What are the duties of an altar boy?
An altar server attends to supporting tasks at the altar such as fetching and carrying, ringing the altar bell, helps bring up the gifts, brings up the book, among other things. If young, the server is commonly called an altar boy or altar girl. In some Christian denominations, altar servers are known as acolytes.
What are altar boy robes called?
Catholic boys serving as altar boys or “Acolytes” wear eclesiastical vestments. This is most common for Roman Catholic boys, although boys in the Orthodox Church and even some protesant demoninations may also wear these vestments.
Is an acolyte the same as an altar boy?
The functions of an acolyte or taper-bearer are therefore carried out by readers, subdeacons, or by non-tonsured men or boys who are sometimes called “acolytes” informally. Also, the term “altar-boys” is often used to refer to young altar servers.
How many times do you swing the thurible?
The gifts and the altar are first censed; then follows censing of the priest (three swings of the thurible), of the other clergy (single swing to the gospel side and another to the epistle side), the choir (single or triple swing to either side) and the congregation (a swing to the gospel side, another to the epistle …
What does it mean to be an alter boy?
Definition of altar boy 1 : a boy who assists the celebrant in a liturgical service. 2 chiefly US : a morally pure and virtuous person No one expects … the trendsetter and party animal to become an altar boy.— Johnnie L.
What is an alter boy in the Catholic Church?
countable noun. In the Roman Catholic church, an altar boy is a boy who helps the priest during Mass. ‘altar boy’
What do you wear under alb?
Nowadays, the alb is the common vestment for all ministers at Mass, both clerics and laypersons, and is worn over the cassock, but underneath any other special vestments, such as the stole, dalmatic or chasuble. If the alb does not completely cover the collar, an amice is often worn underneath the alb.
What does red cassock mean?
Lighter colours, such as white are used in tropical countries and some cathedrals have colours specific for their location. Piping is also used in the Anglican church to indicate position held with red being used for Deans, Archdeacons and Cathedral Canons. Bishops and Archbishops often wear purple cassocks.
Why do acolytes light candles?
Light in the form of a flame is carried into the church sanctuary to symbolize the entrance of Christ’s light into the place of worship.
What is burned in a thurible?
thurible, also called censer, vessel used in the Christian liturgy for the burning of aromatic incense strewn on lighted coals. Censers of terra-cotta or metal were widely used in Egypt, in the ancient Middle Eastern civilizations, including the Jewish, and in the classical world.
Why is a thurible used at a Catholic Mass?
McCloud. A thurible is a metal censer in which incense is burned during religious services. The thurible is suspended from chains and is gently swung by the priest or thurifer in order to spread the fragrant smoke of the incense. A thurifer is an acolyte that carries the thurible.
At what age do you become an altar boy?
The altar server’s function is to hold the book for the priest to read from while holding his hands up to God. Is there an age limit to become an altar server? Usually, no. But it is very impractical for someone under the age of eight.
What is the role of an acolyte?
acolyte, (from Greek akolouthos, “server,” “companion,” or “follower”), in the Roman Catholic church, a person is installed in a ministry in order to assist the deacon and priest in liturgical celebrations, especially the eucharistic liturgy.
How is the altar incensed with the thurible?
“The following are incensed with two swings of the thurible: relics and images of the Saints exposed for public veneration. This should be done, however, only at the beginning of the celebration, after the incensation of the altar. “The altar is incensed with single swings of the thurible in this way:
How does the priest incense the cross?
The cross, if situated on or near the altar, is incensed by the priest before he incenses the altar; otherwise, he incenses it when he passes in front of it. “The priest incenses the offerings with three swings of the thurible or by making the sign of the cross over the offerings with the thurible, then going on to incense the cross and the altar.”
Who is incensed after the Bishop?
Bishops and canons who are not concelebrating are incensed along with the people. But in those cases where a bishop presides but does not concelebrate, he is incensed after the concelebrants. Where customary a head of state in official attendance at a liturgical celebration is incensed after the bishop.
How far should the chains be from the altar?
When incensing a person or the gifts on the altar, the chains should be held about 20 cm. (8 inches) from the bowl; about 30 cm. (12 inches) when incensing the altar and cross. Before and after an incensation, a profound bow is made to the person who is being incensed.