SERVING AT MISSA CANTATA (Common Liturgical Actions)

Common Liturgical Actions

Avoid affectation when you are serving, exaggerated bows or other movements are to be avoided.

All actions should be performed with care, deliberation and dignity, without either undue haste or excessive slowness.

Standing

Always stand up straight; there is nothing especially holy about being stooped.

Walking

Walk gracefully, reverently and erect.

Never walk backwards, especially never walk backwards down the altar steps. It is dangerous, and there is no reason to assume that Almighty God is greatly honoured by a server breaking his neck.

If two or more servers are walking together, they should always move at the same pace.

Do not turn your back unnecessarily on the Blessed Sacrament or the altar.

Sitting

When you sit, sit erect. Unless you are holding anything, rest your hands flat on your knees.

Kneeling

Kneel upright. You should not normally bow when you are kneeling.

Hands

Keep your hands joined on your breast, either with the palm laid against each other with your fingers extended and your thumbs crossed one over the other, or with your fingers clasped together.

The first way is the better.

When you are holding something in one hand, the other should be laid flat on your breast.

When you hand anything to the Celebrant, it is proper always to use the right hand to give it to him. (Acolytes: when you are handing, the cruets to the Celebrant, you use your right hand, when you take the cruets back, use your left hand.)

Genuflections

There are two types of genuflection: the single genuflection and the double genuflection.

A single genuflection is made by bending your right knee and lowering it to touch the ground close to your left heel. Your body should be kept upright and your hands be joined before your breast. You do not bow while you are genuflecting, nor do you make the sign of the cross as you genuflect.

To make a double genuflection make a single genuflection and then bend your left knee and place it on your ground beside your right one (in other words: kneel), and, in this case, make a moderate bow before rising. Keep your hands joined on your breast while you perform these movements.

Bows

There are two types of bow: Simple or Deep.

A simple bow is made by only bowing the head. It is not, however, just a nod.

To make a deep bow bend your head and shoulders. Do not, however, bow from the waist.