Catholic Liturgical Vessels and Vestments

Liturgical Vessels

• Chalice: A cup to hold wine and water that becomes the blood of Christ.
• Paten: A dish placed on the chalice to hold the host, which becomes the body of Christ.
• Ciborium: A lidded vessel used by lay ministers to distribute the Blessed Sacraments and to store excess Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle.
• Cruets: Pair of containers for holding wine and water.
• Thurible and (Incense) Boat: It holds charcoal and incense that is burned on solemn occasions.
• Monstrance and Lunette: A vessel modeled after the sun, used to display a large, consecrated host during exposition of the Blessed Sacrament; the lunette is a container with glass sides for holding the large host inside the monstrance.
• Communion Plate: Used to catch the Blessed Sacrament if it is dropped.
• Bell: Used to get the attention of the mass-goers at the start of the mass and during consecration.
• Wash Basin: Used by the celebrant to wash his hands.

Liturgical Vestments

• Alb: A long white robe worn by the celebrant, deacon, and altar servers, serving as a reminder of baptism.
• Cincture: A long cord used to fasten the Alb at the waist and adjust it.
• Chasuble: A sleeveless outer garment, covering the Alb and stole of the priest.
• Stole: A scarf-like vestment worn over the Alb and under the Chasuble, marking the Office of the Priest, worn around the neck and hangs down in front.
• Cassock: Part of the canonical costume of the clergy, but not a liturgical vestment. It was originally out-of-doors and domestic dress of European laity and clergy.
• Surplice: Meant to be a miniature alb, worn by any cleric, lectors, acolytes, and altar servers.
• Cope: A large cape worn by a priest in processions and other sacred actions.
• Humeral Veil: A long, usually white cloth that goes over the celebrant's shoulders and covers his arms, attached by a clasp in the front, to hold the Blessed Sacrament in the Monstrance during Benediction.
• Dalmatic: A loose-fitting robe with open sides and wide sleeves worn by a deacon on more solemn feasts.
• Deacon Stole: A long scarf-like vestment worn over the Alb and under the Dalmatic, is the mark of the Office of the Deacon, worn over the left shoulder and fastened at the right side.

Liturgical Equipment

• Altar Table: Where the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
• Altar Cloth: A sign of respect and protection for the surface of the altar.
• Crucifix: A reminder that the Mass and Jesus' Death on the Cross are the same sacrifice to God the Father.
• Candles and Processional Cross: Carried during the opening procession. Placed in the stand in the Sanctuary during Mass and carried out by the servers in the recessional at the end of Mass.
• Sacramentary: A book that contains all the prayers said by a priest or deacon.
• Lectionary: A book that contains all the sacred scripture readings.
• Book of Gospels: A book that is carried by a deacon or lector at the entrance and placed in the middle of the altar table, containing all the gospel readings.
• Missal Stand: Supports the missal.
• Corporal: A linen placed on top of the altar cloth where the vessels are placed.
• Purificator: A cloth used to wipe and dry the chalice after use.
• Pall: A stiff, square cover placed atop the chalice to protect its contents.
• Finger Towel: Used by the priest to dry his hands after washing them.
• Tabernacle and Key Box: Where the excess Blessed Sacrament is kept.
• Holy Water Pot and Sprinkler: A bucket that holds holy water; an aspergillum (sprinkler) is used to sprinkle Holy Water.
• Pyx: A small round container used in the Catholic, Old Catholic, and Anglican Churches to carry the consecrated host to those unable to come to church for communion.
• Credence Table: A table holding vessels to be used during Mass, including the Chalice, Patten, Communion Cups, Cruets, and Lavabo Dish.

Liturgical Colors

• White: Used during Christmas, Easter, feasts of the Lord, Blessed Virgin Mary, non-martyr saints, and angels.
• Violet: Sign of penance and mourning, used during Advent, Lent, and for masses for the dead.
• Red: Sign of the blood of Christ or the Holy Spirit, used for Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Pentecost, and martyred saints.
• Green: Symbol of harvest and growth in faith, used during Ordinary Time.
• Rose: Used twice a year during the 3rd Sunday of Advent and 4th Sunday of Lent.
• Gold: Symbol of the kingship of Christ, used during the feast of Christ the King and other special feasts.
• Blue: Symbol of Mary’s humbleness, used for significant feasts for the blessed mother.

Liturgical Seasons

• Advent Season: The beginning of the church's calendar, celebrating the two-fold coming of Christ; lasts four weeks, including the 9 days of Simbang Gabi.
• Christmas Season: Celebrates the birth of Christ, the Incarnation, and God becoming man, with two focal points: Christmas Day until the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and the Solemnity of the Epiphany until the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
• Lent Season: A season of 40 days of fasting and almsgiving, from Ash Wednesday until the Mass of the Lord's Supper.
• Easter Triduum: Three days of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ, beginning with the Mass of the Lord's Supper and reaching until the Easter vigil.
• Easter Season: 50 days of celebration for the rising of Christ, from the Easter vigil until Pentecost.
• Ordinary Time: Has two parts: the Sunday of the Baptism of the Lord until Ash Wednesday and Pentecost Sunday until the Feast of Christ the King, encompassing 34 weeks total.

Fundamental Prayers

• Apostle's Creed/Sumasampalataya
• Hail Mary/ Aba, Ginoong Maria
• Our Father/Ama Namin
• Glory Be/Luwalhati
• Fatima Prayer/O, Hesus Ko

Additional Topics to Review

• Ideals of an Altar Server
• Parts of the Mass
• Basic Postures and Gestures