Lesson 28: Things Seen at Mass
Things in the Sanctuary where the Mass is Celebrated
1. The ALTAR is something that we perform the act of worship called sacrifice. On the Altar the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross becomes present in an unbloody way. Jesus does not die again. It is also a table, because we shall receive Jesus who comes to us under the appearance of bread. The altar is a symbol of Jesus, so the priest kisses it at the beginning and at the end of Mass.
2. The CHALICE is a cup which holds Our Lord’s Precious Blood at Mass.
3. The CORPORAL is a square piece of linen which is spread on the altar under the chalice and the paten.
4. The PALL is a small linen square. The priest uses it to cover the chalice.
5. The CIBORIUM contains the hosts changed into Jesus during the Mass and received by God’s people at Holy Communion.
Those Hosts that remain after Mass are placed in the TABERNACLE. The tabernacle is like a little temple. The Hosts which have become Our Lord during the Mass are placed within it. Our Lord lives in it, and is there waiting for us to visit Him.
6. The MONSTRANCE is a shrine where Our Lord’s Body is placed so people can see and adore Him.
7. The CRUCIFIX is a cross with an image of our Lord on it. It reminds us He died for us. HE loved us so much to do this.
8. The CANDLES remind us of the presence of Our Lord, who is “the Light of the world.”
9. The SACRAMENTARY is a big book, with the prayers of the Mass.
10. The LECTERN or AMBO is the stand upon which the Word of God is read from.
11. The LECTIONARY is a big book with the readings from the Bible that are read at Mass.
12. The CRUETS contain the water and wine that will be poured into the Chalice. A few drops of water are added to the wine that will become the Blood of Christ. The water is a symbol of our humanity that will be united to the divinity of Jesus during Holy Communion.
13. The CELEBRANT’S CHAIR is the chair that the priest sits on during the Mass. It is a sign of the priest’s authority.
14. The SANCTUARY LAMP is normally a red lamp which is always lit when Our Lord in the Host is present in the Tabernacle.
15. The ALB is a white robe that the priest wears. Altar servers may also wear it. It is a sign of the purity of life that the priest must possess.
16. The STOLE is a colored strip of cloth that is placed behind the priest’s neck and hangs down in front of him. IT is a symbol of the priest’s authority that he received from Christ.
17. The CHASUBLE is the garment that covers the stole and the alb. IT is a symbol of love which must characterize all the Church’s worship and life.
