Sacred objects and vestments

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.