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...