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Legion Maria Church

Legion Maria Teachings

Sacred Items And Vocabularies

Altar

The main focus of the Catholic Church where the sacrifice of Jesus Christ’s Body and Blood are consecrated. Topped by a slab of marble or solid wood. Signifies Christ Jesus, the Living Stone. (1 Peter, 2:4)

Roman Missal

Contains the opening prayer, prayer over the gifts, prayers after communion, solemn blessings, Eucharistic prayers and prefaces for all the Masses. It is placed on the Altar for use during the Mass and moved by the Altar Server to the Celebrant’s location during the Greeting, Blessings, and Dismissal. It was formerly known as the Sacramentary.

Book of the Gospels

This book contains the Gospel reading for each Sunday of the three-year cycle, plus all solemnities, feasts, and ritual Masses that are celebrated through the liturgical year. It is carried in procession by the Deacon.

Lectionary
This book contains the scripture readings for Mass. It is kept on or near the ambo where the Lectors use it for the first and second readings.
Hymnal/Missalette
The main focus of the Catholic Church where the sacrifice of Jesus Christ’s Body and Blood are consecrated. Topped by a slab of marble or solid wood. Signifies Christ Jesus, the Living Stone. (1 Peter, 2:4)
Ambo
A raised platform near the Altar for the proclamation of the Scriptures during Mass. The homily, general intercessions and prayers, and announcements following Mass are also delivered from the Ambo. Greek; signifies a mountain or elevation.
Burse
A stiff, flat, 10" square cloth case for carrying the corporal that is used in celebrating the Eucharist. The opening faces toward the priest.
Holy Water Font
Holds the Blessed Water used to make the Sign of the Cross as you enter and leave the Sanctuary. Holy Water reminds us of our Baptism.
Sanctus Bell
Rung to signal the beginning of Mass. Congregation stands. Not rung during Holy Week.
Censor and Boat
The Censor, also known as theThurible, is used on solemn occasions to incense the altar, the bread and wine after the offertory, the priest, Altar and congregation. The Boat holds the incense until it is placed in the censor by the Celebrant.
Processional Crucifix
A portable crucifix on a rigid staff which is carried in front of Liturgical processions; entering the sanctuary for Mass, preceding the gifts brought to the Altar, exiting the Sanctuary following the end of Mass, or on other solemn occasions when the priests, deacons and altar servers are leading the congregation. It remains on the Altar when not in use.
Corporal
A white linen cloth on which are placed the vessels containing the bread and wine during Mass which will become the Body and Blood of Christ. It is folded into nine equal sections and placed inside the Burse. The oldest of the Altar linens.
Purificator
A white cloth used to cleanse the Chalice. It resembles a napkin and is either embroidered or marked with a cross.
Pall
The stiff, square, white cover that is placed over the Paten when it is on the Chalice; to prevent any foreign matter from falling into the Chalice.
Lavabo
Presented to the priest by the acolytes; they pour water over his hands as he recites from Psalm 26, "Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sins."
Paten
A shallow, saucer-like dish that holds the bread which becomes the Body of Christ. Must be gold or gold plated, shallow and perfectly smooth on the inside.
Chalice
The large cup used at Mass to hold the wine which, when Consecrated, becomes the Blood of Christ. Must be of gold or silver with a completely smooth interior. May only be handled by the priest or others he has granted permission.
Communion Cups
Smaller than the large chalice on the Altar; used to hold the wine that is consecrated. These vessels are used for the congregation to receive the Blood of Christ. They are kept on the Credence Table and brought to the Altar during Communion.
Ciborium A
A vessel (bowl) used to hold the Hosts which will be used for Communion. They are also used to reserve the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle. (Latin – food container)
Ciborium B
Same as that used for the Blessed Sacrament but usually not as ornate; used for the distribution of the Body of Christ to the faithful; placed into the ciborium by the celebrant after the Consecration on the Altar.
Consecration Bells
Rung three times each for the bread and wine to call the parishioners attention to the moment of Consecration.
Closed Tabernacle
The shrine or receptacle, either round or rectangular, that serves as a place for the exclusive reservation of the Blessed Sacrament. It should be made of solid material, opaque, be secure and inviolable, fitting the architecture of the church and positioned in a preeminent place.
Opened Tabernacle
Open – When the Host is present, the doors to the Tabernacle are closed and locked. They are opened only to reserve or remove the Consecrated Hosts for future distribution. Pyx – The smaller, covered container used to carry the Sacred Host to the sick and homebound. Made the same as the ciborium.
Sanctuary Lamp
An oil lamp or wax candle that burns near the Tabernacle. It is always lit when the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the Tabernacle in churches or chapels as a sign of honor shown to our Lord; a sign that the Lord is present.
Baptismal Font
Made of stone, elevated, lined with metal; it must be used exclusively for baptism. To guard against contamination, it must be kept covered unless in use.
Holy Oils
Consecrated by the Bishop during Holy Week at the Chrism Mass, the three oils are: The Oil of the Sick, The Oil of the Catechumens, The Oil of Chrism.
Easter/Paschal Candle
A large wax column, fixed to a candlestick, blessed on Holy Saturday, The Easter Vigil. Lit during Mass, it is used to light Baptismal and Confirmation candles; "the true light which enlightens every man that cometh into this world." Affixed with a cross, the Year of Our Lord and the symbols for Alpha and Omega, it is replaced during each Easter Vigil.
Aspersory - Aspergillum
A container for Holy Water. A stick-shaped implement with a perforated container on one end that is dipped into the Aspersory by the priest or deacon to capture Holy Water, usually contains a sponge; in former times, hyssop. Used to sprinkle the congregation or objects being blessed.
Monstrance
A sacred vessel designed to expose the Consecrated Host to the congregation either for adoration in the church or for carrying in a procession, particularly on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. When carried to and from the Altar it is covered with a white or gold veil.
Cruets
Small, glass, capped bottles brought to the Alter as gifts; they contain the unconsecrated water and oil.
Credence Table
A small side table used to hold the implements used in the Eucharistic celebration.