Look Around St. Peter’s – what do you find?

Ablution Cup - covered dish of water on the side of the tabernacle which is used by the priest, deacon or extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist to wash their fingers after distributing Communion.

Acolytes' Candles - These two candles are carried either side of the cross in the entrance procession. They are then used to flank the Gospel when it is proclaimed.

Alb - White robe worn over clothes, for adult servers, priests and deacons.

Ambo - The platform, lectern or pulpit from which the reading and homily are given.

Aspergillum - The holy water sprinkler.

Bells - Rung during the consecration of the mass.

Cassock - A long tunic like garment (red, white, and black) which reaches from the neck to the heels which is warn by servers and clergy.

Chalice - A cup of precious metal that holds the wine which becomes the Blood of Jesus after the consecration. All chalices should be placed in their places after Mass. If the Chalices were left unpurified by the priest or deacon for some reason they should be left out on the presentation table for purification by the priest or deacon. Never put an unpurified chalice away.

Chasuble - Colored vestment worn only by the priest.

Ciborium - A large cup or container of precious metal with a cover of the same material which will hold the Body of Jesus after the consecration for distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful.

Cincture - Cord used as a belt for the alb.

Corporal - A white linen cloth, usually with a cross in the center, used to protect any particles of the Precious Body and Blood of Jesus from falling to the altar cloth. It is always folded and unfolded as to protect any particles from being lost. The corporal is like the body winding sheet used to hold the crucified body or Our Lord in the tomb.

Credence Table - The table in the sanctuary where the cruets, chalices and ciborium are kept before and after the Consecration.

Cruets - Water and wine containers.

Finger Bowl & Towel - Used for the rite before Eucharistic prayer. The linen for drying was called a manuterge.

IHS - the first three letters of Jesus's Name in Greek and often used to decorate the altar and other church facades.

Lectionary - The book of reading used for the liturgy of the word. It usually contains all the biblical reading used for the three year Sunday cycle of reading and the two year daily Mass readings.

Monstrance - Osterorium - Container for the host in exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, commonly surmounted by a cross. The glass-sided, removable receptacle at its center, the luna (or lunette), actually holds the host.

Paschal Candle - The large ornate (decorated) candle used at funerals, baptisms, and the Easter season until Pentecost. Each year at the Easter Vigil Mass, this candle is specially blessed by the priest.

Paten - A small saucer shaped plate of precious metal that holds the Host.

Procession – Term of the event of beginning Mass by having the cross bearer, two acolyte bearers, the lector, and the priest – all processing through the main aisle of the church up to the sanctuary.

Processional Cross - The cross carried in and out of the mass.

Purificator - A linen cloth used by the priest or deacon to dry the chalice after washing and purifying it. Used Purificators must always be placed in the proper container for sacred cloths.

Pall - A square piece of cardboard or plastic which is covered by linen and used to cover the chalice.

Pyx – Usually a round container just large enough to carry a host. For conveying the communion host outside of church and Mass to those who could not attend.

Recession – Term of the event of the end of Mass by having the cross bearer, two acolyte bearers, the lector, and the priest – all processing together as you leave the sanctuary and return to the vestibule or sacristy of the church.

Sacramentary - The book containing the prayers said by the priest during the Mass.

Sanctuary - The sacred space elevated before the congregation. (The altar is within the sanctuary.)

Sacristy - The room where priests vest before mass.

Sepulcrum - The cavity on the altar in which the relic(s) of the patron saints of that church or chapel are incased.

Stock - The metal containers used to hold the oil of the catechumen, the oil of chrism and the oil for anointing the sick.

Stoup - The holy water fountains or bowels at the entrances of the church.

Surplice - A wide sleeved, linen worn over a cassock by clergy and altar servers in some parishes.

Tabernacle - The elaborate (ornate) receptacle used to repose (place) the Body of Christ.

Thurible - Container for burning incense. [Boat--the container for incense.]

Thurifer - The altar server responsible for the thurible.

Other Definitions (items found in other Catholic churches):

• Burse - A square container for holding the corporal. It is selected for the liturgical color of the day.
• Chalice Veil (peplum) - A cloth covering used to hide the chalice and paten up to the offertory and after Communion. It is selected by the liturgical color for the service.
• Sacrarium (piscina) - A sink with it drain going directly into the ground usually fitted with a cover and lock which is used for the disposal of the following: The sacred linen wash and rinse water, used holy water, used baptismal water and blessed ashes. No other use is allowed. St. Peter Celestine does not have a sacrarium.
• Thaborstand - The ornate stand used to support the Monstrance during exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

Remember, as Catholics, we genuflect towards the direction of where the tabernacle is. We never genuflect to the altar or to a cross.

Q: How do I bow?

A: Profound bow forward (from the waist), or a slow, reverent nod forward of your head.

Suggested Procedures:

Currently, there is a need for service of 2 extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist for Sunday Mass. carrying a ciborium (distribute the Body of Christ)

Just prior to the beginning of the "LAMB OF GOD", please leave your seat in the congregation and make your way to the first step of the sanctuary to meet together - three ministers lined up facing the tabernacle. All together, please bow reverently to Christ. Proceed to stand behind the altar area facing the presiding priest saying Mass. There is not a requirement for you to 'wash' your hands, as in the past, simply be present around the altar.

The presiding priest will give you Holy Communion, and then assist in providing you the vessels you need to distribute Communion. If it is a visiting priest, you may have to go to the altar to take the vessel you will need.

Upon completion of distributing Holy Communion, please return your vessel to the credence table so after Mass it may be purified and put away.

At an 'appropriate' moment, all ministers should leave the sanctuary area all together, but before leaving entirely, meet once again at the first step at the bottom of the sanctuary, turn to face the tabernacle, and bow reverently. Please return to the congregation.

Thank you and God Bless you for your care and reverence in this holy task.

NOTE:

1. As ministers of the Eucharist, please be alerted to individuals who do not consume the Eucharist after receiving it. They must consume it and if there is a problem, alert Father (presiding priest) immediately without delay.
2. please do not allow persons receiving Communion to intinct their host into the chalice. This is only permitted if the eucharistic minister has the proper intinction vessel, and it also not permitted due to the good possibility of the precious blood accidentally dripping to the floor when the person returns the host to consume it.

NORMS FOR COMMUNION UNDER BOTH SPECIES IN LATIN CHURCH - Congregation for Divine Worship