BEFORE MASS
THE REVERENCING AND VENERATION OF THE ALTAR
INITIATORY RITES
LITURGY OF THE WORD
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
AFTER COMMUNION
RECESSIONAL
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The liturgical ministers will meet in the Ethel M. Andrews Meeting Room. Here the Readers can check the lectionary and coordinate their ministry with one another. The Eucharistic Ministers will check in and the leader will assign the communion stations. The vested servers will join the other ministers. The Premier will lead the group in prayer before the celebration.
The Procession begins in the baptistry of the Church. The Cross Bearer leads the procession through the center aisle, presenting the Cross for the adoration of the faithful. Slightly behind, the servers accompany the Cross. Then follows the first reader with the Lectionary held for the veneration of the faithful. The priest enters at the end of the procession.
THE REVERENCING AND VENERATION OF THE ALTAR
The Cross Bearer stops at the bottom step. Keeping the Cross erect the Bearer bows his head slightly in reverence to the altar before proceeding up the steps. Moving to the right of the Altar the Bearer bring the Cross to the place of honor for the Cross and secures it within the fixtures.
The servers bow profoundly to the Altar at the bottom step. (Profound means that your hands should be on your knees and your body bent at the waist.) Moving to the right the servers go to their seats, where they remain standing.
The Reader approaches the sanctuary. On arrival at the bottom step the Reader stops, lowers the Lectionary to chest level and then bows his/her head in reverence to the Altar. The Reader moves to the left on the floor level and climbs the steps nearest the Ambo, where the Book is placed closed on the Ambo. The Reader returns to his/her seat on the left side of the church.
The Presider approaches the sanctuary, stops, and bows profoundly to the Altar. After arrival at the far side of the Altar and facing the people the Presider venerates the Altar with a kiss. He then goes directly to the Presider's Chair.
When the Presider reaches the chair, a server brings the sacramentary to the chair area, where the celebrant will open the pages. After the prayer with the Amen, the Presider will close the book. The server retires to his chair.
When the Assembly is seated, the first reader approaches the Ambo, opens the Lectionary. The citation of the reading is given, followed by the reading itself. After a brief pause at the end of the reading, the Reader proclaims: The Word of the Lord. The Assembly responds: Thanks be to God.
The Psalmist then approaches the Ambo. In coming from the Choir, the Psalmist would pass behind the Premier's Chair. After the psalm, the Psalmist leaves the sanctuary.
The second Reader then approaches to read the second reading. The citation is given, the reading done, a slight pause, and then the proclamation: The Word of the Lord/Thanks be to God.
After an appropriate silence, the Presider stands, the Alleluia and verse is begun. The gospel is proclaimed. Then follow the homily and Creed.
The General Intercessions are sung by the cantor from the Ambo.
While the altar is dressed by the server, the other two servers prepare to lead the procession of gifts from the back of the church. The first server places only the Sacramentary and chalice on the Altar Table. (Sacramentary to the left and chalice to the right.)
The two servers having led the gift bearers, take their places on either side of the priest who has met them on the floor level. The Presider receives the gifts and hands them to the servers. The Premier approaches the Altar. The servers move to the left and then approach the Altar from the side of the sanctuary. They present the gifts to the Presider, first the bread and then the wine. After presenting the bread, the first server brings the cruet of water to the Presider.
The two servers retire to their place at the left of the sanctuary. They are joined there by the third server who has gone there after dressing the altar. They stand for the Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer. After the Holy the servers kneel on the first step of the sanctuary.
At the Great Amen, the Servers stand along with the Assembly. They continue to stand through the Lord's Prayer and the Communion Rite. (They should join in the singing of the communion hymn.)
During the Lamb of God, the Assembly kneels and the Eucharistic Ministers prepare for communion. The lead minister goes to the tabernacle, genuflects, opens the door and removes the reserved Eucharist. The Eucharist is brought to the Table.
The other ministers have approached the sanctuary. If one crosses in front of the Altar, a profound bow should be given. All Eucharistic ministers approach the sanctuary by the sides of the sanctuary and form a line parallel to the Altar. All ministers receive the Eucharistic Bread and then the consecrated Cup is offered to each.
After receiving the ministers approach the Altar to receive the ciborium for distribution at their assigned station. Each minister says only: Body of Christ. After all have received at a particular station, the Eucharist is returned to the Altar. When all of the consecrated species are gathered in a single ciborium, the lead minister or deacon brings them to the Tabernacle.
The consecrated species are placed directly in the Tabernacle. The minister genuflects out of reverence for the Eucharist and then closes and locks the Tabernacle door. He/she then returns to his/her place.
After the communion song has been sung, the Assembly spends some time in prayer and silence. Ordinarily the Assembly kneels.
The servers return to their places on the right side of the sanctuary after communion. The serves kneel on the bottom step as the Assembly kneels.
The server brings the Sacramentary to the Presider for the Prayer, Blessing, and Dismissal. When the Presider closes the Sacramentary, the server return with the book to his place.
As the recessional hymn begins the Cross Bearer approaches the sanctuary and removes the Cross from the wall fixtures. Moving to the right of the Altar the Cross Bearer move to a place between the front pews in the middle aisle facing the Altar.
Two servers join on either side of the Cross. The third server stand directly in front of the Cross.
In front of the third server is the second Reader, who has carried the Lectionary from the Ambo, down the side steps to the floor lever. The Reader faces the Altar.
Finally the Presider venerates the Altar by kissing it and returns to the floor level, facing the sanctuary. When the Presider bows profoundly, the Reader bows his/her head slightly, the Cross Bearer bows his head slightly, the three servers bow profoundly.
The procession moves through the church to the lobby.
