Approaching The Altar

[Nihil Obstat]

Hey, so I read at mass about once a month. I'm never entirely sure of the most proper way to approach the lectern and the altar, etc... So could you tell me the proper procedure when I:

-approach the altar during the procession,
-approach the altar to do the first reading,
-approach the altar at the start of the recession.
-face the altar just before recessing?

Ahead of time, thanks!

[cappie]

Order of Procession:

Incense, if used
(The priest puts incense in the censer at the start of the procession, and
then blesses it with the sign of the cross in silence. If the server adds
the incense, there is no blessing.)
• Cross (with an image of the crucified Christ) with candles, if carried
• Servers and other ministers
[b]Readers enter in the procession and take places in the sanctuary (at
least for the liturgy of the word). They may also join the exit
procession. Extraordinary ministers of Communion are not normally
part of the procession nor do they have seats in the sanctuary.[/b]
• Deacon (or, in his absence, a reader) carrying the Book of the Gospels, if used
(The Lectionary is never carried in procession.)
• (Concelebrating priests, if present)
• Priest
(If the Book of the Gospels is not used, the deacon accompanies the
priest, as does a second deacon, when present.)
Veneration of the Altar — upon arrival at the sanctuary
Background Note: [b]the bow is to the altar (as representation of Christ), not the
cross.[/b]
1. Preceding the deacon and priest, the ministers make a deep bow to the altar
then go to their places.
• [b]If the tabernacle is in the sanctuary, they first genuflect to the Blessed
Sacrament. (Another such genuflection will occur at the end of Mass.
Otherwise, throughout the Mass those who pass before the tabernacle do
not make any signs of reverence toward it.)[/b]
• Ministers who carry liturgical objects make a simple bow of the head
instead of either the genuflection or the deep bow.

[b]Approaching to read one should bow to the Altar.
[/b]
Finally, the priest (with the deacon) venerates the altar with a kiss. He and
the other ministers then make a profound bow to the altar and depart. [b](If the
tabernacle is in the sanctuary, the priest and ministers also genuflect to the
Blessed Sacrament before leaving the sanctuary as at the entrance.)[/b]
Notes:
• The procession to the sacristy follows the same norms as for the
entrance procession except that the Book of the Gospels is not carried.
• The Missal does not call for or describe a “closing song.” (If one is
used, the norms for the Entrance Song apply.)

The above comes from the Diocese of Pittsburgh and is based on the GIRM