Editing Altar server (section)

===Duties at Mass ===
[[File:Priest_or_seminarian_with_thurible.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6|An altar server carrying a [[thurible]] is called a thurifer]]
In the absence of instituted acolytes, some of their functions at [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] may be carried out by altar servers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/GIRM/Documents/GIRM.pdf|title=General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 100|website=liturgyoffice.org.uk}}</ref>
*Servers hold liturgical books for the priest when he is not at the altar and is proclaiming the presidential prayers with outstretched hands. They bring and hold such things as books, thuribles, the [[lavabo]] water and towel, vessels to hold the consecrated bread, and microphones.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/GIRM/Documents/CTM.pdf|title=Catholic Bishops' Conference of England & Wales, ''Celebrating the Mass: A Pastoral Introduction'' (Catholic Truth Society 2005), p. 19|website=liturgyoffice.org.uk}}</ref>
* Entrance: The entrance procession is led by a [[thurifer]] with burning incense (if incense is used at the Mass) and a [[cross-bearer]] carrying a [[processional cross]], who is flanked on either side by another server bearing a lighted [[candle]].<ref>''[[General Instruction of the Roman Missal]]'', no. 120</ref>
* Proclamation of the Gospel: If incense is used, a server presents to the priest at the [[Alleluia]] or other pre-Gospel chant the thurible and the incense that he puts in the thurible and blesses,<ref>General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 132</ref> and servers, who may carry the thurible and lighted candles, precede to the [[ambo (liturgy)|ambo]] the deacon or priest who proclaims the Gospel there.<ref>''[[General Instruction of the Roman Missal]]'', nos. 133, 175</ref>
* Preparation of the Gifts: One or more servers assist in arranging the corporal, the purificator(s), the chalice(s), the pall(s), and the Missal on the altar, leaving it to the deacon to take care of the sacred vessels.<ref>''[[General Instruction of the Roman Missal]]'', nos. 139, 178</ref> (At a concelebrated Mass without participation by a deacon, a concelebrating priest carries out the functions assigned to the deacon.)<ref>''[[General Instruction of the Roman Missal]]'', no. 208</ref> If, as is appropriate, the bread and wine for the Mass are presented by the faithful, servers assist the priest or deacon who receives these and perhaps other gifts and carry the bread and wine to the priest, placing other gifts in a place distinct from the altar.<ref>''[[General Instruction of the Roman Missal]]'', nos. 73, 140</ref> They present the [[cruet]]s of wine and water for the priest or deacon to pour some into the chalice.<ref>''[[General Instruction of the Roman Missal]]'', no. 142</ref> If incense is used, a server presents the thurible and incense to the priest, who incenses the offerings, the cross and the altar, after which the deacon or a server incenses the priest and the people.<ref>''[[General Instruction of the Roman Missal]]'', nos. 144, 178</ref><ref>The ''[[General Instruction of the Roman Missal]]'' makes no reference to a separate incensing of concelebrants (cf. [https://www.ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zlitur256.htm Edward McNamara, "Incensing the Congregation"]).</ref> When the priest then washes his hands standing at the side of the altar, a server pours the water over them.<ref>''[[General Instruction of the Roman Missal]]'', no. 145</ref>
* Consecration: An altar server rings a bell shortly before the consecration, generally at the [[epiclesis]] (when the priest extends his hands above the gifts). In accordance with local custom, a server also rings the bell when, after the consecrations of the bread and wine, the priest shows the Host and then the Chalice. If incense is used, a server incenses the consecrated host and the chalice while these are being shown to the people.<ref>''[[General Instruction of the Roman Missal]]'', no. 150</ref>
* Sign of Peace: The priest or deacon may give the sign of peace to servers, while remaining within the sanctuary.<ref>''[[General Instruction of the Roman Missal]]'', nos. 154, 181</ref>
* Distribution of Holy Communion: In some places it is customary for servers to assist at the distribution of Holy Communion by holding a [[communion-plate]] for communicants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.holytrinityparish.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Holy-Trinity-Altar-Boy-Handbook-to-Print-9-8-09.pdf |title=''Altar Boy Handbook'' of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Gainesville, Virginia (2009), p. 16 |access-date=2018-07-14}}</ref> Whether it is to be held by communicants or by a server, a communion-plate is placed on the [[credence table]] before Mass.<ref>''[[General Instruction of the Roman Missal]]'', no. 118</ref><ref>[https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html#_ftnref180 Instruction ''Redemptionis sacramentum'', 93]</ref> Its use (held by the communicants) is prescribed when Holy Communion is given by [[intinction]].<ref>''[[General Instruction of the Roman Missal]]'', no. 118</ref>
* Recessional: The servers lead the priest and any other clergy as at the entrance procession, except that a server who acted as thurifer at the entrance now follows the cross-bearer.<ref>General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 169</ref>
* If a bishop celebrates Mass solemnly, two servers, wearing [[vimpa]]e, hold the [[mitre]] and the [[crosier]], and present them at the appropriate times.