Approach Formation

Usage

Approach formation is used in the Dominican Rite Solemn High Mass whenever a group of Ministers/Servers is approaching or leaving the High Altar in the Presbytery.

Form

• Ministers and Acolytes stand in a row parallel to and facing the High Altar.
• When all are present:
  • At foot of High Altar, from left to right: Junior Acolyte, Subdeacon, Celebrant, Deacon, Senior Acolyte.
  • Behind them, in the middle: Crucifer.
  • Behind him, in the middle: Thurifer.
• Use squares for spacing.
• When Crucifer / Thurifer are not present, it's just a line.
• When two are missing, e.g. during the Epistle, line up in spaces as if they were there.
• When only one Acolyte / Minister pair is present, Minister is in the middle, and Acolyte can be on either side. Acolyte chooses the side based on what moves most smoothly, typically left if having just led the Minister to the High Altar from the Epistle side, right if next movement is to the Epistle side.