St. Thomas More Altar Server Training
Vestments Alb - a long white vestment worn by altar servers, deacons, priests Servers who are in high school wear albs with hoods.
Cincture - rope worn around waist of the alb. Cincture should match the liturgical color for the Mass.
Scapular - long vestment worn by altar servers over top of the alb. The color matches the color of the priest s chasuble.
Stole - Long narrow liturgical vestment worn by a priest or bishop over both shoulders. A deacon wears a stole over one shoulder to the opposite hip.
Chasuble - the outer liturgical vestment worn by the celebrant at Mass.
In Our Church... Tabernacle -- is where the Sacred Body of Christ is kept or reserved. The real presence of Christ is signified by a red sanctuary lamp or candle.
Altar special table in the center of the sanctuary where the Sacrifice of the Mass takes place.
Ambo a lectern or pulpit, where the Gospel and Epistles are read
Narthex --entrance or lobby area, located at the west end of the nave, opposite the church's main altar
Nave --The central part of a church building, intended to accommodate most of the congregation.
Ambry - the cabinet where three Holy Oils are kept. Oil of Catechumens is used the sacrament of baptism. The Oil of the Infirm is used in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick Holy Chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balsam, an aromatic resin. This oil is used in Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders.
Monstrance The sacred vessel used for exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. At St. Thomas More, it is kept in the Day Chapel, except during mass.
Altar Server Credence Table - small table close to the tabernacle where the chalice, Sacramentary and stand, finger towel, water bowl and water pitcher are held.
Credence Table -- the long table close to the sacristy doors. This is where a deacon, acolyte, or priest will purify the vessels used during Mass. This is where the cruets are placed after the priest pours the wine and water.
Items you will need to be able to name and identify. Ablution cup/lavabo Bowl An ablution cup is a covered "finger bowl" used by those who touch the Body of Christ to cleanse their fingers in a way that will ensure reverent handling of the Eucharistic particles.
Chalice A large cup of precious metal that hold the wine which becomes the Blood of Jesus during the consecration. The large chalice is on the altar servers credence table. It is brought to the altar during the offertory (as the ushers are taking the collection). Chalices used during the Mass are to purified by a priest, deacon or acolyte.
Cruets - vessels containing wine or water used at Mass.
Lectionary - a book of readings used for the Liturgy of the Word. It usually contains all of the Biblical readings used for the three-year Sunday cycle of readings and the two-year daily Mass readings. The deacon will carry the Book of the Gospels in the entrance procession and place it on the wooden rack on the altar.
Roman Missal - is the liturgical book that contains the texts and rubric (instructions) for the celebration of the Mass. Sacramentary - is similar to the Roman Missal but contains other services (ordination, confirmation, blessings) not found in the Roman Missal. It contains only the text that the priest recites.
Paschal Candle 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.
Ciborium A covered container of precious metal which holds the Body of Christ. An empty ciborium is normally kept on the long credence table. You may be asked to bring it to the altar when the celebrant is preparing to place the consecrated hosts in the tabernacle.
Paten A small saucer shaped plate of precious metal that holds the hosts.
Sacrarium (piscina) A sink without a drain going directly into the ground. It is used to dispose of the rinse water used to purify the vessels, linens, holy water, and blessed ashes. It is located in the work sacristy. (Sacracium - refers to the drain. Piscina- refers to the sink or bowl)
Corporal is a white cloth that is spread upon the altar during Mass to hold the chalice, paten and ciboria.
Purificator a white linen cloth which is used to wipe the chalice after each communicant partakes. It is also used to wipe the chalice and paten after the ablutions (washing) which follow Communion. A purificator should be brought to the altar, folded and covering the chalice, during the collection. Extra purificators are kept in a basket below the altar server credence table.
Pall a square of linen usually stiffened with cardboard that is used to cover the chalice Or a heavy cloth draped over a coffin
Aspergillum - a brush or instrument for sprinkling holy water
Thurible or Censer A thurible is a metal censer suspended from chains, in which incense is burned during worship services. The container holding the incense is called the boat.
Acolytes Candles - two candles carried on either side of the cross during the entrance and recessional procession. They are also used to flank the ambo as the Gospel is read. Before Mass the candles and processional cross are in the narthex.
Presidential Chair - where the priest and deacons sit.