RITES OF INVESTITURE FOR ALTAR SERVERS
(Note: This is rite is translated from the Filipino version of the Rites of Investiture of the Knights of the Altar, Salesian Order, as it is being used by the altar servers of the Diohttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/stcjpkoa/message/246cese of San Pablo)
The mass shall begin with the procession of the priest/s and all altar servers and with the other ministers needed in the Eucharistic Celebration. The Holy Mass will commence in its ordinary form until the part of the homily. After the homily, the rite below is included.
I. RECOGNITION AND EXAMINATION OF THE CANDIDATES
Animator: May I request all altar servers to please stand and step forward once your name is called.
Animator will call out the names of all altar servers alphabetically.
Altar Server: (aloud) Here I am Lord, ready to serve you.
Animator: Reverend and our dear Father Teddy A. Asis, before you and the community of believers are the altar servers and new members who wish to be officially recognized as members of the Knights of the Altar. These altar servers are now qualified to become certified members to serve at the Eucharistic Celebrations based on the formation program they had prior to this rite.
Priest: Our beloved young men of the altar, your presence before God and the people of God affirm your willingness and commitment to serve Jesus as Knights of the Altar. Do you know what this means?
Altar Servers: Yes, we do know that our presence signifies that we desire to commit ourselves to serve Jesus at the Eucharistic Table, in serving the community through the Holy Catholic Church and by living out our baptismal promises through good examples to our fellowmen.
Priest: Will you give and show your faithfulness and loyalty to the Parish Priest and Church Authorities?
Altar Servers: Yes, we will.
Priest: Are you ready and willing to commit yourselves and your time to serve wholeheartedly to this kind of service and with full responsibility?
Altar Servers: Yes, we are ready.
II. VESTING AND OFFERING OF SELF
Assisting/Guest Altar Servers will now give the new vestments to all altar servers.
Priest: (BLESSING OF LITURGICAL VESTMENTS, from Collectio Rituum)
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, you have appointed Your Son to be the Mediator of the New Covenant. Pour forth the gifts of Your grace upon Your chosen ministers of Your sacred mysteries, so that by wearing these vestments while officiating at Your holy altars, they may serve Your people by presenting the Word and Bread of Life; they may distinguish themselves through their integrity of faith; and they may be conspicuous through their observance of the Gospel precepts through Christ our Lord, together with the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
The priest will now bless the vestments with holy water.
Animator: May we now call on the parents or sponsors of these altar servers to assist in vesting the new vestments.
The parents will now assist the altar servers in vesting their new garments.
After vesting, the Altar Servers will now prostrate themselves as a sign of their commitment of service to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. The congregation kneels and is encouraged to pray for them as the choir sings the “Litany of the Saints,” or any appropriate song of offering (“Narito Ako,” “Here I am Lord,” “Prayer of Saint Francis,” etc). After the song, the congregation gets back to their seat and the priest stands.
III. VOW AND COMMITMENT
Priest: Now, you are all ready and certified to serve at various Church Liturgies. Make your vow and commitment of service before God and this community of believers.
The commitment part is led by the President of the Knights of the Altar.
President: Lord Jesus Christ, we are here to serve You. We shall strive hard, to the best of our ability to be ever loyal and faithful to our duties and responsibilities in serving at the Holy Mass and other Church liturgies, and to offer my simple service to this community through the Holy Catholic Church. I pledge to be a good example to my fellowmen, believers or non-believers, and to help the Church build Your Kingdom here on earth.
We are called by God to serve at the Knights of the Altar. We believe that we are not alone in this kind of service; we are with Jesus and our brothers. With this in mind, we vow to serve the Holy Roman Catholic andApostolic Church with all our hearts together with the authorities of this ministry.
May we be ever faithful in our service to You, dear Lord Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Mary, our Mother. Amen.
Priest: Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we have witnessed the love of these young men to our Lord Jesus and in His Church. May they be truly live out their promises and be good examples to the community. Let us rejoice and agree with them in their endeavors.
Let us give them a big hand of applause!
All Altar Servers will then face the congregation as the people clap their hands. They shall go back to their seats quietly as the Eucharistic Celebration continues.
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