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Christ Church St Laurence values the contribution of the Altar servers, who serve Low and Solemn High Mass, Solemn Evensong, at Days of Obligation, and for Weddings and Funerals.
Please scroll down for a series of photographs and more detailed defintions of the roles.
Low Mass has 1 server
Sung Eucharist has an Master of Ceremonies, a Crucifer and two acolytes (who double as taperers)
Solemn High Mass has a Sub-Deacon, Master of Ceremonies, Thurifer, Crucifer, 2 acolytes, 6 taperers and 4 banner bearers (For Feast Days)
Solemn Evensong has an Master Ceremonies, (Sub-Deacon for the Primary Feasts Days of Our Lord, Our Lady, St and Laurence Our Patron), Thurifer, Crucifer, 2 acolytes, and may have 4 banner bearers and up to 6 taperers for Processions and Benediction.
Prayer Before Mass
V: (+) I will go unto the altar of God
R: Even unto the God of my joy and gladness
V: (+) Our help is in the name of the Lord
R: Who has made Heaven and Earth
V: The Lord be with you
R: And also with you
Let us Pray
Come Lord Jesus in the fullness of your grace, and dwell in the hearts of us your servants, that, adoring you by faith, we may with you joy receive you and with love and thankfulness abide in you, our Guide, our Bread of Pilgrims, our Companion along the way. Amen.
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The High Altar dressed for St Laurence Day
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The Sub-Deacon
The Sub-Deacon is one of the Sacred Ministers who is a representative of the laity at the altar. Their responsibilities are to assist the Deacon and Celebrant (e.g. holding the cope out and turning pages). The Sub-Deacon reads the epistle to prepares the elements, vessels and altar at the offertory. He or she is always on the left- hand side of the celebrant. |
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Deacon, Priest and Sub-Deacon in procession |
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The Thurifer
Incense represents prayer assendingto heaven, honour, blessing and offering during Divine Service. The Thurifer is responsible for ensuring the thurible is stoked with burning coals, and be in readiness for censing at certain points of the celebration. To offer the incense to be blessed: - for Processions, the Kyries, the Gospel Procession, the Offertory and the Consecration. The Thurifer also is responsible for censing the Deacon, Servers, Choir and the Congregation. The Thurifer bids the blessing of incense kneeling to the Pontificating Bishop and bids “Bless Most (or Right) Reverend Father.” or to the Celebrant standing “Bless Reverend Father”
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The Bishop's Master of Ceremonies and the Thurifer kneel as the Bishop blesses incense before a procession |
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The Crucifer
The Crucifer carries the processional crucifix or cross on liturgical or ceremonial occasions. The Crucifer leads the way of the procession. The Processional Crucifix is a symbol of Our Crucified Lord proclaiming His salvation and to confirm that we are following our Lord Jesus Christ. |
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(Acolytes and Crucifer in Procession, lead by the Thurifer who is making straight the path of the Lord) |
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The Acolytes
Two acolytes carry ceremonial lights. At Christ Church the acolytes carry candlesticks based on the Gridiron of St Laurence. The lights are carried in processions (Joyful and for the Litany in Procession; the Entrance, Gospel, Exits (short and through the west Door). They provide honorific lights on either side of the Processional Crucifix and during the reading of the Gospel. At High Mass they assist the Master Ceremonies at the credence table. At Evensong they provide ceremonial light during the Magnificat and for the office prayers. The Acolytes kneel at their candlesticks at horns of the altar during Benediction or during prayers after the Litany in Procession during Lent and Advent.
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The Taperers
Taperers carry lit torches kneeling at the altar rail during the consecration. They provide lights during the procession of the Blessed Sacrament. The origins of taperers were to provide light during the liturgy and at least 6 lights in the presence of a Bishop. 4-6 taperers are usually rostered at Solemn High Mass. |
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Taperers also double as Banner Bearers |
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The Banner Bearers
Banners are carried in church processions and are usually embroidered with pictures of a saint or sacred symbols. The banner or saint we are honouring in procession is usually carried last.
The Deacon proclaims, V:- "Let us proceed in peace" The people respond, R:- "In the name of Christ. Amen." |
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The Master Of Ceromonies
The Master of Cermonies is responsible for maintaining order during celebrations and instructing all parties on order of proceedings. The Master of Cermonies holds the book of prayers in front of the Priest and Deacon so as to leave their hands free for prayer and exortation.
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Dismissing The Servers
V The Lord be with you.
R And also with you.
V Let us Bless the Lord
R Thanks be to God
May the Divine Assistance remain with us always, and (+) may the souls of the faithful departed through the tender mercy of God rest in peace. Amen. |
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