when he genuflects. The
Thurifer censes the Sacred Host with three double-swings, one double at the first genuflection,
another at the elevation, and a third at the second genuflection. When the bell rings, all of the
Servers look up, adore the Precious Body, and then bow low again when the bell rings for the
second genuflection. The same sequence occurs when the Celebrant consecrates the Precious
Blood: the bell rings at the first genuflection, again when the Chalice is elevated, as everyone
looks up and adores, and the bell rings a third time at the second genuflection at which point the
Servers bow low again. The Thurifer censes the Chalice with three double swings. When the
Celebrant bids the Proclamation of Faith, the Clerk stands up to continue pointing the Missal,
and the Servers kneel upright. The Clerk and Deacon should genuflect with the Celebrant at the
end of the Canon just after the singing of the Per ipsum.
The Lord’s Prayer, the Fracture, Agnus Dei, and Prayer of Humble Access
The Servers remains kneeling for the rest of the Canon and through communion. The Celebrant
bids the Lord’s Prayer, breaks the Host, and sings the Pascha nostrum, just before the Choir
chants the Agnus Dei. When the Celebrant says And now, as our Savior Christ hath taught us …
the Thurifer rises, genuflects, and returns the thurible to the Vestry. As soon as he does so, the
Crucifer goes takes up the cushion from the center and returns it to the Epistle side so that the
Thurifer can kneel there when he comes from the Vestry. During the Agnus Dei, the Ministers
and Servers all strike their breasts three times, at each repetition of the phrase the sins of the
world (though the Celebrant may, of course, say the Agnus Dei quietly to himself while the
Choir sings, and strike his own breast successively). After the Agnus Dei has been sung, the
Celebrant bowing low at the Altar, says the Prayer of Humble Access. The Deacon and Clerk
also bow for this prayer, together with the Servers who bow while kneeling.
The Holy Communion
The Crucifer now watches carefully, and he strikes the bell just as the Celebrant turns to show
the Sacred Species to the People (i.e., the bell should ring once just before the Celebrant says
The Gifts of God …). All of the Servers should look up, adore, and sign the cross. All of the
Servers should strike their breasts, then, three times at the Domine, non sum dignus, with each
repetition of the words Lord, I am not worthy … Then the Clerk goes to the center of the
footpace, genuflects, and goes over to the credence to take up the communion patens. He gives
one of them to the Crucifer kneeling before the bell, and he goes to stand next to the Deacon on
the Gospel side of the Altar, facing “north.” The Crucifer, now holding the communion paten,
goes to the center of the foot of the Altar, genuflects, and kneels then on the Gospel side, next to
(or between) the MC and the Gospel-side Torchbearer. The Clerk holds the paten under the
Deacon’s chin as he receives the Body of Christ. Then the Clerk kneels there on the footpace,
holding the paten for himself as the Celebrant communicates him. Meanwhile, the Deacon takes
the intinctorium and communicates the Crucifer holding the paten for himself, and then the other
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Servers on the Gospel side. The Crucifer rises after receiving and holds the paten for the
Deacon as he communicates the Gospel-side servers and then the Choristers and People at the
communion rail. The Clerk holds the paten for the Celebrant as he communicates the Epistleside
Servers and then the Choristers and People at the communion rail. While holding the paten,
the Clerk and Crucifer stay generally on the right of the Ministers of Communion. The patenbearers
take special care to catch any particle of the Precious Body or any drop of the Precious
Blood. If the Celebrant or Deacon need to return to the Altar to get additional Sacred Hosts, the
paten-bearers accompany them to the footpace and kneel there on one knee until the Ministers of
Communion turn to resume communicating the faithful. Meanwhile, the Torchbearers remain
kneeling at their cushions holding the torches still and upright. The MC, kneeling on the Gospel
side, watches the Torchbearers carefully to make sure they maintain their positions. (If
necessary, the MC can relieve a Torchbearer who feels faint or needs a bathroom break.) The
Torchbearers hold their torches throughout the communion of the faithful. After both the
Celebrant and the Deacon return to the Altar for the ablutions, the Torchbearers rise, go to the
center side by side, bow, and take their torches to the Vestry where the torches are extinguished.
The Torchbearers then return to the foot of the Altar, genuflect, and kneel at their cushions. The
paten-bearers place their patens on the Epistle side of the Altar and then return to their places to
kneel.
The Ablutions
At the Altar, the Celebrant and the Deacon consume what remains of the Precious Blood repose
remaining Hosts in the Tabernacle, and take the ablutions. The Clerk assists, standing at the
Epistle end of the Altar, near the credence table. The Crucifer or one of the Torchbearers pours
the cruets for the ablutions, taking care to drape a cloth over the left forearm and to wipe the lip
of the wine cruet. The Clerk takes the communion patens and the thumb ciborium to the
credence after they have been purified by the Celebrant or Deacon. The Clerk also returns the
cleansed intinctorium with its pall to the credence, and he assists the Deacon in placing the
corporal and tabernacle key in the burse, setting the burse over the veiled Chalice. He takes the
veiled Chalice back to the credence. As soon as the Chalice is taken from the Altar, the Crucifer
or one of the Torchbearers goes to the center of the footpace, genuflects, and transfers the Missal
and Missal stand to the Epistle-side corner of the Altar. While the ablutions are being taken, the
MC moves from the Gospel side to retrieve the birettas from the Epistle-side sedilia. He sets the
birettas, together with the hymnal for the Celebrant (with the recessional hymn marked) on the
edge of the carpet a bit to the left of the bell so that they can easily be taken up by the Deacon
after the Dismissal. While the ablutions are taken, the MC and one of the Torchbearers go and
open the chancel gate, setting the cushions inside, and genuflecting before and after at the foot of
the Altar.
The Post Communion, Blessing, and Dismissal
The ablutions concluded, the Celebrant steps to the right, turns to the People, saying Let us pray
and leading then the People in saying the Prayer of Thanksgiving or praying himself a postcommunion
collect. The Deacon stands on his right and points the prayer or collect. The Clerk
10

kneels at his place on the step, right of center, and all the Servers kneel in their places. After the
Prayer of Thanksgiving or post-communion collect, the Deacon then closes the Missal. Then the
Celebrant returns to the center, kisses the Altar with the Deacon, and says to the People The
Lord be with you. He then gives the Blessing, and the Deacon sings the Dismissal, facing the
People. The Celebrant and Deacon go to the foot of the Altar, and turn to face the Altar, while
the recessional party forms.
The Recessional
As the recessional hymn begins, the Thurifer [with the Boat-boy] gets the thurible from the
Vestry and goes to the front of the chancel, standing facing the Altar near the chancel step. The
Crucifer gets the Cross and stands in the midst of the chancel, facing the Altar. Meanwhile, the
Torchbearers go to the Vestry and get their lighted processional candles; they return to the
chancel and stand, flanking the Crucifer and standing on either side of the Crucifer. The MC
makes sure the Celebrant has his hymnal for the recessional hymn and that the Celebrant and
Deacon have their birettas. The MC then takes his place, facing the Altar, behind the Celebrant
and Deacon and just in front of the Crucifer. The Celebrant cues the Deacon and Clerk to
genuflect with him, and then he turns to recess out. As the Celebrant turns, so do the Servers,
and the Thurifer leads the recessional party into the nave and thence to the narthex at a slow and
stately pace. Arriving in the narthex, the Torchbearers extinguish their candles. The Clerk and
all of the Servers kneel near the front doors as the Celebrant gives his blessing. Then the Clerk
and MC assist the Celebrant in taking his microphone, maniple, stole, chasuble, alb, and
cincture, giving him back then his biretta. The Clerk and MC then take the priest’s vestments to
the Sacristy, while the other Servers go to the Vestry. At the close of the recessional hymn, the
Deacon, having remained behind at the back of the nave, bids the closing invocation of the
Saints.
After Mass
The Torchbearers with candle-snuffers enter the chancel by way of the Vestry door, genuflect at
the foot of the Altar, and extinguish the candles and pavement lights, in tandem, in the designated
order. The Crucifer returns the Cross to its bracket, first bowing at the foot of the Altar and then
genuflecting as he returns to the Vestry. The Servers then unvest and carefully hang their
cassocks, surplices, and rochets. Lastly, the Clerk or MC tidy the Vestry and make sure the
service leaflets are picked up from the chancel and that all is in order, before they too unvest and
say a prayer of thanksgiving.
11

SUMMARIES OF THE ROLES OF THE CLERK & OTHER SERVERS
AT SOLEMN MASS
The Clerk
The Clerk assists the Celebrant and Deacon at the Altar, performing many of the duties formerly
assigned to the Subdeacon in the traditional Roman Rite and many of the tasks now assigned to
an Instituted Acolyte when Solemn Mass is celebrated according to the Ordinary Form of the
modern Roman Rite. As a general principle, he is mindful of the hierarchy of service: the
Deacon serves the Celebrant, and the Clerk serves the Deacon. If the Clerk is assigned a reading,
he properly should read the Epistle (in the English tradition, the Clerk was thus known as the
“Epistoller). The Clerk’s typical position (at the foot of the Altar, at the Altar, and at the sedilia)
is on the Celebrant’s left.
• Before Mass, the Clerk vests in an alb and should check to make sure that the vessels and
linens at the credence are arranged properly. And he should likewise check to make sure
that the Gospel is marked in the Evangeliary, that the Lectionary is open to the First
Reading, and that the ribbons are in the right places in the Altar Missal.
• With the MC he readies the chancel and sanctuary for Mass, setting out service leaflets
for the Ministers and Servers, together with a hymnal for the Celebrant (with the
recessional hymn marked), taking also the processional Cross to the Vestry, and preparing
the thurible, prior to the arrival of the Servers.
• He vests in a scapular worn over his alb, matching the liturgical color of the day.
• With the MC, the Clerk conducts the other Servers to the Sacristy for the preparatory
prayers in the Sacristy before the beginning of Mass.
• For the entrance into the church, the Clerk follows the Choir and precedes the Deacon.
• Arriving at the foot of the Altar, during the processional hymn, the Clerk bows, steps to
the left, and then genuflects with the Celebrant and Deacon when they arrive.
• The Clerk remains at the foot of the Altar until the Celebrant imposes and blesses
incense; then he steps up to the footpace and holds the edge of the Celebrant’s chasuble
during the first censing of the Altar.
• After the censing, the Clerk goes with the Celebrant back to the foot of the Altar for the
opening acclamation, following the Introit.
• The Clerk prompts the appropriate reverences for the other Servers, bowing and signing
the cross at the appropriate moments.
• If the Penitential Rite is said at the beginning of Mass, he kneels at the step with the other
Servers.
• For the Readings, the Clerk goes with the Celebrant and Deacon to the sedilia and he sits
to the left of the Celebrant.
• If the ushers leave a slip of paper on the chancel rail with the number of possible
communicants, the Clerk picks up this slip and holds it in his palm.
• If he is assigned as lector, the Clerk ordinarily reads the Epistle.
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• When the Celebrant stands after the Epistle, the Clerk goes up to the Altar, makes sure
the Altar Missal is open to the Creed, and transfers the Missal stand from the Epistle side
to the Gospel side, toward the center, angled in.
• The Clerk makes sure to put the count for the communicants on the Altar.
• The Clerk then takes up the Gospel Book and goes to stand at the foot of the Altar, facing
“south.”
• The Clerk hands the Gospel Book to the Deacon and then takes his place in the Gospel
Procession.
• Turning around at the first pew, the Clerk holds the Book while the Deacon proclaims the
Gospel.
• Flanked by the Candlebearers, the Clerk carries the open Book, after the Gospel has been
read, to the Celebrant who kisses the periscope. Then the Clerk goes around the
Celebrant up to the footpace, he bows to the Altar, and returns the Gospel Book to its
place.
• After the Thurifer [and Boat-boy] genuflect on their way to the Altar, the Clerk genuflects
and goes to his place at the sedilia for the homily.
• After the homily, when the homilist steps into the chancel, the Clerk on the Gospel side
walks with the Ministers for the foot of the Altar where they genuflect.
• For the Creed and the Prayers of the People, the Clerk remains standing at his place at the
foot of the Altar.
• If the Penitential Rite occurs after the Prayers of the People, the Clerk kneels and bows
with the other Servers for the general confession and Comfortable Words.
• When the Celebrant bids the Peace, the Clerk shares the Peace first with the Celebrant
and then with the Deacon.
• For the blessings and announcements, the Clerk accompanies the Celebrant and Deacon
to the chancel rail.
• After the Offertory Sentence, the Clerk accompanies the Celebrant and Deacon back to
the foot of the Altar.
• At the Offertory, the Clerk goes to the credence and takes the veiled Chalice to the Altar;
he also sets the intinctorium and thumb ciborium on the Altar.
• The Clerk prompts the Crucifer in presenting the bread-box to the Deacon.
• Then he prompts one of the Torchbearers in serving the cruets.
• When the Thurifer [and Boat-boy] step up to the footpace for the imposition and blessing
of incense, the Clerk steps aside to a place near the bell.
• When the Deacon gives the thurible to the Celebrant, the Clerk holds the left edge of the
Celebrant’s chasuble for the censing of the oblations and the Altar.
• After the Deacon censes the Celebrant, the Deacon censes the Clerk and the Clerk then
censes the Deacon, with two double-swings.
• Standing at the Altar on the Celebrant’s left, the Clerk points the Prayer Over the Gift for
the Celebrant and then turns the Missal to the Preface.
• He points the Preface for the Celebrant, and he points the Canon.
• When the bell rings and the Celebrant extends his hands over the Elements, the Clerk
kneels and bows low.
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• At each consecration, the Clerk looks up at the elevation, adores at the elevation, signs
the cross, and bows again at the second elevation.
• He stands up when the Celebrant bids the Mystery of Faith, and he points the rest of the
Canon.
• At the Supplices te rogamus, he bows with the Celebrant, rising then and making the sign
of the cross at the words "with all heavenly benediction."
• He genuflects with the Celebrant and Deacon after the Per ipsum.
• The Clerk bows with the Celebrant and Deacon during the concluding doxology of the
Lord’s Prayer.
• He strikes his breast three times during the Agnus Dei.
• The Clerk bows with the Celebrant and Deacon during the Prayer of Humble Access.
• He signs the cross and adores when the Celebrant shows the Sacred Species to the
People.
• The Clerk strikes his breast three times at the Domine, non sum dignus.
• Then he goes to the credence and takes up the communion patens, giving one of them to
the Crucifer.
• He holds the paten when the Deacon communicates, and then he kneels, holding the
paten for himself when he receives the Precious Body and Blood.
• The Clerk holds the paten for the Celebrant as he communicates the Epistle-side Servers,
then the Choristers and the People at the communion rail.
• He returns the paten to the Altar after communion, and prompts the Crucifer or one of the
Torchbearers in serving the cruets for the ablutions.
• The Clerk returns the purified patens and thumb ciborium to the credence.
• He assists the Deacon with the ablutions and helps place the corporal and key in the
burse, setting then the burse on the veiled Chalice and returning it to the credence.
• He kneels at his place at the foot of the Altar for the Prayer of Thanksgiving or postcommunion
collect.
• He remains kneeling for the Blessing and rises after the Deacon sings the Dismissal.
• The Clerk genuflects with the Celebrant and Deacon, and then recesses out just behind
the MC and in front of the Deacon.
• In the narthex, he kneels for the Celebrant’s blessing.
• The Clerk then assists the MC in taking the Celebrant’s vestments which are then
returned to the Sacristy.
• After Mass, the Clerk assists the MC in making sure that the candles are properly
extinguished by the Torchbearers, that the Servers neatly hang their cassocks and
surplices, and that everything is tidy in the chancel and Vestry.
14

The MC
The MC at Solemn Mass assists the Celebrant, Deacon, and Clerk, as necessary, and he assures
that the other Servers perform their designated duties in an appropriate and timely manner. The
MC also fulfills other crucial functions that the Servers cannot when they are occupied with
other duties. Furthermore, the MC is crucial for organizing the Servers before Mass and
restoring order in the chancel and Vestry after Mass. In a pinch, when the Clerk does not show
up or cannot carry out his role, the MC should be ready to take his place. Likewise, if another
Server fails to appear or cannot serve, the MC is responsible for shuffling duties appropriately
and, if necessary, taking himself the role of Thurifer, Crucifer, or even Torchbearer, if
circumstances warrant.
• Before Mass, the MC vests in a cassock and assist the Clerk in making sure that the
vessels and linens at the credence are arranged properly. And he should likewise check to
make sure that the Gospel is marked in the Evangeliary, that the Lectionary is open to the
First Reading, and that the ribbons are in the right places in the Altar Missal.
• With the Clerk, he readies the chancel and sanctuary for Mass, setting out service leaflets
for the Ministers and Servers, together with a hymnal for the Celebrant (with the
recessional hymn marked), taking also the processional Cross to the Vestry, and preparing
the thurible, prior to the arrival of the Servers.
• The MC reviews the order of service with the other Servers and briefs them, if necessary,
on their respective roles and duties.
• With the Clerk, the MC conducts the other Servers to the Sacristy in a timely fashion for
the preparatory prayers before Mass.
• For the entrance into the church, the MC joins the processional party behind the Crucifer
and just ahead of the Choir.
• Arriving at the foot of the Altar, he genuflects, and moves a bit to the right, standing at
the ready to receive the birettas of the Celebrant and Deacon.
• The MC sets the birettas on the Epistle-side sedilia.
• Then he goes over to the Gospel side and makes sure that the fan (accessed from the
Sacristy) is running to circulate air during the first censing of the Altar.
• The MC then goes to the Epistle side and prepares to hold the Missal and Missal stand
during the censing.
• After the censing is done, he returns the Missal to the Epistle-side corner, straight with
the edges of the Altar.
• Then the MC makes sure the fan control in the Sacristy is set to Auto.
• The MC then goes to his place on the Gospel side, where he helps to cue the appropriate
reverences (bows and signs of the cross) for the other Servers.
• For the Readings he sits in the Gospel side choir stall with one of the Torchbearers.
• When the Gospel Procession is ready to form, the MC takes care to hasten the
Torchbearer near him in retrieving the candle from the Vestry.
• During the Gospel Procession and Gospel Proclamation, the MC remains at the foot of
the Altar on the Gospel side, turning to face the Book.
• He sits at his place on the Gospel side for the homily.
15

• For the Creed and the Prayers of the People, the MC stands at his place on the Gospel
side.
• If the Penitential Rite occurs after the Prayers of the People, the MC cues the Servers
when to bow low and when to kneel upright.
• At the Peace, he shares the Pax with the Server on the Gospel side.
• At the Offertory, the MC cues the Torchbearers to take the alms basins to the ushers, and
he reminds if necessary one of the Torchbearers to retrieve the alms basins when the
collection is done and the plates are presented at the chancel gate.
• During the Preface and Sanctus, as well as throughout the consecration and communion,
the MC keeps an eye on the Torchbearers and helps assure that they keep their positions
properly.
• The MC receives communion from the Deacon on the Gospel side, as the Crucifer holds
the paten under his chin.
• The MC assures that the Gospel side Torchbearer goes to return his torch to the Vestry
after the communion of the faithful concludes.
• During the ablutions, the MC takes the birettas from the Epistle-side sedilia and sets them
just to the left of the bell, together with the Celebrant’s hymnal.
• After the Dismissal, the MC makes sure that the recessional party forms properly.
• For the recessional, the MC follows the Crucifer and walks just ahead of the Clerk.
• In the narthex, the MC kneels with the other Servers to receive the Celebrant’s blessing.
• He then assists the Clerk in taking the Celebrant’s vestments and carrying them to the
Sacristy.
• In the Vestry right after Mass, the MC makes sure that the Torchbearers extinguish the
candles in the proper order.
• He assists the Clerk in restoring order to the Vestry and chancel.
16

The Thurifer
The Thurifer may or may not be attended by a Boat-boy. If a Boat-Boy is present, he always
stands on the Thurifer’s right, except when incense is prepared on the footpace. Then the Boatboy
stands on the Thurifer’s left to facilitate presenting the boat to the Deacon. The Thurifer
needs to prompt the Boat-boy when to accompany him, how to present and receive the boat, and
when to return the boat to the Vestry.
• Before Mass, the Thurifer vests in a cassock and prepares the thurible.
• The Thurifer should double-check that the boat is well-stocked with incense.
• He should check that four coals are ready in the ceramic dish
• Fifteen minutes before Mass, he should light three coals and place them in the thurible.
• Before going with the other Servers to the Sacristy for the preparatory prayers, he puts a
rochet over his cassock.
• For the entrance into the church, the Thurifer leads the procession, when the singing
begins, at a slow and stately pace, in keeping with the tempo of the processional hymn.
• After genuflecting at the foot of the Altar, he goes to the Epistle side and stands ready for
the censing of the altar.
• The Thurifer makes sure the fan (accessed in the Vestry) is turned on to circulate during
the censing.
• When the Celebrant and Deacon step up to and kiss the Altar, the Thurifer steps up to the
footpace and stands ready to present the thurible
• He or the Boat-boy presents the boat to the Deacon and he opens the thurible.
• After the blessing and imposition of incense, he hands the thurible to the Deacon.
• During the censing, he waits with the Boat-boy, near the credence, facing “north.”
• The Thurifer receives the thurible back from the Deacon and takes it to the Vestry, putting
the thurible on its stand, outside the Vestry door.
• He makes sure that the fan in the Vestry is now set to Auto.
• At the end of the Epistle, he goes to get the thurible, taking it to the footpace, and stands
ready for the boat to be presented to the Deacon for the Celebrant to lay on incense.
• As soon as the incense is blessed, he goes [with the Boat-boy] to the front of the chancel
to lead the Gospel Procession.
• At the first pew, the Thurifer turns off to the right (the Gospel side) and waits for the
Deacon to take the thurible and cense the Gospel Book.
• During the Gospel, he waits gently swinging the thurible.
• After the Gospel, the Thurifer hands the thurible to the Deacon for censing the Celebrant
before the homily. (If the Deacon is the homilist, the Thurifer censes him with two
double-swings).
• Once the homilist has passed by on his way to the pulpit, the Thurifer takes the thurible to
its stand, outside the Vestry door.
• Toward the end of the homily, he slips into the Vestry and lights a fresh coal for the
thurible.
17

• At the Offertory, he brings the thurible to the footpace, Epistle-side for the second
censing of the Altar.
• The Thurifer makes sure the fan in the Vestry is set on for circulating air during the
censing.
• After the censing is done, the Thurifer waits for the Clerk to cense him with one double
swing.
• He goes then and censes People at the chancel gate, one single swing in the center, to the
left, and to the right.
• He walks then to the choir stall, Epistle side, while the Priest says "Pray brethren."
• After the response, when the Celebrant turns back to the Altar, he goes to kneel on the
cushion at the foot of the Altar.
• At "Therefore with Angels and Archangels," he genuflects with the Torchbearers and goes
to the Vestry.
• As the Torchbearers get their torches, the Thurifer quickly lays on a little incense in the
thurible.
• With the Torchbearers, he returns to the foot of Altar and kneels.
• The Thurfier bows profoundly at the consecration, rising when the bell rings to cense the
Sacred Species: one double-swing at each genuflection, at each elevation, and then at the
genuflection -- three double-swings for the Body and for the Blood.
• At the Lord's Prayer, the Thurifer rises with the Torchbearers, he genuflects, and put the
thurible away, on its stand, outside the Vestry door.
• He returns to the foot of the Altar and kneels at the cushion on the Epistle side, where he
communicates and remains kneeling throughout communion, as well as for the Prayer of
Thanksgiving or post-communion collect and the final Blessing.
• After the Dismissal, when the recessional hymn begins, he retrieve the thurible and goes
to the front of the chancel ready to lead the recessional out.
• In the narthes, the Thurifer kneels with the other Servers to receive the Celebrant’s
blessing.
• He then takes the thurible back to the Vestry.
• He takes the stand inside and sets the thurible on the stand, making sure to leave the
thurible open and allowing any remaining smoldering coals to go out on their own. He
makes sure also that the boat sits atop the stand.
• The Thurifer hangs his cassock and rochet neatly.
18

The Crucifer
The Crucifer carries the processional Cross for the entrance procession, for the Gospel
Procession, and for the recessional, but he also performs a number of other essential
duties in the course of Solemn Mass. The Crucifer strikes the bell with the hammer at the
appropriate moments, and he holds the communion paten for the Deacon during the
communion of the faithful.
• Before Mass, the Crucifer vests in cassock and rochet and makes sure the processional
Cross sits on the counter of the Vestry.
• As directed by the Clerk and MC, he takes the Cross with him to the Sacristy for the
preparatory prayers.
• For the entrance procession, the Crucifer, flanked by the Torch-bearers, follows the
Thurifer, several paces behind him.
• He holds the Cross high (but not too high) when walking with the Cross in procession.
• Upon arriving at the foot of the Altar, the Crucifer and Torchbearers bow slightly toward
the Altar, and then, in tandem, swing back and to the left (we call this maneuver “the
hinge”), lining up in order just beside the Gospel-side choir stall, facing “south.”
• Once the Celebrant and Ministers genuflect, the Crucifer and Torchbearers move out to
the center, facing the Altar. They bow slightly. The Crucifer steps back to let the Torchbearers
proceed to the Vestry to put away their candles. The Crucifer then turns around
and places the Cross on its bracket near the front of the chancel (on the Epistle side).
• The Crucifer then returns to the foot of the Altar, genuflects, and moves to the right,
standing for the Introit.
• He follows the Order of Mass and the postures of the other Servers.
• At the end of the Epistle, he goes to get the Cross and stands in the midst of the Chancel
with the Cross, facing the Altar. The Torchbearers retrieve their candles and stand
flanking him, while the Thurifer walks to the front of the Chancel.
• When the Deacon turns with the Gospel Book for the Gospel Procession, the Crucifer,
with the Torchbearers, also turns and walks into the nave, following the Thurifer.
• Before the front pew, the Thurifer will step off to the right. The Crucifer continues
forward to the third pew where he turns to face the Altar for the reading of the Gospel.
The Torchbearers now flank the Clerk who hold the Gospel Book.
• When the Gospel is finished, the Crucifer follows the Clerk back into the Chancel, but he
turns immediately to the right and puts the Cross back in its bracket. He then goes to the
foot of the Altar and takes his place in choir for the homily.
• At the Offertory, when the Clerk sets the Chalice on the Altar, the Crucifer steps up to the
Credence Table and stands ready to present the Bread-box. (If necessary, he remains
there at the ready to serve the Cruets. Otherwise, he cedes his place to one of the Torchbearers,
after they have given the Alms-basins to the ushers. One of the Torch-bearers
then usually serves the Cruets.)
• When the Thurifer goes to cense the People, the Crucifer takes the last cushion from the
Epistle side and sets it on the step at the center in front of the Altar.
19

• After the response to the Orate Fratres, the Crucifer kneels at the cushion in front of the
bell. At the Sanctus he strikes the bell three times—at each Holy.
• He strikes the bell when the Celebrant extends his hands over the Gifts, saying
“Vouchsafe, O God …”
• He bows low, kneeling, and then rises and adores, striking the bell at each genuflection,
at the elevation, and then the genuflection. Then he bows low again, kneeling upright for
the Mysterium Fidei.
• At the Lord’s Prayer, after the Thurifer returns the thurible to the Vestry, the Crucifer rises
and goes to the center and takes the cushion, returning it then to its place on the Epistle
side.
• As the Celebrant turns to show the People the consecrated Species, just before he says
“The Gifts of God …” he strikes the bell again.
• The Clerk will bring the paten to the Crucifer kneeling at the cushion in front of the bell.
The Crucifer takes the paten, stands, genuflects at the center, and goes to kneel at the
Gospel side, near the Torch-bearer.
• The Deacon brings him Communion and he holds the paten under his own chin. He rises
then and holds the paten while the Deacon communicates the servers on the Gospel side.
• The Crucifer with the paten then follows the Deacon, always standing on his right, as he
communicates the People.
• When Communion is finished, he follows the Deacon back to the Altar, genuflects and
sets the paten on the Altar, toward the Epistle side.
• The Crucifer or one of the Torchbearers then stands at the ready near the Credence Table
to pour the cruets for the ablutions. As prompted by the Celebrant, he pours a little wine
into the chalice, and then a little wine and a little water over the fingers of the Celebrant
and the Deacon.
• When the ablutions are done, he goes to the center of the footpace, in front of the Altar,
genuflects, takes the Missal Stand, returns to the center, genuflects again, and places the
Missal Stand on the Epistle side, square with the front of the Altar.
• He then goes back to his place near the bell and kneels.
• As soon as the Deacon sings the Dismissal, he goes and gets the Cross, and stands with
the Cross in the midst of the Chancel, facing the Altar. The Torch-bears retrieve their
candles, as the Thurifer goes to the front of the Chancel.
• When the Celebrant and Ministers genuflect and turn for the recessional, the Crucifer
turns also, lifts high the Cross, and with the Torchbearers he recesses, following the
Thurifer.
• In the narthex, the Crucifer kneels with the other servers and receives the blessing from
the Celebrant.
• The Crucifer then goes out the front doors of the church, around and through the Vestry
door.
• He then puts the Cross back on its bracket, genuflects, returns to the Vestry, and puts
away his cassock and surplice.
20

The Torchbearers
The Torchbearers carry the processional candles (at the entrance procession, the Gospel
Procession, and at the recessional), and they also hold the torches during the consecration
and the communion of the faithful. In addition, the Torchbearers help serve the cruets at
the Offertory, they assist at the Lavabo, and one of them usually helps with the ablutions.
Holding the torches during the consecration and communion is one of the most
challenging duties a server can perform but also a singular honor. The Torchbearers
become living sanctuary lamps and beacons to all, signifying the Real Presence of Our
Lord in the Sacred Species communicated to the faithful and circulating from the Altar to
the communion rail.
• Before Mass, the Torchbearers vest in cassocks and surplices.
• As directed by the MC or Clerk, they light the candles at the Altar and the pavement
lights in the designated order, taking care always to genuflect before the Tabernacle.
• They make sure the torches are lit before Mass begins.
• At the appropriate moment, a full five minutes before Mass starts, the Torchbearers take
their unlit candles and follow the other Servers to the Sacristy for the preparatory prayers.
• Gathering before the entrance into the church, the MC assists the Torchbearers in lighting
their processional candles.
• At the entrance procession, the Torchbearers stand on either side of the Crucifer, taking
care to remain parallel with him in a straight line.
• Upon arriving at the foot of the Altar, at the cue of the Crucifer, the Torchbearers bow
slightly with him and then swing back to the left, staying in a straight line, and they line
up with the Crucifer along the Gospel side choir stall, facing liturgical “south.”
• Just after the Celebrant, Deacon, and Clerk genuflect at the foot of the Altar, and at the
cue of the Crucifer, the Torchbearers with him swing around to face the Altar at the
center. They bow again slightly.
• When the Crucifer steps back a little, the Torchbearers walk to the right and put their
candles in the Vestry. They do not extinguish the candles since they will need them again
for the Gospel Procession.
• Returning to the foot of the Altar, the Torchbearers genuflect and go to their places at the
two innermost cushions on either side of the Altar where they remain standing for the
Introit and preparation.
• The Torchbearers should pay special attention to the MC and Clerk, taking care to make
the appropriate reverences (bowing and signing the cross) as their example prompts.
• If the Penitential Rite occurs at the beginning of Mass, the Torchbearers kneel with the
other Servers and bow low during the general confession. They also sign the cross at the
right place in the general absolution.
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• When the Celebrant and Deacon return to the foot of the altar, the Torchbearers and other
servers genuflect with them before going to their places in the chancel for the Readings.
• The Torchbearer on the Epistle side sits in the Epistle side choir stall, second pew, leaving
space for the Thurifer and Boat-boy to sit on his right, at the end of the pew.
• The Torchbearer on the Gospel side sits on the Gospel side, second pew, on the end, with
the MC to his right.
• As soon as the Celebrant rises after the Epistle, the Torchbearers and other Servers rise
with him simultaneously.
• The Torchbearers go to the Vestry to take up their candles for the Gospel Procession.
• With their candles, they go to the chancel and stand, facing the Altar, on either side of the
Crucifer.
• As soon as the Deacon turns with the Gospel Book, the Torchbearers turn also,
simultaneously with the Crucifer.
• They walk with the Crucifer into the nave, but where the Crucifer continues on the third
pew, the Torchbearers hang back just inside the first pew, and standing flanking the Clerk,
turning inward to face the Gospel Book as the Deacon gives it to the Clerk.
• When the Gospel is finished, the Torchbearers walk with the Clerk, on either side of the
Gospel Book as the Clerk carries it to the Celebrant for kissing.
• When the Clerk steps back and closes the Gospel Book, the Torchbearers both turn to the
right and carry their candles back to the Vestry.
• Returning to the chancel, the Torchbearers go to their places in choir, where they stand
waiting until Deacon and Clerk prompt them to sit for the homily. Everyone sits and
rises simultaneously.
• After the homily, the Torchbearers rise with the other Servers as soon as the homilist
enters the chancel. They go then to their places at the foot of the Altar, where they
genuflect with the Ministers and then remain standing for the Creed and Prayers of the
People.
• If the Penitential Rite occurs after the Prayers of the People, the Torchbearers follow the
example of the MC and Clerk in kneeling and bowing low. They kneel then upright for
the Comfortable Words, rising after the Celebrants offers the Pax.
• The Torchbearers can modestly share the Peace with the other Servers right next to them.
• For the Blessing and Announcements, the Torchbearers sit with the other Servers in the
chancel, and take their places as prompted by the MC.
• When the Ministers return to the foot of the Altar, all of the Servers join them there and
genuflect.
• When the Offertory Antiphon begins and after the Ministers have stepped up the Altar,
the Torchbearers meet in the middle, genuflect, and then move to the right to take up the
alms basins.
• Holding the plates, they genuflect again in the center and carry the alms basins to the
ushers at the chancel gate. They bow as they present plates.
• Then the Torchbearers, simultaneously take up the kneeling cushions on either side of the
gate and set them in the middle. Then they close the gate together.
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• Returning to the foot of the Altar, they genuflect, as the Gospel side Torchbearer goes to
the left, standing ready to retrieve the alms basins when the usher comes to the gate with
the collection. He bows to usher when the plates are presented.
• The Epistle side Torchbearer goes immediately to the credence table and prepares to
serve the cruets as prompted by the Clerk.
• The Gospel-side Torchbearer takes the plates to the little table near the Sacristy door, first
genuflecting at the foot of the Altar. He goes then to his place.
• The Epistle-side, having served the cruets, goes to his place and waits during the censing
of the Gifts and Altar.
• As soon as the Celebrant has been censed by the Deacon, the two Torchbearers go up to
the credence to serve the Lavabo. One takes the water cruet and bowl and the other takes
the towel. Having set the water cruet, bowl, and towel neatly back on the credence table,
the Torchbearers return to their places at the foot of the Altar.
• After the Celebrant bids the Orate fratres and as soon as the People make the response,
the Torchbearers with the Thurifer between them and all the other Servers kneel together.
• At the words Therefore with Angels … the Torchbearers with the Thurifer all rise
together, genuflect, and go to the Vestry.
• They take up their lit torches, and with the Thurifer return to the foot of the Altar, where
they bow and immediately kneel on their cushions.
• They remain kneeling throughout the consecration and communion. They bow their
heads slightly after the ringing of the bell, but they should take special care to keep their
torches stable, still, and upright.
• When the Torchbearers are to receive communion, they move their torches aside a little
so that the Celebrant and Deacon can administer the Precious Body and Blood easily and
so that the paten-bearers can readily hold the patens under their chins.
• When communion is finished and after the Celebrant and Deacon return to the Altar, the
Torchbearers rise together, bow to the Altar, and return their torches to the Vestry. The
torches are now extinguished.
• They go then to kneel at their places until the Deacon sings the Dismissal.
• Then the Torchbearers go promptly to get their processional candles. They take their
places on either side of the Crucifer standing with the Cross in the midst of the chancel.
• As soon as the Celebrant genuflects and turns, the Torchbearers with the Crucifer turn
also and follow the Thurifer out during the recessional hymn.
• In the narthex, the Torchbearers extinguish their candles and then kneel with the other
Servers to receive the Celebrant’s blessing.
• They carry their candles back to the Vestry.
• Promptly, they go then to extinguish the candles on the Altar, as well as the pavement
lights, in the designated order.
• Back in the Vestry, the Torchbearers carefully hang their cassocks and surplices.
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LAUS DEO
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