The Holy Mass - Server Instructions

~ Latin Mass ~

The Mass of St Gilles (c. 1500)
National Gallery, London

Appendix II

Server Instructions

Prior to the start of Mass the altar candles should be lighted. They are lighted on the Epistle side first, then on the Gospel side. At High Mass, light the candle closest to the tabernacle first, then in order to the furthest candle.

In the sacristy, when the priest gives the signal, bow to the crucifix, ring the bells, and enter the Sanctuary. Proceed to the center of the Sanctuary floor and face the Altar. Stand until the priest genuflects; genuflect with the priest and remain kneeling.

P. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

Make the sign of the cross with the priest.

P. Introibo ad altare Dei.

S. Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.
Ahd Day'oom quee lay-tee'fee-cott yoo-ven-too'tem may'ahm.

Skip this next section in Masses for the dead

P. Judica me, Deus et discerne causam meam de gente non sancta: ab homine iniquo et doloso erue mea.

S. Quia tu es Deus fortitudo mea: / quare me repulisti? /
Quee'ah too es Day'oos for-tee-too'doh may'ah quah'ray may ray-poo-lee'stee

et quare tristis incedo, / dum affligit me inimicus?
ett quah'ray tree'stiss in-chay'doh doom ahf-flee'jit may in-ee-mee'koos?

P. Emitte lucem tuam et veritatem tuam: ipsa me deduxerunt et adduxerunt in montem sanctum tuum, et in tabernacula tua.

S. Et introibo ad altare Dei: / ad Deum qui
Ett intro-ee'boh ahd ahl-tah'ray Dayee ahd Day'oom quee

laetificat juventutem meam.
lay-tee'fee-cott you-veen-too'tem may'ahm.

P. Confitebor tibi in cithara, Deus, Deus meus: quare tristis es anima mea, et quare conturbas me?

S. Spera in Deo / quoniam adhuc confitebor illi;
Spay'rah in Day'oh quo'nee-ahm ahd'hook kon-fee-tay'bore il'lee

salutare vultus mei, / et Deus meus.
sah-loo-tah'ray vool'toos may'ee ett Day'oos may'oos.

Bow #1 as the priest says:

P. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.

S. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, / et in
See'koot air'rot in prin-chee'pee-oh ett noonk ett sem'pair ett in

saecula saeculorum. Amen.
say'koo-lah say-koo-lore'room. Ah-men.

P. Introibo ad altare Dei.

S. Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam. Ahd Day'oom quee lay-tee'fee-cott you-ven-too'tem may'ahm.

P. Adjutorium † nostrum in nomine Domini.

Make the sign of the cross with the priest.

S. Qui fecit caelum et terram.
Quee fay'chitt chay'loom ett tiar'rahm.

P. Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, beatae Mariae semper Virgini, beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato Joanni Baptistae, sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo, omnibus Sanctis, et vobis fratres, quia peccavi nimis cogitatione verbo, et opere: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo precor beatam Mariam semper Virginem, beatum Michaelem Archangelum, beatum Joannem Baptistam, sanctos Apostolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, et vos fratres, orare pro me ad Dominum Deum nostrum.

Bow #3 leaning towards the priest and say:

S. Misereatur tui omnipotens Deus, / et
Miz-zay-ray-ah'toor too'ee ohm-nee'poe-tenz Day'oos, ett

dimissis peccatis tuis, / perducat te ad
dee-mee'sees pay-kah'tees too'ees, pair-doo'kott tay ahd

vitam aeternam.
vee'tahm ay-tair'nahm.

P. Amen

Bow #3 with head and shoulders turned towards the altar and say:

S. Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, / beatae Mariae
kon-fee'tay-ore Day'oh ohm-nee-poh-ten'tee, bay-ah'tay Mah-ree'ay

semper virgini, / beato Michaeli archangelo, /
sem'pair Veer'jee-nee bay-ah'toh Mee-kah-ay'lee Ark-ahn'jay-loh,

beato Joanni Baptistae, / sanctis Apostolis
bay-ah'toh Yo-ahn'nee Bahp-tee'stay, sahnk'tees Ah-poh'stoh-lees

Petro et Paulo, / omnibus Sanctis,
Pay'tro ett Pow'loh, ohm'nee-boos Sahnk'tees,

Continue bow #3, turn head and shoulders towards the priest.

et tibi, Pater, /
ett tib'bee Pah'tair,

Continue bow #3, turn head and shoulders back towards the altar.

quia peccavi nimis cogitatione, verbo, et opere:
quee'ah pay-kah'vee nee'mees koh-jee-tahd-see-oh'nay, vair'bo, ett oh'pay-ray:

Continue bow #3 and strike your breast three times saying:

mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. /
may'ah kool'pa, may'ah kool'pa, may'ah mohk'see-mah kool'pa.

Ideo precor beatam Mariam semper Virginem, /
ee'day-oh pray'kore bay-ah'toom Mah-ree'ahm sem'pair Veer'jee-nem

beatum Michaelem archangelum, /
bay-ah'toom Mee-kah-ay'lem Ark-ahn'jay-loom,

beatum Joannem Baptistam, /
bay-ah'toom Yo-ahn'nem Bahp-tee'stahm,

sanctos Apostolos Petrum et Paulum, / omnes Sanctos,
sahnk'tohs Ah-poh'stoh-lohs Pay'troom ett Pow'loom, ohm'nays Sahnk'tose

Continue bow #3, turn head and shoulders towards the priest.

et te, Pater, /
ett tay, Pah'tair

Continue bow #3, turn head and shoulders back towards the altar.

orare pro me ad Dominum Deum nostrum.
oh-rah'ray pro may ahd Doh'mee-noom Day'oom noh'troom.

Continue bow #3 with head and shoulders towards the altar.

P. Misereatur vestri omnipotens Deus, et dimissis peccatis vestris, perducat vos ad vitam aeternam.

Return to the kneeling position and answer:

S. Amen.
Ah-men.

Make the sign of the cross with the priest.

P. Indulgentiam, absolutionem et remissionem peccatorum nostrorum, tribuat nobis omnipotens et misericors Dominus.

S. Amen.
Ah-men.

Bow #2 during the following responses:

P. Deus tu conversus vivificabis nos.

S. Et plebs tua laetabitur in te.
Ett playbs too'ah lay-tah'bee-toor in tay.

P. Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam.

S. Et salutare tuum da nobis.
Ett sah-loo-tah'ray too'oom dah noh'bees.

P. Domine exaudi orationem meam.

S. Et clamor meus ad te veniat.
Ett clah.mohr may'oos ahd tay vay'nee-aht.

P. Dominus vobiscum.

S. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Ett koom spee'ree-too too'oh.

Return to the kneeling position; lift the priest's alb as he ascends the altar.

Servers rise together and, without genuflecting, move outward to their proper places by turning toward their respective sides and walking straight ahead (never side-step or back-up). Turn together back towards the altar and kneel in unison.

P. Oremus.
After the priest reads the Introit, he will return to the altar center and say:

P. Kyrie eleison.

S. Kyrie eleison.
Kee'ree-ay ay-lay'ee-sohn

P. Kyrie eleison.

S. Christe eleison.
Kree'stay ay-lay'ee-sohn

P. Christe eleison.

S. Christe eleison.
Kree'stay ay-lay'ee-sohn

P. Kyrie eleison.

S. Kyrie eleison.
Kee'ree-ay ay-lay'ee-sohn

P. Kyrie eleison.

The following is omitted during Lent, Advent, and Masses for the Dead.

P. Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te. Gratias agimus tibi propter magn am gloriam tuam. Domine Deus rex coelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens. Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris, Qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis.Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dominus, tu solus altissimus, Jesu Christe, cum Sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.

After kissing the altar, the priest turns toward the people and says:

P. Dominus vobiscum.

S. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Ett koom spee'ree-too too'oh.

P. Oremus.

After reading the Collect, the priest will join his hands and say:

P. Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

S. Amen.
Ah-men.

The priest may read several more prayers, respond when you hear:

P. Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

S. Amen.
Ah-men.

After reading the Epistle, the priest will move his left hand from the side of the Missal to the altar. When you see this signal, respond with:

S. Deo gratias.
Day'oh grahd'see-ahs

Servers rise together, each turns towards the other server and walks to the center. Both then turn towards the altar and genuflect. The first server will need to take a step back so to allow the second server to pass. The second server moves to the Epistle side of the sancutary floor, facing in the same direction as the priest, to the right of and slightly behind his position. The priest will be praying over the Missal, when he is finished you will need to move the Missal to the Gospel side of the altar. This is done by ascending the steps, carefully lifting the Missal and its stand, and then descending the steps to to your previous position next to the other server. The servers here genuflect together. At the same time, the first server will take three steps to the Epistle side and turn to face towards the Missal, during this, the second server ascends the steps and places the Missal on the Gospel side of the altar. Turn the Missal to the right so that it faces the priest, then descend the steps to a position on the Gospel side of the sancutary floor, to the left of and slightly behind the priest's position, here turn around and face the Missal.

P. Dominus vobiscum.

S. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Ett koom spee'ree-too too'oh.

P. Sequentia (or Initium) Sancti Evangelii secundum [ NAME ].

With the priest, sign yourself three times using the right thumb by making a small cross on the forehead, lips, and in center of your chest while saying:

S. Gloria tibi Domine.
Gloh'ree-ah tib'bee Doh'mee-nay.

The second server now returns to his proper position on the Gospel side of the sancutary floor, remain standing and turn to face toward the Missal. When the Priest is finished reading the Gospel, respond by saying:

S. Laus tibi, Christe.
Louse tib'bee kree'stay.

If the priest is to provide a sermon, walk to the side bench and be seated. Remain attentive, eyes forward with you hands folded or on your knees. After the sermon, return to the center, genuflect with the priest, and then proceed in unison to your proper places.

Immediately kneel, if the Credo is read, servers bow #2 during the words "ET INCARNATUS EST DE SPIRITU SANCTO EX MARIA VIRGINE: ET HOMO FACTUS EST." After the Credo, return to a kneeling position.

P. Dominus vobiscum.

S. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Ett koom spee'ree-too too'oh.

After the Offertory, the priest will uncover the chalice, servers rise together, genuflect in the center, and go to the credence table.

The first server takes the wine cruet, the second server takes the water cruet. Ascend the steps together, bow when the priest turns toward you. The first server kisses the handle and hands the wine cruet to the priest, kiss the handle again when it is returned to you. The second server kisses the handle and hands the water cruet to the priest, kissing the handle again when it is returned. (Kissing the cruets is omitted in Masses for the dead.) Both servers bow and, turning towards each other, return to the credence table.

The first server now takes the towel, the second server retains the water cruet and takes the bowl. Ascend the steps together, bow when the priest turns toward you. The second server pours the water over the priests fingers, catching it in the bowl. The first server hands the towel to the priest. Fold your hands while the priest uses the towel. When the towel is returned, both servers bow and, turning towards each other, return to the credence table.

The first server should take the bells. Both servers proceed in single file back to their places, genuflect together in the center.

P. Orate fratres, et meum ac vestrum sacrificium acceptabile fiat apud Deum Patrem omnipotentem.

S. Suscipiat Dominus sacrificium de manibus
Soo-shee'pee-ott Doh'mee-noose sah-kree-fee'chee-oom day mah'nee-boose

tuis ad laudem et gloriam nominis sui,
too'eese / odd lou-dem ett gloh'ree-ahm noh'mee-neese soo'ee /

ad utilitatem quoque nostram,
ahd oo-tee-lee-tah'tem quoh'quay noh'strahm, /

totiusque Ecclesiae suae sanctae.
tohd-see-oos'kway ay-clay'see-ay soo'ay sahnk'tay

P. Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

S. Amen.
Ah-men.

P. Dominus vobiscum.

S. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Ett koom spee'ree-too too'oh.

P. Sursum corda.

S. Habemus ad Dominum.
Hah-bay'moos ahd Doh'mee-noom.

P. Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.

S. Dignum et justum est.
Deen'yoom ett yoo'stoom est.

The priest will end the Preface with the words "sine fine dicentes", at this time bow #3. As the priest says "Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus", the first server will rings the bells three times.

P. Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.

Return to the kneeling position and make the sign of the cross.

After the "Hanc igitur" prayer, the priest will hold his hands over the chalice, this is the signal for the first server to ring the bells once, then both servers arise and ascend the steps. Kneel next to the priest, just behind him and to his right and left.

Bow #3 with head and shoulders low at each of the priest's four genuflections, the bells are rung once at each genuflection, and once at the two elevations. At the elevatons, each server returns to a kneeling position and lifts a corner of the priest's chasuble.

Before saying the Pater Noster, the priest will genuflect and say

P. Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

S. Amen.
Ah-men.

P. Pater noster, qui es in coelis: sanctificetur nomen tuum: adveniat regnum tuum: fiat voluntas tua, sicut in coelo, et in terra. Panem nostrum quotibianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem.

S. Sed libera nos a malo.
Sed lee'bay-rah nohs ah mah'lloh.

After the breaking of the Sacred Host:

P. Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

S. Amen.
Ah-men.

P. Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.

S. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Ett koom spee'ree-too too'oh.

At the Agnus Dei, bow #2. While the priest consumes the Sacred Host, bow #3. After this, the first server will rise, genuflect in the middle, and proceed to the credence table to exchange the bells for the paten. As the first server is returning, the second server will rise and both kneel on top of the altar steps if they are receiving communion. Bow #3 while the priest consumes the Precious Blood and say the Confiteor once again.