SYMBOLS OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST

 

PARTS OF THE WORSHIP CENTER OF A CHURCH

 

 

Altar                                 The table at the center of worship on which the Eucharistic elements are consecrated during the communion service. “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us”.     

 

Altar Rails                       The rail with kneelers where the people receive communion.

 

Altar Rail Gate               The entry to the sanctuary at the center of the altar rails.

 

Basilica                           An oblong building ending with an apse (semicircle) at one or both ends. The seat of judgment or authority.

 

Chancel                          The area of the worship center between the nave and the apse containing the altar and in which the choir, clergy, lay ministers and acolytes sit.

 

Credence table             The shelf attached to the wall on either side of the sanctuary on which alms basins and Eucharistic vessels are placed.

 

Lectern                            The reading podium desk from which the lessons and prayers are read by lay persons.  

 

Nave                                The area of the worship center in which the congregation sits. From the Latin word for ship.

 

Narthex                           The vestibule leading to the nave.        

 

Pulpit                               The platform and podium desk from which the sermon is delivered and/or the worship service is conducted by a celebrant.

 

Reserve sacraments   Consecrated bread and wine which are stored for use between Eucharistic services.  

 

Retable                            The raised shelf behind the altar containing the altar cross, the tabernacle and flowers.    

 

Sanctuary                       The area beyond the altar rails surrounding the altar.

 

Tabernacle                     The receptacle or closed box on the retable in which the reserve sacraments are kept.

 

Transept                         The corridor crossing the chancel having doors at either end.        

 

 

 

THE EUCHARISTIC ACCESSORIES, VESSELS AND ELEMENTS

 

 

The Elements

 

Host                        The wafer or bread used in the Eucharist (“The Body of our Lord, Jesus Christ”)

 

Wine                        “The Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ”

 

Water

 

 

The Vessels

Among the requisites for the celebration of Mass, the sacred vessels hold a place of honor, especially the chalice and paten, which are used in presenting, consecrating, and receiving the bread and wine.

 

Chalice                   The silver cup from which communicants receive the wine (“The Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ”).

 

Ciborium                A box or cup in which the host is stored.

 

Cruets                    The glass containers in which water and unconsecrated wine are stored during the Eucharist.

 

Flagon                    The large silver vessel in which wine is stored.

 

Paten                      The silver plate on which the celebrant carries the host during the Eucharist.

 

 

 

The Accessories

 

 

Burse                      The colored, fabric envelope covering the chalice with contains linen napkins and the corporal.

 

Corporal                The linen cloth spread upon the altar on which the communion host and wine vessels are placed.

 

 

Lavabo                   A boat-shaped vessel into which water is poured as the celebrant washes the fingers in preparation for giving the host at the Eucharist.

 

Purificators           The linen napkins stored in the burse used to clean the chalices during the Eucharist.

 

 

Vestments

 

In the Church, the Body of Christ, not all members have the same function. This diversity of ministries is shown outwardly in worship by the diversity of vestments. These should therefore symbolize the function proper to each ministry. But at the same time the vestments should also contribute to the beauty of the rite.

Alb                              The vestment common to ministers of every rank is the alb, tied at the waist with a cincture, unless it is made to fit without a cincture. An amice should be put on first if the alb does not completely cover the street clothing at the neck. A surplice may not be substituted for the alb when the chasuble or dalmatic is to be worn or when a stole is used instead of the chasuble or dalmatic.

Chasuble                   Unless otherwise indicated, the chasuble, worn over the alb and stole, is the vestment proper to the priest celebrant at The Eucharist and other rites immediately connected with The Eucharist.

 

Dalmatic                    Worn over the alb and stole, is the vestment proper to the deacon.

Stole                          The priest wears the stole around his neck and hanging down in front. The deacon wears it over his left shoulder and drawn across the chest to the right side, where it is fastened.

Cope                           The cope is worn by the priest in processions and other services, in keeping with the rubrics proper to each rite.

 

Seasonal Colors

Variety in the color of the vestments is meant to give effective, outward expression to the specific character of the mysteries of the faith being celebrated and, in the course of the year, to a sense of progress in the Christian life.

White is used in the offices and Eucharists of the Easter and Christmas seasons; on feasts and memorials of the Lord, other than of his passion, the angels, saints who were not martyrs, All Saints (1 November), John the Baptist (24 June), John the Evangelist (27 December), and the Conversion of St. Paul (25 January).

Red is used on Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday) and Good Friday, Pentecost, Holy Week celebrations of the Lord's passion, birthday feasts of the apostles and evangelists, and celebrations of martyrs.

Green is used in the offices and Holy Eucharists of Ordinary Time.

Lenten Array is used in Lent. It may also be worn in offices and Holy Eucharist for the dead.

Blue is used in Advent.

Black may be used in Holy Eucharist for the dead.

Rose may be used on Gaudete Sunday (Third Sunday of Advent) and Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent).