Need to be at church 30 minutes prior to Mass (4 or 6 Altar Servers)

Holy Thursday Mass celebrates the Last Supper.  There are several important roles for the Altar Servers during this Mass. There will be a rehearsal for this Mass for all the Altar Servers participating in this Mass.

Washing of the Feet—The Priest and Deacon will wash the feet of 12 members of the congregation as Jesus did during the Last Supper. 2 Altar Servers will assist the Priest and 2 will assist the Deacon. One server will carry a basket with clean towels and one server will carry a basket for the used towels. When you are through with the washing of the feet, place the baskets on the Altar in the spot designated by the Priest or Deacon.

At the end of Mass, the Altar is cleared except for the ciborium. The Altar Servers with the Cross and Candles will stand at the foot of the sanctuary. There will also be an Altar Server with the incense.  An Altar Server will place the Humeral Veil on the Priest.  The Cross bearer will lead the processing out of the church (down the center aisle turn right and up the side aisle and out the side door). The Altar Server with the incense will follow as will the Altar Servers with the candles. The congregation then follow and the Priest and Deacon are last to leave the upstairs church.

The Altar Servers will line up in front of the sanctuary in the downstairs chapel. They will stand there quietly and respectively as the congregation’ process in. Then the Priest and Deacon will enter. The Priest will use the incense to adore the Blessed Sacrament.  After a few moments of silent prayer, the Altar Servers will process out via the sacristy.

Please note: All decorations, must be removed from the sanctuary upstairs on Holy Thursday. Altar Servers should offer to assist moving the various items.  Please be sure to ask before you move anything.