Sub-Deacon Manual

Updated 2/20/14



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BEFORE THE SERVICE

At least 15 minutes prior to service, vest in an alb, a cincture, and tunicle. (All vestments are hanging in the
vestment closet.)

Light the altar candles.

Reverence altar (bow) and get the Gospel from the altar.

Check that the correct Gospel reading for the day is marked.

Be present (with Gospel in hand) outside the sacristy for a prayer with the altar party just before the service
begins.

Go to the narthex and get in line for the procession. The sub-deacon is always the person in front of the
Presider (2
nd
to last person in procession).

DURING THE SERVICE

Processional
Process in carrying the Gospel slightly in front of and above your head. The Gospel book should be straight up
and facing out. Place Gospel on center of altar (front facing up), reverence the altar (bow), and go stand in front
of the Deacons seat. (Placing the Gospels on the altar will signal the assembly right at the beginning of the
service that Christ, who becomes present here in bread and wine, is already present in the word, and especially
in the Gospel, where we hear his own words.)

Gospel Reading
During the sequence hymn (once the verger has moved), reverence the altar (bow) (in front of Gospel), lift the
Gospel book slightly in front of and above your head. It should be straight up and facing out. With the Gospel,
follow the verger to the middle of the nave, turn and face the altar. Lower the book of Gospel to chest and hold
it against chest for the reading of the Gospel.

After the Gospel reading raise gospel overhead, process with the Gospel to altar, place Gospel on the altar,
reverence the altar (bow), and go stand in front of the Deacons seat until invited to sit.

Prayers of the People
Standing in front of Deacons seat, introduce the Prayers of the People. (If intercessor is not present, the sub-
deacon should act as the intercessor and read all of the Prayers of the People.)

Confession

Standing in front of the Deacons seat, call the congregation to confession, then walk to front of rail, kneel at
rail, wait 60 seconds, and say the first line of the confession, Most merciful God

After absolution by the Presider, return to the Deacons chair and be seated.
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Setting the Altar Table
(All directions are given from the perspective of the sub-deacon.)

During the offertory hymn, remove Gospel book from altar and place it on the table beneath the retablo (shelf
behind altar)

Move the stacked chalice from the credence table to the altar and set it in front of the right candlestick, half way
between candle and edge of altar with the cross on chalice facing you.



Remove the corporal and unfold it, placing it on the center of the altar with the folds pointing down and with the
stitched cross at the bottom edge (closest to) sub-deacon and at the edge of the fair linen. (This should be the
way it unfolds if the cross on the chalice is maintained toward the sub-deacon and the Altar guild has placed it
correctly. If it does not unfold properly, discreetly refold the corporal, put it in the correct position, and unfold
it again.)










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Lay the pall in front of the right candlestick.



Place the chalice with purificator folded over the top in the top center of the corporal.



Remove purificator, place at front base of chalice.

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Go to credence table, remove stopper from cruet of water, leave stopper on table.

Take cruet of water to the altar and place it in front of and slightly to right of chalice.



Stand still behind the altar and wait for the gifts (alms and elements) to be brought forward.

Receive the alms basins from the acolyte and place them on the right side of the altar.

Receive the elements. Place paten with bread in front of the chalice on the corporal and place the cruet of wine
behind the cruet of water (on the right side of the chalice) on the corporal.



Reverence the oblation and alms bearers (after they line up).

Remove stopper from the wine cruet and place it on the credence table.

With the purificator from the chalice in hand, pour half the wine into the chalice by placing the purificator as a
shield in such a way to keep drops from splashing out on to the fair linen. Remove any drops of wine from the
lips of cruet before placing it onto the corporal.

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Return the cruet of wine to the right of the chalice, behind cruet of water.

Take the cruet of water and pour a very small amount of water into the chalice using the purificator as a shield
to protect the fair linen from drops of wine splashing out. Remove any drops of wine from the lips of cruet
before placing it onto the corporal.

Pour a small amount of water into the cruet of wine.

Take the cruet of water to the credence table.

Remove book-stand and Presiders book from the small table beneath the retablo (shelf behind altar) and place
on the altar to the left of the corporal.

Open the altar book (Presider's book) to the beginning of the Eucharistic prayer.




Prepare to wash the Presider's hands at the credence table by holding lavabo bowl in left hand with the lavabo
towel draped over left arm and the water cruet in right hand.

When the Presider presents their hands to be washed, pour water over hands into lavabo bowl.

When Presider is finished washing hands, return the lavabo bowl, lavabo towel, and water cruet to the credence
table and return to left side of the Presider at the altar.

Standing to the left of the Presider, turn pages for the Presider using the left hand and reaching above the book
to grab the top of the pages in order not to block the field of vision of the Presider.

The sub-deacon should respond appropriately in those areas in which the Eucharistic prayer calls the
congregation to join in.






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Once the Presider breaks the bread (the Fraction), get the second chalice with purificator from credence table
and place it in front of the main chalice on the corporal on the altar.



Fill the second chalice half way with wine using the purificator as a shield to protect the fair linen from drops of
wine splashing out. Remove any drops of wine from the lips of cruet before placing it onto the corporal. If cruet
is empty, return to credence table. Otherwise, return cruet to altar.


Hold up chalice in unison with Presider during Gifts of God for people of God

Cleaning the Altar Table
At the end of communion, all chalices, purificators, and the paten should be returned to the altar (regardless of
whether the wine is consumed or not).

Place water cruet on altar.

Once everything is consumed, Presider places purificator on chalice and will hand chalice with purificator to
sub-deacon.

Take chalice with purificator from Presider and place on the credence table.
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Presider will give sub-deacon water cruet. If wine cruet is present on altar, Presider will also give sub-deacon
the wine cruet. Place on credence table.

Presider will hand sub-deacon the stacked chalice. To receive the stacked chalice, place one hand on stem of
chalice above presiders hand and other hand on top of stacked chalice. Place on credence table.

Return to Deacons chair and remain standing.

Dismissal
After blessing, say (or chant) the dismissal.

Processional
The sub-deacon always process off of the altar before the Presider (next to last person off the altar).

Reverence altar (bow), process out (can carry your sub-deacon book which has the hymn printed in it).

After processing out, stay beside Presider until dismissed.


AFTER THE SERVICE

On hot days, Presider may give sub-deacon his/her chasuble. If so, hang the chasuble neatly in the vestment
closet.

Extinguish the altar candles.

Return alb, cincture, and tunicle to vestment closet. Make sure all vestments are hanging neatly.


Notes:
The sub-deacon's piety at the altar must match that of the Presider. If the Presider bows, the sub-deacon should
bow. If the Presider makes the sign of the cross, so should the sub-deacon. If the Presider does not make the
sign of the cross, the sub-deacon should not either.

The acolytes will look to you for leadership. Your behavior should be an example to them and you should offer
guidance to the acolytes whenever possible.

If a Deacon is present, the Deacon will assume many of these duties. In the event of a Deacon being present,
the sub-deacon assist the Deacon. Check with the Deacon prior to the service for specific changes and
responsibilities.