Low Mass with one server

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Low Mass with One Server

1. BEGINNING OF MASS: Prayers at the Foot.

2. WORD: The Introit, Kyrie, (Gloria), Epistle, Gradual, Gospel, (Credo)

3. OFFERTORY: Cruets, Lavabo, Sanctus

4. CANON: Consecration

5. COMMUNION

6. ABLUTIONS

7. END OF MASS: Blessing, Last Gospel, Leonine Prayers, process out

 

Introduction

For those who know how to serve low Mass but are new to St. Joseph, please note the following customs which may not be done in other places:

 

• Sanctus Candle: The AC lights this and places it on the altar after ringing the bells for the Sanctus. It is blown out and removed after Communion when the Tabernacle is closed.

• Domine Non Sum Dignus. Ring the bells:

  • 1st:    🔔

  • 2nd:  🔔🔔

  • 3rd:   🔔🔔🔔

• Second Confiteor: recite before Communion after the priest has finished receiving the Precious Blood and sets the chalice back on the Altar.

Preparation

• Remove the Vesperale (Altar Cover).

• Set out the Altar Cards, Missal. N.B. The Lavabo card always goes on the Epistle Side or the right side of the Altar.

• Light the Candles: first light the Epistle Side, then the Gospel side.

• Turn on the microphone. This is done even if there will be no sermon.

• Turn on all the lights in the sanctuary.

• Recite the Guild Prayers before Mass.

 

1. Beginning of Mass

Help the priest to vest. Hold the cincture with the tassels facing to the right. When it is time for Mass to begin, bow to the Cross. If the priest says the optional prayer, be sure to give the response:

V. Procedamus in pace. (Let us proceed in peace)

R. In nomine Christi. Amen. (In the name of Christ. Amen)

Or

V. Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini. (Our help is in the name of the Lord)

R. Qui fecit caelum et terram. (Who made Heaven and earth)

The Acolyte leads the priest to the sanctuary.

At the entrance to the sanctuary, the server offers holy water to the priest, then rings the bell. The server leads the priest along the communion rail then takes his place slightly right of center at the foot of the altar.

Once you arrive at the sanctuary, the server takes the biretta: first kiss the hand of the priest, then the biretta.

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PRINCIPLE: Whenever you receive an item, first kiss the priest's hand, then the item. When you give the item, kiss the item first, then the hand. This is called the Solita oscula or "the usual kisses."

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Genuflect to the Altar, then quickly lift the priest's alb as he ascends. The server places the biretta on the sedilia, returns to the center to genuflect, then stands slightly to the Gospel side. Once the priest comes down, he kneels to the priest’s left and says the responses. 

For the confiteor, make a profound bow. At the words et tibi pater, bow towards the priest. Strike your breast at the words mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Rise and kneel straight up for the Indulgentiam.

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Make a shoulder bow for the next prayers starting with Deus tu conversus. At the Oremus, lift the hem of the alb as he ascends, then go to kneel on the cushion on the Gospel (left) side of the Altar steps.

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2: The Word

Cross yourself at the first words of the Introit. Make the responses for the various prayers: Kyrie, Dominus vobiscum, etc. Pay attention as the priest reads the Epistle. When he is done, he will signal you to say Deo gratias by placing his hand on the Altar. You then get up to transfer the Missal from the Epistle Side to the Gospel Side.

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PRINCIPLE: Always go the long way around the Altar when you are not carrying anything. But if you are carrying something (e.g. the Missal), you can "cut corners."

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Carry the Missal, cutting corners, to the center of the Altar, genuflect, then go up and place the Missal at the end of the Gospel Side facing the Missal at an angle towards "liturgical North." Then go and stand facing the Missal on the highest step and wait for the priest to begin the Gospel. Sign yourself with the priest on your forehead, mouth, and heart. If the Holy Name of Jesus is mentioned in the first couple lines, wait until then to bow, then descend to listen to the rest of the Gospel at your place (by the cushion).

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When the Gospel is finished, respond with Laus tibi, Christe.

 

If there is a sermon

If there is a sermon, the priest will normally place the maniple on the Missal. Meet him at the foot of the Altar, genuflect, then go to sit in the acolyte seats while he preaches. If he uses a biretta for the sermon, get it from the sedilia before meeting him for the genuflection. When the sermon is over, go to meet the priest at the foot of the Altar (receive the biretta if he used it), genuflect, then kneel in your usual places.

If there is a Credo, kneel at your place. Make the sign of the cross at the end. Then continue with the Mass as usual.

3. The Offertory

When the Gospel is finished (or after the Credo), the priest will turn and say Dominus vobiscum. After responding, the acolyte rises, goes to the right side of the altar, and waits for the priest to finish the Offertory prayer to assist with the Chalice veil.

When the prayer is complete, the server ascends the Altar to get the chalice veil from the priest. He folds the veil in three, then goes down to get the cruets. The server removes the stoppers and holds the wine cruet in his right hand and the water in his left. Make sure the handle is facing the priest.

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PRINCIPLE: If you are holding one item, hold it in your right hand and keep your left hand against your breast, just below the sternum.

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When the priest approaches, bow, then ascend to the top step. First give the wine cruet with the right hand, then switch the water cruet to the right hand. Receive the wine back in the left hand and offer the water in the right. Switch the wine back to your right hand to receive the water in your left hand. 

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PRINCIPLE: Always give an item with the right hand and receive with the left.

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Once he is finished with the cruets, return to the credence table and prepare for the Lavabo:

Hold the water cruet in your right hand, Lavabo dish in your left with the lavabo towel opened and draped over your left wrist. Pour a little water, then stop when the priest raises his fingers. Once this is finished, get the bells and go to the cushion on the epistle (left) side of the altar.

Pay attention because soon the priest will turn and say Orate Fratres. Do not begin the Suscipiat until the priest has completely turned back to face the Altar.

 

4. CANON: Consecration

At the Sanctus, ring the bells three times clearly and lightly. 🔔🔔🔔

After the Sanctus is recited, light the Sanctus candle and place it on the shelf on the left of the altar. If there are flowers in the way, light the candle but leave it on the credence table.

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At the Hanc Igitur, ring the bells once, then stand (still holding the bells), then ascend to kneel on either side of the priest for the consecration. When the priest bows to pronounce the words, bow profoundly. The server rings the bells:

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Genuflection: 🔔

Elevation:       🔔🔔🔔

Genuflection: 🔔

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When the priest elevates the host, lift the chasuble gracefully so that it curves. Be careful not to raise it so high that the lining of the chasuble is visible. Repeat for the consecration of the chalice. After this, go down to the center, genuflect, and return to your spot.

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Be alert for the various responses after the consecration.

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🔔 At the minor elevation, when the priest raises the Host and Chalice together, ring the bell.

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5. COMMUNION

After the Agnus Dei, AC1 will watch for the priest to say Domine non sum dignus. Do not lift the bells until right before you are about to ring. When you ring the bell for the Domine non sum dignus, ring it according to the following diagram:

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1st:    🔔

2nd:  🔔🔔

3rd:   🔔🔔🔔

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Once the priest consumes the host, rise when he uncovers the chalice. Go to the credence table to get the communion paten. Returns to the center, genuflect, then go to kneel on the top step. Begin the Confiteor once the priest has consumed the Precious Blood and places the chalice back on the Altar. 

 

PRINCIPLE: Always hold the paten under the communicant's chin. The paten is there to catch particles and even a host if it were to fall. 

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Once the last person receives Communion, give the paten to the priest and go to kneel at the side steps of the altar by the credence table. Remain kneeling until the Tabernacle closes.

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6. ABLUTIONS

Once the Tabernacle closes, go up to get the Sanctus Candle, blow it out, then return to the credence table. Hold the wine cruet in your right hand and the water cruet in your left. Hold both cruets by the handles.

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When the priest is ready, approach and pour a small amount of wine in the chalice. When the priest raises the chalice, stop pouring. Be careful not to let the cruet touch the chalice!

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Next the priest will come to the side of the Altar. Pour a few DROPS of wine, then pour more water. Some priests might want to empty the water cruet, but do not pour too quickly or it will splash. Once you are finished, place the cruets back on the credence table.

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Next go to transfer the Missal and Chalice Veil. First, go the long way around the altar to retrieve the book, then cut the corner to place it back on the Epistle (right) side. Then take the chalice veil and cut the corner to transfer it to the Gospel (left) side. Remember to flip it around so the emblem faces the people when you are going down the altar steps.

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Once you arrive with the veil, help the priest build the chalice: offer the Burse for the corporal, hand the veil, then give the Burse to the priest. Once finished, leave and kneel at your place on the Gospel (left) side.

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7. END OF MASS

Once the chalice is built, the priest will read the Communion and Post Communion. When that is finished, he will close the Missal. Once he gives the Ite missa est and the Final Blessing, stand for the Last Gospel. Remember to sign yourself along with the priest. When the priest begins reciting the Gospel, say the usual responses, then go to the Epistle side (remembering to genuflect when crossing the center), and stand facing the Gospel. Genuflect at the words Et verbum caro factum est, etc. Reply Deo gratias at the end.

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If there are any prayers or novenas after Mass, make sure to give the priest the card, otherwise just kneel down with the priest for the Leonine Prayers. Once these are finished, give the biretta with the solita oscula, then depart through the Epistle Side exit.

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Once in the Sacristy, bow to the Cross. If the priest says the optional prayer after the Mass, make the usual response:

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R. Prosit (may it benefit)

V. Omnibus et singulis (each and every person)

Then kneel for the blessing saying Jube domne benedicere (Pray thee sir a blessing).

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After receiving the blessing, go back out to recite the Thanksgiving Prayers, then take down the Altar unless there is another Mass.