Sacred vessels and vestments
O Lord, I love the house where you dwell, the place where your glory abides (Ps 25:8).
* * *
It is useful to know and to be able to identify the sacred vessels and liturgical items used in the cult, especially for the celebration of the Holy Mass.
Sacred vessels and liturgical items
The altar is the table on which the Sacrifice of the Cross is made present under sacramental signs is also the table of the Lord to which the People of God is called together to participate in the Mass, as well as the center of the thanksgiving that is accomplished through the Eucharist.[1] Relics of Saints, even those not Martyrs, may be placed under the altar. Care should be taken, however, to ensure the authenticity of such relics. The altar must be covered with the altar cloths. It may be decorated with some floral arrangements but this should always be done with moderation and the flowers should be placed around the altar rather than on its mensa.[2] There should be candles on the altar or somewhere not far from it.[3]
There should be a cross, with the image of Christ crucified upon it, either on the altar or near it, where it is clearly visible to the assembled congregation. It is appropriate that such a cross, which calls to mind for the faithful the saving Passion of the Lord, remain near the altar even outside of liturgical celebrations.[4]
The reredos or altarpiece is a richly painted or ornamented screen, usually with images, at the back of the altar.[5]
The dignity of the word of God demands that a place in the church is reserved for its proclamation: the lectern (or ambo). It is appropriate that this place be a fixed, stationary ambo and not simply a movable lectern.[6]
The chair of the priest celebrant in the sanctuary must signify his office of presiding over the gathering and of directing the prayer. Any appearance of a throne, however, is to be avoided.[7]
The sacred books used in the Mass are called the Lectionary, which contains all the readings, psalms, and Gospels, and the Sacramentary. They are placed on the self‑standing lectern for the readings or on a small folding book stand on the altar during the Mass.
The tabernacle is a boxlike receptacle where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved. It should be solid, inviolable, and located always in a place that is truly prominent and conducive to prayer.[8] Its name is derived from the word “tent.” It is covered with a tabernacle veil.
The sanctuary lamp must be kept burning before the tabernacle.
The chalice is a cup used at Mass to contain the precious blood of Christ.
The paten is a shallow dish on which the host is placed.
The ciborium is a covered cup in which the small consecrated hosts are kept. It is usually covered with a veil.
The corporal is a linen cloth, twenty inches square, upon which the chalice and paten are placed. It is pleated in three folds overlapping inwardly so that no fragment of the consecrated host may be dropped. It is carried in a burse.
The pall is a stiff cardboard, usually square, covered with linen. It is used as a cover for the chalice to protect it from dust and other foreign matter.
The purificator is a small linen towel used to dry the priest’s fingers and the chalice at the end of the Mass.
The chalice veil covers the chalice before and after its use at Mass.
The Communion plate is held under the chin of the communicant to catch any particle of the sacred host that may fall. The Communion cloth, placed over the rail, has a similar purpose.
The altar bell is rung to alert those present at some moments of the Mass.
The cruets are two small bottles or vessels containing the wine and water to be used for the Consecration and for the ablutions after Communion.
In some places, it is customary to light a little candle on a bougie lamp during the Consecration.
A censer or thurible to burn incense is used in solemn Masses. The incense boat is a vessel in which incense is kept; a small spoon is used to transfer incense from the boat to the censer.
Priestly vestments
The amice is a rectangular piece of white linen, worn beneath the alb.
The alb is a full‑length white linen vestment. It symbolizes the garment in which Christ was clothed by Herod, and the purity of soul with which the sacrifice of the Mass should be offered.
The cincture is a belt, girdle, or cord tied around the waist of the alb. It symbolizes chastity and mortification of the senses.
The stole is a long, narrow band worn over the neck. It symbolizes the sweet yoke of Jesus Christ and the dignity of the ministerial priesthood.
The chasuble is a sleeveless outer garment worn by the priest at Mass. It is worn over all the other vestments, and is made of silk or some other rich material usually decorated with symbols. It is patterned after the traveling cloak used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Originally, it was a large circle of cloth with an opening in the center for the head of the priest. It symbolizes charity, which must cover all our actions.
At solemn Masses, the deacon wears a dalmatic. It is an outer liturgical vestment with short sleeves, open at the sides and made of the same material as the vestments of the celebrant.
The beauty of the vestments should derive from the materials and design rather than from lavish ornamentation. Representations on vestments should consist only of symbols, images, or pictures portraying the sacred. Anything not in keeping with the sacred is to be avoided.
The different colors of the liturgical vestments are meant to express the specific character of the mysteries of the faith being celebrated, to symbolize different truths, or to convey sentiments. Customarily, the color of these liturgical vestments (the chasuble, the dalmatic, the stole) is repeated in other items (the chalice veil, the tabernacle veil, the corporal burse, and even the frontal of the altar when it is made of cloth).
The color white is the symbol of purity, majesty, and glory. It is used on the feasts of our Lord, the Blessed Virgin, confessors, and virgins.
Red is the symbol of love, fire, the blood of martyrdom, and royalty. It is used on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Pentecost, the Lord’s Passion, and the feasts of the apostles, evangelists, and martyrs.
Green is the symbol of hope, youth, progress, life, and continuous growth. It is used in Masses of Ordinary Time.
Violet is the symbol of humility, penance, and austerity. It is used in Lent and Advent. It may also be used in Masses for the dead.
Black is the symbol of mourning. It may be used in Masses for the dead.
Rose lightens the austerity and penitential rigor of violet. It may be used on the Third Sunday of Advent and on the Fourth Sunday of Lent.
Light blue is the symbol of our Blessed Mother. It may be used on her feasts, following the regulations of the local bishop.
On solemn occasions more precious vestments may be used, even if not of the color of the day.[9]
Footnotes:
[1]Cf. GIRM, no. 259; GIRM3, no. 296.
[2]Cf. GIRM3, nos. 302-305.
[3]GIRM3, no. 307.
[4]Cf. GIRM3, no. 308.
[5]Cf. GIRM3, no. 318.
[6]Cf. GIRM3, no. 309.
[7]Cf. GIRM3, no. 310.
[8]Cf. GIRM3, nos. 314-317.
[9]Cf. GIRM, nos. 306-309; GIRM3, no. 344-347.
* * *
It is useful to know and to be able to identify the sacred vessels and liturgical items used in the cult, especially for the celebration of the Holy Mass.
Sacred vessels and liturgical items
The altar is the table on which the Sacrifice of the Cross is made present under sacramental signs is also the table of the Lord to which the People of God is called together to participate in the Mass, as well as the center of the thanksgiving that is accomplished through the Eucharist.[1] Relics of Saints, even those not Martyrs, may be placed under the altar. Care should be taken, however, to ensure the authenticity of such relics. The altar must be covered with the altar cloths. It may be decorated with some floral arrangements but this should always be done with moderation and the flowers should be placed around the altar rather than on its mensa.[2] There should be candles on the altar or somewhere not far from it.[3]
There should be a cross, with the image of Christ crucified upon it, either on the altar or near it, where it is clearly visible to the assembled congregation. It is appropriate that such a cross, which calls to mind for the faithful the saving Passion of the Lord, remain near the altar even outside of liturgical celebrations.[4]
The reredos or altarpiece is a richly painted or ornamented screen, usually with images, at the back of the altar.[5]
The dignity of the word of God demands that a place in the church is reserved for its proclamation: the lectern (or ambo). It is appropriate that this place be a fixed, stationary ambo and not simply a movable lectern.[6]
The chair of the priest celebrant in the sanctuary must signify his office of presiding over the gathering and of directing the prayer. Any appearance of a throne, however, is to be avoided.[7]
The sacred books used in the Mass are called the Lectionary, which contains all the readings, psalms, and Gospels, and the Sacramentary. They are placed on the self‑standing lectern for the readings or on a small folding book stand on the altar during the Mass.
The tabernacle is a boxlike receptacle where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved. It should be solid, inviolable, and located always in a place that is truly prominent and conducive to prayer.[8] Its name is derived from the word “tent.” It is covered with a tabernacle veil.
The sanctuary lamp must be kept burning before the tabernacle.
The chalice is a cup used at Mass to contain the precious blood of Christ.
The paten is a shallow dish on which the host is placed.
The ciborium is a covered cup in which the small consecrated hosts are kept. It is usually covered with a veil.
The corporal is a linen cloth, twenty inches square, upon which the chalice and paten are placed. It is pleated in three folds overlapping inwardly so that no fragment of the consecrated host may be dropped. It is carried in a burse.
The pall is a stiff cardboard, usually square, covered with linen. It is used as a cover for the chalice to protect it from dust and other foreign matter.
The purificator is a small linen towel used to dry the priest’s fingers and the chalice at the end of the Mass.
The chalice veil covers the chalice before and after its use at Mass.
The Communion plate is held under the chin of the communicant to catch any particle of the sacred host that may fall. The Communion cloth, placed over the rail, has a similar purpose.
The altar bell is rung to alert those present at some moments of the Mass.
The cruets are two small bottles or vessels containing the wine and water to be used for the Consecration and for the ablutions after Communion.
In some places, it is customary to light a little candle on a bougie lamp during the Consecration.
A censer or thurible to burn incense is used in solemn Masses. The incense boat is a vessel in which incense is kept; a small spoon is used to transfer incense from the boat to the censer.
Priestly vestments
The amice is a rectangular piece of white linen, worn beneath the alb.
The alb is a full‑length white linen vestment. It symbolizes the garment in which Christ was clothed by Herod, and the purity of soul with which the sacrifice of the Mass should be offered.
The cincture is a belt, girdle, or cord tied around the waist of the alb. It symbolizes chastity and mortification of the senses.
The stole is a long, narrow band worn over the neck. It symbolizes the sweet yoke of Jesus Christ and the dignity of the ministerial priesthood.
The chasuble is a sleeveless outer garment worn by the priest at Mass. It is worn over all the other vestments, and is made of silk or some other rich material usually decorated with symbols. It is patterned after the traveling cloak used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Originally, it was a large circle of cloth with an opening in the center for the head of the priest. It symbolizes charity, which must cover all our actions.
At solemn Masses, the deacon wears a dalmatic. It is an outer liturgical vestment with short sleeves, open at the sides and made of the same material as the vestments of the celebrant.
The beauty of the vestments should derive from the materials and design rather than from lavish ornamentation. Representations on vestments should consist only of symbols, images, or pictures portraying the sacred. Anything not in keeping with the sacred is to be avoided.
The different colors of the liturgical vestments are meant to express the specific character of the mysteries of the faith being celebrated, to symbolize different truths, or to convey sentiments. Customarily, the color of these liturgical vestments (the chasuble, the dalmatic, the stole) is repeated in other items (the chalice veil, the tabernacle veil, the corporal burse, and even the frontal of the altar when it is made of cloth).
The color white is the symbol of purity, majesty, and glory. It is used on the feasts of our Lord, the Blessed Virgin, confessors, and virgins.
Red is the symbol of love, fire, the blood of martyrdom, and royalty. It is used on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Pentecost, the Lord’s Passion, and the feasts of the apostles, evangelists, and martyrs.
Green is the symbol of hope, youth, progress, life, and continuous growth. It is used in Masses of Ordinary Time.
Violet is the symbol of humility, penance, and austerity. It is used in Lent and Advent. It may also be used in Masses for the dead.
Black is the symbol of mourning. It may be used in Masses for the dead.
Rose lightens the austerity and penitential rigor of violet. It may be used on the Third Sunday of Advent and on the Fourth Sunday of Lent.
Light blue is the symbol of our Blessed Mother. It may be used on her feasts, following the regulations of the local bishop.
On solemn occasions more precious vestments may be used, even if not of the color of the day.[9]
Footnotes:
[1]Cf. GIRM, no. 259; GIRM3, no. 296.
[2]Cf. GIRM3, nos. 302-305.
[3]GIRM3, no. 307.
[4]Cf. GIRM3, no. 308.
[5]Cf. GIRM3, no. 318.
[6]Cf. GIRM3, no. 309.
[7]Cf. GIRM3, no. 310.
[8]Cf. GIRM3, nos. 314-317.
[9]Cf. GIRM, nos. 306-309; GIRM3, no. 344-347.