Items used at Mass & Liturgies

Objects + Vestments +Books + Vessels

Objects within the Church
Altar
Ambo
The altar is the
Known as the “Table of the
table used for the
Word” for the proclamation of
Holy Sacrifice of
Sacred Scripture during the
the Mass. It is
Liturgy of the Word.
where the Priest
consecrates the From the ambo, the Readings,
bread and wine into the substance of the Body Responsorial Psalm, and
and Blood of Jesus Christ. Gospel are proclaimed.
It is referred to as the “Table of the Lord” and Also used for the Homily and the intentions of the
at the beginning of the Mass, the Book of the Prayer of the Faithful. The dignity of the ambo
Gospels is placed on the Altar. requires that only a minister of the word should go up
to it.
Presider’s Chair.
Cross
The Chair for Priest
There should be a Cross, with the
Celebrant represents the role
figure of Christ crucified upon it,
of the priest as the leader of
which calls to mind for the faithful
the worship of the
the saving Passion of the Lord, be
community, and his pastoral
either on the altar or near it, where
care and responsibility for
it is clearly visible to the
the people. The Deacon would sit to the right
congregation.
of the Celebrant.
Tabernacle
Sanctuary Lamp
The shrine where the
Eucharist is kept is a place There is always a single light burning by
of exclusive reservation of the Tabernacle to show the Real
the Blessed Sacrament. Presence of Jesus (body, soul, blood, &
divinity) in the Eucharist.
As a sign of reverence and
adoration, one genuflects This light also represents our
whenever passing in front watchfulness before Christ, the Light of
of the Tabernacle. the World.

Paschal Candle
Baptismal Font
Is blessed at the Easter Vigil. It
displays the Greek letters alpha and A large ornate pool or majestic
omega (the beginning and the end), bowl is used for Baptisms. Baptism
the year, and five grains of incense is the way we enter into the
to represent the wounds of Jesus Church by being made children of
Christ (from the nails in each hand God.
and foot and the spear in the side). Entering into a spiritual relationship
The Paschal Candle is lit with our Heavenly Father, receiving
throughout the Easter Season, at the Holy Spirit, becoming a disciple
baptisms and at Funerals. of Christ and a member of God’s
family, the Mystical Body of Christ
- the Church and being called to eternal life.
 Lectern Ambry
Is a stand or podium and The Ambry holds the Holy Oils
when there is an ambo, the and the Oil of Chrism which are
Lectern is not used to used in the Sacraments of
proclaim Sacred Scripture. Baptism, Confirmation, and
The Announcements, Prayer Anointing of the Sick.
of the Faithful, and special The Sacred Oils may be visible
letters can be read from the Lectern. to remind the community that God chooses to use the
things of this earth to impart His grace.
Sacred Vestments
Alb
Symbolizes: Purity. Cincture
Symbolizes: Chastity
A long white robe is worn at
liturgical celebrations by the A long cord is used for fastening albs
Celebrant, Deacon, and Altar at the waist. It holds the loose-fitting
Servers. type of alb in place and is used to
adjust it to the proper length.
It is a reminder of the baptismal
garment worn when the new It is usually white, although the
Christian "Put on Christ." liturgical color of the day may be used.

Priest Stole
Deacon Stole
Symbolizes: the clerical
office, immortality, and the Symbolizes: the clerical office,
Yoke of Christ immortality, and the Yoke of Christ
The stole, matching the The stole, matching the liturgical color, is
liturgical color, is a long, a long, scarf-like vestment worn over the
scarf-like vestment worn over alb and under the Dalmatic.
the alb and under the It is the mark of the Office of the Deacon.
Chasuble. It is the mark of the Office of the A Deacon wears it over his left shoulder,
Priest. A priest wears it around the neck, fastening it at his right side.
hanging down in front.

Chasuble
Symbolizes: Charity and the Dalmatic
Yoke of Christ. Symbolizes: Charity, Justice,
and the sufferings of Christ
The sleeveless outer garment,
slipped over the head, hanging A loose-fitting robe with open
down from the shoulders sides and wide sleeves worn
covering the alb and stole of by a deacon on more solemn
the priest. feasts. Its color varies
according to the feast.
It is the proper Mass vestment
for the main celebrant and its color varies
according to the feast.
 Cope Humeral Veil
The cope is a large cape A long cloth, usually white, goes
worn by the celebrant in over the celebrant's shoulders and
processions and other covers his arms. This is attached by a
sacred actions, in keeping clasp in the front.
with the rubrics proper to
each rite. The veil is used to hold the Blessed Sacrament in the
Monstrance during Benediction.
For example, Baptisms,
and during Benediction of the Blessed
Sacrament.

Liturgical Books
Roman Missal Book of the Gospels
Contains all the prayers and The Book of the Gospels is a visible
rituals said by the sign of Jesus Christ the Word of
Celebrant and Deacon God.
during Mass.
It is to be carried in procession at the
Included are The entrance of the Mass by the Deacon
Introductory Rites, The and then enthroned at the center of
Liturgy of the Word, the altar.
without Scr. w/o scriptures, The Liturgy
of the Eucharist, and The Concluding Rites. A Lector may process the book when a Deacon is not
present.
Lectionary Hymnal/Missalette
Contains the Scripture
Readings for Mass, Provides the congregation the parts
Responsorial Psalm, and of the mass for a specific season in
Gospel. the liturgical year including
instructions on when to stand, sit, or
It should not be carried in kneel.
procession by the Lector but
should be placed on the ambo
before Mass.

Sacred Vessels/Objects
Chalice Paten
The large cup used by the A round metal plate is used by the
celebrant at Mass when he celebrant at Mass when he
consecrates the wine into the consecrates the host (bread) into
Blood of Christ. the Body of Christ.

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. Tabernacle.
Sacred Vessels/Objects - continued

Communion Cups Corporal

Used at communion for the A white linen cloth on which are placed
people to receive the precious the vessels containing the bread and
Blood of Jesus. They are kept wine during Mass which will become
on the Credence Table and the Body and Blood of Christ.
brought to the Altar at the
Preparation of the Gifts.

Purificator Pall
A small rectangular white cloth The stiff, square, white cover is
is used to clean the chalice and placed over the paten when it is on the
paten after Communion. It is chalice.
different in appearance from the
corporal because it is not square.

Cruets contain the Lavabo Bowl & Towel

wine and the water A dish called a 'Lavabo bowl'
used during the and the small linen cloth
Mass. called a 'Finger Towel', are
used by the priest to
symbolically
wash his hands before beginning the Consecration.
Monstrance
Thurible & Boat
A sacred vessel designed to
expose the consecrated Host to The Thurible (Censor) is used at
the congregation either for solemn occasions to incense the altar,
adoration in church or carrying Gospel, bread, and wine after the
in procession, particularly on offertory, the priest, and congregation
the Solemnity of the Body and and Eucharist.
Blood of Christ. The Boat holds the incense until it is placed in the
Thurible by the celebrant. Both are used during the
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
The fragrant smoke of incense symbolizes our prayers
rising to Heaven and purifying what it touches.

Aspergillum Aspersorium
An aspergillum is a Bucket that holds Holy Water.
liturgical implement
used to sprinkle
Holy Water.
 Processional Cross & Candles Candle Lighter and Snuffer
Crucifix on a pole which is
carried by the Cross Bearer and Server’s long or short-handled object with an
the Candles carried by the extendable wax taper for lighting candles on
Candle Bearers in the opening one side and an inverted cup for extinguishing
procession, a r e placed in the candles on the opposite side.
stand in the Sanctuary during
Mass and carried out by the
serves in the recessional at the
end of Mass.

Offertory Table Credence Table

A small table or surface area A table where servers place the
at back of Church vessels to be used in the Mass,
(Vestibule). Wine and hosts which include, the Chalice, Patten,
are placed here before Mass Communion Cups, Cruets, and
to be carried to the Lavabo Dish.
Sanctuary
during the Presentation of the Gifts.

Ablutions Bowl Holy Water Font

A bowl on the Credence A vessel containing Holy Water.
Table used by the Ministers Upon entering the Church Catholics
of Holy Communion to wash will dip their fingers in this blessed
their fingers after distributing water and mark themselves with the
Holy Communion during the Mass. Sign of the Cross, which is both a
reminder of our faith in the Triune
God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and the promises of
our Baptism into the Body of Christ – The Church.

Special Places in Church Narthex: (Sometimes called the vestibule). The area
located just inside the main entrance of the
church and the entrance to the body of the
Church. It also provides room for book or Nave – A central part of the church, where the faithful
pamphlet racks, bulletin boards, and the Holy gather to worship together and the pews are located.
Water Fonts.

Sacristy: Room where the sacred vessels and Sanctuary – A Sacred, consecrated area around the
vestments are kept and where Priest/Deacon Altar of a church where the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is
and Servers Vest and Prepare for Mass. celebrated; and the Altar, Ambo, Tabernacle, Credence
Table, Priest, Deacon, and Server chairs are located.