LITURGICAL MINISTERS
The ushers and greeters, the altar servers and the lectors are to be provided by the High School. It is expected that all of these liturgical ministers are familiar with their roles and will be well practiced for the Mass at the Cathedral Basilica. Those who carry out liturgical ministries are to be Roman Catholics.
A student may participate as a liturgical music minister, in the role of cantor, if he/she have served as a cantor on a regular basis at parish or school Masses. A Cathedral Cantor is also available for the Baccalaureate Mass. The High School is responsible for the stipend of $125 for the Cathedral Cantor, to be paid no later than the day of the Mass. A Cathedral Organist must be used for the Baccalaureate Mass. The High School is responsible for the stipend of $175 for the Cathedral Organist, to be paid no later than the day of the Mass. If the Cathedral Organist is needed for the rehearsal, not to exceed two hours, for the Mass then there is an additional stipend of $125.
It is preferred that the altar servers are not among the gradautes. Altar servers are expected to provide and wear albs and cinctures. Cassocks and surplices are available in the Cathedral Sacristy if all the servers are male and this is the custom of the school. Typically, four servers are expected: thurifer, crucifer, two candle bearers (who serve the Mass). If a Bishop is the celebrant, see the notes for altar servers on the website of the Office for Divine Worship.
- The cantor leads the liturgical music from the stand in the sanctuary. A seat and kneeler is provided by the stand. It is preferred that the cantor wear a cantor’s robe which can be provided. The psalm, preferably sung by a psalmist, is sung from the ambo.
- All the readings for the Mass are proclaimed from the ambo. The Responsorial Psalm is sung from the ambo, preferably by someone other than the cantor. The lectors and the psalmist, if other than the cantor, sit in the nave and enter the sanctuary only to proclaim their assigned reading and sing the psalm.
- Only bread and wine may be brought forward in the procession of gifts. The table for the gifts is at the break in the pews in the nave.