DIOCESE OF OSUN

{ANGLICAN COMMUNION}
ALTAR SERVER’S HANDBOOK
SERVER’S PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the eternal High Priest. You lead all your saints in heaven and your people on earth in
praising God, our Father. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for letting me come before your altar, so that, with your help, I
can praise my Father in heaven as his server. Help me find joy in serving at your altar. Help me find gladness in
knowing and doing your will in all things. Glory to you, Lord Jesus, and to the Father and the Holy Spirit, as it
was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.
WHO IS A SERVER?
The first Altar Server can be referred to as a child Samuel who” ministered unto the Lord before Eli the Priest”
{1Samuel 3:1-10}.
Literarily, A server is a person who serve. But A server at the altar/Sanctuary is someone who ministers in the holy
place with holy things. A server may be boy or man.
QUALIFICATIOND TO BECOME A ALTAR SERVER
1. He must be a baptized person
2. He must be a communicant
3. He must be faithful
4. He must be humble
5. He must be able to read his bible and be prayerful
6. He must not be restless.
A CALL TO SERVE {IT IS A CALL}
You have been called to become a part of a very special group (Osun Anglican Diocesan Altar Servers). You were
probably asked to join by your vicars, but remember that it was God who called you. God wants you to help your
parish worship by being a server.
Servers help get things ready by:
 Lighting candles,
 Placing the Gifts on the Credence Table.
Servers also help during the Holy Communion by:
 Holding the book,
 Carrying the water and wine,
 Preparing the Table
 Saying the prayers.
 Assisting the priest at the altar
 Being a part of the celebration,
 Listening all of the time and responding in prayer and song.
 Leading the church community in listening, praying and singing.
It is not what the servers do that is most important, but the example that they give.
MANY THINGS HAPPEN AT HOLY COMMUNION.
Many People Prepare for it.
The priest prepares the homily. Lay-readers / priests go over the readings. The Altar servers make ready the
Sanctuary. Some parishioners write the petitions. Greeters and ushers assist people in arriving and leaving.
Musicians practice the songs and psalms. The people prepare themselves to come to church, to pray together and
to worship God.
We Pray Together.
At Any service we join our voices in prayer. We respond “Amen” to the prayers said by the priest. We proclaim
our belief in God in the Creed. We sing songs of praise such as the “Gloria” and the “Our Father.” We pray for the
Church, also for those in need, for ourselves and for the entire world. We join together in silent prayer.
We Listen to God’s Word.
At every Service we read from Bible. At Sunday Service the priest always explains the readings and relates them
to our own lives. We listen to God’s Word and receive it into our hearts where it becomes the Living Word of
God.
The Holy Communion is a Re-enactment of the Last Supper.
At the Holy Communion Service, we celebrate a very special meal with other members of God’s family. We bring
and share gifts of bread and wine. In the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, the bread and wine become the Body
and Blood of Christ.
The Communion is a Calling Down of the Holy Spirit.
We ask the Holy Spirit to come down upon the gifts of bread and wine to make them holy as the Body and Blood
Christ. We ask the Holy Spirit to descend on ourselves, to join us to the holy gifts and to make us holy.
The Holy Communion is a Sacrifice.
When we celebrate the Communion, we remember that Jesus gave his life for us by being born of Mary, by
teaching us and living with us; by dying on the cross for us and by rising again from the dead. Every time we
participate in the service, this saving sacrifice becomes real in our lives.
The Services is a Memorial.
At Communion we remember and enter into the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. He forgives our sins
and gives us the gift of eternal life. -- (We ‘remember’ that our parents love us, their love continues in the present.
In the same way the action and love of Jesus continues in our lives.)
The Communion is an Offering of Ourselves.
We offer the sacred gifts to God the Father. We pray that the Holy Spirit join us to the Body and Blood of Jesus.
When we offer these sacred gifts to God, we also offer ourselves, our entire lives: our time, talent and our treasure.
The Holy Communion Is the Heart of Worship in The Anglican Church.
ACTIONS USED AT HOLY COMMUNION AND OTHER SERVICES
1. POSTURE- as a part of an action during Services is important. There are several forms of posture:
 Posture that is an action
 Posture that is not an action
 Posture that is a sign of respect
2. FOLDED HANDS - When hands are not in use, they should be folded. When sitting, put palms of hands flat
against your legs.
3. SIGN OF THE CROSS - This is the symbol of Christian belief, and therefore it should be done respectfully
4. GENUFLECTION - In doing this, you touch the knee to the ground in worship. A genuflection is made if
there is a tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament in the sanctuary. The genuflection is made when passing in
front of the tabernacle before, during or after Mass.
5. BOWS OF THE HEAD - These are made at the name of Jesus, and also whenever the server approaches or
leaves the priest who is the celebrant.
6. BOWS OF THE BODY - These are made before the altar even if the Blessed Sacrament is not present because
this is where the sacrifice takes place in which the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. You
should also bow during the Profession of Faith at the words “and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin
Mary, and became man.”
7. WALKING – Walking should be slow and smooth with hands folded and body erect.
8. SILENCE - Except for making the responses, silence should be kept at all times.
9. SITTING AND STANDING - You should be erect with hands folded or on your knees.
10. TIME - Always be in the Church latest 15 minutes before the beginning of Any service.
11. EYES – Keep your eyes on the altar and on the priest. Remember that in addition to serving God during
Services, you are serving the priest.
ALTAR SERVER’S VOCABULARY WORDS
Below are some words that servers will hear and should know. Try to use these words with other servers, with the
priest and with other members of your family.
1. ALTAR SERVERS – Young members of the parish who perform duties such as lighting candles, carrying a
cross and candles, holding the Roman Missal for the priest and ringing the bells.
2. ALTAR – A special/Big table used at Holy Communion, and it placed in the Inner Chancel.
3. LECTEN - The stand where the readings and homily take place
4. PULPIT – The big object where the priest preaches.
5. BELLS - Usually rung at consecration {High Churchmanship}
6. CHALICE - The cup that holds the wine which is consecrated during Holy Communion service.
7. CIBORIUM/PATTEN - A large cup-like container usually with a cover. It is used to hold the hosts.
8. CORPORAL - The linen cloth spread on the altar. The chalice and patten are placed on it.
9. CREDENCE TABLE - The table near the altar where wine, water, chalice and ciborium/patten are kept until
needed
10. CRUCIFIX - A cross with a figure of Christ on it; It holds a place of honor during Holy Communion,
especially at the reading of the gospel in the middle of the church.
11. CRUETS - Small pitchers that hold the water and wine used at Mass
12. EXTINGUISHER - A pole-like instrument with a tube at one side on the top with a wick for lighting the
candles; The other side of the top is a cup for putting out the flame on the candles.
13. FINGER TOWEL – Cloth that is used to dry the priest’s hands after washing during Service
14. HOST - Unleavened bread/Big bread used for Eucharist. It is usually in the form of a round wafer.
(Unleavened bread does not have the yeast to make it soft and thick.)
15. INCENSE BOAT – A metal container that holds incense which is used during Mass at special times of the
year
16. LECTIONARY {Church Year Calendar} - The book from which scriptures are read at every service.
17. LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST - One of the two main parts of the Holy Communion service; It is at
this time that bread and wine are blessed into the Body and Blood of Jesus.
18. LITURGY OF THE WORD - One of the two main parts of the Service; God speaks through the
prophets, the Apostles, the life and teachings of Jesus and the priest.
19. LITURGY BOOK - A large book that contains all the prayers the priest uses during Holy Communion
20. PURIFICATOR - A linen cloth used for wiping the chalice
21. SANCTUARY – The whole auditorium
22. THURIBLE - Also called a censer, is a metal container extended from a chain in which charcoal and
incense are burned for liturgical ceremonies
23. Ablutions: Ceremonial cleansing of the chalice and paten by the celebrant after the Eucharist.
24. Acolyte: One who assists the priest. Advent Wreath: Four candles arranged in a circle, one of which is
lighted on the first Sunday in Advent, and one more on each of the following Sundays in Advent. A white
candle, the Christ Candle, is placed in the center of the circle and lighted on Christmas Eve, and thereafter
during the Christmas season.
25. Alb: The long white robe which the priest wears for services of Holy Eucharist.
26. Alms Basin: An offering plate.
27. Altar: The Holy Table upon which the Holy Eucharist is celebrated.
28. Altar Bread: The wafers or bread used at the Eucharist.
29. Altar Rail: A railing in front of the altar that separates the chancel from the rest of the church.
30. Amice: A large oblong white neck piece worn by some priests with some albs.
31. Aumbry: The ‘wall cabinet’ in the sanctuary that contains consecrated bread and wine. Also referred to as
a ‘tabernacle
32. Baptistry or Baptistery: The place where the font is located, usually near the entrance of the church.
33. Baptismal Towel: The long, narrow towel which the celebrant uses to ‘dry off’ the newly baptized. For
baptisms we put out one baptismal towel for each person to be baptized.
34. Bible Markers: The silk hangings which decorate the lectern.
35. Bishop: The highest order of the sacred ministry in the Anglican Church; the head of the Diocese, elected
by the Diocese.
36. Bishop Coadjutor: A bishop elected and given jurisdiction to assist and later to succeed the diocesan
Bishop.
37. Bishop Suffragan: A bishop elected to assist the diocesan bishop, but without jurisdiction or right of
succession.
38. Bishop’s Chair: A special chair on the gospel side of the sanctuary, reserved for the diocesan bishop on
his visitations.
39. Bread Boxes: the small, round, silver ‘boxes’ with lids which hold the wafers for the Eucharist.
40. Burse: A square flat case used to hold the corporal, the post communion veil, if used, and purificator. It is
placed on the veiled chalice at the Eucharist.
41. Cassock: The long garment which the priest wears under a white surplice for services other than the
Eucharist. On Good Friday black cassocks are worn without the surplice.
42. Celebration: The consecration and administration of the Holy Eucharist.
43. Censer: A vessel for burning incense; especially, a covered incense burner swung on chains in a religious
ceremony. See also ‘thurible’.
44. Cere Cloth: The protective cloth which goes on the altar between the frontal and the fair linen. This
protects the linen of the frontal and the altar from wine spills.
45. Chalice: The ‘goblet’ from which wine is served. Chalice Veil: See Post-Communion Veil and Silk
Chalice Veil.
46. Chancel: The area which contains the choir pews, the organ, the pulpit, the lectern, and the altar.
47. Chasuble: The ‘poncho-shaped’ garment which the celebrant wears for the Eucharist. On Sundays the
priest puts it on at the Offertory
48. Chimere: A long garment with arm holes, but without sleeves. It is worn by a bishop over the rochet and
may be either red or black.
49. Ciborium: A chalice like cup with a cover, used for the bread at the Eucharist. It may be used in place of
the bread box.
50. Cincture: A wide flat cloth belt or girdle worn around the cassock.
51. Cope: A long, elaborate cloak of colored silk or brocade worn by a bishop or priest at festival occasions. It
has a clasp at the neck called a morse.
52. Cotta: A white garment similar to a surplice, but shorter and without a cross on the front. Worn by choir
and acolytes over the cassock.
53. Credence Table or Shelf: The shelf on the Epistle (pulpit) side of the Altar. This table holds the wine and
wafers to be consecrated, the lavabo bowl, and the lavabo towel. Credence Table Cover or
54. Credence Cloth: The linen cover which is placed on the credence table before the table is ‘set’.
55. Crozier: A bishop’s pastoral staff.
56. Crucifer: The cross-bearer in a procession.
57. Crucifix: The cross with the figure of our Lord upon it. Cruets: The small pitchers which hold wine and
water. The cruet containing wine is always kept to the right side of the water. When the cruets are placed on the
credence table, the handles are toward the wall if there is an acolyte to serve the priest, or toward the nave when
the priest is alone.
58. Deacon: One of three holy orders of the ministry.
59. Dean: The chief of the clergy on the staff of a cathedral; also the head of a seminary.
60. Diocese: The see or jurisdiction of a bishop.
61. Dossal: A tapestry or curtain which hangs behind the altar.
62. Dust Cover: The linen cloth which covers the altar fair linen after the worship service is over. A dust
cover is often of a coarser weave of linen than the fair linen. It is simply a dust cover, even though it may be
embroidered with crosses, etc.
63. Elements: The bread, wine, and water which are used at the Eucharist.
64. Epistle Side: The right side of the chancel as one faces the altar.
65. Eucharist: The service of Holy Communion.
66. Eucharistic Candlesticks: The pair of candlesticks which is on the altar. These candles are lit only and
when the Eucharist is celebrated. These are the only candles that go on the altar.
67. Eucharistic Vessels: Any or all of the containers and ‘dishes’ used for the Eucharist.
68. Eucharistic Vestment: The special vestments often worn at a celebration of the Eucharist or Holy
Communion: alb, amice, girdle, stole, chasuble, and maniple.
69. Ewer: The large pitcher which holds water for baptisms. When there is a baptism, the ewer is filled with
hot water just before the service, and placed on a small table near the font.
70. Fair Linen: The large white linen cloth which covers the altar, on top of the cere cloth. It is the altar’s
tablecloth.
71. Flagon: A vessel to hold wine for the Eucharist.
72. Followers: The brass ‘collars’ which fit the tops of the candles to protect against drafts.
73. Font: The basin where baptisms are performed.
74. Frontal: A full-length, colored hanging for the altar.
75. Girdle: A white cotton or linen rope worn about the waist over the alb. Black girdles are sometimes worn
over the cassock.
76. Gospel Book: The book which contains all of the Gospel readings.
77. Gospel Side: The left side of the chancel as once faces the altar.
78. Hangings: All of the colored silk items that decorate the sanctuary and chancel.
79. Host Wafer or Priest’s Host: The large wafer which is held up and broken by the celebrant at the
Eucharist.
80. Hymn Board: The wooden board on the wall of a church which lists the day of the church season and the
hymns for the day.
81. IHS: The first three letters of the name of Jesus in Greek. Also the initial letters of Jesus hominem
salvator, Latin for “Jesus the Savior of mankind”.
82. Lavabo Bowl: The small silver bowl which is used by the priest for the symbolic washing of hands before
celebrating the Eucharist. It is placed on the credence table with the lavabo towel.
83. Lavabo Towel: The small linen towel on the credence table, next to the lavabo bowl, with which the priest
dries his/her hands after the symbolic washing of hands before celebrating the Eucharist.
84. Lectern: The podium from which the lessons are read.
85. Lectionary or Text Book: The book which contains all the Sunday Bible readings for the year. Texts
change from Year A to Year B to Year C beginning with the first Sunday in Advent.
86. Liturgical Colors: The appropriate color for the day according to the church calendar. It is the color of the
hangings and the color of the priest’s vestments. The calendar on the wall of the sacristy has the days printed in
the appropriate color.
87. Litany Desk: The portable kneeling bench or prayer desk.
88. Maniple: A short band or scarf worn on the left arm of the celebrant at Holy Communion as part of the
Eucharistic Vestments. Most priests no longer use a maniple.
89. Mensa: The top of the altar or Holy Table.
90. Missal: Now known in many churches as the Service Book. The altar service book, containing the services
of the Holy Eucharist, the collects, epistles, and gospels.
91. Missal Stand or Service Book Stand: The stand or desk upon which the altar service book rests.
92. Mitre: A liturgical headdress worn by bishops on formal occasions.
93. Oblations: The bread and wine brought to the altar at the offertory.
94. Oblation Table: A table which holds the bread and wine, the ‘oblations’, which are to be brought forward
by members of the congregation during the offertory.
95. Offertory: The bringing of oblations and alms to the altar.
96. Office: A service of the church, other than Holy Eucharist, such as Morning or Evening Prayer.
97. Office Candles or Office Lights: The candles behind the altar on the retable next to the cross in the
sanctuary. These candles, which are lit for all services, are often on three unbranched candle holders on each
side of the cross. Some churches use three or seven branched candelabra.
98. Ordination: The conferring of Holy Orders by a bishop.
99. Orphrey: An embroidered band on a chasuble or other vestment or hanging.
100. Pall: This word means ‘covering’. It refers to two quite different coverings: 1. A pall is the small, linen
covered square of Plexiglas which we use to cover the paten and host wafer on a vested chalice. 2. The funeral
pall is the large, embroidered silk covering which covers the casket for a funeral.
101. Paschal Candle: The large, decorated candle which is lit at the Easter Vigil and burns throughout the
Easter season to Pentecost. The Paschal candle is also used at baptisms and funerals.
102. Paten: The silver plate from which the communion wafers are served.
103. Pectoral Cross: The large cross worn by ordained priests and bishops.
104. Piscina: A drain in the sacristy which goes directly to the ground instead of into the sewer system. It is
used for the disposal of consecrated elements: wine in chalices, bread crumbs on paten, and wine rinsed from
purificators.
105. Priest: The second of the three orders of the priesthood; one who has been ordained by a bishop to
administer the Sacraments of the Church.
106. Protector: Another word for dust cover.
107. Pulpit Fall: The decorative silk rectangle which hangs from the pulpit.
108. Purificator: The small linen square which the priest or other minister uses to wipe the rim of the chalice;
acts like a napkin.
109. Rector: A priest who is head of a parish.
110. Reserved Sacrament: Consecrated bread and wine, the Body and Blood of Christ, that has not been
distributed to communicants in a service of Holy Eucharist, and is kept in an aumbry or tabernacle. A small
amount of consecrated bread and wine is often reserved for use by the priest and lay ministers in visitations, or
for the sick, dying, or other similar circumstances.
111. Retable: A shelf behind the altar, also called a gradine.
112. Rochet: A long white linen vestment with wide sleeves tied at the wrists, worn by a bishop under a
chimere.
113. Rood: A cross or crucifix.
114. Sacristy: A room where preparations are made for the worship service, the Lord’s Kitchen. In addition to
the Altar Guild sacristy where we work, there is often a priest’s sacristy where the priest and acolytes vest.
115. Sanctuary: The space inside the altar rail.
116. Sanctuary Light: A light, usually a candle but not necessarily so, in the sanctuary that is constantly lit
whenever there is reserve sacrament present in the aumbry or tabernacle.
117. Service Book or Missal: The large ‘prayer book’ from which the priest reads the service at the altar.
118. Service Book Stand: See ‘Missal Stand’. The stand which holds the service book on the altar.
119. Silk Chalice Veil: A square covering of silk or brocade used to cover the chalice and paten before and
after the Eucharist.
120. Stole: A long narrow band of silk worn over the shoulders of the clergy at the Eucharist. It is worn over the
alb, and usually matches the color of the hangings.
121. Superfrontal or Frontlet: A short hanging for the front of the altar It may be used over a frontal or
separately, and may be made of handsome lace or silk.
122. Surplice: A white vestment with full flowing sleeves. It is longer than a cotta and has a cross on the front.
Worn with the stole, it is the standard clergy vesture for any of the church’s offices.
123. Thurible: A censer. A vessel for burning incense; especially a covered incense burner swung on chains in
a religious ceremony.
124. Tippet: A black scarf, wider than a stole, worn about the neck, with ends hanging down the front. It is
worn by the clergy at choir offices. Usually the diocesan shield and the shield of the priest’s seminary are on
the ends of the tippet.
125. VESTED CHALICE: The chalice, covered by a purificator, paten and host wafer, ready to be used by the
priest. A priest’s host is not placed on the paten when the host is being presented from the oblation table.
126. VESTMENTS: The special garments worn by the priest and other ministers of the service.
127. VICAR: A priest in charge of a mission or chapel
128. WAFER: The unleavened bread used at the Eucharist.
MINISTERS AT SERVICES {HOLY COMMUNION}
To minister means to serve. All of the following people serve the community, helping him to worship well.
1. PRIEST (CELEBRANT) - the person who presides over the celebration.
2. ALTAR SERVERS - young people who help the priest by taking things from the credence table to the altar
and also by leading the community in prayer
3. LECTOR - the person who reads the first two readings and sometimes the responsorial psalm
4. CURATE/ASSISTING PRIEST - the person who assists in distributing Communion
ALTAR SERVER PROCEDURES
The main actions that you will perform during Services. We will talk about them, demonstrate them and guide you
as you practice them. Remember to discuss these things with your priests.
Before Mass Begins
1. Arrive latest 15 minutes before Service begins.
2. Get dressed in Alb, and Cotta surplice
3. Set the table for Holy Communion service.
4. Take gifts to the table in the back of the church or Credence table.
5. Say prayers with priest at Vestry.
6. In the good order, line up at the back of the church.
7. Get processional cross and line up in the back of the church.
8. Take the priest vestments and place them properly at the vestry.
Introductory Rite
1. As you process from the back of the church toward the altar, keep about 1-2 pews between you and the other
altar servers.
2. The cross-bearer and the Gospel bearers meet at the entrance of the Chancel and bow heads together.
3. Return to the altar.
Liturgy of the Word
1. Pay attention to the readings and Gospel as the lector and priest read them aloud.
2. Recite the reaffirmation of Faith using the prayer book.
REMEMBER:
 Altar servers should fold their fingers with fingers pointed upward. This is a sign of greater respect.
 At all times alter servers should not rush. Your movements should be slow and graceful.
HOW TO LAY OUT EUCHARISTIC VESTMENT OR HOW TO SET THE ALTAR TABLE FOR HOLY
COMMUNION
Step 1 – Open the FOLDED CORPORAL and center it on the Altar at the edge of the Fair Linen, with the
embroidered cross toward the priest.
Step 2 – Place the CHALICE in the center of the Corporal.with the cross facing the congregation.

Step 3 – Place the middle third of a FOLDED PURIFICATOR over the Chalice, with the end thirds hanging
over each side of the Chalice.

Step 4 – place a PATEN {Small metal flat plate} on the Purificator

Step 5 – place a HOST WAFER/BREAD {Big round wafer} on the paten

Step 6 – place a PALL {square shape} on the Host bread

Step 7 – Place the VEIL {small Liturgical colour linen} over the Pall, so that the front and back edges touch the
Altar Table. with the cross facing the congregation.

Step 8 - Place the BURSE on top of the Veiled Chalice, with opening facing the Celebrant.

Other Items on the Altar Table

1. Two Eucharistic or Altar Candles should be placed on the Altar Table, one on either end.
2. The Missal (Service Book) and Missal Stand should also be placed on the Altar Table. (See Prepared Altar
Table)
3. The Vested Chalice, two Eucharistic Candles, and the Missal/Missal Stand are the elements present on the
Altar Table during Holy Eucharist.
 Preparing the Credence Table

Cover the Credence Table/Credence Shelf with a “Credence Cloth”.

Place two Cruets (glass , silver, etc.), one water (left) and one wine (right), on the Credence Table, right rear.
Place the Ciborium or Bread Box, filled with appropriate number of wafers, center right front.
Place the Lavabo Bowl at the left front. The Lavabo Towel is placed across the bowl itself or on the Credence
Table next to the Lavabo Bowl.
Place the Alms Basin or Alms Bag on a shelf underneath the Credence Table/Shelf; alternatively, place it on a
small table or stool nearby, not on the Altar Table.
A Flagon filled with extra wine may also be placed on the Credence Table, as needed.
Reserved elements (blessed wine and bread) may be placed in an Aumbry in order to take Holy Communion to
those in the hospital or those unable to attend church for other physical or mental illness.

PRIEST’S VESTMENTS
1. ALB - A long white dress-like vestment used by all Liturgical ministers
2. CHASUBLE - A sleeveless outer vestment that is slipped over the head and covers the stole and alb. Its colour
varies according to the feast of the day or season.
3. CINCTURE/GIRDLE - Cord used to fasten the Alb at the waist
4. STOLE - A long cloth scarf of the same colour and style as the chasuble. It is worn over the alb.
5. VESTMENTS - Any of the garments worn by the priest or by ministers who assist him
6. CASSOCK – Long gown worn by the clergy as daily office dress both indoors and outdoors. Also used by
servers and choir.
7. SUPPLICE - White linen, reaching to the knee. Worn by clergy, choir or servers.
8. HOOD AND SCARF – black worn usually with hood by clergy at Mattins or Evensong.
HOOD – It was medieval headdress. Today it denotes University degree or Theological College the clergy
attended. Each has its own distinctive colour.
9. COLLAR
10. CLERICAL SHIRT
11. PREACHER’S BAND
COLORS OF VESTMENTS
The Liturgical Calendar will help you to decide upon the color of cincture that you should wear during Mass. The
priest will wear a similar colored chasuble.
WHITE: Expresses purity, joy, glory; White is used for some Saint Days.
RED symbolizes the fire of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. During the Lord’s Passion it represents the blood of
Christ shed on the cross for our salvation and on certain feast days it represents the blood of those apostles and
martyrs who died for the faith.
VIOLET: Expresses humility, sorrow and is a sign of waiting and anticipation; Violet is used during the Season
of Advent as a sign of waiting and anticipation and during Lent as a sign of humility and reconciliation. Violet
represents the crown of thorns that was placed on Jesus’ head.
GREEN: Expresses hope and trust; Green is used during Ordinary Time of the Church {Trinity}. Green
represents the new life that we have in Jesus.
GOLD: Expresses honour and praise; Gold is used in place of white. Gold represents God’s perfect light.
SEASONS IN THE CHURCH
1. Advent – Purple/Violet
2. Christmas – White/Gold
3. New Year - White/Gold
4. Epiphany - White/Gold
5. Lent - Purple/Violet
6. Holy week (Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday)
7. Easter - White/Gold
8. Ascension - White/Gold
9. Pentecost - Red
10. Trinity – Green
PARTS OF THE HOLY COMMUNION
When to Stand, Sit and Kneel at Mass
During the: You Should:
†Entrance STAND
† Greeting STAND
† Penitential Act STAND
†Gloria STAND
† Ante - Communion STAND
LITURGY OF THE WORD
† First Reading SIT
† Responsorial Psalm STAND
† N. T. Reading / Epistle SIT
† The Gospel STAND
† The Homily/Sermon SIT
† Reaffirmation of Faith STAND
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
† Preparation of the Altar STAND
† Preparation of the Gifts STAND
† Eucharistic Prayer 1 STAND
† Absolution KNEEL
† Greetings of Peace STAND
† Breaking of the Bread KNEEL
† Holy Communion Distribution STAND (When Assisting) and then SIT (When doing nothing)
† Purification of Vessels/ Ablution STAND
† Prayer after Communion KNEEL
CONCLUDING RITE
† The Blessing / Benediction KNEEL
† The Dismissal STAND