Vessels, Linens and Vestments commonly

used in a Roman Catholic church.

Chalice – The chalice is the cup used in the liturgy. It holds the wine which once consecrated is the Blood of Christ. Because what it holds is most precious to our faith, the chalice is normally made of or plated with a precious metal such as gold or silver. Chalices and other sacred vessels can also be made from other solid materials that are precious to a people or culture, for example, ebony or other hard woods, but chalices must have bowls of nonabsorbent material.

Paten– The paten is the flat plate used to hold the Eucharist during Mass. Like the chalice, patens are normally made of or plated with gold or silver or other precious metals.

Ciborium– The ciborium is the covered container that holds the Eucharist when it is being distributed at Mass or stored in the tabernacle. Traditionally, the ciborium was similar to a chalice with a lid, but today many have a flat bottom and no stem. It can be made of any material as long as the inside is gilded.

Cruets – Cruets hold the water and wine used at Mass. The water and wine are presented to the priest in the cruets at the offertory. He then pours it from the cruets into the chalice before the Consecration.

Thurible and boat - A thurible is the incense burner used in Masses and ceremonies. It hangs from chains so it can be swung to spread the smoke from the burning incense. The boat is where the incense is stored until it is placed on the burning charcoal in the thurible.

Aspersory and Aspergillum - The Aspersory is a container for holding Holy Water. The Aspergillum is a stick-shaped implement with holes in it to dip into the Aspersory and catch the Holy Water for sprinkling and blessing people and things.

Pyx – A pyx is a small container used to hold the Eucharist. Priests, deacons and Eucharistic ministers use it to carry Holy Communion to the sick or those who cannot get to church.

Altar cloth – As the name would indicate, the altar cloth is the cloth used to cover the altar. It is normally decorated with symbols of our faith.

Purificator – The purificator is the cloth used by the priest to clean the chalice and paten after they have been used at Mass. Purificators normally have a cross embroidered on them.

Corporal – The corporal is a square cloth on which the chalice and paten are placed during Mass. Like a purificator, it normally has a cross embroidered on it. It takes its name from the Latin word for “body.”

Alb – The alb is the white garment worn under the other vestments. Its name comes from the Latin word for “white.” Its roots are in the ordinary clothing worn in the early centuries of the church.

Cincture – The cincture is a rope-like vestment tied around the waist like a belt.

Chasuble – The chasuble is the poncho-like vestment that goes over all the others. Chasubles come in various colors to match the colors on church seasons, holy days and feast days.

Stole – The long vestment worn around the neck like a long scarf (or vertically across the chest of the deacon). The stole is a symbol of the priest’s or deacon’s office, therefore he must always wear a stole when administering the sacraments.

Zucchetto – The cap worn by a bishop. It is similar to the Jewish yarmulke.

Mitre – The mitre is the pointed hat worn by a bishop. Only bishops and cardinals (the leaders among bishops) wear the mitre.

Crosier – The crosier is the staff carried by a bishop. It is modeled after a shepherd’s staff and is symbolic of a bishop’s role as a shepherd (leader) of the Church.

The Sacramentary contains the prayers read by the priest or deacon during Masses and other liturgical ceremonies.

Lectionary – The Lectionary contains the readings used at Masses throughout the year. There are two different groups of readings that are used, one for Sundays and holy days and the other for weekdays. The Sunday readings are divided into three cycles (cycles A, B and C) and the weekday readings are divided into two (cycles I & II). The gospel readings in cycle A are primarily from the Gospel of Matthew, cycle B from the Gospel of Mark and cycle C from the Gospel of Luke (readings from John are used all 3 cycles during the Easter season and other seasons where appropriate. Cycle I is used on weekdays in odd numbered years and cycle II is used in even numbered years. A new cycle begins with the new church year at Advent.