The Offices of Master of Ceremonies, Acolytes and Thurifer

Project Canterbury

I. The Master of Ceremonies should know all the duties of all the other Ministers, and should see all that happens, so as to check those out of order. He will not, however, pull their vestments, nor push them here or there, nor lose his temper, but use some quiet sign, and if the mistake be trivial let it pass.

2. He should be in the sacristy a quarter of an hour before Mass, after a short prayer in the church. He puts on his cotta, takes the Chalice and prepares it, and also the ciborium, if required, containing as many particles as there will be communicants. He also arranges two missals, fixing the markers in the right places, and carries all to the credence, which should be covered with white linen. Assisted by the Acolytes he disposes everything in order, and takes care that the cruets with wine and water, the towel, the little bell, the censer and its boat, and the torches for the Elevation, etc., are all ready. He places one missal on the credence, and the other on the cushion or book-stand on the Altar at the Epistle corner, opened at the Introit of the Mass which is to be sung. He then covers the credence with the long veil.

3. He tells the sacred Ministers when to vest, and assists them to do so. He waits until the Celebrant has been vested before he hands them their maniples or folded chasubles, if used.

4. At the proper time he gives the signal to the Acolytes to proceed, and the clergy having moved forward, he signs to the sacred Ministers. He then takes his place with them, having taken off both biretta and zucchetto. He gives holy water to the Subdeacon and Deacon, unless the Asperges is done before the Mass.

5. If they approach the Altar by steps, the Master of Ceremonies raises the Celebrant's alb, and on entering the quire receives without kissing the birettas from the Deacon and Subdeacon, which after genuflecting (or bowing, see below) he puts in order on the seat where the sacred Ministers are to sit. He then kneels at the Epistle corner, facing the Gospel side, and responds to the Priest in an undertone, making the signs of the Cross and usual bows.

* If it be the custom of the church to bow to the Altar and not to genuflect, he will do this always, except to the Blessed Sacrament.

** The Introit should not start until the Celebrant has arrived at the Altar.

6. At the end of the Preparation he goes up to the Altar with the Ministers and gives the incense-boat to the Deacon; afterwards he goes to the lowest step at the Epistle corner, and when the Celebrant censes that side of the Altar, removes the missal, replacing it afterwards without any genuflections.

7. After the censing of the Celebrant he will, if convenient, point out with his hand the beginning of the Introit; this he will always do when attending the Celebrant at the book, raising or lowering it according to circumstances, pointing out what to read or sing, turning the leaves, etc.

8. When the Celebrant has said the last Kyrie or Commandment, if the singing be long, he will sign to him to go by the shorter way to the seat. Having descended to the pavement, he stands at the right of the Deacon, with hands joined before his breast, and this he always does when the Ministers are seated.

* Domestick chairs are forbidden.

9. While the last Kyrie is being sung by the choir, he signs to the sacred Ministers to go to the Altar, with a slight bow, and goes himself to the Epistle corner. When the Ministers do not sit down, at the last Kyrie he signs to them to stand in line one behind the other in the centre of the Altar. If Glory be to God on high is sung at this point, he will follow the directions in No. 25. He then stands at the Epistle corner to point out the Collects which are to be sung, and to turn the leaves of the missal as occasion requires.

10. At the beginning of the last Collect he goes to the credence and takes the missal, holding it by the sides with both hands and the opening towards his right; he gives it to the Subdeacon, with a bow before and after, and then stands a little behind on his left. At the end of the last Collect he bows his head at the words Jesus Christ, goes to the centre of the Altar, and having genuflected with the Subdeacon, salutes the choir and returns to the same place. He points out the Epistle to the Subdeacon, and stands at his left while he sings it. At the words At the Name of Jesus, when they occur, he genuflects with him, and bows at the names of Jesus or Mary, or of the saint whose feast is kept, first signing to the choir to genuflect or to take off the biretta.

11. The Epistle ended, he returns with the Subdeacon to the centre of the Altar, and having genuflected and saluted the choir, accompanies him as he goes to the Epistle corner to receive the Celebrant's blessing. He then takes the missal from him with the usual bows, and gives it to the Deacon with similar bows at the moment the Celebrant begins the Gospel; which ended, he goes up to the predella at the Epistle corner to have incense put in the censer.

* If the choir sing a sequence or long tract, he will sign to the sacred Ministers to go by the shorter way to their seat; when it is ended, he will sign to them to go by the shorter way to the Altar, where the Celebrant goes to the middle and says Cleanse my heart; the Subdeacon carries the missal and its stand to the Gospel corner; the Deacon in due time places the missal on the Altar; and he goes to the Epistle corner to have incense put in the censer in the usual manner.

** On the ferial days of Lent, at the words Help us, O God the Celebrant and Ministers kneel on the edge of the predella; it is then advisable that the incense be put in the censer beforehand, so that the Deacon may say Cleanse my heart at the same time.

12. While the Deacon receives the Celebrant's blessing, he descends and takes his position at the right of the Thurifer, so that three pairs may be formed, the sacred Ministers the first, the Master of Ceremonies and Thurifer the second, and the third the two Acolytes. All genuflect together and salute the choir before going to the place where the Gospel is sung. The Master of Ceremonies places himself at the right of the Deacon, a little behind him. After the announcement of the Gospel he gives him the censer and receives it back after the censing of the book. He gives it to the Thurifer, and stands near the Deacon to turn the leaves of the book.

* If there be occasion to genuflect or bow the head, he will do so towards the Altar as a sign to the Celebrant. No bow is made at Glory be to thee O Lord before the Gospel.

13. The Gospel ended, he goes to the Epistle side, genuflecting with the others. Having received the missal from the Subdeacon with the proper bows, he puts it on the credence, and goes to the Epistle corner, where he remains until the end of the Creed, bowing his head and making the sign of the Cross with the Celebrant.

14. When the Celebrant says And was incarnate, the Master of Ceremonies genuflects, and when the Ministers have said the Creed, he makes a sign for them to go by the shorter way to the seat. He stands by as usual to sign to them when to uncover. When the choir sings And was incarnate, he and the Acolytes kneel, while the sacred Ministers uncover.

* In the Masses of Christmas and on the Feast of the Annunciation the Celebrant and the sacred Ministers kneel, and therefore cushions should be put ready: if the Annunciation be transferred, they kneel only on the day to which it is transferred.

15. When And was made man has been sung, he signs to the Deacon to go to the credence for the burse, and having given it to him he returns to the seat. A little before the end of the Creed he signs to the sacred Ministers to go by the longer way to the Altar, taking his own position at the Epistle corner.

* If there be a sermon he may accompany the preacher to the pulpit.

16. When the Celebrant has sung Let us pray, he signs to the Sub-deacon to go to the credence, where he puts the humeral veil over his shoulders, letting it hang a little lower on the right side. He then accompanies him to the Altar, carrying the ciborium himself, which has been prepared on the credence, if required. He assists at the uncovering of the Chalice, and when the Subdeacon has retired with the paten, with the incense as usual.

17. He then goes to the Epistle side, and when the Celebrant has censed the Cross, goes over to the Gospel side, genuflecting in the middle; he then removes the missal, descends to the pavement, and after the Celebrant has censed that side, puts it back. He stands at the missal to assist the Celebrant by pointing out the places and turning over the leaves. He retires a little at Let us pray for the whole state etc., to allow the Celebrant to turn round easily.

18. While the Deacon says the Confession (when there is a Communion), the Master of Ceremonies stands as before at the missal; or he may kneel.

19. The preface ended, he signs to the Deacon to go up to the right of the Celebrant to say the Sanctus, and, where it is customary, to the Sub-deacon as well to go to the Celebrant's left. At We do not presume the Deacon goes to the left of the Celebrant, and the Master of Ceremonies to the Epistle corner, both genuflecting in the centre. (If the Subdeacon has come up for the Sanctus he will cross over then.) He stays there until the words Who in the same night, when he puts incense in the censer, kneels with the Thurifer, and at the Elevation rings the bell three distinct times (or he may ring it during the whole of each Elevation), making with the Thurifer a low bow before and after each Elevation.

20. He then rises and stays there or goes up to the highest step near the Altar, where he remains until And although we be unworthy, when he passes over to the other side, genuflecting in the centre, but always behind the Subdeacon.

21. The Deacon having left the Celebrant's left, the Master of Ceremonies takes his place, genuflecting together with the Celebrant and Deacon, who is now on the right. Here he continues to assist at the missal until the Agnus, always genuflecting with the Celebrant and turning the leaves as required.

22. Before the beginning of the Our Father he signs to the Deacon to genuflect and take his place behind the Celebrant. At Forgive us our trespasses he signs to the Deacon and Subdeacon to genuflect and go up to the Epistle corner, where, the paten and veil being given up by the Sub-deacon, he directs him to genuflect there and return to his place on the pavement, the Deacon remaining at the Celebrant's right and he himself at his left. After the singing of The peace of the Lord he signs to the Subdeacon to genuflect in his place and go up to the Celebrant's left, where he repeats the genuflection and says the Agnus. The Master of Ceremonies, having genuflected at the same time as the Subdeacon and the Celebrant, descends to the pavement and holds himself ready to accompany the Subdeacon when he goes to give the Pax to the choir. In giving the Pax they should begin with the clerk of the highest dignity on the Gospel side, and then pass over to that of the Epistle, genuflecting in the centre.

23. This ceremony being ended, he returns to the Altar, and having genufleeted on the pavement, at the right of the Subdeacon, receives the Pax from him, bowing before and after; he himself then gives it to the first Acolyte, or to the Thurifer, if he assists at the credence in place of the Acolytes when they are engaged in holding the torches. He then takes his usual place at the Epistle corner until the Celebrant has communicated, and assists at the ablutions.

24. The Celebrant having returned to the Epistle corner, he assists him at the book, which he closes after the Postcommunion prayers, unless there be a last Gospel proper to the day; in which case, having left it open, when the Deacon has sung the Depart in peace, he will give it to the Subdeacon to carry to the Gospel corner.

25. When the Celebrant intones Glory be to God on high, he signs to the Deacon and Subdeacon to go to his sides to recite it with him. When it is ended, he signs to them to go by the shorter way to the seat, being careful not to do so when the words We worship thee, We give thanks to thee, Jesus Christ, or Receive our prayer, are being sung. When seated he will sign to them with a slight bow to uncover while these words are sung, bowing himself towards the Altar. When the choir sings With the Holy Ghost, he signs to the Celebrant and sacred Ministers to go to the Altar.

26. During the blessing he kneels with the other Ministers, and rises when it has been said. Towards the end of the Gospel he signs to the Acolytes to take their candlesticks and go to the centre of the Altar. The Acolytes, having genuflected at And the Word was made flesh, or at the end of the Gospel, withdraw to the sacristy; while the Master of Ceremonies takes the birettas, and having genuflected at the proper time, distributes them, giving first the Celebrant's into the Deacon's hands.

27. Having returned to the sacristy in the same manner and order as they left it, he salutes the clergy with the sacred Ministers, and having bowed to the Cross assists the Celebrant to unvest. He then removes the things from the credence.

* If the clergy remain in quire, the Acolytes take their candles at the end of the Gospel, go to the centre, and when the sacred Ministers have descended, they make the genuflection with them and salute the choir. The Master of Ceremonies then gives the birettas to the Ministers, and they depart. If the clergy leave the quire, the Celebrant and Ministers may remain turned to the Altar until nearly all have gone; they then turn, cover, and follow in due order.

Instructions for the Acolytes

I. A quarter of an hour before Mass the Acolytes (who should be of equal height) put on their cottas, go to the Altar, and prepare everything necessary; they then assist the Deacon and Subdeacon to vest. They light the candles on the Altar (unless for convenience another be appointed to do so), the one on one side and the other on the other, beginning with those nearest the Cross; when extinguishing them they begin with those farthest from the Cross. If one Acolyte light them he begins on the Epistle side and ends on that of the Gospel, and when putting them out he begins on the Gospel side. They should take care that no wax fall on the Altar-cloth. The second Acolyte lights their candles in the sacristy.

2. The Celebrant being vested, they put the maniples on the sacred Ministers, first presenting them to be kissed; unless the Asperges is given, when they are placed on the seat.

3. At the sign of the Master of Ceremonies they take their candlesticks, and having made together a bow to the Cross or picture in the sacristy, walk slowly with eyes cast down before the clergy to the Altar.

4. The first Acolyte, being at the right of the second, carries his candlestick by the knop with his right hand and holds the foot with his left; the second Acolyte carries his with his right hand under the foot and the knop in his left hand.

5. Having arrived at the foot of the Altar, they genuflect on the pavement (or bow, see below), and retire on either side to the two corners of the steps, turning so as to face each other.

* Whenever they pass before the Altar they genuflect on the pavement, even should the Blessed Sacrament not be in the Tabernacle: if, however, it be the custom of the church to bow to the Altar, they will always do this, except to the Blessed Sacrament.

6. The Celebrant and Ministers having arrived at the steps, the Acolytes turn towards the Altar and genuflect with them, they then unite and carry the candlesticks to the credence, kneel with hands joined, facing the Altar, and respond in an undertone to the Priest. They rise as the Celebrant goes up to the Altar, and remain standing near the credence.

* Whenever the sacred Ministers go to sit down, the Acolytes raise the dalmatick and tunick over the back of the seat, lest they be injured. If they pass then before the Celebrant, they bow. At the reading of the Epistle and Gospel by the Celebrant they genuflect whenever he does so, and make the usual signs of the Cross at the beginning of the Gospel.

** If the Ministers wear folded Chasubles, the second Acolyte, while the Celebrant is singing the last Collect, will divest the Subdeacon of his, and will help him to resume it after kissing the Celebrant's hand. He will do the same for the Deacon while the Celebrant is reading the Gospel, the first Acolyte assisting him to put on the large stole. After the Deacon has carried the missal across for the Post-communions, the first Acolyte will take off the large stole, and the second vest him in the folded chasuble.

7. While the Celebrant, after reading the Gospel, is putting incense in the censer, they take their candlesticks, and when the Thurifer comes down from the Altar, they follow him to the centre of the quire, where at the sign of the Master of Ceremonies they genuflect to the Altar and salute the choir at the same time as the sacred Ministers.

8. They then go to the place where the Gospel is usually sung, and place themselves in such a manner that the Subdeacon may stand between them, the first Acolyte on his right and the second on his left, in a straight line, facing the choir on the Epistle side. During the singing of the Gospel they do not genuflect nor sign themselves, but stand still.

* If the Gospel be sung from an ambone, they stand facing towards the Deacon, as may be convenient.

9. The Gospel ended, they return to the centre of the quire, a little way from the front steps, genuflect and return to the credence. Having put down their candlesticks, they stand as before, genuflecting with one knee when the Priest says And was incarnate, and on both knees when it is sung by the choir.

10. When the Subdeacon takes the Chalice, the second Acolyte folds the small veil which covered it; the first follows the Subdeacon with the napkin and cruets, arranges everything on the Altar, and gives the cruets to the Sub-deacon. The wine and water being poured into the Chalice, he replaces all on the credence, and stands in his proper place.

11. While the Deacon is censing the Celebrant, they make ready for the Lavabo, the first having the towel, and the second the cruet of water and the basin. The Deacon having retired, they stand before the Celebrant and minister the water and towel, bowing before and after. Having received the towel from the Celebrant, they replace everything on the credence, and remain standing.

* In Masses when the Subdeacon does not hold the paten, he and the Deacon serve the Priest at the Lavabo, the Acolytes giving him the water and the towel to the Deacon.

12. They bow to the Thurifer before and after being censed by him, and the first Acolyte bows to the other before being himself censed. When the Deacon makes the Confession, when there is a Communion, they stand as before; or they may kneel until after the "Comfortable words."

13. At the beginning of the Preface they retire to the sacristy to get the torches. They return at the Sanctus, walking side by side to the centre of the quire before the Altar, where they genuflect, and having saluted the choir and each other, separate a little and kneel in a straight line.

14. After the Elevation, if there be no Communion, or if it be not a fast day or a Mass for the dead, they unite, genuflect, and without saluting the choir retire with the torches. They then return, genuflect, and go to their places, where they remain standing. When otherwise, they remain kneeling with the torches until after the first ablution, when they salute the choir and depart as above.

15. At the right time the first Acolyte removes the veil from the Sub-deacon's shoulders, folds it up, and places it on the credence. They both bow while the Celebrant is communicating. At the proper time the first Acolyte carries the cruets to the Altar for the ablution and purification, while the second takes the Chalice-veil to the Gospel side, genuflecting in the centre. The Thurifer does this if they remain with the torches until after the Communion.

16. For the blessing they kneel on both knees, rise at the beginning of the last Gospel, and make the usual signs of the Cross at the beginning. If the clergy remain in quire, they take their candles, genuflect together, and salute the choir with the sacred Ministers.

17. Towards the end of the Gospel they take their candlesticks, go to the centre, and having genuflected at the words And the Word was made flesh, or, if another Gospel be read, at its end, immediately withdraw to the sacristy. There they bow to the Cross, stand with the candlesticks in their hands until the arrival of the sacred Ministers, when they bow again, put out the candles, and divest the Deacon and Subdeacon of their maniples and folded chasubles, if they wear them. When the Celebrant has unvested, they help the sacred Ministers to un-vest, and then go to put out the candles on the Altar, if no other person be appointed to do so.

* The Acolytes stand at the credence, unless some duty require otherwise. When the Celebrant and Ministers sit, they may do so also on the steps of the sanctuary, and the Thurifer too, when he is not acting as Master of Ceremonies. They usually hold their hands joined before the breast when the Priest sings or reads, and at other times folded on the breast. In quire the bows are generally made on the Gospel side first, and then on that of the Epistle, beginning with the highest dignitary. The torch is held in the outside hand. When one hand is occupied the other is laid on the breast. When giving anything to the Celebrant they kiss it first, and also after receiving it back, except in Masses of the Dead. If they are to communicate at the Mass they do so after the sacred Ministers and Priests. They genuflect before and after their Communion, having given their torches meanwhile to two other clerks.

Instructions for the Thurifer

I. A quarter of an hour before Mass the Thurifer goes to the sacristy, puts on his cotta, and if the Acolytes are not there, assists the sacred Ministers to vest.

2. At the beginning of Mass he makes fire ready in the censer. At the end of the preparation he goes to the Altar, and having genuflected (or if it be the custom of the church to bow, having bowed, which he will always do if it be the custom, except to the Blessed Sacrament) stands opposite the Epistle corner on the pavement. He goes up to the predella at the Epistle corner, gives the incense-boat to the Master of Ceremonies, and holds up the censer to have the incense put in; when it has been put in and blessed, he lowers the cover of the censer and gives it to the Deacon; then taking the boat in his left hand, with his right extended on his breast, he descends to the pavement.

3. During the censing of the Celebrant he stands near the Deacon, a little behind on his left, and makes with him a bow before and after. He takes the censer in his right hand, carries it to the proper place, and then returns to his place in quire.

4. The Collects being sung, he goes to make ready the censer, and as soon as the Celebrant has read the Gospel (unless there be a long Tract to be sung), he goes to the Altar for incense to be put in, and when it has been blessed, takes the censer in his right hand and the boat in his left, goes down to the pavement, and walks before the Acolytes to the centre of the quire before the Altar, at some distance from the steps, where he stands at the right of the Master of Ceremonies. When the sign is given, he genuflects before the Altar, and having saluted the choir with the sacred Ministers, allows the first Acolyte to pass him, and then goes to the left of the Deacon, standing a little behind him, so as to face the first Acolyte.

5. At the right time he gives the censer to the Master of Ceremonies, and having received it again raises the cover a little, and swings it gently, to keep the fire alight.

6. The Gospel ended, he gives the censer to the Deacon, and makes with him the usual bows before and after the censing of the Celebrant. If the Creed be sung, he genuflects behind the Deacon, bows at the word God, and then goes to put the censer in its proper place; he then returns to the credence. Should the Creed not be sung, he genuflects at the Altar, and goes to make ready the censer for instructions fur the censing of the oblation and the Altar.

7. When the Creed (if sung) is nearly ended, he goes to prepare the censer, and will be in readiness to go to the Altar after the offering of the Chalice. The incense put in, he takes the boat, puts it on the credence, and stands at the Epistle corner with hands joined. He assists the Deacon while he censes the Celebrant, the choir, and the Subdeacon, standing at his left a little behind, and making the bows and genuflections with him. He then takes the censer, and when the Deacon takes his place behind the Celebrant, censes him with two double swings. Then he censes the Acolytes with one double swing each, and lastly, going to the entrance of the quire, he censes the people with three double swings, the first towards the centre, the second to his left, and the third to his right, making the due bows before and after and the genuflections in passing before the Altar. He then carries the censer to its proper place.

8. He again renews the fire, and a little before the Elevation goes to the Altar at the Epistle side to the right of the Master of Ceremonies, who puts incense in the censer. This done, he kneels on the pavement, and censes the Sacred Host at the time of the Elevation with three double swings, making with the Master of Ceremonies a profound bow before and after. He does the same at the Elevation of the Chalice. He then genuflects to the Holy Sacrament, goes to put the censer in its place, and returns to the Altar.

* Here his office ends unless the Acolytes remain with their torches until the Communion: in this case

9. He will at the right time untie and take off the veil from the Sub-deacon's shoulders, fold it up, and take it to the credence. Having received the Pax from the one standing next him in the quire or from the Master of Ceremonies, according to his position, he carries the Chalice-veil to the Gospel side, presents the cruets at the right moment for the purification and ablution (unless the veil is removed and the cruets presented by the Acolytes), and having put all on the credence, returns to his place.

10. If after the Pax the clergy receive Communion, he takes the veil and the Communion-cloth, crosses over to the other side and kneels on the pavement; when the Priest turns round, he kneels on the side of the predella to spread or hold the cloth with the Master of Ceremonies. After the Communion he descends to the pavement, genuflects with the Master of Ceremonies, and goes to the credence to minister the cruets as above.

** When the censer does not contain blessed incense he holds it in his left hand and the boat in his right; and vice versa when it is blessed. During the singing of the Gospel and processions he places the little finger in the ring of the small cover and the thumb in the ring of the chain connected with the large cover; on other occasions (when he goes to receive incense, etc.) he holds it at the top of the chains under the small cover, in such manner that the large cover is raised a little (apart from the act of censing).

Duties of the Master of Ceremonies and other Ministers at Masses of the Dead

I. The black vestments and everything necessary for the offices should be ready in the sacristy. The bench on which the Ministers sit should be uncovered. The antependium of the Altar and the carpet should be black (unless the Holy Sacrament be reserved at the Altar, when they will be purple); the predella only should be covered and not the steps. The credence should be covered with a small linen cloth hanging down only a little at the sides, and on it should be placed, besides the Chalice, cruets, etc., the candles to be distributed to the choir. It is not covered with the humeral veil, as this is not used.

2. After the Preparation the Deacon and Subdeacon do not go up to the Altar, but stand in line behind the Celebrant, and when he kisses the Altar, they genuflect and go to the Epistle corner to assist as usual at the Introit, the censing of the Altar being omitted. The clergy in quire kneel during the singing of the Collects.

3. The Subdeacon does not present himself to the Celebrant with the missal after the Epistle, nor does he receive the blessing nor kiss the Celebrant's hand, but after the usual bows to the choir gives the book to the Master of Ceremonies.

4. During the singing of the Sequence the Celebrant, having first read it, goes by the shorter way to sit down. The clerks appointed distribute candles to the clergy, who hold them lighted while the Gospel is sung and from the Sanctus to the Communion of the Celebrant inclusively.

5. A little before the end of the Sequence the Master of Ceremonies signs to the sacred Ministers to go by the shorter way to the Altar; the Celebrant bows down at the centre and says the Cleanse my heart, while the Subdeacon takes the book and its stand to the Gospel corner; and the Deacon at the right time carries the missal in the usual way to the Altar, puts it down, and kneels on the edge of the predella, where he says Cleanse my heart, without asking the Celebrant's blessing or kissing his hand.

6. The Celebrant having read the Gospel, the Master of Ceremonies signs to the Deacon and Subdeacon to descend to the pavement, incense not being used. The two Acolytes with hands joined and without candles place themselves in the middle, and they go to the place where the Gospel is sung. The Deacon does not cense the book nor the Celebrant afterwards.

7. The Gospel ended, the Subdeacon gives the book to the Master of Ceremonies at once, without presenting it to the Celebrant to be kissed. All genuflect and return to their places. The Creed is not sung.

8. When the Celebrant has said Let us pray at the Offertory, the Master of Ceremonies signs to the Subdeacon to genuflect and go to the credence, where he takes the Chalice covered with the veil and burse, which he carries to the Altar at the Epistle corner. The Deacon takes the burse, and spreads the corporal as usual; the Subdeacon takes the veil from the Chalice, giving it to the Acolyte, and pours the water into the Chalice without asking the blessing.

* When they present incense, cruets, towel or anything else, or when they take anything, they do not kiss the hand nor the thing presented.

9. As the Subdeacon does not hold the paten, the Master of Ceremonies directs him to go to the Celebrant's left, genuflecting before the centre of the Altar. After the offering of the Chalice the Deacon puts the paten partly under the corporal, and covers the rest with the purificator. At the right time he presents the incense, and when the Celebrant has blessed it, the oblation and the Altar are censed as usual, both the sacred Ministers raising the chasuble.

10. Afterwards the Deacon censes the Celebrant only. Then the Sub-deacon takes the cruet and basin from one of the Acolytes, and the Deacon, having given the censer to the Thurifer, takes the towel from the other, and both assist in washing the Celebrant's hands. They then stand one behind the other, and the Deacon responds to the Let us pray for the whole state etc.

11. At the right time the Deacon goes up to the Celebrant's right and the Subdeacon to his left, to say the Sanctus; which ended, the Subdeacon returns to his place, and the Deacon goes as usual to the Celebrant's left.

12. At the words Grant that we receiving the Master of Ceremonies directs the Deacon to go to the Celebrant's right, and the Subdeacon to go to the Epistle corner. The Sub-deacon, kneeling on the lowest step and facing the Gospel side, takes the censer from the Master of Ceremonies (the incense being already put in it), and censes the Blessed Sacrament at each Elevation. He gives back the censer, goes to his place, and remains standing there until The peace of the Lord. The Acolytes remain kneeling with their torches until the Celebrant's Communion.

13. At the words Forgive us our trespasses the Master of Ceremonies signs to the Deacon only to genuflect and go to the right of the Celebrant to give the paten to him. A little before the Celebrant says the Agnus, the Master of Ceremonies signs to the Subdeacon to genuflect and go to the left of the Celebrant, where he genuflects with the others, and bowing low towards the Blessed Sacrament, says the Agnus, but without striking his breast.

14. After the Agnus, as the Pax is not given, the Master of Ceremonies directs the Deacon and Subdeacon to change places, the Deacon going to the Celebrant's left and the Subdeacon to his right, both genuflecting before leaving and after arriving there. They then continue as usual.

15. After the last The Lord be with you the Deacon sings May they rest in peace without turning round, and always in the plural. The Celebrant also says it turned to the Altar, and without giving the blessing continues as at other Masses.

Mass sung without Deacon and Subdeacon

1. The Acolytes appointed to serve this Mass should follow exactly the rules given in The Manner of Serving Low Mass, and those added here as well.

2. At the right time they put on their cottas and make ready all that is necessary--viz. the corporal spread on the Altar and the Chalice placed upon it, and the ciborium, if required, behind it; and the missal opened with the markers in the right places on the Epistle side; the cruets, towel, book for the Epistle, and Communion-cloth on the credence. The first Acolyte should make ready to sing the Epistle.

* At these Masses the use of incense is not sanctioned, although in some places the practice wrongly obtains.

3. At the last bell the first Acolyte assists the Celebrant to vest, and the second lights the candles on the Altar. The Celebrant being vested, the Acolytes place themselves at his sides and with him bow to the Cross of the sacristy; then they unite and go with hands joined to the Altar. The first presents holy water to the Celebrant and then to his companion.

4. On reaching the Altar, the Celebrant being in the middle, the first Acolyte takes his biretta with the usual kisses, and having genuflected with his companion carries it to the Celebrant's seat. The second Acolyte, having genuflected, kneels at the left of the Celebrant a little behind, and responds with the first Acolyte who kneels at the Celebrant's right.

5. At the words O Lord hear my prayer they both rise and raise the edge of the Celebrant's vestments a little while he goes up to the predella. They then kneel on the lowest step and make the responses.

6. If the Celebrant sit down after saying the Kyrie, they genuflect together in the centre of the pavement, and go to his seat. The first stands at his right and the second at his left; they raise the chasuble, to prevent him sitting on it, and the first gives him the biretta with the usual kisses. Both stand with hands joined nearly facing each other, but not so as to turn their backs on the Altar.

* They will do the same when the Priest goes to sit down at the Creed and Gloria, rising immediately when he bows before leaving the Altar. If any sentence is sung at which a bow is made, they do so towards the Cross, the first Acolyte signing to the Celebrant when to take off and put on his biretta. When the choir sings And was incarnate, they turn towards the Altar, and kneel down.

7. At the last Kyrie the first Acolyte signs to the Celebrant to go to the Altar, takes his biretta, and puts it on the seat. Both go with the Priest to the middle of the Altar, genuflect on the pavement, raise his vestments, and kneel in their places.

8. When the Celebrant begins the last Collect, the Acolytes go to the Epistle side, the second stands near the Celebrant to assist him, and the first takes the missal from the credence, and stands on the pavement behind the Celebrant. At the words Jesus Christ in the last Collect, he bows towards the Cross, goes to the centre, genuflects, and returns to his place behind the Celebrant to sing the Epistle. Which ended, he genuflects in the centre, and without kissing the Celebrant's hand takes the missal to the credence, and then kneels in his usual place.

* If a long Sequence or Tract be sung, the Celebrant may go after reading it to sit down; towards the end he goes to the Altar by the shorter way and says Cleanse my heart.

9. At the right time the second Acolyte carries the missal by the longer way to the Gospel corner, and then kneels in his place. At the beginning of the Gospel both rise, and at the end answer Praise be to thee O Christ; they then kneel until the Celebrant goes to sit down after the Creed.

10. When the Celebrant has sung Let us pray at the Offertory, the Acolytes rise, genuflect, and go to the credence for the cruets, which they place on their stand on the Altar. The first Acolyte presents the wine, and the second, who is on the left, the water; the second pours the water for the Lavabo, and the first presents the towel. Both bow to the Celebrant before and after as at High Mass. Having replaced the cruets, they return to the centre, genuflect on the pavement, and kneel in their places.

11. At the Preface it will be convenient that some other Clerks of the choir bear the torches; the number may vary according to the festival. At the Elevation both Acolytes raise the chasuble, and continue as at other Masses.

12. When the Priest has received the Sacred Host and genuflected, the first Acolyte rises and goes to minister the wine and water for the ablutions; the second goes to the missal, and when the first goes to the Gospel side to arrange the Chalice, goes down to the pavement with the missal and genuflects with him in the centre; he sets the missal on the Epistle corner, and returns to his place.

13. The first Acolyte, having arranged the Chalice, takes it to the credence, genuflects in the centre, and kneels in his place.

14. At the last Gospel they rise, and the first goes to get the biretta; at The Word was made flesh they genuflect, and when the Celebrant descends from the Altar, they genuflect on either side of him. The Priest, having taken his biretta, goes to the sacristy, preceded by the Acolytes.

15. Arrived in the sacristy they bow to the Cross; the first assists the Celebrant to unvest, while the second puts out the candles, and arranges everything in its proper place.

* When Communion is given, they both say the Confession, and after the Celebrant has received the Sacred Host, the first Acolyte goes to take the Communion-cloth, returns to the centre and kneels on the pavement. If the Confession is not said before the Preface, they say it after the Priest has received the Precious Blood, bowing profoundly; and then rise, genuflect with the Celebrant, and kneel on the predella to communicate; after which they rise, genuflect, and separate to hold the cloth, which they do kneeling. When the clergy and people have communicated, the first Acolyte pulls the cloth towards himself, genuflects with the second in the centre, and goes with him to minister the cruets for the ablutions, as above.

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