sacred objects and vestments
TRANSCRIPT
SACRED OBJECTS AND VESTMENTS
VESTMENTS
USED BY SERVERS, PRIESTS, DEACONS, BISHOPS AND POPE
THE AMICE (AMITO)
This is a rectangular piece of cloth with two long ribbons attached to the top corners. The priest puts it over his shoulders, tucking it in
around the neck to hide his cassock and collar. It is worn whenever the alb does not completely cover the ordinary clothing at the neck
(GI 297). It is then tied around the waist.
Symbol of the helmet of salvation
THE ALB
This long, white, vestment reaching to the ankles and is worn when celebrating Mass. Its name comes from the Latin ‘albus’ meaning
‘white.’ This garmentsymbolises purity of heart. Worn by priest, deacon and in many
places by the altar servers.
Symbol of purity
THE CINCTURE
This is a long cord used for fastening some albs at the waist. It is worn over the alb by those who wear an alb. It is usually white in
colour.
Symbol of Chastity
THE MANIPLE
The maniple is a narrow strip of linen, of the same color as the chasuble, suspended from the left forearm so that if falls equally on both sides of the arm. It
is to remind the cleric that he must patiently bear the cares and sorrows of this earthly life in the service of God and for Heavenly reward. Bishop puts on the maniple at the Altar after the Confiteor; other clerics put it on in the sacristy
before the service. As the cleric puts on the maniple, he kisses the Cross on the maniple
Symbol of the acceptance of suffering
THE STOLE
A stole is a long cloth, often ornately decorated, of the same colour and style as the chasuble. A stole traditionally stands for the power of the
priesthood and symbolises obedience. The priest wears it around the neck, letting it hang down the front. A deacon wears it over his right shoulder and
fastened at hisleft side like a sash.
Symbol of the clerical office, immortality, and the yoke of Christ
THE CASSOCK
A long black garment worn by Altar Servers under the Surplice. Also worn by Diocesan Priests (Black), Monsignors (Rose), Bishops (Violet),
Cardinals (Red), and the Pope (White).
THE SURPLICE
This is a wide-sleeved garment, slipped over the head, covering the shoulders, and coming down below the hips. It is worn over the
cassock.
THE CHASUBLE
The chasuble is the sleeveless outer vestment, slipped over the head, hanging down from the shoulders and covering the stole and alb. It is the proper Mass vestment of the priest and its colour varies according to the
feast. It is wornas a mantle over his shoulders symbolising the yoke of Christ and signifies
charity.
THE DALMATIC
Instead of a chasuble like a priest wears, the deacon wears the sleeved dalmatic, also matching the liturgical color, over his alb and
stole. Bishops also wear a dalmatic at major solemn feasts and ordinations. It symbolizes charity, justice, and the sufferings of Christ.
THE COPE
The Cope is a long mantle, esp. of silk, worn by ecclesiastics over the alb or surplice in processions and on other occasions. The cope is a large mantle worn by clerics (including deacons) at some liturgical celebrations (but not
at the Mass) -- for example, during Processions and Benedictions of the Blessed Sacrament. It matches the color of the liturgy and is worn in the
same way as the chasuble or dalmatic
THE BENEDICTION VEIL (HUMERAL VEIL)
A long cloth, usually white, which goes over the celebrant's shoulders and covers his arms. This is attached by a clasp in the front. The veil
is used to hold the Blessed Sacrament in the Monstrance during Benediction.
THE BIRETTA
The biretta is a tri-cornered or square-shaped hat with silk trim, tuft (except for the birette of seminarians and cardinals) and three raised
wings, called "horns," on top at three corners (the side of the hat without the horn is worn on the left side of the head). It is made of
scarlet silk for cardinals, violet silk for bishops, and black merlino for priests, deacons, and seminarians.
THE PECTORAL CROSS
The pectoral cross is a cross, usually about 6 inches in height, worn around the neck of a bishop and suspended by either cord (in
liturgical vestments or choir) or chain (in abito piano). The cord is scarlet and gold for a cardinal; green and gold for a bishop. The
pectoral cross is worn on the chest of prelates so as to keep the Cross close to their hearts.
THE CROZIER (BACCOLO)
The crozier is the shepherd's staff used by bishops. The crozier has always been in the Church a symbol of the bishop's pastoral role. In the very early Church, it was made of
wood, but in the early Middle Ages metal (silver and gold, depending on rank) was used instead. Wooden croziers again began to be used during the time of Vatican II and are
common today. Popes don't use a crozier, and only since the time of Vatican II have they used a crozier-like staff called the "pastoral staff." The pastoral staff is silver with a crucifix at the top.
THE EPISCOPAL RING & PAPAL RING
When a Bishop is consecrated as Bishop, he receives a ring representing his office (Cardinals receive their own special ring, also). The Pope's ring, known as the "Fisherman's Ring," is the personal and
unique seal of that reigning Pontiff and is (or at least used to be) destroyed on his death.
THE ZUCCHETTO (SKULLCAP)
The zucchetto is the silk yarmulka-like skullcap worn by bishops. The Pope's zucchetto is white; the cardinals' zucchetti are scarlet; the
bishops' zucchetti are violet. Priests may use a black cloth zucchetto for everyday wear, but not during the liturgy.
THE MITRE
The mitre imitates the Old Testament priestly headcovering and is the headdress of bishops, worn at liturgical functions. It is either precious, golden
(orphreyed), or simple (simplex). The precious mitre is worn by celebrants, the simple by concelebrants, and the golden by the celebrant at an
ordination. All cardinals wear a damasked mitre (simplex) in presence of the Pope. It is very tall and made of layered white damask silk.
THE MITRE
THE PALLIUM
It is worn only by archbishops (in their own dioceses), patriarchs, and the Pope, as symbol of their authority. It's a band of white wool adorned with 6 small black crosses, worn around the neck with extensions front and back, and pinned to the chasuble in three places about the neck. The non-silk part of the pallium is made of white wool, part of
which is supplied by two lambs presented annually by the Lateran Canons Regular on the feast of St. Agnes (21 January). The lambs are solemnly blessed on the high altar of that church after the pontifical Mass, and then offered to the pope, who sends palliums made
of their wool to the archbishops.
THE FANON
The fanon is a vestment , rarely used nowadays, reserved for the Pope during a pontifical Mass. It consists of a double mozzetta (short
shoulder-cape worn by bishops outside the liturgy), the first going under the stole and the second over the chasuble.
SACRED VESSELS
THE CHALICE
The large cup used at Mass used to hold the wine which becomes the Blood of Christ.
THE PATEN
A saucer-like disk which holds the bread which becomes the Body of Christ.
THE CIBORIUM
A vessel used to hold the Hosts which will be used for communion. They are also used to reserve the Blessed Sacrament in the
tabernacle.
THE DECANTER (FLAGON)
The bottle or pitcher like vessel used to hold the wine which will be consecrated at mass for the communion of the people. It is brought
forth with the gifts.
THE COMMUNION CUPS
Used at communion for the people to receive the precious Blood of Jesus. They are kept on the Credence Table and brought to the Altar
at the Preparation of the Gifts.
THE CRUETS
Cruets contain the wine and the water used during the Mass. The Tray is used when water is poured over the Priests hands.
THE PITCHER AND BASIN
THE LAVABO AND TOWEL
is a bowl over which the priest washes his hands during Mass (water drips into this bowl.)
THE MONSTRANCE
This is a large ornate vessel used to hold the Blessed Sacrament for Benedictionand Eucharistic processions.
THE LUNETTE
A thin, circular receptacle, having a glass face that holds the Consecrated Host used at Benediction.
THE PYX
A metal case in which the lunette is kept in the tabernacle. It is also a pocket watch-shaped case in which Communion is brought to the sick
and the housebound.
THE INCENSE BOAT
So called because it is in the shape of a boat, and is used to hold the incense.
THE ASPERSORIUM
Bucket that holds Holy Water.
SACRED OBJECTS
THE THURIBLE (CENSOR)
This is used to contain the burning charcoal on which incense is put. Incense has always been used since early times to do honour to
people and things. For this reason we incense the altar, Book of the Gospels, bread and wine, and the people at Mass
THE ASPERGILLUM
An aspergillum is a liturgical implement used to sprinkle Holy Water.
THE PROCESIONAL CROSS
is the large cross that is carried in by a server at the beginning of Mass and is carried out at the end of Mass
THE PROCESIONAL CANDLES
is carried during the precession and reading the Holy Gospel.
THE CREDENCE TABLE
Table where servers place the vessels to be used in the Mass, which include, the Chalice, Patten, Communion Cups, Cruets, and Lavabo
Dish.
SACRED LINENS
THE CORPORAL
A white linen cloth on which are placed the vessels containing the bread and wine during Mass which will become the Body and Blood of
Christ.
THE PURIFICATOR
A small rectangular white cloth used to clean the chalice and paten after Communion. It is different in appearance from the corporal,
because it is not square.
THE PALL
The stiff, square, white cover that is placed over the paten when it is on the chalice
LITURGICAL BOOKS
THE ROMAN MISSAL
Contains all the prayers and rituals said by the Celebrant and Deacon during Mass. Included are The Introductory Rites, The Liturgy of the
Word, without Scriptures, The Liturgy of the Eucharist, and The Concluding Rites.
THE BOOK OF THE GOSPEL
The Book of the Gospels is a visible sign of Jesus Christ the Word of God. It is to be carried in procession at the entrance of the Mass by the Deacon and then enthroned at the center of the altar. A Lector
may process with the book when a Deacon is not present.
THE LECTIONARY
Contains the Scripture Readings for Mass, Responsorial Psalm, and Gospel. It should not be carried in procession by the Lector, but
should be placed on the ambo before Mass.
THE HYMNAL (MISSALETTE)
Provides the congregation the parts of the mass for a specific season in the liturgical year including instructions on when to stand, sit, or
kneel.