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Normal Sunday Processional Line-up:
Cue Starting Mark Final Mark Action 5 minutes before Mass starts Altar Server room Baptismal Font Go from altar server room to top of the aisle to pray with deacon and wait for music. Music begins Baptismal Font End of aisle Thurifer (if serving) first. 3 rows separation then crucifer. If no thurifer then the crucifer goes first followed by candle bearers (3 pew separation), followed by prayer hands (3 pew separation) Server reaches end of aisle at the stairs Bottom of stairs in front of altar Altar Server pew Crucifer pauses, bows head, turns right along stairs, goes up stairs behind presider's chair, places cross, genuflects and sits.
Candle bearers pause to let crucifer bow and move, move forward, stop at foot of stairs and bow heads, walk up stairs and place the candles, TURN INWARD TOGETHER, walk down stairs to celebrants stairs, turn to their left straight across celebrants stairs, genuflect and sit.
Prayer hands let candle bearers bow and move forward, step forward to stairs, profound bow of the waist, turn right and walk along bottom of stairs to genuflect TOGETHER at the tabernacle and sit.
Pace should be a reverent walking pace. Not too slow, and not too fast. Maintain your 3 pew distance the entire way. STAY TOGETHER. One server should not be ahead or behind the other (candle holders and prayer hands). Keep pace using your peripheral vision. Don't outpace the lectors, deacon, and priest.
Genuflect the first time you pass in front of the tabernacle. Bow each time you walk in front of the tabernacle after that.
Cross Bearer- The Cross is heavy! The tallest server should carry the cross.
- Walk steady and with pace of the music.
- Hold the cross up high while maintaining control.
- Do not angle the cross forward or backward, keep it straight up.
- Make sure that the crucifix is pointing straight ahead.
Candle Bearers- Keep your hair away from the candle.
- Do not angle forward, backward, side-to-side; hold the candle up straight.
- Do not blow out the candle.
- Do not shift your hands around when holding the candle. If they are too heavy for you to carry, then you should give this duty to another server.
- Only those servers that have received the candle bearer training may assume this duty.
Prayer Hands- Prayer Hands should walk slowly and with grace. Process to the front of the altar. Good prayers hands are folded together with fingers pointed upright.
The only difference with an ordinary processional is the thurifer leads incensing the path of the cross, followed by the crucifer, then candle holders, prayer hands, lectors, deacon, and celebrant(s)
The cross bearer bows at the altar and walks around to the right of the altar behind the Priest and Deacon’s chair and places the crucifix in the holder. The Cross should not be seen from the altar and the crucifix is facing out. Walk in front of tabernacle, “genuflect” to reverence the tabernacle and go to the pew.
If there is a thurifer they will lead the way around the presiders chair and then stand near the edge of the credence table.
The candle bearers next come to the altar and bow. Do not crowd the crucifer! Give him/her space to move off. Walk directly up the steps and place the candles in the holders. They will turn towards each other and walk down to the ceremonial step. They will “genuflect” to reverence the tabernacle and go to the pew.
NOTE: Whoever is doing the first book should stand to the side to allow the other servers to enter the pew.
Finally, the Prayer Hands approach the stairs, bow from the waist, walk on the floor in front of the steps, “genuflect” TOGETHER to reverence the tabernacle and go to the pew. Do not wait for the candle bearers. They will reverence the altar after the prayer hands.
NOTE: Whoever is doing the first book should stand to the side to allow the other servers to enter the pew.