Liturgical Season: Vestments and Vessels

Vestments
1. Cassocks: The close white-fitting ankle garment worn by the clergy and by laymen
during liturgical service
2. Alb: The long, white linen garment symbolizing the innocence and purity that should
adorn the souls of the priest who ascends the altar.
3. Chasuble: The outer priestly vestment, symbolizing the virtue of charity and the yoke
of unselfish service of the Lord.
4. Stole: The long scarf placed about the neck of the priest, which symbolizes priestly
service and immorality of the soul.
5. Cincture: Lengthy cord made of linen or hemp tied at the waist to combine the full
long flowing alb.
6. Surplice: It is a large sleeved loose fitting garment reaching almost the knees made
of linen or cotton, without cincture, worn over the cassocks or habit. It is worn during the
procession, while administering the sacraments, in choir and basically at any function
when Alb is not prescribed. Also used by acolytes during the mass.
7. Miter: The official headdress of a bishop, a tall cap outline on the front and back
resembling that of a pointed arch.
8. Cope: A vestment worn around the shoulders and all over the hands by a priest
holding a monstrance.
9. Dalmatic: The sleeved tunic worn in place on the chasuble by the deacon.
10. Deacons stole: The diagonal stole used by the deacon.

Vessels
1. Chalice: Sacred vessel used for drinking; a cup for the wine of the sacrament of the
Eucharist.
2. Ciborium: Chalice-shaped vessels used to hold the consecrated Hosts for the
distribution during the Communion of the Faithful. It can be made of any material as
long as the inside is gilded. It is kept in the Tabernacle between Masses, covered with
white veil.
3. Paten: This is a plate of gold or silver upon which the large bread of consecration
rests until the Offertory.
4. Communion Plate: It is a metal plate used to prevent the fragments of the sacred
bread from falling during the communion.
5. Lavabo: Small bowl used by the celebrant for washing of hands.
6. Pyx: also called as custodia, used to carry the Sacred Host when taking it to the sick
and homebound. It is made of same material as the Ciborium gilt on the inside.
7. Cruets: These vessels hold water and wine before Consecration.
8. Thurible (or Censer) and Boat: It is the incense burner used at the Mass. It hangs
from the schains so it can be swung to incense the people and the things. Boat is where
the incense is stored before it place to the thurible.
9. Montrance (or Ostensorium or Ostensory): it is gold or silver vessel, often in a
sunburst shape with a clear gall called luna for viewing the Sacrament. The host is
kept in place inside the crystal or glass framed by a crescent shaped gold or silver
gilded clip called lunette. The monstrance is used during the Benedictions and
processions, etc. for adoration by the Faithful. It doesnt require blessing, but it should
be blessed.

Altar Linens
1. Purificator: This is the Linen clot used for wiping the chalice, and the fingers and
mouth of the celebrant after communion. It is spread over the cup of the chalice at the
beginning and end of the Mass.
2. Pall: A blessed, stiff suared piece of linen, sometimes decorated with a cross or other
embroidery, used to cover the Chalice to prevent impurities from falling into it. If it is
embroidered or made of silk, the side touching the chalice must still be made of linen.
3. Corporal: IS a square piece of Linen. In size and appearance it resembles a small
napkin. It is spread out on the altar, and the chalice is placed upon it. During the Mass
the Sacred Host rests for a time on the Corporal.
4. Finger Towel: These may be made of any material (preferably linen) and are used in
lavabo after the communion.

Liturgical Books of the Roman Rite.

A. Books used for the Mass:
1. The Sacramentary
2. The Antiphonal
3. The Lectionary
4. The Evangelarium or Books of the Gospels
5. The Calendar (Church year or Ordo)

B. Books used for the Liturgy of the Hours and the Chapter Office used by the
Monks:
1. The Psalter (including the antiphonaries)
2. The Hymnal
3. Books for Oration
4. Biblical, Patristic and Hagiographical Readings
C. Books for Ordering of the Liturgy:
1. The Ceremonials

D. Books used by the Celebrants for the Sacraments and other Rites:
1. The Bishops Book: The Pontifical
*Ordination of Deacons, Priests, and Bishops (August 15, 1968)
*Rite of Consecration to the Life of Virginity (May 31, 1970)
* Rite of Blessing of an Abbot or Abbess (November 9, 1970)
*Rite of Blessing Oils
-Rite of Consecrating the Chrism (December 3, 1970)
*Rite of Confirmation (August 22, 1971)
*Rite of the Institution of Lectors, Acolytes etc. (December 3, 1972)
*Rite of Dedication of a Church, and an Altar (May 29, 1977)
*Rite of Crowing an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary (March 25, 1981)
2. The Priests Book: The Ritual
*Rite of Marriage (March 19, 1969)
*Rite of Baptism for Children (May 15, 1969)
*Rite of Funerals (August 15, 1969)
* Rite of Religious Profession (February 2, 1970)
*Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (January 6, 1972)
*Rite of the Pastoral Care of the Sick (December 7, 1972)
*Rite of Eucharistic Worship Outside of Mass (June 21, 1973)
*Rite of Penance (December 2, 1973)
* Rite of Blessings (May 31, 1984)