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Glossary for Liturgical Ministers:

Anyone serving in Catholic Ministry either Lay or Ordained should know the following terms:

Ablution cup: Small covered glass or metal vessel containing water in which the priest, deacon or other minister of communion may purify their fingers. Usually it is placed by the tabernacle with a small linen cloth.

Alb: A long white or cream colored garment which covers the entire body. This garment is always worn by the celebrant-presider, concelebrants and deacons.

Altar: Sometimes called the table of the Lord, the place where the sacrifice of Jesus is offered to the Father and made present to us in the Eucharist. The Altar is treated with respect for it represents Christ who is the center of our parish life. The altar is covered with a White cloth set for the sacred meal we share as a community.

Altar Bread: See Host.

Baptismal Font: Where the baptisms take place by a priest or deacon.

Basin: When the Altar Server pours water from the Ewer (pitcher) over the hands of the priest at mass the water spills into the Basin.

Boat: A small container that holds the incense and a small spoon. This is usually carried by the Thurifer in the right hand.

Bowl: The vessel that holds hosts during mass and also used for distribution at communion.

Cassock: A long robe (usually black but it may be white, red or purple) worn by altar servers when in the sanctuary during mass or other rites of the church. It is sometimes worn by priests and deacons.

Celebrant- The minister who leads the ceremony. This will usually be a priest, but it

Presider may also be a deacon or a bishop.

Censer: Also called the Thurible. The metal container that holds the hot charcoal for the incense. It is held by the ring on the end of the chain and carried by the Thurifer (server assigned to this task) in the left hand.

Chalice: The cup used at the Mass that contains the wine, which when consecrated by the priest becomes the Blood of Christ. It is made of Gold, Silver, Glass or pottery. Other cups are used to serve the Sacred Blood to the faithful. The small metal plate used with the chalice is called the Paten.

Chasuble: A long, flowing, poncho-like robe that goes over the celebrant’s head. This is the vestment that people see; it may be colored white, green, red, white & blue, violet, or gold depending on the liturgical season, feast, or event.

Ciborium: A covered container used to hold the Eucharistic Bread in the tabernacle.

Cincture: A long cord, 12 to 14 feet in length, often tipped with tassels or heavy knots, which may be white or the color of the outer vestments

Communion Cups containing the wine consecrated into the Blood of Christ that the

Cups: Eucharist Minister takes to the faithful at Communion.

Cope: The priest or deacon may wear a Cope (long cape) in processions, and other liturgical services indicated in the rubrics of the particular rite.

Corporal: A square piece of white linen cloth that is spread over the altar cloth directly in front of the celebrant-presider. The chalice and paten are placed on it during the mass. Its primary use is to catch any consecrated fragments of the Body of Christ (Host)

Credence The small table usually on the side wall of the sanctuary where the items

Table: used at mass are placed (e.g., chalice, bowls, cups, sacramentary).

Cruets: Covered, bottle-like containers that hold the water and wine used during mass. The Cruet may also be a large glass container with enough wine to be placed in the Chalice and cups.

Ewer: Water Pitcher (see Basin)

Easter Candle:  A large candle placed in a tall holder in the Sanctuary which symbolizes the light of the risen Christ. It is blessed at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday and is lighted for all Sunday liturgies from the Easter Vigil to Pentecost. After Pentecost it is lighted for baptisms and funerals.

Eucharist: A Greek work that means “thanksgiving”. It refers to the Altar bread and wine that have been consecrated. Eucharist also refers to the latter part of the mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist) when the consecration takes place.

Genuflect: To briefly touch the right knee to the floor as a sign of respect for the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist on the altar or in the tabernacle.

Hand Towels:  Used by the celebrant at mass to dry his hands during the Preparation of the Gifts.

Holy Water Bucket & Sprinkler: Used by the priest and or deacon to bless the people in the Easter Season a  at mass. Used at funerals at the Introductory rites of the mass and in certain blessings.

Homily: A discourse, usually an explanation of the sacred scripture used in the readings at mass, that follows the Gospel on Sundays and solemn celebrations. Homilies may only be given by bishop, priest and deacon.

Host: Also called Altar Bread. The round, flat bread consecrated by the celebrant at mass. The CONSECRATED HOST is also called the Eucharist.

Humeral Veil: A scarf like cloth about 8 to 9 feet long and 21 to 36 inches wide, worn over the shoulders of a priest or deacon in certain situations when he is handling the Blessed Sacrament. It is most often used with a Cope however may be worn without the cope in some cases.

Incense: A mixture of leaves, bark, and other natural materials that gives off a sweet-smelling smoke when burned. This smoke symbolically represents our prayers rising to God. The use of incense is always optional.

Lectern: The stand where the word of God is proclaimed and where the homily is preached. It is also called pulpit or ambo.

Lunette: See Monstrance.

Missal Stand: Used to hold the Sacramentary open on the altar for the celebrant. May be wooden or metal.

Monstrance: A sacred holder on a stand for a glass lunette fitted into the Monstrance for the faithful to see a consecrated Host. (the Body of Christ) The priest or deacon may bless the people after Eucharistic Adoration such as Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Pall: A square piece of linen cloth, about 7 or 8 inches square, which may be used during Mass to cover the chalice. It may consist of two pieces of fabric of the same size, sewn up on three sides to form a pocked into which is inserted a piece of light but stiff cardboard or plastic to provide rigidity. Its purpose is to keep objects from getting into the chalice. (flies) Its use is entirely optional.

Pascal Candle: See Easter Candle.

Prie-dieu: Kneelers may be used in the sanctuary for other ministers to kneel on.

Procession: The solemn entry of the liturgical ministers into the sanctuary.

Processional Cross: A crucifix attached to a staff about five feet long. It is carried at the head of liturgical processions.

Purificator: A small white linen cloth used to wipe the lip of the chalice and to clean the chalice and paten after Holy Communion.

Pyx: Small container, usually gold or silver to carry the consecrated Host to the sick and dying. Lay people may have a Pyx to transport the Body of Christ to those who are in hospitals or home bound.

Sacramentary: The large book which contains all the prayers said by the celebrant during Mass.

Sacrarium: The special sink, usually in the sacristy, that empties directly into the earth under the church.

Sacristy: The room in the church where the ministers and altar servers prepare for mass and where most objects and vestments used at mass are stored.

Sanctuary: The area around the altar including the steps and platform area.

Sanctuary Lamp: The candle (or light) that is continually burning, day and night, to indicate the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle.

Stole: A long band of cloth worn during liturgical services by a bishop, priest or deacon over the shoulders and worn over the alb. It is a symbol of the sacrament of Holy Orders. It is usually the same color as the chasuble.

Surplice: A white garment worn over the cassock that hangs below the waist. Worn by Altar Servers and also the clergy.

Tabernacle: A locked repository where the Eucharist (Blessed Sacrament) is retained.

Thurible: See Censer.

 

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