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Low Mass with two servers

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Introduction

At St. Joseph, we use the "Book and Bells" method common in the United States before Vatican II. AC1 always uses the bells: AC2 always kneels on the same side as the Missal and transfers it at various points in the Mass. 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:

  • Serve according to the "Book and Bells" method mentioned above.

  • Sanctus Candle: AC1 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)


 

Both Acolytes lead the priest to the sanctuary walking shoulder to shoulder:

          AC1 AC2

               C

 

At the entrance to the sanctuary, AC2 offers holy water to the priest, then to AC1. AC1 rings the bell. Once you arrive at the sanctuary, AC2 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. AC2 places the biretta on the sedilia, then returns to the center. Once the priest comes down, when the priest genuflects, the servers kneel on either side and give the responses. AC1 kneels on the left and AC2 kneels on the right.

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  • 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.

  • 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 cushions on either side of the Altar steps.
     

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. AC2 then gets up to transfer the Missal from the Epistle Side to the Gospel Side.

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RULE: 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."

 

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).

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

If there is a sermon, the priest will normally place the maniple on the Missal. Come together with 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.

 

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

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3. The Offertory

When the Gospel is finished (or after the Credo), the priest will turn and say Dominus vobiscum. After responding, both acolytes meet in the center, genuflect, then go to the credence table.

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AC1 goes directly to the credence table to get the wine cruet. AC2 goes around and ascends the Altar to get the chalice veil from the priest. He folds the veil in three, then goes down to get the water cruet. Both hold the cruets in their right hands.

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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, then the water cruet. Make sure the handle is facing the priest.

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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:

AC2 holds the water cruet in his right hand, Lavabo dish in his left. AC1 holds the finger towel. Pour a little water, then stop when the priest raises his fingers. AC1 gives the towel. Once this is finished, AC1 gets the bells and goes with AC2 back to the Altar, genuflect, and both return to their places.

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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.

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4. CANON: Consecration

At the Sanctus, AC1 rings the bells three times clearly and lightly.🔔

At the Hanc Igitur, AC1 rings the bells once🔔, then both acolytes stand (AC1 still holding the bells), come together, then ascend to kneel on either side of the priest for the consecration. When the priest bows to pronounce the words, bow profoundly. AC1 rings the bells:

Genuflection:  🔔

Elevation:        🔔🔔🔔

Genuflection:  🔔


 

When the priest elevates the host, both servers 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.

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Be alert for the various responses after the consecration.

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

 

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:

1st:   ðŸ””

2nd: 🔔🔔

3rd:  🔔🔔🔔

Once the priest consumes the host, both acolytes rise when he uncovers the chalice. AC1 goes to the credence table to get the communion paten. (If this is a Sunday or Holy Day, he will get two patens because there will be two distributors). AC1 returns to the center, both genuflect, then go to kneel on the footpace. Begin the Confiteor once the priest has consumed the Precious Blood and places the chalice back on the Altar.

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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.

 

Once the last person receives Communion, give the paten to the priest and go to kneel at your place at the Altar. Remain kneeling until the Tabernacle closes.

 

 

6. ABLUTIONS

Once the Tabernacle closes, genuflect at the center, then go to the credence table. AC2 goes up to get the Sanctus Candle, blows it out, then returns to the credence. AC1 holds the wine and AC2 holds the water cruet by the handle.

 

When the priest is ready, AC1 approaches and pours 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!

 

Next the priest will come to the side of the Altar. AC1 pours a few DROPS of wine, then AC2 pours 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.

Next go to transfer the Missal and Chalice Veil. Remember: AC2 always gets the book. Both genuflect in the center then go the long way to get the book and veil. AC1 should hold the veil so the emblem always faces the people. Also, once you have an item, you can "cut corners."

 

Once AC1 arrives with the veil, he helps the priest build the chalice: offer the burse for the corporal, hand the veil, then give the burse to the priest. AC2 remains there and watches them build the chalice. Once they are finished, both leave and kneel at their places.

 

 

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. At the end, genuflect with the priest at the words Et verbum caro factum est, etc. Once it is finished, reply Deo gratias.

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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.

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

 

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).

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

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