Part 5: Preparation of the Gifts

• As servers we must remember the correct order of things that Father will need to have brought to him during this stage of the mass. Here is the correct ordering:

1)      Father will need to be handed the ciborium (but not the lid for the ciborium).

2)      Father will then need to be handed the paten.

3)      Father will then need to be handed the flagon (but not the lid for the flagon) [he will not keep this on the altar but will hand this back to the server who brought it to him]

4)      Father will then need to be handed the cruet of water (but not the lid for the cruet of water) [he will not keep this on the altar but will hand this back to the server who brought it to him]

5)      Father will then need the finger bowl and then the finger towel brought to him so he can wash his hands

• It is extremely important that all servers remember this ordering!!!

• Once Father has handed out the gifts to the servers and begins to head back up to the altar the three servers should move into position.
• As noted earlier Server 1 would begin placing the chest in between the processional candles by genuflecting, before bowing in front of the altar and returning to his/her seat.
• Server 2 and the Captain have the difficult task of ensuring steps 1-5 are completed!

• Server 2 moves into position closest to the altar. He/she then removes the lid of the ciborium and when Father is ready Server 2 hands him the ciborium. Then Server 2 takes the lid and places it on the “dirty” credence table. Then go immediately to the “clean” credence table.
• At the same time, the Captain should go and place the flagon on the “clean” credence table and immediately pick up the paten and stand to the left of Server 2, who is holding the ciborium. When Father is ready hand him the paten and then return immediately to the “clean” credence table.

• Server 2, who has just finished placing the lid for the ciborium on the dirty table and is standing next to the clean credence table should grab the flagon, remove the lid and place it on the clean credence table, and move into position closest to the altar.
• Meanwhile the Captain, who has just finished handing the paten to the priest, should immediately proceed to the clean credence table and grab the cruet of water. After removing the lid and placing it on the “clean” credence table, he/she should go stand to the immediate left of Server 2 who is holding the flagon and standing closest to the altar.
• When Father is ready, Server 2, who is holding the flagon, will hand it to the Priest who will pour the unconsecrated wine into the chalice and the 2 communion cups. The priest will then hand the flagon back to you. Do not leave just yet!
• Father will then want the cruet of water so the Captain, who is holding it, will hand it to the priest by extending it towards him handle first. Father will then grab the handle and pour the water from the cruet into the chalice and the 2 communion cups before handing the cruet of water back to you. Do not leave just yet!
• Once Father has poured both the wine and the water into the chalice and 2 communion cups he will bow to Server 2 and the Captain. This is your signal and both servers should respond with a small simultaneous head bow and then return the flagon and the cruet to the clean credence table. 

• Server 2 and the Captain are to remain standing by the clean credence table and watch the priest. He will hold up the chalice and being to pray, he will then set the chalice on the corporal and place the pall over top of the chalice, he will then bow towards the altar. Once he has finished bowing he will immediately want to wash his hands. It is the Captain’s job to grab the fingerbowl and Server 2’s job is to grab the finger towel. The Captain is also to make sure that by the time father has finished bowing both the Captain and Server 2 are already in position next to the altar. Standing closest to the altar is the Captain with the fingerbowl and to his/her immediate left is Server 2 with the finger towel. Father will wash and dry his hands before giving bowing to both servers. The Captain and Server 2 should respond to this bow with a simultaneous head bow, before returning the finger bowl and the finger towel to the “clean” credence table.

• THIS IS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE MASS AND WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT ALL SERVERS TAKE THE TIME TO MEMORIZE THE CORRECT ORDERING FOR THESE STEPS AND KNOW WHO DOES WHAT!!

Again here is the correct ordering:

1. Server 2 brings Father the ciborium and puts the lid on the “dirty” credence table
2. Captain puts the flagon on the “clean” credence table and brings Father the paten
3. Server 2 brings Father the flagon
4. Captain brings Father the cruet of water
5. Captain brings Father the finger bowl and Server 2 brings Father the finger towel