A GUIDE FOR ALTAR SERVERS

DIVINA PASTORA COLLEGE

Convento del Agustino
November 8, 2019
1:00PM – 4:00PM
 Chalice
 A chalice or goblet is a footed cup
intended to hold a drink. In religious
practice, a chalice is often used for
drinking during a ceremony or may carry
a certain symbolic meaning.
 Paten
 A paten, or diskos, is a small plate, usually
made of silver or gold, used to hold
Eucharistic bread which is to be
consecrated during the Mass. It is
generally used during the liturgy itself,
while the reserved sacrament are stored
in the tabernacle in a ciborium
Ciborium/ Ciboria
 A ciborium is a vessel, normally in metal. It
was originally a particular shape of
drinking cup in Ancient Greece and Rome,
but the word later came to refer to a large
covered cup designed to hold hosts for,
and after, the Eucharist, thus the
counterpart of the chalice.
Cruets
 A cruet, also called a caster, is a small
flat-bottomed vessel with a narrow
neck. Cruets often have an integral lip
or spout, and may also have a handle.
Unlike a small carafe, a cruet has a
stopper or lid. Cruets are normally
made from glass, ceramic, or stainless
steel.
 Pyx
 A pyx or pix is a small round container used
in the Catholic, Old Catholic and Anglican
Churches to carry the consecrated host, to
the sick or those otherwise unable to come
to a church in order to receive Holy
Communion.
Pitcher & Bowl
 The pitcher and bowl are used in washing
the priest’s hands during the celebration of
the Mass.
Thurible/ Censer
 A thurible is a metal censer suspended from
chains, in which incense is burned during
worship services
Incense Boat
 The incense boat is a metal container used
to carry the incense or incense powder.
Aspergillum/ Holy Water
 An aspergillum is a liturgical implement
used to sprinkle holy water. It comes in
two common forms: a brush that is
dipped in the water and shaken, and a
silver ball on a stick. Some have sponges
or internal reservoirs that dispense holy
water when shaken, while others must
periodically be dipped in an aspersorium.
Processional Candles/
Candelabra
 The processional candles are held by
altar servers during procession and
reading of the Gospel.
Processional Cross
 A processional cross is a crucifix or cross
which is carried in Christian processions. Such
crosses have a long history: the Gregorian
mission of Saint Augustine of Canterbury to
England carried one before them "like a
standard", according to Bede. Other sources
suggest that all churches were expected to
possess one.
Altar Candles
 Altar candles are place on each side of the
altar. This symbolizes the light brought by
Christ.
Communion Plate
 This is the plate that is used in communion
to catch the host that might fall.
Sanctus Bell
 In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church,
an altar or sanctus bell is typically a small
hand-held bell or set of bells. The primary
reason for the use of such bells is to create
a joyful noise to the Lord as a way to give
thanks for the miracle taking place atop the
altar.
Church Tabernacle
 A tabernacle is a fixed, locked box in which,
in some Christian churches, the Eucharist is
"reserved". A less obvious container for the
same purpose, set into a wall, is called an
ambry.
Monstrance
 A monstrance, also known as an
ostensorium, is the vessel used in Roman
Catholic, Old Catholic and Anglican
churches for the more convenient
exhibition of some object of piety, such as
the consecrated Eucharistic host during
Eucharistic adoration or Benediction of the
Blessed Sacrament.
Lunette
 A lunette is a moon-shaped holder used to
hold the Blessed Sacrament inside the
monstrance during the adoration.
Tabor Stand
 A tabor stand is used as the stand of
the monstrance during the exposition
of the Blessed Sacrament.
Holy Oil Vessels
 It is where the chrism oil, oils used for
baptism, and anointing of the sick are
kept.
Hosts
 These are wafers/ bread without yeast
which is used in ceremonial offering
which will become the Body of Christ
during the transubstantiation.
Mass Wine
 This is the wine which is used in
ceremonial offering which will become
the Blood of Christ during the
transubstantiation.
Pectoral Cross
 This is the cross worn by the Bishop and the
Pope which signifies Christ as the center of life
and of power and authority.
Crozier/ Baculo/ Bishop’s
Staff
 A crosier is a stylized staff carried by high-
ranking Roman Catholic. Other typical insignia
of many of these prelates are the mitre, the
pectoral cross, and the episcopal ring.
Paschal Candle
 A Paschal candle is a large, white candle used in
liturgies in Western Christianity. A new Paschal
candle is blessed and lit every year at Easter,
and is used throughout the Paschal season
which is during Easter and then throughout the
year on special occasions, such as baptisms and
funerals.
Sacred Linens
& Vestments
 Pall
 A pall is a cloth that covers the lid of the
chalice. The word comes from the Latin
pallium, through Old English. It is also a
stiffened square card covered with white
linen, usually embroidered with a cross or
some other appropriate symbol
Corporal
 A corporal is a cloth used in the
celebration of the Mass. It is where the
bread and wine are placed.
Purificator
 A purificator is a cloth used in the
celebration of the Mass. It is used to clean
the chalice, paten and ciborium.
Finger Towel
 A finger towel is a cloth used to dry the
hands of the priests when they wash
their hands, symbolism of cleansing the
sins of priests while celebrating the mass.
Altar Cloth
 An altar cloth is used by various religious
groups to cover an altar. It may be used as a
sign of respect towards the holiness of the
altar, as in the Catholic Church. Because
many altars are made of wood and are often
ornate and unique, cloth may then be used
to protect the altar surface.
Cassock/ Sutana
 The cassock or soutane is an item of
Christian clerical clothing used by the clergy
of Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican,
Lutheran, and Reformed churches, among
others. "Ankle-length garment" is the literal
meaning of the corresponding Latin term,
vestis talaris.
Surplice
 A surplice is a liturgical vestment of the
Western Christian Church. The surplice is in
the form of a tunic of white linen or cotton
fabric, reaching to the knees, with wide or
moderately wide sleeves. It was originally a
long garment with open sleeves reaching
nearly to the ground.
 Alb
 The alb, one of the liturgical vestments of
the Roman Catholic, is an ample white
garment coming down to the ankles and is
usually girdled with a cincture. It is simply
the long, white linen tunic used by the
ancient Romans.
Chasuble
 The chasuble is the outermost liturgical
vestment worn by clergy for the celebration
of the Eucharist in Western-tradition
Christian churches that use full vestments,
primarily in Roman Catholic, Anglican, and
Lutheran churches.
Stole
 The stole is a liturgical vestment of
various Christian denominations. It
consists of a band of colored cloth,
formerly usually of silk, about seven and
a half to nine feet long and three to four
inches wide, whose ends may be straight
or may broaden out.
Dalmatic
 The dalmatic is a long, wide-sleeved tunic,
which serves as a liturgical vestment in the
Catholic Church and some other churches.
When used, it is the proper vestment of a
deacon at Mass or other services.
Deacon’s Stole
 It is the stole worn by the deacon. It is like
a sash worn at the side of the deacon.
Humeral Veil and Cape
 The humeral veil is one of the
liturgical vestments of the
Roman Rite, also used in some
Anglican and Lutheran churches.
It consists of a piece of cloth
about 2.75 m long and 90 cm
wide draped over the shoulders
and down the front, normally of
silk or cloth of gold.
Processional Canopy
 The processional canopy is used when the
Blessed Sacrament is used outside the
Church for procession.
 Mitre
 The mitre or miter, is a type of headgear
now known as the traditional, ceremonial
head-dress of bishops and certain abbots in
traditional Christianity
Skull Cap/ Zucchetto
 The zucchetto is a small, hemispherical,
form-fitting ecclesiastical skullcap worn by
clerics of various Catholic churches.
Mozzetta
 The mozzetta is a short elbow-length
sartorial vestment, a cape that covers the
shoulders and is buttoned over the frontal
breast area.
Funeral Pall
 A pall is a cloth that covers a casket or
coffin at funerals. The word comes
from the Latin pallium, through Old
English.
Sacred Books &
Missalets
Lectionary
 A lectionary is a book or listing that contains a
collection of scripture readings appointed for
Christian or Judaic worship on a given day or
occasion. There are sub-types such as a
"gospel lectionary" or evangeliary, and an
epistolary with the readings from the New
Testament Epistles.
Sacramentary
 In the Latin Catholic Church, a sacramentary was
a book used for liturgical services and Mass by a
priest, containing all and only the words spoken
or sung by him.
Gospel Book
 This is the book that contains all of the Sunday
Gospel for the liturgical year.
Gospel Book Cover
 This is usually made of steel which is used
to cover and protect the Gospel book.
Gospel Book Stand
 It is used to as a stand for the Gospel
Book. It keeps the book steady.
 Ordo
 This is a small book which contains all the
readings for the whole liturgical year.
Prayers of the
Faithful
 It contains the prayers for which is prayed
during mass, after the homily or profession
of faith.
Collectio Rituum/
Preces
 It contains the prayers for blessings and
other prayers used in specific occasions.
Sambuhay/
Missalette
 It contains the readings and flow of the Mass
for a specific celebration or Mass.
Altar Table
 This is where the priest
performs the act of sacrifice
and adoration. It is where the
bread and wine turns into the
Body and Blood of Christ.
Sanctuary
 This is the elevated part of the Church
where the priest offers the sacrifice of
the Mass.
Lectern
 It is where the Word of God is
proclaimed and where the ministry
of the word exercise their ministry.
Credence Table
 This is where the sacred vessels
where placed during the
celebration of the Mass.
Presider’s Chair

 It is where the main presider sits

during the celebration of the mass.
Sacristy/ Vestry

 This is the vesting area of the

priests and where the sacred
vessels are kept.
Adoration Chapel
 It is where the body of Christ is
reposed. This is a holy place. Act of
reverence must be observed.
Church Nave
 It is where the presider and servers do
the procession and recessional.
Choir Loft
 It is where the music ministry and
choir exercise their ministry.
 A GUIDE FOR ALTAR SERVERS
DIVINA PASTORA COLLEGE
Convento del Agustino
November 8, 2019
1:00PM – 4:00PM