Catholic Beliefs and
Practices
Year 10 RE
Chalice
A cup into which the priest pours
the wine and a few drops of water
that will be changed into the
Precious Blood of Christ
Chalices have been used since the early
church. Because of Jesus' command to his
disciples to "Do this in remembrance of
me." (Luke 22:19), and Paul's account of
the Eucharistic rite in 1 Corinthians 11:2425, the celebration of the Eucharist
became central to Christian liturgy.
Naturally, the vessels used in this
important act of worship were highly
decorated and treated with great respect.
Chalices are often made of precious metal,
and they are sometimes richly enamelled
and jewelled.
Cruets
A cruet is a small container used to keep wine and
water during the celebration of Mass. They are
usually made of glass, though sometimes they are
made of precious metals such as gold or silver.
Cruets comes in pairs, one to contain water and one
to contain Altar Wine. These two liquids are mingled
together in the chalice during the Eucharist in
commemoration of the Last Supper.
Ciborium
A chalice-like vessel
used to contain the
Blessed Sacrament
The eucharistic container takes its name
from its cover, surmounted by a cross or
other sacred design. In the early
Christian Church, Holy Communion was
not kept in churches for fear of sacrilege
or desecration. Later, the first ciboria
were kept at homes to be handy for the
Last Rites where needed. In churches, a
ciborium is usually kept in a tabernacle
Paten
The Eucharistic vessel
known as the paten is
a small shallow plate
or disc of precious
metal upon which the
element of bread is
offered to God at the
Offertory of the Mass,
and upon which the
consecrated Host is
placed.
Chalice, Purificator
& Paten with Host
Corporal
Corporal (from the Latin corpus, "body") is a square white
linen cloth, now usually somewhat smaller than the breadth
of an altar, upon which the chalice and paten, and also the
ciborium containing the smaller hosts for the Communion of
the laity, are placed during the celebration of the Eucharist
(Mass).
Stole
The stole is the vestment
that marks recipients of
The Sacrament of Holy
Orders. It is conferred at
the ordination of a
deacon, by which one
becomes a member of the
clergy.
For the celebration of the Mass, the Priest wears the stole
over the alb but under the chasuble. Likewise, the deacon
wears the stole over the alb but under the dalmatic.
Alb
An Alb is an garment
of white linen
coming down to the
ankles and usually
girded with a
cincture. It is simply
the long linen tunic
used by the Romans
of old. It is a
symbol of purity
A Deacon wearing
an alb and stole (as
a sash)
Purificator
The purificator should be a
piece of white linen, about
8 to 12 inches square (or
three times the width of the
chalice), with a small cross
in the centre.
Purificators are used to
clean the chalice, by wiping
the rim of the chalice with
the purificator. Purificators
mean to “Make Pure”.
Amice
The amice is a liturgical vestment
consisting of a white cloth connected to
two long ribbon-like attachments, by
which it is fastened around the shoulders
of the priest. Before the liturgical reforms
of 1972, its use was mandatory for all
Roman Catholic Masses, but it is only
required today if the alb does not cover
the priest's ordinary clothing.
Cincture
The cincture is a long, rope-like
cord with tassled or knotted ends,
tied around the waist outside the
alb. The colour may be white, or
may vary according to the colour
of the liturgical season.
Besides its functional role in
securing the alb and stole, the
cincture bears a symbolic rôle,
signifying chastity and purity
Ambo or Lectern
The Ambo or Lectern is a
platform or stand (made usually
of wood, stone or metal), from
where the readings, Gospel and
homily are proclaimed to the
congregation.
Altar
The altar is a table made of stone or wood is the
place from which the Liturgy of the Eucharist is
conducted. The doctrine of Christ's substitutionary
atonement allowed the Christian celebration of the
Last Supper - the Eucharist - to be seen as a
memorial of Christ's sacrifice. In Catholic theology
it is a re-presentation, in the literal sense of the
one sacrifice being made "present again." Hence,
the table upon which the meal (the bread and the
wine) is prepared came to be seen as an altar.
Tabernacle
The Catholic Church holds the doctrine of transubstantiation:
i.e., that Christ is "truly present, Body and Blood, Soul and
Divinity," though under the appearance of bread, or of bread
and wine. This presence perdures after the consecration, so
that even after Mass is concluded, the Eucharistic elements
are still Christ's Real Presence. A tabernacle therefore serves
as a secure place in which to store the Blessed Sacrament for
carrying to the sick who cannot participate in Mass or to serve
as a focus for the prayers of those who visit the church. A
light burns near the tabernacle when the Eucharist is present
as a sign to members of the congregation.
Sanctuary
The area around the altar is considered holy because of
the physical presence of God in the Eucharist, both
during the Mass and in the tabernacle on the altar the
rest of the time. So that people could tell when Jesus
was there (in the tabernacle), the "sanctuary lamp"
would be lit, indicating that anyone approaching the altar
should genuflect (bow by bending the knee and inclining
the head), to show respect for Him.