HANDBOOK GUIDELINES FOR MASS DURING THE SCHOOL WEEK

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR MASS

Altar servers are to be made aware by their parents and their homeroom teachers of their duty to set an unequivocally reverent and prayerful example during Mass. Students should dip from the Holy Water font and make the Sign of the Cross when entering and leaving. Children should individually genuflect reverently towards the Tabernacle when entering and leaving their pew. After entering their pews, children should kneel for a prudent period of time, during which they should be praying. Children should be taught to pick-up hymnals, locate the page, and sing for every hymn (with the possible exception of the post-Communion hymn). Children should be encouraged and helped to memorize the regular prayers of the Mass. During the Mass, children should be taught to have a respectful posture in the pews, and give their full attention to the priest or deacon, especially during the homily. If asked a question during the homily, a child should respond appropriately using the clerical title, such as: “Yes, Father”, or “Yes, Deacon.” At the Exchange of Peace, children should say only “peace be with you” offering a simple handshake to those immediately around them. Older children paired with younger students should clearly understand their role as a witnesses and examples to their charges. Parents and religion teachers should frequently remind older students of what this role means.

 

GUIDELINES FOR THE OFFERTORY

  Gift bearers should leave their pews at the conclusion of the Prayers of the Faithful.
  Gift bearers should wait to walk forward until the celebrant moves in front of the altar to receive the gifts.
  Gift bearers should walk forward slowly and solemnly, at pace with each other, holding the gifts with both hands.
  Prior to returning to their pews the gift bearers should bow together towards the celebrant as a sign of respect.

 

GUIDELINES FOR RECEIVING THE EUCHARIST

  It is normative to kneel during the Eucharistic Liturgy except while praying the Lord’s Prayer, the Exchange of Peace, and the Agnus Dei. At no time, unless a disability requires it, should children sit while the consecrated Body and Blood are outside the Tabernacle. This includes the period immediately before standing to enter the Communion line. Children should rise from a kneeling position and return to a kneeling position until the Precious Body is returned to the Tabernacle and the Precious Blood has been consumed by the priest or deacon.
  When in line to receive the Eucharist, children should have their palms together, fingers up.
  Immediately prior to receiving the Eucharist, children are to make an act of reverence. Normally this is to be a deep bow of the head. This is done prior to receiving from the chalice as well.
  Children should say a clearly audible “Amen” prior to receiving the Body and the Blood.
  Children must be instructed by their parents and religion teachers on the proper way to receive the Precious Body in the hand or on the tongue. The chalice should be handled in every case with both hands in a slow manner to avoid the chance of spilling the Precious Blood.
  With no exceptions, children must consume the Precious Body as soon as they receive it.
  Children should be taught to make the Sign of the Cross after receiving both the Body and the Blood.
  Children are not required to receive from the chalice, but should be lovingly encouraged to do so.
  The only appropriate action after receiving the Eucharist is to pray. Children should be taught to pray instead of watch others receiving the Eucharist. They may sit only when the Eucharist is return to the Tabernacle.
  Children should be given the option of singing the post-Communion hymn (if there is one) or continuing to pray if they would prefer to do so.

 

GUIDELINES FOR THOSE NOT RECEIVING THE EUCHARIST

  It is the responsibility of religion teachers to identify and lovingly instruct non-Catholic students regarding the following guidelines.
  Non-Catholic students must in all circumstances abstain from receiving the Eucharist or going to Confession.
  Non-Catholic students are taught to pray and participate in the Liturgy in the same manner as Catholics.
  Non-Catholic students are taught how to go forward with both arms crossed over their chest to receive a blessing during Communion. This applies to those too young to receive as well.

In reference to all of the above guidelines, children should be taught to follow them out of love and devotion to Jesus, and trusting obedience to Holy Mother Church – not just because they have to. All instruction in this regard has as its goal holiness and virtue, not simply compliance and uniformity.