Different Styles in Serving the Roman Rite Mass Part 2

On my first part I've posted about the formations of Entrance processions. But now We will post about the Gospel Acclamation. During solemn high Mass obviously incense is used.
As an altar server or Acolyte this is our responsibility to prepare these things.

Photo courtesy of New liturgical movement.org

So here are the formations...

1st stop the Archdiocese of Cebu.

Photo courtesy from:Militum Xpisti

You may wonder why in their Metropolitan Cathedral during high mass they use Banner with the Icons that represents the 4 Gospel writers Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Some of the critics may say, "How come they use banners, It should be candles". For this critic I would say It is the choice of their liturgist and it is stated in the 1st pages of the lectionary where instructions are given. Candles or anything that represents reverence can be used accompanied with a minister with incense. Well I would say the use of banners can be very unique.


Next Archdiocese of Manila

One of the famous so called 4 candle formation can be found.
In my own interpretation 4 candles can represent the 4 gospels. But what's very interesting is that on how they execute the "style".

video courtesy of youtube.com

 Another Archdiocese.

Archdiocese of Jaro..

It is where the 1st time saw another formation. I thought in mind that what they are doing are quite erroneous which some of the acolytes will say "Mali yan" or "The candle should be the one to lead!".

In my opinion that could be their chosen formation maybe they can be comfortable with it. here's their linear formation.

Boat Bearer  Candle Bearer  Candle Bearer  Thurifer

As of now I got no updates on them :-)

Next 

the Diocese of Bacolod

Another diocese that you can't see the boat bearer during the gospel reading. How come?. I think he should be there since he is part of the team. Well I don't know about about those acolytes that loves that formation but in our institution still under the said diocese the boat bearer is still visible during the gospel reading together with the thurifer. 

Take a look on the archdiocese of Manila, Cebu and Jaro or even in Rome The boat bearer is still at the gospel reading.

Some would say it's wrong or it is the priest's preference but it is our chosen formation. 

    

formations which is used by the majority

Candle Bearer      Boat Bearer  Thurifer    Candle Bearer

if there's a deacon

Candle Bearer   Boat Bearer  Deacon  Thurifer   Candle Bearer

but sometime parishes the team of the thurifer may go first to the lectern then followed by the deacon.

 ****

Gospel reading is one of the sacred parts of the Mass. Since the Gospel is not just a story about Christ but it contains the teachings of God that must be done in our hearts and show them through our actions.

         

Different Styles in Serving the Roman Rite Mass Part 1

You may wonder why I post this topic. But to add some info usually serving the Altar as an Acolytes has preferred styles. The so called "styles" is adding some sense of solemnity to the Holy Mass. Like using 4 acolytes/servers as candlebearers during mass instead of the traditional 2 candlebearers. Since Candle Sticks add solemnity and it symbolizes Christ as the light of the world.

REMEMBER: "STYLES" ARE SOMETIMES UNDER THE PREFERENCE OF THE PARISH PRIEST, DIOCESAN LITURGIST OR THE INSTITUTION THAT HOLDS THE MINISTY.


This first Part is the ENTRANCE PORCESSION
Bells are used to give attention to the congregation. But some parishes/ diocese the use of bell is optional during the entrance and the gloria.
During the entrance procession they put some solemnities when they walk
take a look at this:
 courtesy of youtube.com

Have you noticed something in the video? An MC or an acolyte goes first and behind him are the Thurifer and
Boat bearer. Well that could be a choice of the Archdiocese of Manila.
Here are some other issues. In most of the parishes especially in the Cathedral of the Diocese of Bacolod, Negros Occidental the Thurifer alone goes first  no matter what and the boat bearer is at the very back of the acolytes. Since the reason is "Hindi na siya kailangan sa ngayon" in english "He is not needed for now".
Here's an example of one of their formations.

                           Thurifer

                          Cross bearer

Candle Bearer                          Candle Bearer

                                                    

         Acolytes                                  Acolytes

         Boat Bearer                         Acolytes

                                Lector

                     Main Celebrant/ PRIEST

Another video will show you that the thurifer may carry incense boat the the same time.
courtesy of youtube

But there are some acolytes would ask what is really the exact formation.As written in the Gen. Instruction of the Roman Missal the Thurifer with a lighted censer goes first. But in my point of view the Thurifer and the Boat bearer goes together during the entrance procession since they can't exist without each other. But during the Papal Mass the MC for the acolytes goes first  but behind him is the Boat Bearer

                                                                        

Here's one of the example preferred by the majority.

(the use 4-7 candle bearers are optional depending on the number of servers and size of the sanctuary.) 

            MC(optional)

           Boat Bearer      Thurifer

                         Cross Bearer

Candle Bearer                     Candle Bearer

                                                  
Acolytes                              Acolytes

Acolytes                             Acolytes

   
                            Lector
    MC/ Acolyte                 MC/ Acolyte

               Priest/ Main Celebrant

Other questions:


"Why in our parish there are 2 thurifers? It should be 1"
my answer. It depends upon the parish priest, if he wants 2 thurifers during the entrance and the consecration. But just remember as long as there's no conflict between the task there would be no problem. 


"How come in our Parish church the priest is not using incense?"
my answer:
The use of incense is optional in any form of Holy Mass




Photo Courtesy of MMHC.com

                                          

Papal Mass 7 Acolytes carrying 7 candles...