Procession

• Left turns are for penitential seasons and occasions, right turns are for festive seasons and occasions.
• Longer processions are for more solemn occasions.

Formation

Processions that do not include the Eucharist (see Eucharistic Procession for those) are arranged as shown below¹.

  T
 B

L C L

 S S
 ...
 S S
  M

Where:

• T is the Thurifer with the Thurible.
  • If incense is not used in the procession, Thurifer as treated as an additional Server (S).
• B is the Boat Bearer with the Incense Boat.
  • If incense is not used in the procession, Boat Bearer as treated as an additional Server (S).
• L are Lucifers with Processional Candles.
• C is the Crucifer with the Processional Crucifix.
• S are additional Servers, if any. They are empty-handed.
  • S are in pairs, if there is an odd Server, he is at the end in the middle.
• M is the MC. If there are an odd number of additional Servers, he forms up in a pair with the odd one in the last row.

Adjustments for fewer Servers

Four servers

Omit the Boat Bearer. This is the most common case.

Three servers

Use only Candle bearers and Crucifer, omitting the Boat Bearer and Thurifer.

Two servers

Use only Thurifer and Crucifer, omitting the Candle bearers and Boat Bearer.

One server

Use only Crucifer. For less solemn occasions, use only a single empty-handed Server instead of a Crucifer.

When there is a Bishop

The formation is²:

    Th
Bo

Cb  Cr  Cb
  Se  Se
    ..
  Se  Se
    MC
  Ch  Ch
    ..
  Ch  Ch
    De
  Cc  Cc
    ..
  Cc  Cc
  MC
    Bi
  De  De
Cz  Bb  Mb

Where:

• Th is the Thurifer
• Bo is the Boat Bearer
• Cb are Candle bearers
• Cr is the Crucifer
• Se are other Servers
• MC are the Masters of Ceremonies. If there is only one, he takes the spot closer to the Bishop.
• Ch are those in Choir Dress, Canons follow Clergy.
• De are Deacons. If there is only one, he takes the position closer to the Crucifer.
• Cc are Concelebrants.
• Bi is the Bishop.
• Cz is the Crozier Bearer.
• Bb is the Book Bearer.
• Mb is the Mitre Bearer.

Routes

Passageway Procession to Crossing Altar

When using this route, no incense, Processional Candles, or Processional Crucifix are used in the procession.

Servers enter the Sanctuary through the Passageway in pairs. Each pair stops at the foot of the Presbytery to Genuflect. The next pair does not enter the Sanctuary until the previous pair stand from their Genuflection.

After standing, the pair of Servers turns inwards and processes down the center of the Sanctuary toward the Crossing Altar. At about the black line, they move right and go to their seats at Choir Stalls#Low.

If there are an odd number of Servers, the last Server leads the Celebrant if there are no other Ministers, or processes alone if there are.

If leading the Celebrant, Genuflect with him at the Tabernacle.

Short Cloister Walk Procession to Crossing Altar

Unlikely to be accompanied by a hymn; will likely coincide with the Entrance Antiphon.

• Start in Cloister Walk, process North.
• Turn slight left and process West, before the set of pews in front of the Friars' Chapel.
• Turn slight right and process North.
• Form up in front of the Crossing Altar.
• Reverence the Tabernacle, break to positions.

Short Cloister Walk Procession to High Altar

Possibly accompanied by a hymn.

• Start in Cloister Walk, process North.
• Ignore Crossing Altar and enter Sanctuary through South steps.
• Turn right and process East up middle of Sanctuary.
• If there is a hymn, stop at the foot of the Presbytery and wait for the Introit to start.
• Reverence the Tabernacle, break to positions.

Long Cloister Walk Procession to Crossing Altar

Typically accompanied by a hymn.

• Start in Cloister Walk.
• Process North across the entrance to the Friars' Chapel.
• Turn left and continue West toward the Holy Name Chapel.
• Turn right at back of the church and continue North to the the center aisle.
• Turn right and continue East to the foot of the Sanctuary.
• Wait for the Entrance Antiphon to begin.
• Reverence the Tabernacle and enter the Sanctuary.

Long Cloister Walk Procession to High Altar

Typically accompanied by a hymn.

• Start in Cloister Walk.
• Process North across the entrance to the Friars' Chapel.
• Turn left and continue West toward the Holy Name Chapel.
• Turn right at back of the church and continue North to the the center aisle.
• Turn right and continue East down the center aisle and into the Sanctuary, without stopping or making a reverence.
• Continue East through the Sanctuary to the foot of the Presbytery.
• Reverence the Tabernacle and break formation.
  • Do not wait for the Entrance Antiphon to begin.

References

• GIRM > par. 119-120, 188

---

1. c.f. CotMRR > Diagram 2. ↩

2. See CotMRR > Diagram 5. ↩