Sacristans assist with the Mass service in the preperation of both the altar and the bread and wine. There is one Sacristan scheduled for each mass.

When you are scheduled as the Sacristan, go to the sacristy and check your name off the schedule posted for the day. Let the presider know that you are the Sacristan for that mass.

Please Note: See the Definitions below for any words & phrases that are unfamiliar.

Before Mass: Prepare the pitcher of wine and hosts. Pour the wine into the pitcher. To determine the number of hosts needed for each Mass, open the Tabernacle to check on the number of Hosts leftover from the previous Mass.

Prepare Tray #1:

Tray #1:

Corporal Chalice Purificator

Cruet of Water Finger Bowl (1/4 full) Finger Towel

Prepare Tray #2 according to the mass:

	Sat. 5:00 p.m.	Sun. 8:00 a.m.	Sun. 10:00 a.m.	Sun. 5:00 p.m.
Tray #2:	3 Chalices 3 Purificators 3 Bowls for Hosts 1 Cover Cloth	1 Chalice 1 Purificator 1 Bowl for Hosts 1 Cover Cloth	6 Chalices 6 Purificators 3 Bowls for Hosts 1 Cover Cloth	5 Chalices 5 Purificators 3 Bowls for Hosts 1 Cover Cloth
Hosts	200	100	700	900
Wine	1 cup	1/2 cup	1-1/2 cups	3 cups

Additional hosts are located in the tall cabinet in the Sacristy. Each sleeve contains approximately 100 hosts. Place the hosts in a bowl and place one large host on top of the smaller hosts. The cabinet doors in the Sacristy should be left open during Mass.

Place the bread and wine on the table in the main aisle of the church. It is better to have too many Hosts instead of too few.

Place the prepared trays on the Credence Table behind the altar, and place the book (used during Offertory and Communion Rite) next to the two trays.

During Mass: It is your responsibility to set the Altar during the Offertory Rite (following the Prayer of the Faithful). Place the Corporal on the altar with the cross facing you. Place the book on top of the Corporal. To the right of the Corporal, place the Chalice, Purificator, Cruet of water, Finger Bowl and Finger Towel. As the Presider washes his hands, proceed to the altar to return the Finger Bowl, Finger Towel and Cruet of Water to the Credence Table behind the altar.

After exchanging the Sign of Peace, proceed to the Credence Table. Carry the tray of chalices to the Altar, and place the chalices on the Corporal and pour the Precious Blood into the chalices. Use the Purificator to wipe any drips.

Immediately following communion, collect the book and Corporal and return them to the Credence Table behind the altar. Place the Cover Cloth over the Hosts and Precious Blood.

Please be on time. Come at least 15 minutes before the start of the Mass. If you cannot attend a Mass for which you’re scheduled, please try to find a substitute. If you cannot find a substitute, please call the Parish Center and ask to leave a message for the sacristan in the Sacristy before the mass.

Please wear appropriate clothing. Shorts, bare shoulders, T-shirts, and worn-out jeans are regarded by many people who worship with us as a sign of an overly casual approach toward assisting the Mass. Nice jeans are fine, but otherwise, if you wouldn’t wear it to work, we ask you not to wear it to church.

Sacristy: Preparation room adjacent to Sanctuary.
Sanctuary: Entire altar space.
Presider: The Father who performs the mass.
Tabernacle: Chamber holding hosts, behind the Altar table.
Ciborium: Vessel in the Tabernacle holding the Eucharist.
Corporal: Cloth covering the altar table.
Credence Table: Offering table carried to altar and placed behind it.
Chalice: Gold cup which holds consecrated wine.
Bowl: Gold bowl which holds consecrated Hosts.
Precious Blood:
Host:
Paten: Flat dish with the large Host.
Purificator: Napkin for chalice.
Cover Cloth: White cloth used to cover Body and Blood after Communion.
Finger Bowl: Large glass bowl that the Presider uses to wash hands during Offertory Rite.
Finger Towel: Small, thick hand towel.
Cruet of Water: Small crystal pitcher.