Liturgical Colors Green: Used on Sundays and Weekdays in Ordinary Time Red: Used on commemorations of our Lord's passion (Passion Sunday, Good Friday), the apostles, evangelists, and martyrs for the faith-, Pentecost. Rose: May be used on Gaudete Sunday (third of Advent) and Laetare Sunday (fourth of Lent) Violet: Used during seasons of Advent and Lent. Often called purple, it has a variety of shades ranging from blueviolet to red-violet. White: Used on all occasions of the joyful and glorious mysteries of our Lord (like Christmas and Easter), of Mary (like the Annunciation), of angels, and of saints who were not martyrs; traditionally worn on celebrations honoring John the Baptist, the Chair of Peter, and the Conversion of St. Paul. May be used for funerals. Church Building Altar: The table of solid or suitable material for the meal of sacrifice, the Eucharist, a symbol of Christ. Altar Cloth : A (usually) white linen to cover the altar Ambry The receptacle, often in/on sanctuary wall labeled O.S. (olea sancta, holy oils), for the stocks of consecrated oils. Formerly used more generically for a storage area for liturgical items. Antependium Banner-like cloth "hung before" altar, pulpit, etc., usually a single piece. Baptistery Baptismal font and area. Font Baptismal/holy water dispensary. Icon A religious image, primarily of Christ but also of Mary and the saints, which is painted according to a conventional model or symbolism and which is part of a place and act of worship. Chair Seat for celebrant, the presiding minister of the assembly.
Credence Table Side table for articles used at mass, especially bread and wine. Crucifix Cross bearing figure of crucified Christ (corpus). Lectern Place for song leading and all non-scriptural speaking. Narthex (Gathering Space) Pre-nave entrance/lobby/portico area. Nave The central and primary part of the Church Prie-dieu ("pre-dew") Kneeler Pulpit (Ambo) Place for Scripture proclaiming and preaching Reconciliation Room (confessional) Place for celebrating Sacrament of Reconciliation, Reredos Richly carved or painted or decorated structure forming back of altar, usually of wood or stone, sometimes including overhanging shelf, frame, and so forth. Sacrarium A sacristy sink with a drain directly into the earth for the fitting disposal of water used from some sacred purpose. Sacristy (vestry) Room for sacred vessels and vestments. Sanctuary Traditionally, the area with altar, pulpit, and chair which are usually set apart structurally Sanctuary Lamp Light indicating presence of reserved Sacrament
Tabernacle Safe-like, secure place of reservation for the blessed sacrament, the consecrated hosts to be used for distribution to shut-ins, the sick, and the dying. Sometimes a veil covers it. Liturgical Objects and Vessels Aspergillum (sprinkler) An instrument for sprinkling holy water; the pail for holy water: aspersory. Censer A vessel for burning incense at solemn ceremonies whose rising smoke symbolizes prayer. Also called a thurible, a "thurifer" being its user. The supply container for the incense is called a boat.
Chalice A cup that holds the wine. Ciborium Container for hosts distributed in communion. Corporal A square of linen cloth placed upon the altar and upon which the chalice and paten are placed. Cruets Water and wine containers; an "A" and "V" would indicate aqua (water) and vinum (wine). Finger Bowl (Lavabo Dish) and Finger Towel Used for the rite before Eucharistic prayer. The linen for drying was called a "manuterge." Ordo Mainly, an annual calendar of directions for each day's Mass and Liturgy of the Hours. Pall A stiff square of linen used to cover the chalice. Paten A flat saucer of the same material as the chalice for the host (unleavened wheat bread). Processional cross Mobile, leads procession and recession of liturgical ministers, placed in the sanctuary
Purificator A band of linen used to cleanse the chalice. Pyx The container for conveying the communion host outside of church and Mass. Roman Missal The liturgical books, combining Sacramentary and Lectionary. The Sacramentary contains the prayers of the Mass, the Lectionary contains the Readings
Liturgical Vesture Alb A long, loose-fitting tunic worn under other vestments, common to all ministers in worship Chasuble The external garment, worn by the (main) celebrant of the Eucharistic liturgy, with stole worn over it (or, depending on style, under it). Cincture A cord used to belt the alb.
Cope Long cloak with a fastening in front, worn on solemn occasions and specified ceremonies (for example, Eucharistic benediction) outside of Mass. Dalmatic Sleeved outer garment, fashioned after the chasuble, worn by a deacon in place of a chasuble Humeral Veil Wide scarf worn over the shoulders for carrying the sacred vessels or the Blessed Sacrament. Stole Sign of priestly office, worn in administration of sacraments. A narrow strip of cloth of a liturgical color worn over the shoulders; on a deacon, worn over right shoulder and crossing to the left side of the body.