Ministries
Altar Service
Altar servers take the place of angels in heaven who praise and glorify God continuously. It is a great privilege to serve at the Altar of our God and therefore servers are chosen from those who display a desire for a more intimate union with our Lord and God, Jesus Christ. Our loving Saviour becomes present on the Altar, just as He was at the Last Supper and Calvary. Accordingly, Servers have a solemn responsibility to do their assigned duties with dignity and reverence. Our Cathedral parish has Altar Servers (boys and girls), who start after their first communion and continue for as long as we can keep them. All people of good faith are welcome. All that is required is a desire to serve at the Altar of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Dress Code for All Altar Servers
- Shoes – Dress shoes, preferably black or brown shoes for boys and brown, black or white for girls.
- Hair – Hair shall be neat and trimmed, appropriate for boys and girls. Girls shall have their hair tied back so that it is not in their face.
- Jewellery – Do not wear anything that will make noise and/or will be distracting, or that will cause you to have problems serving
- Vestments: Alb, Cincture and Surplice
Altar Server Rules
Attend Altar Server Training Classes. Altar Servers should not leave the sanctuary (madbaha) after the start of the Holy Qurbana for any reason except bathroom emergencies, illness, or when directed to do so by the priest. Serve at every Holy Qurbana that you are scheduled for, or make arrangements to have someone cover the Qurbana. Arrive at least 10 minutes before the Holy Qurbana starts to get dressed and make sure that the duties are assigned. Perform the duties assigned during the Qurbana in the prescribed orderly manner. Maintain a prayerful posture at all times. Be quiet and respectful when in the sanctuary. Remember, you are role models. Make sure that your alb, cincture, and surplice are returned the way you found them.
Altar Servers’ Step-By-Step Guide
Before the Holy Qurbana
Arrive and be dressed 10 minutes before the Holy Qurbana begins. Make sure the alb is the correct size, with the bottom right above the tops of the shoes. Talk to the other servers to determine who will carry the cross, the candles, read prayers, assist at the preparation of gifts, and other duties.
Entrance Procession
After prayer, the altar servers will line up in the following order: Censer and incense (if any), Cross bearer, candle bearers on both sides of the Cross bearer, shortest to tallest altar servers in two lines.
Position of hands during procession: Folded in prayer. Once the choir has begun to sing, the altar servers will proceed to the sanctuary at a normal speed. Once the procession reaches in front of the bema, the servers spread to both sides and line up at the foot of the sanctuary, giving way at the centre for the priest to approach the altar. Then all bow together.
Eight Parts in the Holy Qurbana
1. Introductory Part
From the beginning to the Uthana geetham (sarvathipanam karthave..). As the Uthana geetham begins, all turn to the altar. At namikunnu, all bow down. Again at pukazhthunnu, bow down. Then return to the previous posture.
2. Liturgy of the Word
From trisagion (sabdamuyarthi..) up to the readings. During the first and second readings, all sit. After the second reading, two servers take the candles from the bema, follow the priest on both sides to the altar, and return to stand on both sides of the bema holding the candles to pay respect to the gospel. Put the candles back on the bema after the gospel reading.
While two servers proclaim the karosoosa, one minister helps the priest in preparing the offerings by giving the decanter (small jar of wine) and cruet (small jar of water). One server brings the bowl of water for washing the hands, and another brings the towel to the main celebrant priest.
3. Offertory
From the offertory up to the grand entrance after the Creed.
4. Anaphora
From njangalude karthavaya daivame.. up to Epiclesis (eppozhum eppozhum ennekum). One server from each side (preferably the first in the row) comes forward to receive the peace from the priest and gives it to the first person on each bench. The server keeps hands folded while giving peace.
The bell is rung:
- After the prayer ente ormakayi cheyuvin.
- At the elevation (nithyam jeevikukayum cheyyum).
5. Reconciliation
Preparation for Holy Communion.
6. Breaking of the Host
One server brings the extra ciboriums (bowls to put the consecrated hosts) after the breaking of the Host, if there are any.
7. The Lord’s Prayer & Communion
Servers receive the Holy Communion from the priest and sit prayerfully.
8. Concluding Prayers
After the Holy Qurbana, the servers spread to both sides and line up at the foot of the sanctuary and wait for the priest to come down and stand in the middle. Then all bow together. Return to the sacristy in two lines, with the priest at the end of the line. Do not take candles or cross while returning.
Once all servers reach the sacristy, stand with bowed head to receive the priest's blessing. Then say the following thanksgiving prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for the opportunity to serve you during the Holy Qurbana. May your Spirit always guide me so I may grow in your love by the grace of the Heavenly Father. Amen.
Reminders
When you are standing or sitting and not doing anything, keep your hands folded. Do not play with your cincture or engage in any other distractions.
Respond to the prayers and dialogues of the priest along with the congregation. Join in singing the hymns and other chants of the liturgy, and perform gestures like bowing, and assume postures like kneeling, standing, and sitting.
Whenever the priest blesses the congregation (both with his hands and with the gospel), draw the sign of the cross on yourselves.